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.

Wanda Chandler Tillman

As a small business owner, I an extremely happy! I have been running my home-based childcare for 27 years and I love being my own boss and making the rules. Read more>>

Jessica Griffin

Currently, I am a happy business owner however, there have been plenty of times when I’m not always my best (owning a small business can really take a toll on your mental health). Read more>>

May Bugenhagen

As a business owner, I am beyond happy with the decision to pursue my entrepreneurial dreams. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes it can be stressful, too, but it’s a good kind of stress. Read more>>

Sharon Hurley Hall

I’ve had regular jobs, and I’m definitely happier now. But that’s not a surprise, because before joining Lea Jovy as co-founder of Mission Equality, I ran my own freelance business for more than a decade and a half. Read more>>

Anthony Leberto

I own and operate a medium-sized bakery/cafe in Upstate, NY. We produce hand crafted pastries, cakes, cookies, artisanal jams/jellies, as well as serve breakfast and lunch. Everything we serve, we make in house from scratch, by hand. Read more>>

Samantha Peck

No one tells you when you leave your 9-5 to work for yourself that you’ll now be working 24/7…but I wouldn’t change it for anything. Of course, there are challenging days where the thought of mindlessly scooping ice cream at a stand owned by someone else sounds tempting, but watching your business grow and knowing that you did that is incredibly rewarding. Read more>>

Sarah Lambert

Everyday I thank the previous version of myself for doing what she needed to do to create this life and business for herself. As a mom of 2 who build her business on maternity leave in 2019, I couldn’t imagine having to work corporate hours. Read more>>

Pete Salas

I am definitely happier being a business owner. I do sometimes think about having a regular job. The upside to that would be having a regular paycheck you can count on, health care benefits, insurance plans, and retirement accounts. Read more>>

L.E. Zotti

I think about this a lot more than I feel like I should, if I’m being completely honest. Am I happier? Sometimes, I don’t really know. I think the line lies somewhere between happiness and fulfillment – and I’ll always choose fulfillment. Read more>>

Sabrina Dax

Running my own business allows me to select the clients and projects that I’m excited about. I appreciate the flexibility I have in managing my time and structuring my days as I choose. Read more>>

Aaliyah Hassan

As a bussiness owner im extremely happy and love what I do. Im literally excited everytime anyone chooses to book with me it makes me want to do my very best to satisfy my client with achieving their hair goals. Read more>>

Tenaja Smith-Butler

It feels taboo to say it, but being a business owner has not made me happier. I’ve had plenty of happy moments and wonderful experiences. I feel so warm whenever I get a glowing review, perfect a new fragrance blend, or get orders from returning customers. Read more>>

Ashley Martin

Yes, I most definitely have thought to myself, what it would be like to have a regular job! I actually worked in the corporate industry, before I decided to dive into becoming an Entrepreneur. Read more>>

Matt Bramlette

I love owning a business or two. I was always some sort of DIY/entrepreneur type. I was in bands, created fanzines, started a mini record label, did freelance design work. Read more>>

Tre’elle Tolbert

I’ve never been happier as a business owner as I am now, than I was before. I started my own company in 2018 while transitioning out of the military. It was my first occupation where I had to take a risk on myself. Read more>>

Deepti Brambl

Entrepreneurship is not easy. You have to wear multiple different hats. You have to pick up new skills and learn it within short amount of time. There are days when you feel lonely and you feel all alone. Read more>>