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.

Eileen Shii

Opening my own practice, as a direct-care pediatric clinic, was the single best decision I’ve made since becoming a doctor. I don’t regret having worked in corporate medicine and even other private practices. The experiences there were lacking in the areas that ultimately pushed me out of that kind of practice. Read more>>

Liza Mercadante

Before launching my own business, I worked for many years. What’s interesting is that the workforce provided stability and yet, despite that advantage, it drained me of nearly everything else. For years I questioned, why isn’t this enough for me? No matter what new company I joined or position I earned, I was left feeling deeply unfulfilled. Read more>>

Kathy Dahdal

I absolutely love being a business owner—even while working full time as a high school assistant principal. Building my own business has been one of the most empowering and fulfilling experiences of my life. There is something incredibly meaningful about creating something from your own ideas, effort, and vision. Read more>>

Dallas Johnson

I have owned my company now for 13 years. And I would not want to have any other job in the world. It is by far the most redeeming, rewarding, loving, caring, trusting and most professional job by far. I’ve actually in 13 years never have thought what else could I be doing in this world. I certainly wouldn’t want a regular job. Read more>>

KELLY MABEE

It’s truly such a blessing to have a job that fits one’s lifestyle. Everyone thrives in a different environment and pace. I’m grateful to have a work schedule that is flexible around my family and, though there are challenges with always having access to my work (because it’s from home), it is able to be broken up into smaller pieces and fits well. Read more>>

Mirna Ashaka

I am very happy, proud to be a business owner. At age of 21, I started my business from nothing and made it into something all with the help support from such a great community, family, friends, clients. I started my first business called Detroit Royal sweets doing desserts catering in 2020. Read more>>

Justin Balint

I’m very happy to be a business owner. I’ve jumped through a lot of hoops to get where I’m at, and I have had some wonderful people help me along the way that I would never forget. I love having the freedom making my own schedule being able to takeoff time when I want not having to ask the boss for time off in advance. Read more>>

Iordan Konstantinidi

I genuinely enjoy running a business and building a community around a mission that unites people with the same values. Creating meaningful projects and translating my ideas into something that resonates with others gives me a sense of purpose I wouldn’t trade. But of course, the everyday reality of being a business owner is far less romantic. Read more>>

Rachel Eckert

I’ve watched and participated in the online growth of selling platforms, starting out with eBay in 2005, when it was still ‘handmade’ friendly and then moving over to Etsy in 2006, with it’s ‘handmade’, small business footprint. Both of these entities helped with solidifying online sales for me and getting Studio DreamWoven’s name out there. Read more>>