Roxy Jacenko has opened up about her tough year and its impact on her business

CONTROVERSIAL publicist Roxy Jacenko has detailed the extent to which her business suffered due to her husband’s imprisonment.

Roxy Jacenko was the guest speaker at the autumn winter launch at Pacific Fair. Picture: Nigel Hallett

CONTROVERSIAL publicist Roxy Jacenko has detailed the extent to which her business suffered due to her husband’s imprisonment.

Speaking at an industry seminar, the 36-year-old revealed her empire took a hit last year after husband Oliver Curtis was imprisoned on insider trading charges.

Not long after, Jacenko underwent treatment for breast cancer.

“My business took a hit last year and that was off the back of all the drama surrounding me with my husband’s sentencing and my cancer,” she said at the Westin hotel in the Sydney CBD.

“I wasn’t present, I mean I was there physically, but I wasn’t present. It could have gone bad.”

The mother of two detailed the feeling of being physically present but mentally absent throughout much of 2016. One client was reportedly told by friends not to work with her due to the negative press surrounding her personal life.

Jacenko credits mum and best friend Doreenand children Pixie, 5, and Hunter, 2, for their unwavering support through the difficult time.

Alex McKinnon and fiancee Teigan Power at the seminar.

Lee Watson was also attended Roxy’s talk.

Sally Obermeder and Maha Koraiem were all smiles at the event.

Although it is far from smooth sailing with her husband still in jail and continued speculation on the status of her relationship with him, Jacenko said she has regained her strength and passion for business. “At the end of last year I went away to Hawaii ... I had to regroup and come back stronger, more focused ... than ever,” she said.

“I have to provide for my kids because there is no one else to — I want them to have stability, it’s my duty. I am lucky to have such a great team ... which it has taken me 12 years to create.

Roxy Jacenko with her biggest supporter, her mother Doreen Davis.

“I did not start my business thinking I’m going to have more free time and I’m going to be able to go to lunches on Friday and travel the world. It is the opposite.”

Jacenko added she “is back”.

“At the moment, we get up to 30 inquiries a week for new clients, 10 of which will eventuate,” Jacenko said. “For me I won’t work for a brand if I don’t believe in it.

“I want to live and breathe it, I want to get it.”