Questioning the Entrepreneurial Journey: A Personal Reflection

As I sit here reflecting on my professional journey, I can’t help but wonder: why am I still pursuing this path? After dedicating 7.5 years to building a small to medium-sized business (SMB), I find myself at a crossroads. At 30 years old, this endeavor has consumed my entire professional life.

Financially, my business generates between $1.5 million to $2 million in revenue each year. On the surface, that sounds impressive; however, the reality is that my net income hovers around $50,000 to $100,000—maybe $200,000 during particularly great years. To many, that may seem like a commendable achievement, but the truth is, it can feel disheartening.

Each year, I invest everything I’ve built to earn less than many of my peers in traditional white-collar positions who began with salaries of $100,000 and are now making upwards of $350,000. Often, I find myself reflecting on the choices I made and the ambitions I pursued, wishing I could go back and offer some wisdom to the overly ambitious version of myself.

Have you ever experienced similar feelings of doubt regarding your entrepreneurial path? It’s a question that lingers in my mind more often than I’d like.

A Spark of Inspiration

In a moment of clarity, I think I’ve stumbled upon a potential growth strategy. Admittedly, the risk may lead to significant challenges, but the prospect of it excites me. I’ll make sure to keep you all updated on this venture as it unfolds.

Addressing Your Questions

I initially started this post as a form of venting, but I realize I owe you some answers to the recurring questions I’ve received about my business:

1. What do I do?
   I operate an app marketing and development agency.

2. Why are the profit margins so low?
   I find myself in a challenging position with enough staff to take on more clients, yet firing anyone could leave me unable to manage my current workload. Ideally, I calculate a 20% net profit, which would equate to around $300,000 this year. However, I have to account for unforeseen events that can easily cost me around $100,000 each year; fortunately, nothing has happened so far in 2025.

3. Can I reduce expenses?
   Believe me, I