When times are good it’s easy to feel like entrepreneurship is the only path for you, but what about the times when your hit with multiple crises at once? We wondered if all entrepreneurs have moments when they wonder whether they should have gone with (or stuck to) a more standard job where they worked for someone else.

Alex Mari

I think one of the most beautiful aspects of being an independent business owner is the amount of freedom it affords you. Freedom to truly live the life you’re simultaneously working very hard for. It can be incredibly rewarding, as well as motivating. When you’re working for yourself you know that 100% of your efforts are devoted to creating a lifestyle dynamic that actually suits you. Read more>>

Donald Muzio

Denis and I are much happier having our own business. We worked 9-5 jobs at big companies up until our early 50s and were pleasantly surprised to have a less regimented schedule. Although we probably work harder now than ever, it has been much more satisfying creating our own brand from scratch and watching it grow over the last 8 years. Read more>>

Priscilla Presley

I couldn’t imagine a life that doesn’t involve being a business owner and pursuing my passion every single day. It’s the most fulfilling job I’ve ever had, and why I am so passionate about helping others do the same. The journey of building a business has taught me so many lessons, and the actual experience of living my dream has been so special. Seeing my vision come to life, time and time again, and proving to myself that I am capable is indescribable and helped me never want to go back to working a “regular job” ever again. Read more>>

Carlisle Kellam

Yes, I’m happy as a business owner. I value the flexibility that comes with my situation. I also value making a living while creating and working with others. Although providing for my family is the main goal now, in the past I have thought, from a creative perspective, about what it would be like to have a “regular job”. I’ve thought that if the flexibility disappeared with what I’m doing now, a regular job may actually allow for more creativity. Read more>>

Jesse Wisley

Overall, I am happy as a business owner. I do not want to have a regular job, but when things are tough, I would be lying if I said that thought did not cross my mind sometimes. Entrepreneurship is ugly, mean, exploiting, and extremely hard. As an entrepreneur, sacrifices that you make are great. You can be easily misunderstood by people that are not entrepreneurs. Read more>>

Cassandra Jakubek

I absolutely love being a business owner. I wouldn’t trade it for the world. My own hours, holidays when I need them, taking the time to take my kids to all of their sports and not having to work Saturdays. I occasionally think about what it would be like to work 9 – 5, have the work day end at the 5pm mark and not have to think again until the next day. I work crazy hours to accommodate my clients, 12 hour days when on set sometimes. Constantly getting back to people about appointment times and hair questions. Working to make that money as I don’t have a consistent salary job. But I love what I do, you either love it or hate it. I love it. Read more>>

Jaeda Skye

I often find myself comparing the life I have created to what I would have had if I never followed my passions. My summer schedule seems to be a perfect example. This summer, I have taken my content career to the next level. I am working as a content creator for a well-known physical therapy chain with locations across Maryland, Delaware, and Pennsylvania. Read more>>

Alexis Deloney

To be candid, I have generally found satisfaction as a business owner. However, I occasionally contemplate returning to traditional employment due to the inherent challenges of running a daycare single-handedly. Since February 2020, just before the onset of the pandemic, I have made various adjustments to my daycare operations, including hours and time off. Read more>>

Carmina Keiko Kawasaki

While I love being a business owner, I still have a regular 9 to 5 career that I have no current plans to part with. It’s extremely different from esthetics, but it provides stability and peace of mind for me as my business grows. Balancing two full-time careers can definitely be challenging and overwhelming at times. Thankfully my support system is solid and keeps me grounded. It’s hard to imagine my life being any other way. Read more>>

Emily and Chelsea

We love being business owners. Does it have its tough moments? For sure. Late nights in the print shop scrambling to get an order finished, equipment malfunctions, issues with our wholesale providers, printing mess-ups on our end (hey, we’re still learning)… sometimes, those thoughts of having a “regular, 9-5 job” creep into our minds. Read more>>

 

Crystal Fenton

Yes, I am much happier as a business owner/being my own boss. I spent over a decade in the magazine editorial corporate world and despite not having the “stability” of a salaried job, I would never go back to a corporate/office setting. Read more>>

Deshawn Smith

Am I happy as a business owner? YES! I love my business and everything it stands for! Now are all days easy and happy go lucky? No, I wish! LOL. But overall I couldn’t be more than happy to have my business. I remember about 8 years ago I had no sense of direction. I was young and just starting to do the whole “adulting” thing. I was 20 years old and just got an apartment with my then boyfriend. Read more>>

Chelsey Davis

I love owning my own business! The thought of working a regular job has often crossed my mind, mainly at 12am when I’m driving home from working a wedding, ha-ha. The truth is that I’ve worked countless ‘regular’ jobs, and I honestly loved working for (most) of my previous bosses. When you work for someone else (in most cases), you clock in, do your job, then clock out and go home, leaving behind any troubles from the day. Read more>>

Heather Lemon

From time to time, I often wonder if I should go back to working for someone else. It can be very hard as a business owner, doing the necessary little jobs that need done that are very boring, or tedious, or repetitive, or just prep work instead of working on actual projects, or designs, or creations. The potentially less stable income, and ability to have financial freedom and security. The longer hours, the longer work weeks can also wear on you and after a while really make you wonder if this was what you truly wanted to do in the first place. Read more>>

Izzy Morter

I am so happy that I own my own business. I wake up each and everyday feeling so grateful that I’m in control of my work. I have known since I was very young that I was meant to be an entrepreneur. I have always been incredibly self-motivated and have always sought control in my work. Read more>>

Anisa “Your Soul Awaits” Pierson

Starting my own business and becoming a business owner was the best thing I done for myself. I honestly feel it’s the best thing ANYONE can do for themselves. There’s no greater feeling like following your dreams and aspirations and seeing the magic that resides in the journey towards your dreams. Read more>>

Carlos Vazquez

I’ve often asked myself if I am truly happier as a business owner. It’s certainly a thought that has crossed my mind more than once. When things get tough, as they often do in the entrepreneurial world, it’s easy to long for the days of a regular job with steady income and less personal risk. Read more>>