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?

Aaron Dodge

I think every entrepreneur who previously had a regular job, thinks about what it would be like to return. In fact, I applied to thirty jobs this summer. This had a very challenging year mentally. My business really took a toll on me. I thought about quitting. I thought about getting a regular job. And then a tough conversation with my wife snapped me out of it. I have a lot of value to bring the market but I wasn’t treating my business LIKE A BUSINESS. Since the end of October, my business has been on the up and I’m ready to make 2024 my best year yet. Read more>>

Sam Sasan

As the Director of Extenso and a dedicated creative artistic photographer, I find immense satisfaction and joy in my role as a business owner. The freedom to innovate, create, and lead projects that align with my vision and values is truly fulfilling. However, the path of entrepreneurship is not without its challenges and moments of introspection. Read more>>

Summer Stehr

As a whole, I am more than happy as a business owner. There have been times, though, that I felt it wasn’t for me. When I’m drowning in editing work and I don’t see an end, when the work of piling up and I feel I am stuck “at work” 12/7. It’s the most stressful thing I have ever done.. with that though it is also the most amazingly rewarding! Read more>>

Carla Sirianni

I must admit that I have mixed feelings about being a business owner at times. On one hand, I find great fulfillment in pursuing my dream and building something of my own. It gives me a sense of pride and accomplishment to see my business grow and continue down a path towards success. However, there are moments when I feel pulled in many directions and spread thin. Read more>>

Galen Wood

Being a business owner is never going to be an easy endeavor. Randi Zuckerberg (Mark Zuckerberg’s sister) has said, after witnessing her brothers company from start up to its current iteration as Meta: “Work, sleep, family, fitness, or friends: Founders can pick only three.” You work long hours, do the work no one else wants to, and at the end of the day are responsible for putting out any fires that arise within the company. Read more>>

Abby Wallace

Owning my business is a source of immense joy and fulfillment for me. The freedom it affords is unparalleled. While I cherish the autonomy of making executive decisions, setting my own schedule, and having full creative control, it’s easy to daydream about the perceived ease of a “normal” job—especially during our busy seasons. Read more>>

Shannon Tidwell

This question resonates deeply as I am currently balancing having a full-time job as a High School Floral Design Teacher and building my floral design business, 512 Flower Company. Since I have a “regular job,” I do not think about what that would be like. On the contrary, I think about what it would be like to be a full-time business owner. Read more>>

Karly Matzen

In addition to assuming roles such as proprietor, overseeing payroll, managing human resources, serving as a social media expert, and personally crafting wedding invitation designs, I also function as the primary purchaser for all Sweet Paper. While the notion of adhering to a conventional 9-5 schedule crosses my mind frequently, the daily gratification derived from witnessing customers’ enthusiasm for the latest products and developments at Sweet Paper serves as a profound reward. Read more>>