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.

Jakkia Scott

As a business owner I am Very Happy! The freedom of making my own schedule and working for myself is a blessing. It’s been 11 years since I’ve been my own boss. A long tough journey , I’m not completely where I wanna be but I’m exactly where I need to be and I’m proud of how far I’ve come. The risk ,the losses, the lessons. I’m grateful for it all. Read more>>

Laura Uber

The short answer: YES! Starting my own business was one of the best leaps of faith I’ve ever taken. It’s challenging at times but more often satisfying and rewarding! Having worked a “regular job,” I can’t say that I wonder what that would be like. Just like any job, working for someone else vs. working for yourself has its pros and cons. When you work for yourself — at least in my case — it’s hard to turn off or set aside work. When I was an employee, I worked set hours, clocked in and out, and left work at work. Read more>>

Lexi Mattiussi

I’ve always grown up to be very self dependent. I didn’t like working in groups, I didn’t like being bossed around or told what to do, I always loved having my freedom in what I can do. Some may say that I sound selfish or like a brat but I truly always found passion in what I can create by myself. I’m extremely happy to be my own business women. I get to be true to myself. I don’t wake up wishing I could do something else that would make me sad or depressed. I did have a regular job for awhile so I could save up to what i’m able to do today and I hated and loved it. I worked with kids and I always thought that’s what’d I wanted to do. Read more>>

Roxanne Yoder

There are plenty of moments when the stress of being the one in charge, doing all the research, planning, ordering, design & setup is overwhelming. Sometimes I think, wouldn’t it be nice to have a 9-5 job that I could just leave work at work and it wouldn’t creep into the rest of my life? Wouldn’t it be nice if someone else would be responsible for anything that goes wrong? However, 99% of the time, I LOVE being a business owner and my own boss. The moments I question why I do what I do, are when I’m in the middle of a long wedding week with multiple nights of working all evening, frequently, past midnight; or I have buckets of flowers going bad before I can even use them, and I have to find substitutes to FedEx overnight to replace what I can’t use. I’ve had moments of sitting on the floor in the middle of buckets and buckets of flowers, and just having a good cry. But then I get up again the next day, and I figure out how to pull everything together and deliver what I’ve promised to my clients. Read more>>

Sayuri Tsukahara

Yes!! entrepreneurship has brought a whole new level of joy and fulfillment to my life as a mother of three little ones. You see, being an entrepreneur allows me to not only chase my dreams but also set an incredible example for my kids. They see Mommy working hard and passionately on something she loves, which, in turn, instills in them the importance of determination and following their hearts. Sure, it’s a wild ride with its ups and downs, but it means I get to be there for those precious moments in my children’s lives without the stress of a rigid work schedule. It’s not just a job; it’s a lifestyle that lets me balance both being a mom and pursuing my dreams. Read more>>

Elizabeth Schramme

I am so happy being a business owner. Once I started my company, The Staged Collective, the thought of having a “regular job” never crossed my mind again. When you are working for yourself, the hard days, the overtime, and literal blood, sweat and tears are all worth it when you see the rewards. I am not just talking financially either. It took me several years, but now, if I want to work one day a week or seven days a week, I have the flexibility to do so, and I could not be more grateful. Read more>>

Aj Byrd

I am grateful for the journey it took me to get to where I am. When I was able to work, I worked numerous jobs, including retail and fast food. However, there is nothing like being able to work for yourself, in my opinion. Once I started, I knew it was going to take so much to convince me to go back to working a regular job. Even recently, I thought of getting a part-time for extra guap. When I go to applications, I honestly can not bring myself to fill them out. Now, there is absolutely nothing wrong with a regular job, I’ve worked many and am grateful for the journey. But I’ve transitioned into my entrepreneur stage. Read more>>

Dylan Chan

Running a business offers a unique sense of ownership and freedom, allowing you to make decisions and call the shots. However, it also means shouldering the consequences of those decisions, which can be challenging. While you have a level of control, you must also be comfortable with uncertainties, such as unpredictable revenue streams. In the end, entrepreneurship isn’t suited for everyone, but it can offer a fulfilling alternative to the traditional 9-5. Read more>>

Courtney Wells

Let me begin by saying that being asked if I ever wonder about going back to a life with a ‘regular’ job, literally makes me feel so heard!!!! I thought I was the only one who goes through this. Don’t get me wrong, I am so happy and beyond thankful that I am the owner of a thriving small business but man… I would be lying if I said it was easy to be one.. Let me paint a picture of what my basic, less hectic, week to week looks like, but keep in mind that every single week is different because I don’t get the luxury of a set schedule every day/week/month as a food truck owner. Every Sunday I sit down for about an hour, at least, and plan my whole week. Read more>>

Drica Lobo

I’m absolutely thrilled to be a business owner! My journey is a whirlwind adventure that began with my background as a journalist in Brazil. I embarked on a life-changing move to the United States in the early 2000s, a time when social media was nonexistent, and my English skills were a work in progress. As a freelance writer for various media outlets in Brazil, I had some incredible experiences. However, I started feeling the wear and tear of the job, and a series of missed opportunities for professional growth made me question the direction of my life. Read more>>

Juan Vega and Vanessa Fayad

Juan- Yes absolutely! Being a business owner has brought a lot of happiness into my life. The feeling of being able to help many people and the sense of accomplishment that comes with running my own business is unparalleled. I have found a deep satisfaction in paving my own lane, making decisions that directly impact the success of my business, and witnessing the growth of my efforts firsthand. I don’t ever think about going back and what it would be like to just have a regular job even when you are faced with adversity and challenging times during this process. For me having a plan b and going back feels like I would be giving up on what I really want to achieve. I recognize that the regular life isn’t for me and while it might provide a sense of stability, it could never replicate the excitement, passion, and fulfillment I experience as a business owner. Read more>>

