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.

Chris Nicole

Happiness as a business owner is complicated. It’s not a simple yes or no—it’s layered, deep, and constantly evolving. Some days, I feel an overwhelming sense of pride knowing I’ve built something from the ground up, something that reflects my passion, my purpose, and my vision. Other days, the weight of responsibility feels heavy—like I’m carrying the success of my business, my clients, and my future all on my back. Read more>>

Kelly Schmidt

Entrepreneurship is a wild, beautiful paradox—freedom and fulfillment wrapped in uncertainty and self-doubt. There are moments when the stability of a traditional job seems tempting, especially when I see others enjoying benefits I’ve had to create for myself—paid sick days, maternity leave, a clear separation between work and life. But deep down, I know I wasn’t meant for that path. Read more>>

Kathleen Troy

I started my first business my first year in college. My parents didn’t believe in education (a story for another time) and actually offered to pay me the equivalent of my tuition if I would not go to college. While I have some talent and think I’m pretty smart, I also knew that I needed the letters after my name if I were to have the life I wanted. Read more>>

Cristos Birbilis

Being a business owner is incredibly rewarding, but like anything, it comes with its challenges. I absolutely love what I do—I get to make a real difference in people’s lives, set my own standards for quality, and create a welcoming environment for my clients. But yes, there are moments when I wonder what it would be like to have a regular job with set hours and fewer responsibilities. Read more>>

Elizabeth Paige

When I am with my clients and creating I experience more joy than I did at any of my “regular jobs”. Since the age of 15, I have always been in the service industry. Becoming a business owner has allowed me a sense of freedom I never experienced in the past. It is so much more rewarding to be providing a service that is your own. I think with a “regular job” it is easier to be off the clock and enjoy clocking out and leaving the work behind until you return. It has taken me awhile to set healthy boundaries. Read more>>

Kawa Mawlayee

After serving 23 years in the military, I knew I was ready to step away from working for others. My goal upon leaving was to work for myself and create my own schedule. However, one of the biggest challenges of owning a business is that you never truly “clock out.” When you build something from the ground up, you pour your heart and soul into it, investing both physically and mentally. It becomes all-consuming, often at the expense of personal time and well-being. There are definitely pros and cons to entrepreneurship versus traditional employment. Read more>>

Morgan McRay

Being a business owner was always my destiny. I grew up admiring my dad, who owned a construction company. After graduating college, I followed the socially acceptable route of taking a corporate job with a salary and benefits. Everyone told me that was the adult and wise decision. Abandoning my role in the bridal world took a toll on my mental and emotional health within a couple of years. During the pandemic, I knew something had to change. I would have been miserable until retirement working a desk job. Now, I get to serve my community, empower women, and promote small business in ways I could not have done without Magnolia. I love what I do, even on the most challenging days. Read more>>