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.

Amalya Tagakchyan

As a business owner, I find deep fulfillment in the ability to channel my creativity and take full control of a vision I’ve nurtured for years. Before launching my private practice, my experiences working for other employers taught me the invaluable lessons of business operations, the dedication required to achieve success on my own terms, and the strategic focus needed for growth. While I appreciated many aspects of my previous roles, I ultimately recognized that it was time to take the leap—to build something of my own, driven by a mission and vision that truly reflect my values and aspirations. Read more>>

Allie Wren

Running a small business is a full-time job! (And by that, we sometimes mean 24/7.) The flexibility is great for our family while we still have young children at home. We are able to work our own hours. This sometimes means late night projects and most of the time, that’s not too hard for us to accomplish. Sometimes we are at the mercy of our own clients’ orders. This means last minute orders and busy seasons of the year are particularly hard because it requires us to get a lot of work done in a short amount of time. Typically this only happens to us a few times of year. During these rush seasons, we sometimes wish we just had a regular job! But most of the time, we love running a small business and how it fits into our lives. Read more>>

Janellie Maldonado

I rarely occasionally wonder what life would be like with a regular job, and I always come back to the same conclusion. I have found both my passion and my purpose and I wouldn’t trade this journey for anything. The challenges push me to grow, and the wins, no matter how small, reaffirm that I’m on the right path. To me, happiness is a skill you must master and being a business owner has brought me a deep sense of fulfillment. The last time I seriously considered what it would be like to have a regular job was when I faced the challenge of expanding my brand to North Carolina. The first three months were tough navigating a new market, building brand awareness from scratch, and dealing with the uncertainty that comes with growth. Read more>>

Kari Marin

If happier as a business owner means content with where I am, then yes. Happiness is a feeling that comes and goes with circumstances; some days I am anxious being a business owner and have fleeting thoughts about giving up and working for another company or organization again. But being content is knowing I’m supposed to be where I am regardless of feelings. Read more>>

David Wilson

I’m super happy being my own boss. I used to work for people and no matter how much extra work or savings I did for them, it never amounted to anything other then pitiful raises. Working for someone else made me realize I was in a cage. Being my own boss I’m free, but with that freedom comes risk. I could fail and ruin my life. But its worth it knowing that I get 100% of everything I put into my business and its all on me. Read more>>

Brent Johnson

I am certainly happier as a business owner. That said, it’s not without its ups and downs. There is never truly a day off. Even when I’m not at the practice, my mind is always focused on perfecting our systems and procedures. The incredible part of being a business owner is that our success is directly tied to the effort of myself and our team. If we aren’t performing well, then it’s on us to improve. Conversely, when everything is going great, it’s a testament to our hard work. Read more>>

Antonia Quinn

For as long as I can remember, I dreamed of starting my own business. After college, I worked at a tech startup, doing graphic design. That job taught me valuable lessons in structure, time management, and applying my skills in real-world settings. But even as I honed my craft, I continued working on personal projects and taking on freelance clients during evenings and weekends. Read more>>

Mark Hampton

So, that’s really funny because I’ve often considered myself to be a giant walking contradiction—although, who amongst us isn’t, right? I knew from a very, very early age that I was never going to be one of those people satisfied with doing some type of office job. To me, that just sounded completely and utterly banal and boring. There was always a part of me that knew I would go down some kind of unconventional route. Read more>>

Ar Brown

I actually have a good regular job and create as a side-quest; perhaps as a form of therapy? This creates a good balance for me in terms of being able to pay the bills and also having a creative outlet that can be put aside if needed. Respect to those who try to make a living as an artist because it’s very difficult and that tension can push people to the next level of creativity. For me this is a good balance and I can decide for myself how much time, effort, and money to spend pursuing my next idea. Read more>>

Zahkia Morgan

As a business owner, I love the freedom and impact of running Be Epic LLC, but I’d be lying if I said I never wondered about having a regular 9-to-5 job. One night, after juggling multiple client deadlines and troubleshooting last-minute issues, exhaustion hit me hard. Wouldn’t it be easier to just clock out at 5 PM?

