What even is a “regular” job? Semantics aside, the heart of our question is about those moments when the stress of entrepreneurship is mounting – do you ever sit back and wonder what if you had just been working for someone else, what life would have been like without all the stress?

Ben Guilherme

Being a business owner undoubtedly comes with its own set of challenges. Going from a typical 9-to-5 job to owning a business means shifting from a structured schedule to working six days a week, often well beyond the usual 40-hour workweek. There’s always something that demands your attention, and while there are days when you need to find work to keep the business moving forward, that’s just part of the game. After all, growth is the ultimate goal, right? In short, yes – everyone wants success. But the path to getting there often feels like a never-ending grind. Read more>>

Jackie Huebbe

I think, like anything, there are pros and cons to both sides. There are things that I miss about being “just an employee,” but realistically, I can’t imagine working a schedule set by anyone else anymore. I’ve become pretty comfortable in my freedom. Read more>>

Hailee Fortuin

I absolutely love being a business owner, but I’d be lying if I said I never thought about what it would be like to have a “regular” job. The biggest thing that crosses my mind is the stability—things like health insurance, retirement plans, and just the general ease of knowing exactly what your paycheck will be every two weeks. There are moments where the unpredictability of entrepreneurship feels overwhelming, and I wonder, Wouldn’t it just be easier to clock in and out somewhere and not have to think about all of this? Read more>>

Emylee Williams

Are you happier as a business owner? Absolutely effing yes. But there was this one moment in my 14-year entrepreneurial journey where I seriously considered getting a “real job” – and it happened when I made the terrifying decision to walk away from the multi-million dollar marketing company I’d spent 8+ years building. Read more>>

Kadeem Fletcher

I’m definitely happier as a business owner. Don’t be fooled, it’s very challenging initially as you’re working towards building and finding that breakthrough but I get to work with my wife and we get to play by our own rules. Simply said, we have full creative control over Fat Butter Cookies. From the recipes, the marketing, the visuals, everything we do is done by us so when we receive support and we see moments of growth, it’s quite gratifying because we know just how much we have put into it. Fat Butter is a direct correlation of our understanding of each other’s skills whilst also being paired with the love we have for each other; the same love that we channel into the cookies. Read more>>

Julia Toothacre

If you had asked me 10 years ago if I would ever own a business, I would have laughed at you. The thought of that was crazy to me. I liked my job and wanted to work for someone else without the pressure of owning a business. But then life happened and I had an opportunity to start a business and never looked back. Recently, I was presented with a full-time job opportunity that was perfect for me. I was in conversation with the owner, and I am confident that had I applied, I would have got the position. It was tempting to take a position with steady income and the ability to work in my zone of genius without pressure. In the end, I never applied for two reasons. First, I liked the cadence and freedom my business provides me. Read more>>

Shelby Verley

I am so much happier as a business owner. There’s a lot of freedom and flexibility that allows me to be a mother first, and then a business owner, which produces an income while also letting me use my creative outlet. I’ve worked in customer service and sales, typical 9-to-5 jobs. I found it always took me away from my family, so being a business owner has not only boosted my confidence, but it’s allowed me to provide a service for others and allow people to bring something into their homes to feed their families as well. It provides a sense of purpose, not only for me, but for my family. After I had my second son, going back to a typical 9-to-5 was just not an option for me if I wanted to create the life that I wanted to live. It’s amazing that they get to see me work hard. Read more>>

Christina Katz

I’ve often wondered if it would be easier to have a “normal” job. One where I can just clock in, do my job, and when I clock out I don’t have to think about it until my next workday. I won’t sugar coat it, being a business owner is hard as hell. You’re never “done” with the work you just basically work constantly. And when you’re not working you’re thinking about work and what you still have to get done the next day. It never ends. There’s always something new to do, some new mountain to climb or problem to solve. Read more>>

Mulani Davis

I can definitely say I am happy as a business owner. There are so many benefits that come with being in charge of your own life but it’s a task you have to have the right mindset for! It comes with much responsibility. As a person who thrives off leadership & freedom, I enjoy tackling those difficult obstacles & seeing how my creative thinking & structure allows me to conquer things that some don’t see doable. I also take pride in being able to provide a different experience to my employees they may not get with a traditional employer. I absolutely love leading & being dependable to others. But my greatest gift is to my children. Showing them that even as a woman you can handle anything if you put your mind to it! Read more>>

Summer Hopkins

Yes, I am definitely happier as a business owner. The flexibility and creative freedom are unmatched, and nothing beats the satisfaction of seeing clients thrilled with their completed galleries. There are certainly stressful and time-consuming moments that come with running a business, but the fulfillment I get from seeing my hard work pay off makes it all worth it. Read more>>

Rodneycia Williams

To answer your question—yes, I am happy as a business owner. But I do remember what it was like to have a regular job.

As the sole owner of a new business, a wife, and a mother to a toddler and an infant, my days can be hectic. Between cooking, cleaning, homeschooling, playing, clients, meetings, and installs, I’ve often found myself overwhelmed. That’s when the thoughts of my old 9-5 creep in—when it feels like it would be easier to have someone tell me what to do, know exactly when my paycheck is coming, and not have to juggle my children, home, and business all at once. Read more>>