What even is a “regular” job? Semantics aside, the heart of our question is about those moments when the stress of entrepreneurship is mounting – do you ever sit back and wonder what if you had just been working for someone else, what life would have been like without all the stress?
Erica King
Well, I have always been self-driven and I like the freedom that comes with not having to clock in to a regular nine to five job. Certainly ownership and being a business owner does require discipline and I am solely responsible for the bottom line. I realized that building a business and investing in myself is not only rewarding, but exciting and self satisfying. There are times when Im met with conflicts, obstacles, or discouragement that I do think about what it would be like to have a regular job. Then I remember my passion and how happy I am currently doing what I love and It reminds me of why I started my own business in the first place. Read more>>
Maggie Hernandez
Being a business owner has always been a dream of mine. I truly am blessed to be able to do what I love and call it my own. Prior to becoming self-employed I did work in a corporate setting job. Thinking of going back to a regular job was something that had never crossed my mind until the pandemic occurred. Being self-employed and being informed that you will not be able to work due to a world wide pandemic was very scary and stressful to say the least. I did have a moment of self-doubt and wondered if I had chosen the right path. At the moment I don’t think anyone knew what was coming in the days or weeks ahead. The first couple of days I did wish I had a regular job with a steady income. Read more>>
Colleen Biggs
I’m a very happy business owner. And I do think about my 30 years in Corporate America and how it molded me to be the successful entrepreneur that I am today. Being a happy entrepreneur means that you are doing what you love that you are impacting others and making a difference in the world one client at a time. Yes, you can do this in corporate America. but often we find ourselves drowning in the deadlines and flawed corporate culture. As an entrepreneur, you create your own culture and choose to work with those that delight you, drive you and support your efforts. We also inspire change in others. As an entrepreneur, we are the ones employing others and driving the economy rather than just being another employee in a crowded office building. I am honored and thankful every day that I chose to become self-employed to change the future. Read more>>
Marce Maldonado
I am very happy as a business owner. I think it’s the best decision I have ever made. There was a time where I was holding a part time job and working at my studio at the same time. Then, I got offered a full time position on the job. It was not a bad offer but it meant closing my studio. (Back then I held fewer classes and didn’t have as many students). Making a decision to take or not to take the full time job offer was difficult. A full time job comes with “security” and all these benefits (health insurance, 401K, etc) As a business owner you don’t get any of that, it’s all on you. Read more>>
Bianca Chavez
I am most definitely happy as a business owner. Of course, they are some good days and bad days but as a business owner, entrepreneur, you have to keep going. I have had a thought or two if having a regular 9-5 job with a stable schedule and guaranteed income would be a smarter way of living but then I remember the freedom I have. The freedom to make my own schedule and be there for my family when things come up, or just to be able to go on vacations. Like any entrepreneur, on our bad days or sick days the regular jobs become a thought, you know I don’t have sick pay for when I’m not able to work but I don’t let my bad days out way the good because when it’s good it’s good. Read more>>
Tinesha Davis
When people ask me this question I used to be very nervous because im not a millionaire, but one thing I will tell you is that I’ve learned many lessons. I am actually still working a full time job as a Corporate Recruiter, I have a part time job as a Manicurist instructor and I am a part time entrepreneur. When I went full time into entrepreneurship in 2020 I had a slow start, I picked up some and then a sudden drop and when I did that I found myself looking to others to make a conscious decision for me. When I was suffering through my anxiety, depressed and then getting Covid at the end of 2021 I decided that I was no longer going to struggle I was going to go back to work and invest in my business! Read more>>
Stephen Jones
the constant question that runs through my head daily……. honestly, I don’t know if Im happier per se but I have my days. the restaurant game Is hard, exhaustion isn’t the word and the heavy heavy mental strain is damning but this is what we signed up for right? Don’t get me wrong I love the hospitality industry as a whole, I love cooking, I love being in the kitchen with my staff and grinding through a service, I love teaching, I love educating a young server through wine service this is what I was meant to do in life, its where I feel I am most comfortable at times. the idea of having a traditional 9-5 gig… hahaha the thought has crossed my mind once or twice …..but I’m not built for that. Read more>>
