How I Built 5 Businesses From the Ground Up (With an ABI and MS!)
- Justine Martin
- Apr 16
- 3 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Spoiler: It wasn’t easy. But it was worth it.
When people hear that I’ve built five businesses and that I live with an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI), Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and am a cancer survivor the first reaction is usually a mix of shock, admiration, and one big question:
“How the hell did you do it?”
Here’s the truth: I didn’t do it despite my challenges. I did it because of them.
Every diagnosis, every setback, every “you can’t” lit a fire in me, not out of revenge, but out of purpose. I wanted to prove—mostly to myself—that life wasn’t over. It was just beginning… differently.
So, how did I do it? Let me take you behind the scenes.
1. It Started With Survival, Not Strategy
I didn’t set out to become an entrepreneur. I started because I had to. After my diagnosis, I was told I’d never work again. That crushed me.
I had two choices:
Accept that as my reality.
Or rebuild something new—on my terms.
So, I leaned into creativity, resilience, and what I could do in between flare-ups, fatigue, and brain fog. That’s how JUZT Art was born—my first business, rooted in healing through creativity.
From there, something awakened in me. Purpose. Passion. Drive. And I ran with it.
2. I Designed My Life Around My Health—Not the Other Way Around
I knew from the beginning that traditional work hours wouldn’t suit me. I needed flexibility, control, and space to manage unpredictable health.
So, I built businesses that allowed for:
✅ Remote work and flexibility
✅ Energy-based scheduling (I work when I’m strong, rest when I’m not)
✅ Delegation and team support
✅ Adaptive systems that honour my body
This wasn’t weakness—it was smart business strategy. When you build around your real-life needs, you create something sustainable.
3. I Chose Purpose Over Perfection
Let’s be honest—some days, I feel like I’m on fire. Other days, I can barely string a sentence together. But I keep showing up, because my “why” is bigger than my struggle.
Every business I’ve created—whether it’s:
Resilience Mindset (coaching and workshops),
Justine Martin Speaker (keynotes and presentations),
Morpheus Publishing (empowering new authors),
Geelong Residential Cleaners & Garden Maintenance (supporting people with disability), or
JUZT Art (art for wellness)— has come from a chapter of my life I once thought would break me.
And that’s the secret sauce: purpose-driven business is resilient business.
4. I Stopped Asking for Permission
People didn’t always understand my vision. Some thought I was “too sick” to run one business, let alone five. Others questioned if I was chasing too much.
But I stopped waiting for approval. I trusted my instincts. I backed my experience. And I surrounded myself with people who saw my capability—not just my condition.
My advice? If the world won’t give you a seat at the table—build your own damn table.
5. I Made Resilience My Business Model
Everything I do centres around one core belief:
👉 Resilience isn’t about bouncing back. It’s about bouncing forward.
I teach it. I live it. And I’ve woven it into the fabric of every business I run.
Each of my ventures uplifts, supports, or educates people facing adversity. Whether they’re clients, staff, or readers—I want them to know that you can still rise, even with cracked wings.
6. I Don’t Do It Alone (and That’s the Point)
Yes, I run five businesses. But I have an incredible team who believes in the vision and helps carry it forward. Resilience isn’t about being a lone warrior—it’s about knowing when to ask for help, when to rest, and when to lean on your community.
I’ve learned to delegate, trust, and empower others—and it’s helped my businesses (and my health) thrive.
Final Thoughts: You Can Do It Too—Your Way
I’m not special. I’m not superhuman. I’m just someone who refused to let adversity define me.
Whatever your challenge—disability, illness, trauma, or setback—you are still capable of building something extraordinary. It might look different from what you imagined. It might be slower, messier, or unconventional.
But it can still be yours.
Want to learn how to build a business or write your story with resilience at the core? I’d love to support you.
📍 Speaker | Author | Resilience Coach | Disability Advocate
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