Being a business owner isn’t easy. There are amazing highs, but the lows are often quite intense as well. Somedays it feels like the problems never stop – regardless of how much success you achieve. The problems just grow, evolve, morph. So we asked business owners if they sometimes wonder what it would be like to just have a regular job and have shared some of the highlights below.

Elyssa Swann

Sure, being a business owner has it’s ups and downs, and I think about having a regular job frequently. Especially on the hard or off days. I’m not even sure I know what a ‘regular’ job would even look like for me. I imagine sitting behind a desk, clocking in at 9 and out at 5, having a boss and a certain numbers of days I can take off. Read more>>

Cassia Marina

I always knew I wanted to be a business owner from a very young age. I remember in my tween years I wrote a lot and journaled. I remember “brain dumping” all the things I saw myself doing when I grew up. From coffee shop owners to model to having a career that allowed me to travel and not sit in a boring cubicle all day. I innately knew I was destined to live a very creative live in a creative field that allowed me lots of flexibility. Read more>>

Vanessa Joy De Guzman

Being a business owner isn’t for the weak. You go into being a business owner thinking, “Oh I get to work less hours and have more free time” when that truly isn’t the case. The satisfaction of owning a business, I will say, is the best feeling in the world. You really get to do what you want, when you want to, but the most important part of being able to do that is being disciplined. Read more>>

Jamie Platte

My husband Marc and I are in the unique situation of owning a business and working together. We work every day for 6 months out of the year, then a more normal schedule for 3 months, and for the remaining 3 months we plan and work to make the next year successful. There are many nights, especially at the end of the summer, where we wonder together whether this crazy schedule is worth it. Read more>>

Kara Laws

I love being a business owner! Read more>>

Jackie Robnett

Yes! Very happy. This gives me the flexibility I need. A regular job…I’ve always had one so I know what it’s like. There are perks to both. Although I own my own business, I still have a full time regular job. So I don’t think about about it would be like to have a regular job, in fact, I think about what it would be like to not have to work my regular job. Read more>>

Sarah Spence

I am definitely happier as a business owner although every once in a while when I’m feeling a little overwhelmed or flustered I miss the headspace and free time of having a regular job. Being a business owner gives a lot of freedom of expression and creativity but does take up a lot of personal time down time. You never know when you’ll be needed and it can come at the most inconvenient times like when you’re trying to enjoy a vacation or just have some downtime at home. Read more>>

Arianna Emanuel-Wright

Recently, while I was talking to a friend about being a business owner at a restaurant – we were discussing how everyone encourages people to start a business but forgot about how hard it is to maintain one. It is no easy feat, and I’ve had moments where I have wanted to give up. But then, I quickly remember about why I got started in the first place and that my passion for it is stronger than my times of difficulty. Read more>>

Ameerah Muhammad

I am happier then I have ever been to build my business brick by brick. I have no regrets about starting Creole Goodies. I received a Masters Degree in Social Work in 2013 and immediately went to work for Child Protection in New Orleans for almost 10 years. It burned me out in the worst way and I no longer had joy in doing it anymore. Read more>>

Rodrigo Gallego

Having a business is not easy and probably not for everybody, but in my case I can’t think of ever going back to do a regular job. Read more>>