Amber Ybarra
It’s an interesting title I feel has been blown up to be an “Entrepreneur” now a day. To own a business is a serious thing, and the number one most important thing I’ve learned is that doing it for money alone will not lead you to success. That being said, I’m so grateful to be in the position to keep pushing through with my companies. I have owned a construction company almost 9 years now. 4 years of that was with a business partner, and the last 4+ years have been on my own. Read more>>
Annah Meintzer
Being a business owner makes me so happy. The most difficult concept for me to relearn was and some days still is, that I don’t need to constantly be working and constantly making money. I was always taught that if I wasn’t working, I should be. I spent my entire high school and college career working part time when I wasn’t in school. By doing this, I didn’t allow myself to have a social life. I spent all of my “free” time doing school work, commuting or working one of my 2 part time jobs. Read more>>
Cam Petty
Freedom versus consistency. Flexible schedule versus expected schedule. Full benefits versus self found benefits. Full creative thinking versus SOP’s and same ole’ same ole’. Having a business and working for a business can sometimes be the total opposite. As humans, we naturally have the tendency to think if the grass would be greener on the other side. Sometimes it can be, and times it can be total opposite. As someone who worked a regular job for years but also has led my own business for years also, there comes times where I have thought it would be nice to have one or the other. This is a common thought for many business leaders and founders and for people who work regular jobs. It’s by no means a wrong thought, but should help you gain clarity in your priorities and what is really important to you in the season of life you may be in. Read more>>
Brittnie Sturm
I’ve always known I wasn’t cut out to work 9-5 behind a desk. I’ve known it as soon as I was cognizant of the notion of having a career. I love being a business owner. I enjoy the flexible hours. I consistently schedule “nap time” into my day. I enjoy being able to attend my kids school parties, taking field trips to the zoo and the park with them, not having to ask anyone to take a vacation, and impromptu lunch dates with my husband. The down side of the flexibility is being too accessible. When there aren’t set hours of when I need to be working I sometimes find myself working too late and far too often. It can be difficult to set work down when there isn’t a universally accepted quitting time. Over the years I have learned to designate certain times for work and have taught myself to be more productive during the times that I do allow myself to work. Read more>>
Melissa Fino
Entrepreneurship, or being a business owner is not for the faint of heart. I would be lying if I said that there weren’t days that my business hasn’t run me through the wringer, but there isn’t one thing that I would change. Not one thing. Over time, I’ve evolved and grown, and my business has shifted and changed with me. It’s the times when I don’t feel ALIGNED or as energized as I used to, that I know it’s time for my business model to change. It’s never a feeling to step out of my business or to go get a 9-5, but rather a strong desire to put more of ME within my business. When this happens, I’ll change my offerings, or add a new offering that is reflective of my own personal expansion. Read more>>
Angela Ferrier
Being a business owner certainly makes me happy, because owning my time and creating something from zero is a feeling that would not compare with working for someone else. I have thought about having a regular job when times get hard, but at the same time I don’t think I was born to work for somebody else. Owning your own business is like a riding a rollercoaster, constant adrenaline with ups and downs. You can wake up feeling terrible because of things going bad, and be celebrating that night because you achieved your business goals. Working for somebody is like riding a carousel, no excitement and the same thing over and over again. You can change the pony, but it will still just go in circles. If you ask me which ride I would choose I’m going for the adrenaline, excitement, all the ups and downs and following my passion. Read more>>
Emeli Reed
There are many freedoms when it comes to being self-employed. I’m able to create my own schedule and organize my administrative work. My job is something I’ve dreamt of doing since my adolescence. Although, I do think it’s normal to imagine those ‘what if’s’. What if my career path was steered in a different direction? What would it be like to follow the social norm of a 9-5 job? I had a slight epiphany in 2021 during one of my busiest times of the year. If you work in the beauty industry, you know how outrageous 2021 was! I had worked a great deal and it caused me to experience immense back pain for the first time. When you experience any kind of extreme body pain, it’s all you think about and it can affect your everyday life. Read more>>
