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.

Timothy Wright

After nine years of business ownership, I am still happier as a business owner. I am not so far removed from having a regular job that I have forgotten about the experience. At times, I see more stability and access to resources in having a regular job. Read More>>

Amanda Reed

I am so happy as a business owner, it truly is one of the greatest gifts. I’ve owned my business for the last 6 years, and occasionally I do pick up a part-time to fill any gaps throughout slower seasons. Read More>>

Carrie Astin

I love being a business owner. It’s really fulfilling but it’s also REALLY HARD. Right now, in particular, small businesses are struggling. The combination of the economy, tariffs and political unrest are making people more cautious with their spending. And rightfully so, but that makes things even more difficult for small business owners who are working on slim margins to begin with. Read More>>

Justin Smith

The Three-Hat Reality: Entrepreneur, Employee, and Advocate Are you happier as a business owner? I’ve realized that happiness isn’t a single state; it’s a balance. Read More>>

Gabriella Woodson

If I’m being real… yes, I’m happier as a business owner, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy, and it definitely doesn’t mean I don’t have moments where I think, “what would life be like if I just had a normal job?” I remember one of the last times I had that thought so clearly. Read More>>

Kayla Opperman

Yes, I’m happy to be a business owner! I would never return to a traditional office job working for others. I often think about what life would be like if I did still work a corporate job or if my husband still did. Read More>>

Jennifer Del Bono

I’m fulfilled as a business owner, because each day offers me the freedom to create with intention and to collaborate with people who genuinely inspire me. After 25 years in the education field, I came to understand the true cost of that path—the relentless stress, the under-resourced environment, and the gradual toll it took on both my physical and mental well-being. Read More>>

Leyshla Colon

I am happy – and I think my answer might look a little different, because I’m still working a 8-4 job while building my business. But I love it….and here’s why. This season of my life has taught me discipline on a whole different level. Having a vison sounds good…but the day-to-day work behind it? That’s the real part. Late nights. Early mornings. Read More>>

Danielle Weber

I’m definitely happier as a business owner, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have moments where I wonder what a “regular job” would feel like. Those thoughts usually come during intense seasons, especially when I’m juggling multiple deadlines, traveling, and trying to deliver at a high level without burning out. I remember one particular moment clearly. Read More>>

Anjali Phougat

Happiness as a business owner for me is not constant, it evolves. There are moments of pressure, responsibility, and uncertainty, but there are also moments of deep fulfillment that make it all worth it. What truly makes me happy is creating with purpose, seeing my vision come to life, and knowing that my work can inspire, empower, and uplift others. Read More>>

Christalyne Causey

I never even considered being a business owner until I was in grad school and had no choice. I still needed to work, but my school hours were not conducive to holding down a stable job that would pay the bills. That’s when I opened Bare. Read More>>

Rebecca Brizi

I somewhat banished the thought when I decided to go into business on my own. Mainly because it was part of the decision process. There is a give and take in this decision: both being an employee and being a business owner offer risks, rewards, security, instability, and more. You are simply swapping one form of each for another. Read More>>

Kim Lenar-Ehrhardt

Yes and no. I spent years in a very regular job. Executive producer in German television, managing a news department, deadlines, hierarchy, structure. It was prestigious. It was also, at some point, quietly suffocating. My whole life was about the show, the newspaper, the next story. A lot of fun, genuinely. But at some point I needed to save myself and step away. Read More>>

Jennifer Schumacher

Being a business owner is an amazing experience but I think people can have a misconception and misjudge how difficult it can be. Owning your own business is just that, everything is on you. The reality of always needing to be creative, competitive, and continously transformimg to maintain and attract new clients. If you dont grow then your business will not. Read More>>

Shyla Collier

I couldn’t imagine life without being a business owner. Being an entrepreneur has given me a level of flexibility that I deeply value, especially as a mom. I get to be present, create my own schedule, and build something meaningful while doing work I genuinely love. That sense of ownership and passion fuels me every day. I love helping other business owners succeed. Read More>>

Jaden Kim

Most definitely happier. I don’t think much about what it would be like if I had a regular job honestly. I worked at a restaurant for a year so I have a pretty good idea of what it would be like. Read More>>

Thomas Bender

Does everyday count? Today, something like two hours ago, I was thinking about how nice it might be to have a ‘regular job’ as I walked back and forth from our front lot to the rear lot, measuring and double-checking a simple widget. The widget is wonderful, by the way. I say that tongue in cheek. I LOVE what I do. Read More>>

Kevin Robert

Of course I’ve had those moments. I think every human has doubt at some point. I remember one stretch where things weren’t going great, juggling clients, trying to grow, and just feeling that pressure stack up. Read More>>

Kerri Paizzi

Most of the time I’m very happy to be a business owner. I own three companies, Flavor South Florida, Monarch Marketing and Design, and Monarch Music. Each one challenges me in a different way and the growth and evolution of each have been challenging yet so rewarding. Read More>>

Stewart Rosburg

It’s definitely something I think about often. Happiness as a topic, in general, is something I’m really interested in. As new science, studies, and articles are released, I’m always interested to hear what drives happiness. Even learning about happiness by country has always fascinated me. So, as a business owner, I evaluate pretty often if I’m happier running my own business vs. other options. Read More>>