After years of hustling and running my own businesses, I finally made the decision to shut it all down and take a job. And honestly? It’s been the best thing I’ve done for myself and my family.
I know the internet likes to hype up entrepreneurship. You see people on social media flexing their cars, houses, and talking about living that “boss life.” But let’s be real—behind all the flashy stuff, a lot of entrepreneurs are barely scraping by. The stress, the financial struggles—it’s not what they show you.
During the pandemic, I tried to keep things going. I went from public speaking and consulting to launching an e-commerce store that did well… until it didn’t. Then I gave NFTs a shot. Eventually, I opened a brick-and-mortar retail store, and things were good at first. But by the second year, I was working almost every single day. I was barely seeing my wife and kids. And despite all the effort, I wasn’t making stable income. I’d gone from being a six-figure earner to working for less than minimum wage. It was draining.
That’s when I realized: this isn’t working anymore. Entrepreneurship is sold as this “ultimate freedom,” but it started to feel like the opposite. So I made the tough call to step away and take a job. And you know what? I’ve never felt more free.
Here’s the thing—there’s this stigma that if you go work for someone else, it means you failed as an entrepreneur. Like you weren’t cut out for the hustle. But the reality is, you can still be entrepreneurial within a company and leverage your skillset for an employer. Most millionaires have multiple streams of income, so why not get a salary that offers stability, while also doing entrepreneurial work on the side? That way, you can have other income streams without the daily grind of running a business with employees, overhead, and everything else that comes with it.
Now, I get to focus on the work I enjoy, without the constant stress of running everything. I have a salary, stability, and most importantly—peace of mind. No more sleepless nights worrying about cash flow, how to put food on the table, or keeping a roof over my family’s head.
I know some people think stepping away from entrepreneurship is like admitting defeat, but honestly, I see it as a win. I chose what’s best for me, and I’ve never looked back.
Anyone else been through something like this? I’d love to hear how others have navigated the same struggle between the hustle and finding balance.
I Closed My Business and Took a Job… And I've Never Felt More Free
byu/MarketingWhisperer inEntrepreneur
Posted by MarketingWhisperer
30 Comments
just
You are correct, God will bless you, everything will be fine as long as the way is right
Congratulations 🎉 I did this in 2016. My hair, skin, and nails have never been healthier.
Finally someone telling the truth.
Congrats, you can still do some blogging or ecom on the side with less stress and good money.
Why e commerce was good then changed?
I think about this about 2-3 times a week and am convinced how I’m doing things right now isn’t that much better.
Yup I’m the same exact boat right now. One of the biggest draw backs of closing down is the stigma of failure. Having to tell all your friends and family you had to shut down. Knowing full well many were pulling for you to fail. In addition to those close to you that told you you shouldn’t do it years ago, and now they are proven to be correct.
This has been an absolute nightmare for me. I’ve lost a lot more than just money the last 4 years as an entrepreneur.
I fear the first day of a ‘normal’ job will be monumentally depressing.
What did you sell at your ecom store? What kind of retail store?
I am doing this after running my own medical practice for 10 years. The constant stress has caused multiple health issues. I can’t wait until I can just go to work and not worry about management
Best thing about being an entrepreneur is you get to work half days. Either the first 12 hours, or the second 12.
Someone posted this earlier today and it made me laugh.
I started a power washing company 8 years ago, and it never gets easier to get through the winter months. I also miss just having conversations and interactions. But i do like being my own boss
Are you trying to convince me or yourself?
You took the best available decision for you rn.
No stress.
You’ll figure it out my guy. All the best!
It’s a lovely feeling. Each one of us is responsible for ourselves.
Public speaking > consulting > ecomm > nfts > retail
Outside the brick and mortar retail shop (which is questionably one of the hardest/worst businesses to open), you sound like someone who bought into the hype of entrepreneurship and opportunity seeking. Not actual entrepreneurship.
What were you public speaking about? What were you consulting on?
How were you qualified for either of those? Where did you see success in life to position you in those industries?
I feel you’re one of those people who takes an online course and then starts a “growth agency”
It sounds like you never built or offered something that solved a problem.
Congrats on the job though. Most people are destined for a job and that’s totally ok. Hopefully it pays well.
Public speaking, ecommerce, coaching, crypto products and a retail store have nothing to do with each other. My brother in Christ, what were you doing?
Six figs is better sure. But if you were min wage before doing this it’s a huge step up if you made it work:
Respectfully you didn’t start a “business”, you started a job for yourself..
Did you hire people and delegate?
Read ‘The Cashflow Quandrant’, it shows the difference between self-employment and a business owner.. You were the former.
Get better with networking for financing. No good business just *exists*. (unless it’s niche). You have to constantly scale -> look big, don’t think small. Save your cash and start again. Go fishing. New cash is better than old cash, because new cash needs to see a return. So you get help from the people who fund you. Just make sure they aren’t secretly funding your competition, or that they just want your assets in default.
This is an interesting perspective. Ultimately, you have to do you. It’s great that you gave it your all. I am currently working on my startup idea after a 9-5 and holding on for dear life!
What exactly is “public speaking”? What is your area of expertise that you share with “public speaking”?
I keep telling people that running a business is the worst professional decision ever. No one believes me.
$150k/yr from home, baby. Life on chill mode.
We. Need. Numbers.
You are correct. Can you image how many people would be out of a job if there weren’t entrepreneurial jobs. Big hit to unemployment. Yes the hype. The only thing that matters is your doing what’s best for you and your family. I’d say it sounds like you won with flying colors😉
Congratulations! I wish more people understood the success isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about learning to ask yourself the right questions. Is your business enhancing the quality of your life? Is it expanding or constricting you? Do I need to start a business or just be in a different work environment? And sometimes, it’s just about understanding that it doesn’t mean forever but not right now. Life is about trying things and experiencing. If you ain’t rocking with it no more or want to move on, then do it!! You tried it. And while folks are worried about what other people are thinking? Other people are moving on with their lives and probably wishing they had at least tried to do something of their own. I’m so excited for you. Stack your coins. Enhance your mental health and reclaim your time back. And who knows? You might be struck with another idea and work on it down the road. But right now, this chapter is about stability. Best wishes!
You want a quick overnight success is what I read from this. Being an entrepreneur can take years in the making and you need a passion for what you’re doing otherwise on those difficult days where you aren’t making much money you end up giving up. No matter what you see on social media those expensive cars are more often than not 10 years of grinding hard at your business.
In a similar position. I had one client I was consulting for offer me a very tempting package, which I took them up on.
One of the best things about my own business for years was being an employer and having to deal with all the drama and crap that comes from managing staff. I now see full time work in a completely different light.
It’s hard to describe, but I just don’t take work stress home with me anymore. If the board want me to do something, I’ll do it within the hours I’m paid for. If it doesn’t get done – oh well. I’ll just keep cashing the paychecks either way.
I now sp be my time thinking about my next business, and just building capital. If I were ever to be fired/made redundant, it’d be a quick pivot back to running a business.
I feel so much more in control of my life having run my own business, knowing I can do it and what’s involved.
I feel proud of you taking the best chance for you and your family
We all should do what’s the best for us, instead of people’s desires, usually, people that don’t care or even know us 🙂
Being an Entrepreneur is not easy and it doesn’t give flexibility as a full time job! Ft you work for certain hours and you’re done for the day! Vs owning business is diff when you get that call you need to be ready even if it’s 12am!