When you're trying to get a small business off the ground or keep it afloat there are many distractions that can send you off the path, especially as we are working from home more. But how would you cope if you had a chronic condition that can suddenly stop you in your tracks and confine you to bed for several days?

This week Paul has turned the tables and interviews his co-host. Clare Horsley runs her own business which has grown in the past 12 months. She's done that whilst looking after two teenage children and a terminally ill parent. Plus she has a chronic condition of her own that can halt her progress without warning. So how does she grow a business with all that going on?

About ClareClare decided to start her own business 5 years ago after struggling to find a business networking group that she could fit into. When friends suggested she set up her own she hesitantly took the plunge. Now she runs an ever expanding diary of groups and pays special attention on serving each business with coaching and support as well as promoting their business and helping them make connections with like minded people. She does all of this while looking after a family, a terminally ill mother and dealing with her own chronic condition, fibromyalgia, an auto immune condition that heightens the body's response to pain and can force her to stop without any prior notice. So how does she grow a business under those conditions? What we discuss on the show As well as talking about how her Fibromyalgia affects her on a daily basis and what good and bad days are like we spoke about how Clare works with her condition so she can juggle her family and business responsibilities. Her 'Monica-esque' attention to detail allows her to be ready for anything so if a flare-up forces her to slow down she can still keep the wheels turning.

We also discuss:

• The importance of planning. How Clare's 10 year plan keeps her focussed.
• Having 5 must do things each day.
• Colour coding your diary so you can assess your work/life balance.
• The importance of asking for help so the business can continue when Clare has to stop.
• Collaboration. How working with others has helped Clare to learn and grow faster.

How to find out moreYou can connect with Clare and learn more about her networking groups by clicking here. The Big Little Business Club We decided that giving you all this expert advice each week isn't enough. What if there was a place where you could connect with all the experts we have on the show, learn more from them, ask questions and strike up conversations? So that's what we've done. We've gathered all of our previous guests from around the globe to help you for free. Every single guest who has appeared on our show will now be available in one place to share more of their invaluable knowledge and answer your questions so that you can survive this second lockdown and thrive in the future. You can join the Big Little Business Club for free right now. Just click here.

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