The Hidden Struggles of Business Ownership: My Journey to Contentment

When people think about owning a business, they often envision freedom, success, and the fruits of their labor. However, my personal journey reveals a reality that doesn’t always align with that rosy picture.

I embarked on my business journey in 2008, fueled by passion and determination. However, just a year later, the economic downturn took a toll on my life—I lost my home. Yet, I persevered, refusing to let adversity break my spirit. By 2014, I finally began to see the fruits of my labor. With several key hires, a talented team emerged, many of whom are still with me today. After years of hard work, we reached impressive annual revenues of about $9 to $10 million. Yet, since 2018, the growth of the business plateaued. I chose to focus on maintaining healthy profit margins rather than pursuing aggressive expansion, as the demands of the business were already weighing heavily on me.

Owning a sales-driven business requires a unique blend of skill and resilience. For the first 15 years, I managed not only the sales aspect but also ran our facility and wore many other hats. Fortunately, I now have a dedicated head of sales who is excelling in her role. However, numerous clients still prefer to communicate with me directly, which often leads to exhausting 3-hour daily phone marathons that leave me mentally drained.

While our margins hover between 15-20%, the business is financially healthy—providing me with a comfortable income and ensuring my employees enjoy lucrative compensation packages. So, one might wonder why I still struggle with feelings of discontent.

The Honest Reality of My Business Life

Despite the outward success, I find myself grappling with profound dissatisfaction. I often go to great lengths to avoid the barrage of phone calls that daily flood my schedule. Sometimes, I even switch on my out-of-office replies while physically being present in the office, searching for escape from those 15-minute conversations that seem to circle back to nowhere. Ironically, I once thrived amid the chaos and pressure of nearly teetering on bankruptcy, putting in 60-70 hour workweeks to secure business deals. Back then, my role was primarily technical, a focus that brought me joy and fulfillment.

Now, I’ve come to realize that I may have misjudged my social inclinations. Though I never regarded myself as introverted, the challenge of building relationships was once driven by necessity. However, with business growth plateauing, the motivation to invest my social energy has diminished. Adding to my frustration, I hear complaints from inexperienced employees—those who came on board during my toughest times—about their compensation, despite earning over $150,000 annually, enjoying company cars and fully funded healthcare.

This disconnect leaves me questioning my path. I’ve eliminated my debts, built a solid savings account, and possess assets that could easily provide the financial freedom to leave it all behind. I find myself at a crossroads—pondering whether I’ll chase after the next big deal or simply sail off into the sunset, leaving the business world behind.

Conclusion: A Call for Reflection

In sharing this story, I hope to shed light on the complexities of entrepreneurship. It’s essential to recognize that success is not solely measured by financial gains or impressive revenue figures. For many business owners, the increasingly heavy burdens of responsibility, coupled with the struggle for personal fulfillment, can often overshadow material success. If you’re walking a similar path, know that you’re not alone, and there’s value in pausing to reflect on what truly matters.