But as I sat there, I reminded myself why I started—freedom, ownership, and making a real impact. Challenges come with the territory, but so do the rewards. At the end of the day, I wouldn’t trade this journey for anything. Read more>>

Trevor Rathbone

I think so, its a loaded question for sure. I think about having a regular job all the time. I think I would be the best employee, because I work harder than most people need to at a single role haha. I have to do so much and wear so many hats to run a business, and in terms of labor the kind of business I own requires hands on work as well as macro oversight and big picture. The idea of going to work and not taking any of it home with you is appealing, any business owner will tell you, even if your successful you are never really off, thinking about taking a vacation can be stressful. relaying on your partner to have a steady job so you can have insurance can be stressful. Work life balance off working for someone else is constantly appealing. Read more>>

Gina Korte

At the end of the day, yes I am. I absolutely think about it!!! I wonder how people just get to clock in, clock out, and click a button for paid time off. The last time I really thought about it was when New Moon Studios was moving brick and mortars. We had outgrown our first location and needed somewhere twice the size. Between the building hunting, negotiating, and the 18 hour days being pulled to get the place ready…you start to question your choices! =) However, it is always worth it. Every time I step into New Moon Studios it is a reminder of so many things. We have an INCREDIBLE team of instructors, an awesome community of students, and much more. We are not just co-workers-we are family here. There is something about creating art with each other that is unexplainable. Read more>>

Laura Boller

Yes, I am a very happy business owner. I started my business almost four years ago with virtually no experience of being a business owner and entrepreneur. It has given me a voice, has allowed me to share my story, to inspire others, to use my skills as a hairstylist and makeup artist which plays a key role in my client’s wedding day, and has given me purpose. Seeing my clients happy and as the best version of themselves on one of the biggest days of their lives gives me happiness. It has also allowed me to pursue my other passion of creating art and going back to school for my BFA in Illustration. Read more>>

Karin Rošker

I thought my first employment will be a regular job and then later on maybe I will own my own business. But then life played it’s role and I started my own business and never had—or at least for now—a regular job.
Owning a business comes with pros and cons but at the end of the day, it’s worth it. I am really happy I am able to be a freelancer and work for myself. It is a freedom, even though it doesn’t always seem to be. I remember having an internship in The Netherlands, going to work at night and coming home at night, freelancing beside it—so absolutely overworking, and I told myself “I don’t want this, I want to have a life outside work”. After that I took some vacation and then I planned to find a job. When I returned back to Slovenia there was a freelance project waiting for me. Read more>>

Kristin Jewell

In my early 20’s and fresh out of college, I didn’t have a lot of experience in the real world. I went to classes during the week, waited tables on the weekends, lived at home and that was my life for about 4 years. I knew when I graduated, with a degree, I wanted to do something with it. I had grown up in Nashville and when I graduated from UTD, I wanted to go back. I ended up applying to a law firm that dealt in mainly real estate and it was one of the best jobs I’ve ever had. Someone with no experience in the real estate world was given a chance and I don’t know if that lawyer who hired me knows how much of an impact he had on my life. It set the stage for “Why not me?” Read more>>

Anne Valdez

A few years ago, I was working a regular 9-to-5 job and then a part-time job after. Having a regular job provided stability, a consistent paycheck and all the things you’d expect from a traditional career. But somewhere along the way, I realized I was missing out on something far more important: time freedom.
Becoming a business owner has been one of the best decisions I’ve made. I now get to design my own schedule, which means I can spend unexpected lunches at our kids’ school which the surprised faces alone make it all worthwhile, show up for impromptu lunch dates with my husband and even finish little home projects that always got pushed to the backburner before. These little moments of connection and freedom were impossible when I was tied to someone else’s clock. Read more>>

Jaqueline Alfaro

I am incredibly happy as a business owner. It is such a gift to have the freedom to drop off and pickup my kids from school, tend to them when they are sick, and to schedule work around what is most important to me and my family. My business came out of necessity; like most entrepreneurs. I was let go from my job and then immediately found out I was pregnant with my first child. You can imagine how overwhelming that was. Starting my home baking business just made sense at the time, not requiring much to start. I later held a part time job after having my son. It was hard being away from him but at that time, I did not yet have the clientele to rely solely on baking. When that finally changed in 2020, I was able to completely focus on my business and I never looked back. I don’t often ask myself what it would be like to have a regular job because I did that several times. Read more>>

Patrick (poet1deep) Harris

I actually have a regular job. Two of them to be exact. In my primary role I’ve worked as a barber in the Orlando area for 20 plus years. My secondary role is as a warehouseman. Then I get to do poetry after all of that lol. Everyday when I get to my first job at the warehouse I envision what its gonna be like for me when the day comes that I can put all of my time and energy into creating. It’s gonna happen for me, i know it is. I think about it while I’m working, when I clock out and drive to the barbershop, while I’m cutting hair, on the ride home, while I walk the dog, pretty much all my waking hours I spend romanticizing the idea of being a full time , financially stable creative. The only part of being a creative that i don’t like is not being able to do it more. Read more>>

Virginia Wygal

When comparing my mental state today, as an independent creative, to that of my ‘corporate’ creative state, I can say without hesitation that I am happier. That is not to say that there are not similar challenges, but the fact that those struggles are aimed at the ultimate success of my own enterprise makes a big difference in the perception of happiness. Read more>>

Aziza Andre’

I’m very happy as an artist. I feel very fulfilled existing in a creative space. I’ve had many “normal” jobs that eventually would feel spiritually, emotionally and physically draining. Over time, I would lose my spark or essential focus that gave me momentum to stay curious or engaged with creating art.

