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?

Kaitlyn Tran

Running a small business has not always been the easiest, but I have had tremendous character growth growing as an entrepreneur. Specifically, being a freelance photographer has evolved me as an individual in many ways. It has shaped me to be a better communicator, planner, visual creator, and business partner to many. With what I have stated, photography will continue to be a massive part of my life. Although careers are constantly changing and evolving in our modern society, I am determined to make photography part of my lifestyle so that I can continue to find a good purpose for whether I pursue it fully or part-time. Read more>> 

Ashley Wilhelm

“Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions.” – Dalai Lama About 13 years ago, it was midnight on a Wednesday Night I sat in my office staring at my computer screen. My kids were already tucked into bed, and I didn’t even get to see them that day. In our line of work, there are several nights like this that many Title Agents face. In an industry that is short-staffed and often unnoticed several of my colleagues know this seen all too well. I vividly remember picking up my kids from Elementary School the next day. Read more>>

Deven Donohue

If I’m being honest, haven’t we all had a “what if” question in our mind? What if I didn’t do this? I know I have. The last time I remember having this thought was a couple of years ago during every photographers busy season. (Fall-Winter) I was feeling exhausted, drained and a little burnt out. If you have busy seasons I know you can relate to this feeling. Especially if you’re like me and you are a one woman show. Phew! BUT to answer the question, YES! Am I happier as a business owner? Absolutely, yes. I get to do something I’ve always dreamed of doing, stay home with my kids, make my own schedule etc. Is it hard? Am I’m exhausted? Yes and yes! But it’s by far the most rewarding job ever. I get to capture memories that can be shared for generations. It’s literally a dream come true job! I even feel weird calling it a job because I love it so much. Read more>>

Mary Hickey Reynoso

Having your own business is a roller coaster of emotions. There are some days that I beam with pride at the business I have created. Then there are some days when I consider throwing in the towel and just going back to the corporate world. I think the days I feel like quitting are the days I lack self-confidence. I think about all the people out there that can do my job better than me, that are more creative, that are smarter and my motivation gets crushed. Full-fledged imposter syndrome takes its’ grip. Read more>>

Chrissy Parsons

I am much happier being a business owner! Now, don’t get me wrong- working a “regular job” that has set hours was nice- being a business owner you are working 24/7 and all times of the night. However, I am a mama to three beautiful babies- so having more flexibility so that I can be present for them and be there for sports/appointments is very important for me. Read more>>

Anya Gibson

I think about this question constantly. I thought about this question yesterday when I was editing my upcoming collection’s budget! When I’m working on designs at 4:00 AM, scrambling to check something off of my never-ending task list, or filing taxes every year (ouch, self-employment tax), I tend to pause and think about the stability of a 9-5. To walk into a building and not only know what’s expected of me and how it’s expected of me, but to feel the pleasure of a guaranteed clock out time? Sometimes, that sounds great. As someone who’s had multiple “regular jobs,” they can be exhausting and soul-sucking, but they’re generally pretty stable. Running a business? Anything but. Read more>>

Ciarra Morgan

While being a business owner gives me a lot of freedom, it is also overwhelming at times. I’m currently sitting in my bed with a laptop at 930pm on a Saturday evening after being called out to a birth today around 1:30pm. I was supposed to take my 12 year old daughter back-to-school clothes shopping today. I had to cancel last minute and she was crushed. She knows my job is on call and that I sometimes have to leave without much notice and plans change, but that doesn’t take away her disappointment. Yes, we can go tomorrow, but she was excited to go TODAY. Days like today make me wish maybe I had a regular 9-5 job… Read more>>

Sunaina Misra

Having a business is inherently challenging and like any small venture, we have a variety of hurdles to overcome so that we can navigate the complexities we face in different demographics. Prior to starting my business, I had a regular job and while I was assisting art professionals as per my role in the companies I worked with, I believed that I could do more to help them. The artists I came across during the tenure of my employment in several establishments were struggling to create a stand for themselves in a highly competitive and dynamic industry. Both emerging and mid-career artists struggle with documentation, outreach and career growth which takes a lot of time and they find it difficult to find time for creating art. Read more>>

Dolly Hope

Overall, I am happier as a business owner because I get to live my life on my own terms. I can literally come and go as I please. However, often I do think about continuing to work for someone else because not every day I would have a customer. There are times I’ve gone weeks without getting one order. I had to learn and understand that low moments and certain struggles comes with entrepreneurship. Being in business for yourself is not for the weak! I literally went out on a limb to become my own boss. Sales are never guaranteed. But I have A LOT of faith in my business(es). Read more>>

