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.

Kelly Perez

There are definitely times when I think about what it might be like to have a regular job instead of running my own business. I remember a rough day in particular when everything seemed to go wrong—a supplier missed an important deadline, a customer was unhappy with an order, and I was juggling way too many tasks at once. Sitting at my desk, completely overwhelmed, I started imagining the stability and consistency of a 9-to-5 job. I pictured being able to clock out at 5 PM and leave work behind, not having to think about it until the next day. The idea of a steady paycheck and fewer responsibilities felt really tempting in that moment. But then, I reminded myself why I chose this path. The freedom to create and name my own jewelry pieces—especially the delicate, serene ones with beachy elements that I love—is something I wouldn’t trade for anything. Read more>>

Alexandra Martinez

The freedom and challenges of being a business owner! I’d be lying if I said I never had those moments of doubt, wondering what it would be like to have a regular 9-to-5 job. But, let me tell you, those moments are fleeting, and I always come back to the realization that being my own boss is where I’m meant to be. The last time I had that thought was during a particularly chaotic morning at Gyroville. We were short-staffed, and I was juggling multiple tasks at once – taking orders, managing the kitchen, and dealing with a supplier issue. The phone was ringing nonstop, and I felt like I was drowning in a sea of chaos. Read more>>

Sarah Evans

As a business owner, I often find myself juggling a myriad of emotions, oscillating between satisfaction and doubt. There are certainly days when I feel elated, reveling in the creative control I have over my products. Crafting something from scratch and watching it come to life is incredibly fulfilling. Yet, this freedom comes with its challenges, particularly the financial instability that accompanies entrepreneurship. One of the stark realities of owning a business is that you don’t earn a paycheck until you make a sale. There have been countless moments when I’ve wondered whether returning to a regular job would provide the stability I crave—especially when faced with the uncertainty of steady income. Read more>>

Kelly Tourgeman

Working a 9 to 5 job? Not for me. Eight hours a day and a 1/2 hour lunch break? Nope. A helicopter manager? No way. That said, almost my entire life I have been my own “boss.” Being a boss is, well, boss (2017 slang?). A lot of work–around the clock, 24/7 as is said. But it has given me the opportunity to really feed all the drives in my life. I love challenges, I love being a leader, I love being scared sometimes (ask me how I paid rent on my first business location on time), I love being creative, and I love doing things differently than what a “boss” would have told me to do. Read more>>

Jason Cheung

This question has weighed on my mind heavily over the last couple of years. It demanded a lot of reflection on my journey to question whether or not it was time to change gears. My pathway to being a creative has been a bit chaotic to say the least. I began training parkour during the summer before university. I became an assistant coach during university and once I graduated, I was accidentally inducted into a circus. This bolstered my resolve to double down on this path and I trained to pass the level two coaching qualification to become a lead coach able to run my own classes. Read more>>

Carlos Avila

First of all, let me say that I have had regular jobs and I have always worked hard to fulfill my commitment to those employers who put their trust in me. I suspect that that impulse comes from a work ethic that I was raised with by my Mexican mother and grandmother. I’ve had some great experiences at those ‘regular’ jobs and met friends that remain a part of my life. The strong attraction of working for others in non-entertainment related work is a regular pay check and some level of stability. Without a doubt that is very appealing. Of course, like everybody, I think of that sometimes. Certainly, the upheaval of recent years in the film and television industry with Covid, labor actions, runaway production, the arrival of A.I. and this current ‘era of contraction’ have challenged everyone who works in film and television to reassess the viability of a career in this industry. Those difficult choices are present, real and urgent. Right now, however, I’m standing firm in my pursuit of the work that I would like to still do. There’s stories that I want to tell and there’s people that I would like to work with. My work as a writer and director, allows me to explore my imagination and find a way to express ideas that matter to me. When I’m writing, time disappears and I’m able to create worlds, moments and characters. When I’m directing, I get to realize those scenes that I imagined. There is something completely and thoroughly satisfying in seeing an idea be born and then evolve into a fully realized project. There’s a sense of authorship that I find very gratifying. Other times, when I work as a director on a television series, I get to collaborate with creative and inspired people in order to help them to fulfill their ambitions for a given episode. That also is an extremely satisfying experience. Yes, a regular paycheck is important but sitting with an audience and sharing your work is truly rewarding. I’ve been fortunate in that I’ve been able to work and make money at my craft. Hopefully, that will continue even with all the headwinds on the horizon. Read more>>

Alicea Davis

I am very elated as an artist! I keep thinking big! It keeps me going!! Where is the top when you have been a success over and again? The Sky is NOT the Limit is the title of the book God gave me! It’s filled with poetry along with a few title paintings! This is THE most rewarding job I have ever had. I take freedom over “job security” every time. It’s never about the dollars but I’m feel like I’m getting warmed up and I will give back to up and coming artist with supplies and knowledge! The mistakes I made are crucial, and to be a void in their journey hopefully! Nearly 20 years of artistry although, I have been featured in London magazines, Singapore, Miami, California, Delaware, Illinois, Michigan and more I still have new things to offer, I am blessed and for THAT I am grateful! Read more>>