My last normal job was instructing art at a Montessori school and as a teacher, you may often find yourself being exploited in the name of “labor of love”. With limited resources, increasing workloads, and a lack of systemic support. Read more>>

Jack Atkins

I’m very happy in my current state as an actor and casting producer, but I’d be lying if I said other career paths haven’t crossed my mind. I’m only 24, so I feel like I’m currently in a position where I’m still building my career. I’m constantly trying to gain and maintain positive momentum, and in industries that fluctuate as much as acting and casting, that means I’m pretty much in a constant state of flux, always trying to figure out what’s next. It’s definitely stressful and can be financially challenging, but I also feel like I’m at the exact age where it makes sense to embrace the fluctuation and take a shot at what I want to do most! I have the mindset that, as long as things are moving in the right direction (no matter how fast or how slow), eventually I’ll reach my desired destination. Read more>>

Abdullah Haider

As a photographer, I have always been fascinated by how a single frame can capture a moment, evoke emotions, and tell a story. Growing up surrounded by my old cameras and photography books, I was inspired by my uncle, an avid hobbyist photographer. I would often watch him develop his photos in our makeshift darkroom.

My journey as a photographer began two years ago when I traveled to Karachi to pursue my diploma. The thrill of capturing moments, the excitement of waiting for the film to develop, and the joy of seeing my photos come to life ignited a passion within me. Read more>>

Rob Carmona

When I came across this question, I immediately knew it would be the hardest to answer—which is why I chose it. This question isn’t just loaded; it’s provocative. As a creative, I constantly ask, “Am I happy?”. But I never limit that question to just my career—it’s always bigger than that.

The truth is, I make things harder on myself because of the standard I hold myself to. I’m always raising the bar, always pushing myself, not just for me but for the people I love. I want to make them proud, and in doing so, I sometimes lose sight of my contentment. Happiness becomes this elusive thing I chase because life has shown me over and over that everything—feelings, people, places—is temporary. Read more>>

Mary Kuznetsova

Ever since I was little, I have memories of coloring and painting on any surface(i.e. blank canvas), cutting up clothing to turn into a design of my own, and seeing life a little differently than others. I’ve always been an artist, whether I consciously knew it at the time or not, and it’s always been a source of great happiness for me. Read more>>

Pablo Cuen

Happiness is a very big word. I don’t think anyone is fully happy. We all have ups and downs, situations when we hit rock bottom. Sometimes the most wonderful things come after being at our lowest points, I can’t say that when I was struggling I was happy- of course not, but maybe I wasn’t at my lowest point either, because I found the strength to stand again. If I was able to see some light, maybe I can call that happiness, that little spark that made me say: “I can.” I don’t know what it is or where it comes from, but it definitely is connected to my creative soul. I don’t think I would’ve found that light without art: music, photography. theater, dance, sculpture, movies. Read more>>

I don’t wonder. I know what it is like to have a regular job. I’ve had many. It is my strong preference to have a regular job. Being an artist does not earn me anywhere near enough money to be worth the investment financially or energetically, even as a part-time venture. I don’t expect that it ever will. That is not realistic. I love that regular jobs are consistent, stable, and predictable. Some of them have human resources departments so you can report harassment and discrimination. They provide benefits like paid time off and sick days. Some of them provide healthcare and retirement benefits. There are lots of reasons why they are better than being a full time artist. I am always unhappy as an artist. I never feel my work is rewarded, and it’s been a path to disappointment, disillusionment and poverty. Read more>>

Mahealani Taisague

As both a creative and a 9-5 corporate working woman, being able to tackle both successfully is definitely a challenge. There are many thoughts throughout the day during my day job that I capture via a simple notebook. Inspiration comes from everywhere and everyone! Even from a corporate position, I learn every day how to deal with people of different personalities, how to address them differently and also how to support them well. But so it Hula! Hula is life! Having the Halau and being able to embrace and perpetuate my Hawaiian culture has those same aspects. I wouldnʻt approach one of my keiki (child) dancers the same way that I would a Makuahine (a mom or a seasoned dancer). Read more>>

Law Blank

Happiness as an artist is one of the most dynamic and variable states of existence known to humans! It’s truly a moment-to-moment evaluation, at least until you hit a certain level of maturity. For me, I didn’t find that maturity as an artist until my early 40s.