Jackie Nagel

Many times in the early days of business, I thought being a donut-hole fryer at a local bakery would be less stressful. Early in business, with little experience, I often turned to the so-called “experts” to guide my business decisions. As a result, I was continually working contrary to who I was and the kind of business I wanted to create. I was working 12 – 14 hours a day and ignoring my health. Being hyper-focused on growing revenue also triggered poor client choices and ineffective marketing strategies. It was certainly a recipe for a joyless business. And it was unsustainable. Read more>>

Ray Stiles

Being a business owner, especially in the creative industry, has its unique set of challenges and rewards. The thought of having a “regular job” does cross my mind occasionally, but it’s usually in moments of reflection rather than doubt. The last time I had this thought was during a particularly hectic period for Stiles and Company. We were juggling multiple client projects, managing a small but passionate team, and dealing with the usual unpredictabilities that come with running a business. It was one of those late nights at the office when I found myself pondering the idea of a regular job. Read more>>

Amy Selig

I am genuinely happy as a business owner. The freedom to make my own decisions, pursue my passion, and see my ideas come to life is incredibly satisfying. I’ve found a sense of purpose in running my own business, and it aligns perfectly with my career goals and personal values. While it can be challenging at times, the rewards and sense of achievement I get from it outweigh any difficulties. I love the flexibility it offers and the opportunity to build something meaningful. Read more>>

Alivia Gilyard

Although being a business owner has its moments of ups and downs, I would never choose to look back at working a traditional 9-5 and heres why: I’ve worked in marketing/customer service for more than 5 years. I feel no Job could ever appreciate and value my time the way I will. Read more>>

Anthony Green II

Yes, I am very happy as a business owner, I fell in love with the journeyThe last time I thought about having a real job was probably top of the year. I was on the road came back home to Houston to find out my car had flooded. It was just up for sale so I took the insurance off and all that had to sell it for the low as junk. Houston a huge city so you def need some wheels to make it work. On top of that I had just took a couple close family losses so I had some choices to make. Started looking into a couple jobs had a few interviews got the gig but I already knew that wasn’t for me so I respectfully declined. Read more>>

Tarsha Anderson-LaBoard

In most of my previous employment, I was an outstanding employee and almost always in management. I realized many moons ago, that while I had a great work ethic, I wanted to work for myself. I choose to walk away from the regular 9 to 5 world and I’m proud to say that it is one of the greatest decisions that I made. I’m happier as a business owner , because it gave me a chance to control my time when it was really needed in my life. My dad became ill, and I was able to spend time with him before he passed away and not have to worry about putting in a request for time off. A time or two, I thought about how it would be to have a regular job, because the pandemic lasted a little longer than expected , I had a daughter going off to college, and things slowed down a little so fear set in a tiny minute. Read more>>

Sugar Preistley

I’m very happy as a business owner but I do think there are similarities in also having a regular job. You still need to wake up early in the morning and put in those same hours into your work! It can be challenging but I honestly have applied to about 15 jobs and God has not allowed me to have one lol I was in a place of my life where I invested a lot of time and money in my business and I wasn’t seeing the results I wanted. So I had to step back and reevaluate what I needed to do. In that time, I wasn’t working so I did apply to a few jobs and when I realized what God was trying to tell me, that I needed to look within instead of having a job, I came to my conclusion. Read more>>

ShonMarra Glover

Being a business owner requires strength, as it often entails sleepless nights even when not physically working. The constant overthinking about tasks and goals can lead to exhaustion. However, being a business owner also offers flexibility in terms of scheduling, the ability to raise children from home, and the opportunity to travel and make it a business trip depending on the nature of the business. A 9 to 5, mean you have to answer to and give them 40 hours of your time before you actual get to come home and do something for yourself and at young i realize that was not the life for me i want to be free. Read more>>

Leah Garcia

Yes I am satisfied as being a business owner, I have always felt that working a regular job isn’t for me. Being my own boss has always been my dream & meant for me. Being a business owner has always been my calling. Working a regular job just has never felt right for me! I love to go by my own rules & work on my own schedule. It’s definitely not easy being your own boss it takes a lot of blood, sweat & tears but it’s definitely worth it!! Read more>>

Stevie DAndrea

I cannot imagine my life with a “regular job”. I have worked for many years in corporate America, retail and more before running my own business and I can without a doubt state that I am much happier now with Jewels For Hope. Yes, as a business owner, you have to handle a lot of work- everything from customer service to bookkeeping and everything in between. The hours are long and there really isn’t a day off – but still, I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I put my heart and soul into my business, Jewels For Hope, and I feel having this company has taught me more than any corporate job ever could. If you run your own business, you know that there are good times and bad, but even through the bad times, you learn so much and continue to put your all into your company. I live and breathe Jewels For Hope and wouldn’t have it any other way. Read more>>

Michelle Bierman

Ya know, I do. But I also know what its like to have a “regular job”. Generally when I start contemplating my choice to be a business owner its because I’m in a rough patch like, business is slow, I have to make some hard choices, the uncertainty of the future and economy, the service I provided wasn’t exactly what I or the client wanted, or just a bad day all in all. Then I go full doom and gloom and question everything. I go down this rabbit hole of, because of the choice I made to have my own salon I have now ruined my families life because they supported me through long hours and always working even when I’m “off” because a business owner is never “off”, overhead, the waisted donated free labor from my husband and friends, the money my mom waisted investing in my education, overhead, how do I build this business and maintain home life work balance and boundaries, overhead, managing social media, will I make a paycheck this month, and did I mention overhead?! Read more>>