Learning Center
If You Had to Step Away Tomorrow, Would Your Business Survive the Week?
Let’s be honest:
You’ve got a plan for your taxes.
Maybe a plan for hiring.
A plan for marketing.
But what happens when life throws a curveball at you?
What if you get sick?
What if a parent needs sudden care?
What if your kid has a health emergency, or burnout hits hard, or the unexpected just… shows up?
Here’s the truth no one tells small business owners:
You are the business, until you’re not.
And if there’s no plan for that?
Cash flow stops. Projects stall. Clients walk.
All while your inbox keeps piling up like nothing happened.
This Isn’t Dramatic. It’s Real.
Over the last year, we’ve worked with clients who:
Spent weeks in the hospital with zero financial backup plan
Had no one else who knew how to access vendor accounts or send invoices
Faced sudden health diagnoses and scrambled to “teach” someone how to run payroll
Lost months of revenue—not because the work wasn’t there, but because they weren’t
What You Can Do—Now—To Safeguard Your Business (and Your Sanity)
1. Automate Where You Can, Document What You Must
Who knows how to pay your vendors?
Can someone else send an invoice if needed?
Do you have a written SOP (standard operating procedure) for the basics?
Even a shared Google Doc or password manager could buy you time and prevent panic.
2. Build a Cash Flow Buffer—This Is Exactly What It’s For
Emergency funds aren’t just for personal finances.
3–6 months of basic business expenses—payroll, rent, software, etc.—can be a lifesaver when you hit pause.
Even if it’s not “extra” money, spreading out recurring payments or trimming non-essentials can start building this buffer quietly.
Pro tip: Reassess your retained earnings and owner draws with your accountant now, while things are stable.
3. Create a Continuity Cheat Sheet (Even If You Don’t Call It That)
At a minimum, document:
Key client contacts + project statuses
How to access financial accounts
Where to find insurance, payroll, and vendor contracts
Who to call in your absence
Doesn’t have to be formal—just findable.
4. Designate a Backup Person—Even If They’re Not “The One”
You don’t need a full-blown succession plan yet.
But you do need someone who can step in short-term: a spouse, a trusted team member, a business partner, or even a fractional operations person.
It’s not about giving up control. It’s about giving your business a chance to breathe without you.
This Is About Peace of Mind, Not Paranoia
We know—this isn’t the fun stuff.
It’s not growth. It’s not launch-day energy.
But it’s real. And for most small business owners, it’s overdue.
When you plan for the “what if,” you free yourself up to focus on the “what’s next.”
Not Sure Where to Start? We Can Help.
If this stirred something in you, and you're realizing your business couldn’t function without you, it might be time for a cash flow review and light continuity plan.
We can help you:
Map your current financial dependencies
Optimize your operating cash flow
Build a sustainable, documented backup plan
And turn “what if” into “we’ve got this”
Contact our office to talk about continuity, cash flow, or just building a business that doesn’t fall apart if you need a moment to step back.
Because you're not just the business owner. You're a human.
And humans need room to be human sometimes.
NEVER MISS A STORY.
Sign up for our newsletters and get our articles delivered right to your inbox.
Rose Tax & Financial
Cedar Crest, New Mexico 87008
Sat: 10:00am to 2:00pm
Check the background of your financial professional on FINRA's BrokerCheck
Avantax affiliated Financial Professionals may only conduct business with residents of the states for which they are properly registered. Please note that not all of the investments and services mentioned are available in every state. Securities offered through Avantax Investment Services℠, Member FINRA, SIPC, Investment Advisory services offered through Avantax Advisory ServicesSM, Insurance services offered through an Avantax affiliated insurance agency. 3200 Olympus Blvd., Suite 100, Dallas, TX 75019. 972-870-6000.
The Avantax family of companies exclusively provide financial products and services through its financial representatives. Although Avantax Wealth Management® does not provide or supervise tax or accounting services, Avantax representatives may offer these services through their independent outside business. Content, links, and some material within this website may have been created by a third party for use by an Avantax affiliated representative. This content is for educational and informational purposes only and does not represent the views and opinions of Avantax Wealth Management® or its subsidiaries. Avantax Wealth Management® is not responsible for and does not control, adopt, or endorse any content contained on any third party website.
This information is not intended as tax or legal advice. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation.
The information being provided is strictly as a courtesy. When you link to any of the web sites provided here, you are leaving this web site. We make no representation as to the completeness or accuracy of information provided at these web sites. Nor is the company liable for any direct or indirect technical or system issues or any consequences.
For Important Information and Form CRS please visit https://www.avantax.com/disclosures.