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?

Tarek Pertew

When you turn something you love into a career, it can be a double-edged sword. For me, I played in recreational soccer leagues, an industry gatekeeper for my social life and physical activity. Being a dedicated player, I was able to understand where the product was wanting. This is ultimately what triggered the impetus to organize a league myself. What I didn’t fully appreciate was how much enjoying the fruits of another’s labor was key to enjoying sport mindfully. Instead, I must focus constantly on the experience of those around me and where the product needs improvement. It has made it really difficult to fully enjoy our tournaments and other events where the community is truly benefitting from the setup and can be fully present in their enjoyment. Read more>>

Estefany Tarango

Working for someone else was always a difficult thing for me to endure. Working hard to never get the appreciation or financial benefits that I knew I deserved or could have by being out on my own. Becoming a Business owner was a great decision then and especially now. The idea of being able to work my schedule around my family , field trips, birthday party’s, etc is a major blessing for me.  I used to believe that the amount of money I made was the epitome of Success but, now I realize that it’s the freedom to choose where I invest my time and when .  Being able to be there for my kids and family is the biggest accomplishment & it’s been the greatest reason why I will continue to have my own business.  Read more>>

Landon Forgette

I do wonder about this sometimes, but never seriously consider it after thinking about it for more than a short while. It feels more like a little escape from stress through daydreaming that ultimately brings me back to reality. The stress does get to me sometimes though. Owning and running a start-up business is very rewarding and very stressful, especially when you open a week before a pandemic! While that’s thankfully in the past, things tend to get overwhelming at times, but I know that I have people that love to work here and who rely on me to keep things going. Read more>>

Gabrielle Danthine

Being a business owner is one of the most bittersweet things there is in my opinion. Do I sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Of course! Being able to go to work 9-5, clocking out at the end of the day and not having to think about it until I step back in the next day. Having a guaranteed, consistent paycheck at the end of every week. Paid time off?? Benefits?? What the heck are those?? But its easy to think about the what if’s. Instead I try to think about all of the benefits that come with being a business owner and doing something that I love. Being able to make my own schedule, and be home to raise my son during the days. Meeting new people and capturing lifelong memories. Or having a couple (who was once one of my first clients) come back to me for their 10th+ session, now with their little ones and getting to watch their family grow. Sometimes I do wonder what it would be like but then I also remember why I stopped the “regular job” and became a business owner in the first place. Read more>>

Andrea Alvarez

I always wonder how my life would be if I had a normal job, in a different industry. Ive always wondered how it would be to have holidays and weekend’s free. That doesn’t mean I want to change because what I do defines me so much and is integral to who I am. I can’t not create. Whenever I went without creating something I felt depressed. But Ive also felt depressed about the amount of work I do , the physical exhaustion I feel some times and how I’ve missed so many family events. It’s the sacrifice of living a life of extreme passion. An obsession level of passion. It’s so hard and I dont know how to be different. Read more>>

Sean Weeks

I’m very happy and fulfilled as a business owner. While there were moments of doubt and uncertainty in the early days, I’ve always pushed through by reminding myself that this is what I’m passionate about. A key part of the journey has been learning to focus on my own path and appreciating the journey for what it is. Once I realized I could make money creating content and helping people and businesses grow, becoming a real partner and asset to them, I never looked back. At this point in my life, with how everything has unfolded and the fulfillment I get from working for myself, I can’t imagine going back to a regular job. Read more>>

Jessica Valenzuela

Being a business owner comes with many highs and lows. I started Not Jess A Planner LLC a few months before the pandemic and thought 2020 was going to be my year. As you can imagine that was a hard time to start a business in the wedding industry. I had quit my corporate job prior to starting my business as I did not want to work a 9-5 then I become an entrepreneur and work 24/7. Haha! I joke about it but to me I am so passionate on designing and planning weddings that it doesn’t feel like work. I would say there are times when I wonder what it’s like to have a regular job for the benefits. As a business owner you have to set aside money for your retirement, health insurance, paying bills, etc… Rather in a regular job you can have those benefits and a steady income. I do not feel I am meant to work a regular job though so I just keep working hard to obtain my personal goals. I advise anyone who wants to become a business owner that they have savings for months as it may be hard to land your first client or if you have a partner that is willing contribute to certain bills while you get on your feet and try to make your own income. Read more>>

Destiny Robles

I used to think a lot about what it would be like to have a regular job… until I had a few. The difficulty for me before owning my own dance company was that I felt I was just going through the motions knowing I wasn’t giving it my 100 Since getting out of highschool i worked various jobs from hostess, waitress, retail, and even door to door marketing. I had even been a dance teacher for various dance companies and that was closer to my satisfaction but it still wasn’t quite enough. Without trying to sound egotistic.. I was very good at every job I was ever in, but I knew I had to do much more than just the same routine over and over. Read more>>