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?

Lydia Randolet

I’m 30 and I live with my parents. Read more>>

Anne Bonney

I have owned my own business for almost 8 years and I’ve joked from the beginning that I vacillate daily between terror and elation! It would be so much easier to just go work for someone else, know there’s a steady paycheck coming in, and rely on just carrying out the directives of your boss and executives (or if you’re the boss/executive, have a team to work with to make those decisions. But the elation of having the freedom of owning my own business and doing things my own way far outweighs that, and it just takes a ton of courage to move forward. Read more>>

Aliscia Klenke

I won’t lie, I do often wonder sometimes what it would be like to have a 9-5 job like my husband and my friends. It would definitely give me peace of mind in knowing that I’d be getting a steady paycheck. It would also give me a routine that I find myself seeking out from time to time. But in all honesty, nothing gives me as much joy as photography does. As wedding photography does. Read more>>

Gotti Doll

Growing up my dream job was always to be a teacher. I was so serious about it at a time I had a whole classroom set up in a room in my house! A full chalkboard, desks and chairs my mom got from an actual school, books/workbooks, etc. I would even print out lessons and had a binder full for each day of work for my imaginary students. Read more>>

Niki Pearson

Yes, I am definitely happier as business owner. Having your own brand presents its own set of challenges and responsibilities but I prefer to call my own shots. Working a permanent job for 16 years came with financial security, constant work and stability. Read more>>

Marsha Guillory, PhD

To be honest, there was a time when I seriously contemplated giving up on my candle business. The responsibilities of running a product-based business had become overwhelming. In addition to managing clients and deadlines, I was also responsible for handling finances, crafting all the products, marketing, shipping, inventory, and addressing customer service issues. Read more>>

Megan Ruffing

I am absolutely thrilled with my choice to pursue a career as a professional photographer and creative and establish my own thriving business. Being an entrepreneur has provided me with a sense of fulfillment and independence that surpasses any thoughts I’ve had about a conventional job. While there may be occasional moments when I ponder the stability of a regular paycheck and the luxury of weekends off, I am reminded of the countless advantages of being in charge. Read more>>

Chef Gabriela Camargo-Shirley

I’d love to say I am happy all the time but that would be a lie. For good or bad I started being the boss at a very young age (I like to tell myself I’m still young haha) so this is pretty much all I know. Do I enjoy it? Hell yes! I wouldn’t change a thing but oh Lord! It can get tough at times and there’s also times when I wonder if I’ll able to get through… Read more>>

Ciarra Bryson-Welch

Being happy as a business owner is really what you feel when you get to have a spur idea at 2am. It’s one of the best things I’ve created for myself because it’s allowed me to offer something I’m passionate about to the world. I don’t always feel happy, sometimes it’s stressed, tired, over worked, 24/7 kind of job. However the happiness comes when you have those reflecting freeway drives and your dream is coming to fruition. Read more>>

Julio Cesar Rivas

As the owner of a restaurant, there are certainly moments when I reflect on what my life would be like if I had a regular job. One of those moments occurred during the initial phase of my business when I faced tremendous challenges due to the numerous permits and licenses required, as well as the lack of information and bureaucracy that hinder entrepreneurial endeavors. During this period, I experienced high levels of stress and frustration while trying to navigate the bureaucratic maze to fulfill all the necessary requirements. Read more>>

Jordan Turrentine

I am definitely happy to be a business owner although it has not always been a dream of mine. I love being a photographer, however it does have its ups and downs especially at the stage that I’m in. Some of ups being getting the opportunity to meet new people, networking, and creating life long memories for the people’ and families that I work with. Read more>>

Jenna Cantwell

As an entrepreneur, my journey has been nothing short of exhilarating. Every day presents new challenges, opportunities, and discoveries. In the realm of business ownership, happiness is often intertwined with the pursuit of passion and the freedom to help job seekers across the nation. I’d love to share my personal reflection n the joys of entrepreneurship and when I last contemplated the idea of a “normal job”. Read more>>

Madison Marie

I am happier then I have ever been in my career! The freedom that comes with being a business owner is pretty unmatched. I honestly think it would be really hard to go back to working a “regular job” so to speak. I know physically I will only be able to do what I do for so long, I’ve recently found myself wondering what would I do next and could I go back to working a 9-5 for someone else? I’m not sure I could! In a future life I still see myself in something creative, and I don’t see why I can’t just keep being a business owner in whatever venture I decide on next! Whatever that may be :) Read more>>

Jordan Briones-Schmitz

I actually have a full time job as a certified pharmacy technician on top of owning my own business (BlesdTheBlend.) So I balance both as well as my home life pretty well. It can be somewhat difficult if clients message me at my day job because I want to be as responsive as possible. Read more>>

Jess Cutler

I was an A+, first in her class, never-missed-school kind of student from kindergarten to college. I feel like school does an incredible job at creating incredible employees. In turn, I was an incredible employee. Every job that led up to me owning my own business was an opportunity for me to work hard and do exactly what I was told, and of course a little extra – cause I’m also an overachiever and (recovering) perfectionist. Read more>>

Julia Gasparetto

Sometimes in this industry you wonder, how it would be with set schedule, set income, and set hours. Working a 9 to 5 job can be difficult, but so can running a business that seems to need attention 24/7. I have wondered how different my life would be, if I worked a regular job. Read more>>

Melanie Mendez

Absolutely—I am much happier as a business owner than I ever was working a “regular job.” My first post-collegiate position was as a marketing specialist in the medical aesthetics industry. As a creative individual with a passion for aesthetics, I was sure that this would be a fulfilling journey; however, I found pretty early on that it was quite the opposite. I didn’t enjoy having limited creative freedom, and the superficiality of it all became a bit toxic. Read more>>

Sokhna Mbacke

I could not be more happier to be a business owner . It has been the most exciting , challenging , gut wrenching thing i have ever done . I spent many years working a 9-5 feeling unfulfilled. Spending my days working for someone dictating every aspect of my day. I thought to myself there has to be more to life than this . Read more>>

Sharday Watkins

Becoming a business owner you have to truly be passionate about what you’re pursuing , and not just doing it for the dollar amount you can gain from it. Your belief system and faith is the moving muscle of everything else, as being a business owner is not easy. Read more>>