The insidious reality of being an artist is that you’re only as good as your last painting, show, or sale. Then come the expectations to create something even more fantastic, profound, or commercially and artistically viable. It’s a lot of self-imposed pressure and a mountain of external pressures—real or imagined—that weigh heavily on every creative out there. Read more>>

Jurate Brown

Oh, absolutely. Being a creative isn’t just what I do—it’s how I think, how I approach challenges, how I see the world. There’s something incredibly rewarding about taking an idea from a sketch and turning it into a piece of jewelry that ends up in stores, part of someone’s collection, something they choose to wear. That feeling makes all the hard parts worth it. Read more>>

Valerie Barretto

This is a question I often ruminate on over and over in my mind. It’s definitely hard work being your own boss, payroll, marketing, and every other role it takes to run a business successfully. Especially in the heat of the summer months when the burn out can be real or in the dead of winter when things slow WAY down. However, whenever the thought enters my head, it leaves just as quickly. Sometimes, the imposter syndrome sets in and I think, “Maybe I should just get a part time job to have something steady, maybe some benefits included” – Yet when I try to justify it, I can’t. Working for myself in my own creative outlet is more rewarding than any job I’ve ever had working for someone else. I love what I do and anything else would be a step down. I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Read more>>

Melissa Dinwoodie

I’ve always known, in my heart, that I am an artist. Whenever I would draw, as a teenager, I would feel the most like myself. Or at least like the person I wanted to be. I felt important, connected, unique. I’m sure this feeling is why I pursued a career as an artist.

And so, I went to art school and received my BFA. These four years were some of my favorite memories. Again, I felt connected, important, unique. I graduated in 2001, 24 years ago. Read more>>

Roman Slappey

Yes, I am happy as an artist/creative. I get to draw/animate for a living. Outside of my own work, I get to use my skills to help others bring their ideas to life. I’d never take this for granted. I dont think I’ve had the thought of working a regular job instead of doing something creative. I’ve had regular jobs in my life and I know what they require physically and mentally. I’ve definetley had the thought of having a part time job while working to pursue my creative career, because working as a creative has its ups and downs. Read more>>

Christian Teodecki

I wouldn’t use the term “happier” because that would give the implication that there is a comparison to someone who is not a creative… We are all human beings and by-design, humans are creative beings. In this world, everyone shows their own uniqueness and creativity in their own way. People choose to show their creativity in the clothes they wear, the cars they drive, the pictures they take, etc. I choose to write music that expresses myself and tell a story the same way an artist would paint a mural to tell a story. Read more>>

Summer Jaime

On the weekends you’ll likely find me at a local market or craft fair with my crochet plushies and fiber arts. On Monday through Fridays however, you’ll find me behind a computer working as an accountant. I started working in the corporate accounting world immediately after graduating and within six months I found myself often daydreaming and missing my creative outlets. Through childhood and college I always had a creative outlet, whether it was through music or making physical art. As an adult out of college, I used my free time to crochet but I did not have a community of similar minded individuals to share my passions with. I found online that many other crocheters my fellow fiber artists and creatives through craft markets. Read more>>

Imani Latifah

Being a creative—especially one focused on Black women, history, and commerce through the arts—is challenging. It takes a constant fight to maintain stability, and at times, I consider getting a more traditional job in my field. However, opportunities in my area are limited, and I’ve come too far to give up on my vision for these exhibitions. Read more>>

Olivia Helms

When I was in high school the two career paths I had thought about going into were visual arts and forensic science. I ended up committing to an artist career after being accepted to art school. I do not regret the path that I have taken but I won’t deny that I have wondered from time to time what it would have been like to have a ‘regular’ job as a forensic scientist. The last time I had the thought of ‘what could have been’ was at a point of discouragement within my art. I felt like my art wasn’t good enough for the art world and I began to have a lot of anxiety with the degree/profession I was deciding to pursue. I began to think offhandly that it would have been much easier had I decided to just go to school for a forensics degree. However, the more I thought about my previous potential future the more that I realized that forensics would still have most likely given me the same anxiety that I was having in that moment. Read more>>