Cecilia Paz

I have been working from the moment I graduated. I’ve had various jobs trying to find what I like but, more importantly, to make ends meet from, working at a movie theater, to a care professional to fast food, retail, and now to a type of personal accountant, all while working on my business as an artist and creator. Through my many years, I wondered if there was something more out there for me but at the end of the day I know I’m made to create. Being able to hold something and say “I made that” brings a joy that no other job has ever given me. I make nowhere to enough money to live a comfortable life which is why I’m part-time working as an accountant but it makes me happy. I could never see myself not creating. I paint traditionally and digitally, I sew stuffed animals, and I’m working on a children’s book. I am always trying to create something. It is what keeps me going and the money is just a nice little bonus. Read more>>

Chris Mccoy

Interesting Question. I actually live in both worlds. I have a full time occupation as an I.T. Director. That is my “Day Gig”. But I’m blessed to be able to do so much creatively outside of that role. The challenge is finding a proper balance between the two worlds. Sometimes I do wonder what my life would have been like if I had gone the other route and made music my full time/and only source of income. Some of the artists I work with have felt the pain of watching their art-form be overtaken by a different style of music. And to survive that type of change required a great deal of creativity on their part in order to make a living in the midst of a changing industry. Today, those same artists are facing different challenges as the delivery of music content has shifted from traditional record albums, cd’s and cassette tapes to a digital and streaming world where everything is on a handheld phone or other device and the payout is far less. Looking around, I consider myself lucky. My original goal was to land a record deal and have large success with a melodic rock/hard rock band similar to Bon Jovi. That was during the late 80’s. In the 90’s. When the record companies stopped signing that type of artist/band, and grunge became the order of the day (almost overnight), I returned to college and finished my 4-year degree. Best decision I ever made. No regrets. To answer the initial question, I’m happy in any capacity as an artist, whether it’s once a month or a few times a year. Read more>>

Sissel Tan

Honestly, I’m really happy as an artist and creative. Art is such a big part of my life—it’s what makes me feel alive and connected to myself. There’s something incredibly fulfilling about coming up with an idea and bringing it to life, almost like creating my own little universe. That said, being an artist does come with challenges. It can feel unstable and sometimes disconnected from the rhythm of society. I’ve had moments where I catch up with old friends and realize how different my life is compared to theirs—especially those with more conventional jobs. After graduating, I struggled with financial anxiety and peer pressure, often questioning my work: *Why am I creating this? Should I make something more commercial to get freelance opportunities? Read more>>

Julie (jewellee) Ticer

I can say that I’ve never experienced THIS type of joy before! Being that my art is fleeting and ‘in the moment’ it always leaves me wanting more! More people to share it with, more beautiful locations to bubble in, more love to give and joy to spread! I had a ‘regular’ job before I started doing bubbles. It was 12 hour days (and sometimes nights) 3-5 days a week with part time jobs in between. When I was shown how to make a giant Bubble at the end of 2018 the world I knew was going to come to an end. I had found something that set me ablaze. In a matter of nine months I left my job (and those horrid hours) and began a Journey of self discovery and inner healing that led me to start Bubble Therapy. Sometimes it’s gets scary when things aren’t lining up as they should. Makes me think I should go back to ‘regular’ work. But a scare with my health almost 2 years ago, I cannot physically do those ‘jobs’ anymore. Nor would I want to. The amount of love, both given and received, and the joy I see in myself and others is the reason I will keep on going with my passion. If the time comes that I must find a ‘regular’ job, then I will find one that I can have a flexible schedule so that I can continue my purpose to spread love and joy though my bubble arts. Read more>>

Wendy Tigerman

I had a “real job” for about 20+ years. It was a radio production company, Tiger Radio, and we wrote, cast, directed and produced comedy radio spots. My co-producers and engineers were some of my best friends. And I worked with the funniest actors in Los Angeles. Not too bad! I retired about 15 years ago and have loved being a full time artist since then. I live a happy life gardening, loving up my rescue dogs and creating at least one digital collage daily. Read more>>

Karina Marquez

I do have the thought every now and then about what things would be like if I chose a different path and worked a regular job and I realize that the only time I think about that is when I’m feeling doubtful or discouraged which is just a common thought people have when pursuing something creative. There is nothing wrong with regular jobs and I strongly believe that success has different meanings for everyone. If you’re doing what makes you happy, then you are successful. If a regular job is making you happy then that is success for you. For me, what makes me happy is the content I create and being able to positively influence or positively impact others. Read more>>