Running a Business While Living with Chronic Illness: My Story

Running a Business While Living with Chronic Illness: My Story

Running a business is never easy. It takes grit, late nights, passion, and persistence. But running a business while living with chronic illness? That’s a whole different level of resilience.

Hi, I’m Diane—owner of A Wee Bit Southern, wife, mum to three incredible kids, and a creative soul who finds peace in laser beams and design files. I also live with POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome),Lupus, Sjögren’s syndrome, and a seizure disorder. And every day, I balance the beauty of building a business with the very real challenge of taking care of my health.

 

Some Days Look Different

There are days when I wake up full of ideas and some energy. I move between my laser, my MacBook, packaging orders, and the kids like a whirlwind of creativity. But there are other days—many, if I’m honest—where my body just doesn’t cooperate. Days when standing makes me dizzy. Days when my joints ache with every movement. Days when I simply have to lie down, because pushing through isn't brave—it's dangerous.

On those days, I remind myself: rest is productive too.

 

Why I Started A Wee Bit Southern

I built this business not just out of a love for personalized gifts and creating beautiful things, but also because I needed something flexible. Something that would allow me to be present for my kids, support my family, and still honor what my body needs.

Working from my garage workshop in North Carolina, I can control my pace. If I need to pause, I can. If I have a burst of energy at 9pm, the laser’s ready to go. And when I’m having a flare-up and can barely get out of bed? I can work on digital files, answer customer messages, or simply let myself heal.

 

The Power of Pivoting

One of the biggest blessings has been discovering the world of digital products—SVG files and laser designs I can create once and share with others over and over. It means that even when I’m not physically able to be in my shop, I’m still creating, still growing, still building.

This pivot has become more than just a business model. It’s become a lifeline—a way to keep showing up for myself and others, no matter what my health looks like that day.

 

Grace Over Guilt

If you’re someone navigating chronic illness and dreaming of starting something for yourself—whether it's a business, a hobby, or a side hustle—I want you to know this: it is possible. But it might not look like everyone else’s journey.

There will be missed deadlines, unreturned messages, slow seasons, and plenty of self-doubt. But there will also be triumphs, breakthroughs, quiet victories, and a deep sense of pride knowing you’re doing this your way.

Give yourself grace. Celebrate the days you can do more, and release the guilt on the days you have to do less.

 

Community Matters

I’ve found strength in connecting with others—other mums, other makers, other business owners who are also navigating invisible battles. I share not because I want sympathy, but because I believe in community over competition, and in being real about the messy middle.

If you're ever struggling, know you're not alone. If you're ever cheering yourself on for making it through a hard day—I'm cheering with you.

 

A Wee Bit of Hope

A Wee Bit Southern isn’t just a business. It’s a reflection of who I am—a wee bit Scottish, a wee bit Southern, and a whole lot determined. It’s a place where creativity, flexibility, and heart come together… even if some days, it all happens from bed with a heating pad and a strong cup of coffee.

So here’s to the dreamers, the fighters, the spoonies, and the side-hustlers. You’re doing more than enough. And if you need a bit of encouragement? You’ve got a friend in me.

With warmth, heart, and just a wee bit of sass,  
Diane 💛