What I Thought Being an Entrepreneur Would Look Like vs. Reality
When I first dreamed of starting my own business, I envisioned a life of flexibility, creative freedom, and steady success. I pictured myself working from a beautifully curated office, sipping on my morning coffee, and watching my brand flourish effortlessly.
Spoiler alert: reality looks a little different. Running a business is exciting, rewarding, and fulfilling—but it’s also one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. Here are the top three challenges I never saw coming.
1. Wearing ALL the Hats
Before starting my business, I imagined I’d spend my days focused on high-level strategy and creative growth. In reality, being an entrepreneur means playing every role—CEO, marketer, customer service rep, fulfillment manager, and even IT support when things go wrong.
One moment I’m brainstorming new product ideas, and the next, I’m troubleshooting website issues or packing orders. The ability to pivot constantly is a skill I never knew I needed, but now it’s essential.
2. Work-Life Balance? What’s That?
As a mom, balancing my business and family life is one of my biggest challenges. Entrepreneurship doesn’t come with set hours, and there are days when I feel like I’m being pulled in a million directions—school drop-offs, answering emails in the car, late-night work sessions after the kids are asleep.
The flexibility of being my own boss is great, but it also means my to-do list never ends. Learning to set boundaries and prioritize what truly matters is a work in progress!
3. The Emotional Rollercoaster
One day, I feel unstoppable—sales are up, people love our products, and everything seems to be falling into place. The next day, unexpected challenges hit, and I find myself questioning everything.
Being an entrepreneur is an emotional journey filled with highs and lows, and learning to navigate that has been just as important as any business strategy. The key? Remembering why I started and pushing forward even when things get tough.
Despite these challenges, I wouldn’t trade this journey for anything. The ability to create something meaningful, connect with customers, and build a brand I truly believe in makes every struggle worth it.
My fellow entrepreneurs—what’s been your biggest challenge? Let’s support each other in the comments below!
To learn more about my story, click here and for my top 5 tips for aspiring female entrepreneurs, click here.