When times are good it’s easy to feel like entrepreneurship is the only path for you, but what about the times when your hit with multiple crises at once? We wondered if all entrepreneurs have moments when they wonder whether they should have gone with (or stuck to) a more standard job where they worked for someone else or if they are happier as entrepreneurs.

Danielle Close

The short answer to this question is yes, I am definitely happier being a business owner! Owning a business is kind of like having another child. It can be stressful, and I think about it constantly! With that being said though, I get a lot of freedom. I make my own hours, I get to decide when/if I take photos. I can spend time with my family. I can be as creative as I want to be by being my own boss! Read more>>

Jessica Reagan

I think that for the most part, I AM happy as a business owner. There’s definitely a lot more flexibility and freedom when it comes to scheduling. I get to choose what fills up my calendar, as compared to a regular job, where you typically have a set schedule Monday through Friday or something similar to that. It’s up to my own discretion what I choose to do with my time, and that truly is a gift! Read more>>

Prophocey

Yes, I love being a business owner for other reasons then what most people think about. When you are making an impact in your own backyard, or community. It gives you a sense of value like no other. While working with all sorts of adults in this music industry. You quickly learn how to network, and always be ready for anything. While working with the youth. You are always ready to educate in a way for all to benefit. It’s a real blessing. Read more>>

Tiffany Frey

Thank you so much for the interview, I love any opportunity to talk about Toven Social! I will say, this is one of the most challenging adventures I’ve ever taken on, but I will never go back to working a 9 to 5! I’ve found that one of the greatest joys of being an entrepreneur is the ability to combine my passion with my purpose. Unlike my old 9 to 5 jobs, I’m now dedicating time to build out my vision. I’m motivated by helping small businesses succeed and getting to do this every day is a dream come true. Read more>>

Belen Barriga

I probably am the happiest I have ever been in regard to my career as a business owner. Prior to the pandemic I would let my mind get the best of me and wonder if I should have taken this one job or the other. But after losing my job as a social media marketer due to the pandemic for a national company, in the same way that so many people used that scenario to reinvent themselves, I decided to let that be the catalyst for going full steam with my company. Read more>>

Lindsy Gjesvold

Over four years ago I was working at a front desk for a corporate job. I appreciated all that I learned at that job but at the end of the day I was unfulfilled because I wanted to be able to work for myself and serve a purpose while I was doing that. I was dreaming of all the ideas I had for creating a more meaningful life, where I could call the shots. When I began Targhee Botanicals I was working full time either waitressing or at a wonderful Property Management company. Read more>>

Stephanie VanAlstine

I have often found myself doing the “runaround” in my mind. By that I mean the classic question “what would my life look like if I had a traditional 9 to 5 job, or at least a job where someone else was in charge?” and I spend some time going in circles picturing what that life might look like, and how it could potentially be ideal. Read more>>

Kennita Hickman

During my first business slump/slow season, I teetered with this question. I saw teetered because even though I was applying for jobs, my heart wasn’t into it. On a cellular level, I just didn’t want to work for anyone in a traditional sense. Read more>>

April Liang

Being a business owner is tough, it’s frustrating, it’s overwhelming, there are so many highs and so many lows, but I would never trade it for a regular job. Prior to being a business owner, I had worked full time at a regular job that I used to love in the apparel space. I loved the trade shows, I loved being able to create with the team, I loved designing, I loved being able to see a garment from design to final production, it was all new and exciting as a 20 year old. Read more>>

Finny Mlemchukwu

I first had to get to a place in life to truly understand what happiness was for me. In the beginning of my career when I had a ‘regular’ job, I thought happiness was correlated to my paycheck. So at the time, my goal was to make as much money as possible. I soon realized that after various promotions, bonuses and raises happiness still proved to be elusive. Read more>>

Jacqueline Fieck

I’m happy to be out on my own doing my own thing, but there are moments I wonder if having an income regularly flooding in would be a better route to go. I know many business owners who feel the same way in their first years. In a couple more years, you will probably hear me say “I’m so glad I never gave up.” For now, I push through the moments of struggle to ensure the things I know people need to see and hear are still shared. Read more>>

Victor Valdivieso

It’s not that I wonder what it would be like to have a regular job. I was that for many years and don’t regret a minute of it, waiting until the right time to become a business owner. On paper, it may look like I waited a decade to late to jump start my dream, but I say, it’s never too late. When my wife and I went on our second date, owning a food truck was brought up in conversation, and we instantly realized it was something we both wanted in life. Read more>>

Mauricio Melendez

There are times as I drive home with the sunset hitting my face or in the morning as the sky begins to warm up with the light of a new day that I take the time to reflect on what life would be like if I just gave it all up, looked through the job site pages and decided to work a regular 9-5. The thought of life being less stressful, having less responsibility, or even just the thought of clocking out mentally the moment I leave my job is very appealing. Read more>>

Veronica Niño

Like many others, I do sometimes wonder how much easier it would be if I had a regular 9-5 job. It is a fleeting thought, however. I did have a regular job as an accomplished accountant before starting my business, but stability doesn’t necessarily compare to the satisfaction of having a growing list of clients. My repertoire of clients has grown thanks to the hard work that I have put into creating and capturing lasting memories for my clients. Read more>>