Kasandra Vitacca Mitchell
Yes happier as biz owner. Yes I have thought about a regular job. It is a thought that occurs when a heightened emotional situation occurs – lose a client, receive a large bill, argue with husband…below is over a 1000 words as I just started writing and, viola! “What was I thinking?!” … “Why exactly did I launch another business?” … “Didn’t I just retire from a career which required I hunt for the next client?? And here I am doing the dog and pony show again.” … “Lord almighty, what was I thinking?!!” Read more>>
Kelsey Johnson
I couldn’t be happier than being a business owner to a company I founded! It is something I had been dreaming and striving for for as long as I can remember. Although there are many pros and cons, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I do think of times if I did have a “regular” job, I would enjoy vacation time and being able to leave work at work, but I think the rewards far outweigh the disadvantages. Recently I took a small break to decompress after the busy holiday season and wanted to gather inspiration and plan what I want to accomplish this upcoming year. Read more>>
George Garvin
Until I became a professional furniture designer and builder, all I had up to that point were what we refer to as “regular” jobs. I think what this means is being employed for the purpose of securing a consistent paycheck along with maybe some benefits, 401k, insurance, PTO, etc. Passion, dedication, pride, and a sense of fulfillment are incidental or even optional at a “regular” job. When I decided to make the shift from woodworking as a hobby to full time occupation, I knew I was giving up the benefits of being under the employ of a corporation. I figured I had my full schedule to pursue my dream job, which is to make things in my workshop that other people would want to buy. Read more>>
Angie Paola
Being a business owner has definitely been a wild ride! Although, business is a passion of mine, so of course I am happy. But, just like with anything, you learn to pick your battles to win the war. When it comes to business, it’s truly not linear and knowledge and work never stop. You constantly have to be the person with the vision and the one to execute. Many hours go uncalled for and you learn to maneuver in a way that is almost a survival skill. After doing it for so long, you do start to ask yourself the “is it worth it?” question. I’ve been doing this for 4 years straight and that thought alone really keeps me pushing. Read more>>
Cory Falter
Being a business owner isn’t for the faint at heart, but I find it much more rewarding than being employed by someone else. I have a unique perspective on this as I’ve been self-employed for most of my 30-year career, except for a couple of years as an Art Director at a marketing agency. Those few years were rough as I lost the inner passion that I once had while working for myself, despite the benefits of a perceived “secure” job. When the recession in 2008 hit, I quickly understood how vulnerable I was when laysoffs and expenses were cut across the board. I didn’t like being in that situation as I no longer had ultimate control of my financial situation. Read more>>
WILL MORELAND
I most definitely am happier as a business owner. Even though it has it’s challenges, I wouldn’t trade it for anything else in the world. I’m hard wired to be a business owner and entrepreneur. Whenever I think being a business owner is tough, I think about my days working in an office. I felt like a fish out of water. It just wasn’t for me. And that’s an important key to happiness, you have to find what works for you. There have been many times, when I thought my business wasn’t going to make it and wouldn’t be able to sustain me or my family. In these moments of despair, I thought about finding a job. Each time I would have to remind myself, I wasn’t the first person to face this dilemma. Read more>>
Christina Logan-Rowe
I’m extremely happy as a business owner! Being able to do what I’m passionate about excites, motivates and accelerates me to do better, be better and elevates my baking skills in this overly saturated world of other wonderful bakers. My passion to create new temptations is unlimited; especially when I unintentionally dream about what to make next, new creations coming soon! I don’t have to wonder what it would be like to have a regular job; I’m still currently working a FT job as a certified/registered pharmacy technician. 3/4/2022 makes 20 years and I love what I do. I work with a great pharmacist who understands what I’m passionate about and gives me the flexibility I need to do what I do best and that’s baking. Read more>>