Justine Osceola

As a business owner, I definitely feel happy. My rewards from taking a risk and starting a business fully bring on a different feeling of accomplishment. I feel called to create. Even though I’ve contemplated a regular job, I realized I wouldn’t be as fulfilled. I am able to bring a balance to the life I’ve created for myself. Read more>>

Lillianis Cruz

I must say that I am happier as a business owner. There is a difference between building something for someone else and building something for yourself, your family and your legacy. I cannot deny that there have been some days in which I wished I had a regular job as the responsibilities could be less and someone else can play your role within a company that is not your own. However, on those brief days, I always remember the joy that comes after a hard day of work at my own business. Read more>>

Amber Garcia

I read an article recently and something Lori Greiner said really struck me. “Entrepreneurs are willing to work 80 hours a week to avoid working 40 hours a week,” she said. That may sound crazy, but it’s truly accurate. I am happy to work 80 hours a week to fulfill my dreams and my vision for my company. I will gladly work 80 hours a week to see my staff accomplish their hopes and dreams. I will work 80 hours a week to mentor and see my staff grow, develop and work their way up to becoming a business owner themselves. 80 hours feels different when you feel so fulfilled afterwards. In a sense, it’s not a job. It’s a passion! Read more>>

Mary-Lynn Corbin

Most business owners debate back and forth every once in awhile if they should go back to their day job, or get a part time job. This normally happens when they start to lack motivation, have a slow week, or feel like the career they chose isn’t their true passion. That’s where the ambition and passion has to kick in. Every business owner knows that this business life doesn’t only come with just the positives. Read more>>

Dina Georgoulis

I chose to leave the corporate world over two decades ago and I have never looked back since. Being a business owner, it’s challenging, but I would rather invest in myself in my personal dreams than to work for the globalists. So many people settle for a job they hats and it’s eats away their soul and passions. These people end up at my wellness center, and it takes time, courage and determination to unpeel the unhappiness layers and get them to realize a corporate job will most likely never bring happiness, or define who they are. Read more>>

Lauren Schoepfer

There are inevitable ups and downs as a business owner, as well as busy seasons and slow seasons in most industries. When you’re in the middle of a challenge or a slow period, it forces you to reflect on what steps need to be taken to find solutions to keep the business afloat. This often entails doing things you’ve never done before in areas outside your comfort zone. Read more>>

Taryn Archibald

Being a business owner has it’s ups and downs, just as any job or career. I currently still work as a medical assistant to a dermatopathologist Mohs Surgeon during the week so I am currently on both ends of the spectrum. On one hand, it’s easy to work for someone else; you don’t have to take on the liability and risks, you’re not the one to make the rules and enforce them, you’re not the one on the hook if the business if unsuccessful, but it’s also not fun waking up at 7 am and dedicating myself and my time 9.5 hours out of the day just to come home and have a few hours to myself before having to do it all over again. Read more>>

Niki Jones

There is nothing like owning your own business and the flexibility that it provides. As a mom, especially over the last year that flexibility really came in handy, but just in general being able to be present and available for most, if not all my daughters’ activities and needs is just priceless. I am very lucky as both San Diego Moms and my job at Plunge, offers a very kid friendly environment and support system. If I need to take my daughter to a meeting, I can, and it isn’t frowned upon. Read more>>

Jazmin Torres

I am happy as a business owner, wanting to quit never stops. There are days that I do want to quit, but I continue. I have learned that perseverance, showing up and doing the things I do not want to do keeps the wheels turning. Continuing to work on the best version of myself its an everyday process, some days are better than others. It never ends, and that’s ok. Because I know whats on the other end is what I want. I fill my mind with information from mentors that have what I want, and one thing I learned from an entrepreneur that I see as a mentor is to “Win the day.” Read more>>

Amanda Medsger

I am. There’s nothing else I can imagine myself doing. I’m constantly scheming ideas (mostly design related, but not all), so if I wasn’t doing interior design, I’d still be a business owner in some way. I always joke that I’m pretty unemployable at this point. I expect way too much flexibility and freedom, and I do try to give much of the same to my employees. That said, some mornings when I get my coffee, I fantasize about trading jobs with the barista. That isn’t to say it wouldn’t come with its own set of challenges, but I loved being a barista and there was a simple art to it that I quite enjoyed. Even still, that fantasy arising does tend to be a sign that I need to change up what I’m doing in my own business. Maybe it’s a client that needs a gentle push or even letting go, a new personal project that needs starting, or just taking a long weekend. Read more>>