Rick Lozano

I have the best job in the world! I get to help leaders, teams, and individuals unlock and amplify their talent and potential and sometimes I do it with my guitar in hand! Now the actual running of the business? As every business owner will tell you, it can be challenging. Read more>>

Maddy + Ashley DeVries + Walsh

Simply put, yes! But there are so many reasons that go into why. Like any business, there are aspects we aren’t well versed in, or that we don’t necessarily enjoy, but in the grand scheme of things, we have a fun job! We get to take something we enjoy and apply it to people’s homes to make sure it suits their personal design aesthetic while functioning the way they need it to. It’s the perfect balance of fun and challenging! Read more>>

Brady Gilliam

In short, yes, I am thrilled to be a business owner. It can be extremely gratifying, but it’s not all sunshine and daisies. There are many reasons to be a business owner, but I believe it boils down to five things: autonomy, flexibility, creativity, personal fulfillment, and financial potential. Read more>>

Courtney Melching

This is my third year running my business. Owning a business and being your own boss has its pros and cons, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I am much happier as a business owner. This is because I have the ability to create and pick everything on my own. My schedule, advertising, overall brand aesthetic, etc. It can be challenging to stay motivated and moving with no one behind the scenes to report to, but that is also what is so great about it. The more work you put in the more you get out. Read more>>

Dan Cox

This is something I go back and forth on all the time. At this current moment, I am happy being a business owner. I love the freedom to work at my own pace and take time off when needed. I also love the ability to express myself freely to my own standards rather than having to represent a company. Read more>>

Bria Scott

Yes, I am so much happier being my own boss and making my own schedule. Being able to work, take a break, and leave whenever I want without having to tell anyone has been one of the best things about being my own boss. Since I have been working for myself, I do not think about having a regular job because when I did have one, I was so unhappy and unmotivated to do anything but work so I could survive. Read more>>

Audra Thompson

While owning your own business can be one of the most rewarding things ever, it also can challenge you in every way imaginable and then some. When you work a “regular job”, you just show up and do the work required of you. It can be difficult at times, but at the end of the day you get to go home and leave that behind. Read more>>

Maggie McGuinness

Overall I would have to say yes! I am ADHD and it is important for me to have a multitude of tasks for my job. I’ve had jobs cashiering, accounting, serving, etc where I do the same sort of things for an entire day and I burn out after a couple years- or sooner. Doing everything in my business keeps me very engaged. It can be stressful though. There can be a lot of pressure to get everything done (in the time that you hope to) and figure out ALL the things on your own. Read more>>

Caissie Roberts

Every single spring that I have been a self-employed business owner has been the hardest time of my life. Especially being in retail at this time, sales are slow and it’s a hard time of year to make money. And every single year I wonder to myself if I am doing the right thing for me, and my family. And every summer and into the holiday seasons, I am reminded why I am happy as a business owner and not working a standard 9 to 5 job. Read more>>

Jen Amos

Have I ever considered what it would be like to have a regular job? To be honest, it’s not a thought that comes to me often anymore. When you graduate with a Bachelor’s degree, yet get fired from four consecutive jobs in your young adult years, you quickly get the message that employment isn’t right for you. Additionally, I prefer to not work in an environment that feels rigid, isn’t something that I own, and, most of all, is building toward someone else’s dream. Read more>>

Joshua Campbell

Being a business owner definitely has its times of doubt, stress and frustration, but I can honestly say being a business owner has given me fulfillment and something to fight for. I remember a time we were having a slow month and everything just started going wrong. I had 4 customers cancel on me, my truck went out on me and a popped my shoulder all in one day. Read more>>

Lindsey Williams

I’ve thought about this question so many times since 2019. I can honestly say “yes” I am happy business owner. Have I had moments where I wondered why am I doing this, of course. Then I stop to think of all the accomplishments I’ve made since buying the coffee shop in 2017. The biggest time I’ve questioned myself was when Covid hit in 2019, I was also going through a divorce, trying to raise my son, trying to find myself again and learn to love what I do all over again with a new purpose. I love owning my own business because at the end of the day I truly love customer service but most of all coffee. Read more>>

Sharon Schaffer

I absolutely love owning my own local business and working for myself! Prior to having children and being a stay-at-home mom, I held many 8-5 office jobs that included the hotel industry, convention and visitor bureau, planning special events in our downtown area, and being employed as the public relations & special events coordinator for our nationally-ranked zoo. All fun jobs in their own right and many, many special people who are still my friends. Read more>>

Victor Teran

This is a great question. I am grateful, excited, and humbled to be a martial arts business owner. In my previous life sort of speak, I was in the Federal Law Enforcement field, where my duties were to serve and protect our American dignitaries, embassies, and foreign political figures. I have spent a total of 10.5 years in a combat zone; 6 of those months as a United States Marine in Iraq. The rest as a Blackwater/Triple Canopy operator, until becoming an agent-in-charge for the U.S. Diplomatic service. Read more>>