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.
Jemorra Thomas
Yes, I’m very happy as a business owner. Being an entrepreneur allows me to create and manage schedule that supports both my family and my clients.
While this interview highlights my journey as a businesswoman , I’m also a wife of eight years and mother to three amazing littles.. Ages 10,7 and 6. Who all have busy lives of their own. Balancing it all isn’t always easy, owning my business gives me a level of flexibility that’s truly priceless. Read More>>
Eric R. Fischer
While it’s not easy or stable, and it’s not for everyone, I love being a (very) small business owner. I’ve always been an independent sort, and even though I’ve been a good employee in my former work lives, I’m much happier on my own. Read More>>
Carolina De La Hoz
Absolutely — I’m so much happier as a business owner. My path to this point was anything but straightforward. Before I picked the canvas life; I received my Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice and spent eight years working for the federal and state government. On paper, it was a stable career. But the reality was very different. My last two jobs were managed by people who didn’t look out for one another — I experienced unprofessional leaders, corruption, and dishonesty. Read More>>
Kashia
I’m incredibly happy as a business owner, it allows me to be a mom to my children and home with them throughout the week and I can mostly work from home aside from 2-3 days a week when I have weddings or other sessions. I’ve often thought about what it would be like to go back to having a 9-5 job, but then I realize how much I would be missing out on with my children. Read More>>
Brittany Hill
Yes, I’m definitely happy being a business owner. I’ve always been someone who thrives on independence, and there’s something really fulfilling about being my own boss, setting my own standards, and running things the way I believe they should be done. On top of that, I genuinely love what I do. Read More>>
Trina Sanchez
I’m actually in a unique position right now – I recently stepped away from being an employee to focus on my family and pursue more entrepreneurial flexibility, so I’m living both sides of this question in real time.
The last time I really wrestled with this was about three months ago when I was still at the Law Offices of Todd F. Haines. I was sitting in my car after another intense 8-hour day, completely drained but also oddly energized by how much I’d accomplished. The firm was incredibly demanding – Read More>>
Mandy SHI
Without a doubt, I’m happier as a wedding planner and designer. I genuinely love what I do—creating beautiful, meaningful wedding experiences for my couples. The best moment is always seeing their reaction when my design comes to life. The joy on their faces reminds me exactly why I chose this path. Read More>>
Michaela Fox
Yes, I am happier as a business owner—most days! I run two small businesses, The Digital Fox and The Grazing Fox, which let me blend creativity, storytelling, and food while working my own hours. That flexibility has been everything, especially as a mum of four busy daughters. Read More>>
Antonique Garrick
Yes, I am happier as a business owner because I get to live in my purpose and build something that truly reflects who I am. But I’d be lying if I said I never think about what it would feel like to just have a regular job again—especially with the way the economy’s been since COVID. Read More>>
Jennifer Attieh
I am the happiest. I had a great job before but both of my parents are entrepreneurs and I wanted to do my own thing. My sis and I built UGC SHOP because we are hustlers that don’t believe in the 9 to 5. We work anywhere and any time. The freedom that we have of being business owners is the biggest blessing ever. Read More>>
Masi Willis
I always worked for someone. From college internships until I was 50 years old, I was “owned”—hired for the spark they saw in me, then slowly shaped into whatever version fit their mold. I became the high-performing, do-it-all team player. Their trusted fixer. Their motivator. Their “worker bee.” And for a while, I wore that as a badge of honor. Read More>>