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?

William Scott

I’ve actually lived both realities at the same time. I launched my startup while working full-time as an engineer during the day. So I know firsthand the trade-offs and benefits of each path.

A stable 9-to-5, especially one with a good salary, provides something that’s incredibly valuable: consistency. You know when the paycheck is coming. You know what’s expected of you. There’s a certain peace of mind in that predictability. Read more>>

Kara Duffy

I am SO happy as a business owner. I do miss having a bigger team and having projects show up that I haven’t caused or created, but I never start wondering about going back to a ‘regular job’. Instead, I’m always thinking about the next opportunity I can create for myself or my clients. Read more>>

Annie

I absolutely love being a business owner! There have been times when I have thought about having a town/regular job before starting my business, but with our lifestyle it just really wouldn’t work for our family. My husband and I both come from multigenerational ranching families, and we are raising our boys the same way! Our boys are 9,7, and 3. They go with us on both of our family ranches in Arizona (where my husband grew up) and Wyoming (where I grew up) and help in all aspects of the job. We all love doing the work together and the family time it allows us to have. Read more>>

Justin Jankus

Flat-out; full-stop; no bones about it; hold a gun to my head and I’ll give you the same answer. I have worked for some wonderful organizations and worked with some even greater people in the varying jobs that make up my career (I’ve done everything from photographing people on Boston Duck Boat Tours to supporting students with their behavioral, mental, and social health needs). Read more>>

Heather Schoolcraft

People love to romanticize being your own boss – and honestly, sometimes it really is as amazing as it sounds. There are days I’m completely obsessed with what I do, and then there are days where burnout tries to creep in. I’ve been working since I was 13, went to college, and have had my fair share of “regular” jobs. So I can confidently say: running a small business is hard. But I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Sure, the steady paycheck of a 9-to-5 has its perks, but the freedom to set my own hours and create my own path? It’s priceless. Read more>>

Kay Pollard

Yes, I’m genuinely happier as a business owner. Although it definitely comes with its share of stress. That said, the stress feels purposeful. I get to work from home alongside my foster kittens, which brings me a lot of joy, and I help people make meaningful changes in their health and fitness. It’s a life I intentionally built, and even on hard days, I know I’m in alignment with what matters to me. Read more>>

Hoangoanh Nguyen

Yes, I am happier as a business owner—but that doesn’t mean it’s always easy. There are days when the weight of responsibility feels overwhelming, and I do sometimes imagine what it would be like to have a “regular” 9-to-5 job with predictable hours and a steady paycheck. Read more>>