The Unfiltered Truth About Entrepreneurship: Every Day Is a Trade-Off
Running your own business is often romanticized as the ultimate freedom—being your own boss, setting your own schedule, and following your dreams. But the reality? It’s hard. It’s really, really hard.
As a momprenuer, founder and leader of multiple businesses, wife and a mom of five, I’ve learned firsthand that there’s no such thing as paid time off, sick days, or free days. The work doesn’t stop because life happens, and the responsibilities only seem to multiply—at work, at home, and everywhere in between.
The Myth of Flexibility
When I started my first business, I imagined flexibility would be its greatest gift. I could attend my kids’ events, schedule appointments without asking for permission, and be there for my family in ways that a traditional job didn’t allow. And while some of that is true, what I didn’t expect was how much would constantly compete for my attention.
Here’s a typical day in my world:
One child has a soccer game at 4 PM.
Another has a dentist appointment at 2 PM.
Client deadlines are looming, emails are piling up, and let’s not even talk about dinner.
Flexibility is a double-edged sword. Yes, I can fit everything in, but only by making trade-offs that sometimes feel impossible where no one wins.
Sick Days Don’t Exist When You’re the Boss
As a business owner, there’s no such thing as calling in sick. If I’m under the weather, I still have to show up for my clients, answer emails, and keep things running as much as I can.
When one of my kids is sick (which, with five kids, happens often), the juggling act gets even harder. I’m a nurse, a mom, and a business owner all at once, trying to do my best in every role, but often feeling like I’m falling short in all of them.
The work doesn’t stop because I’m tired, overwhelmed, or stretched thin. There’s always something that needs my attention, and that constant pull is exhausting.
The Weight of Endless Choices
As a momprenuer, my world is filled with choices—every single day.
Do I attend my child’s school play or take a call with a new client?
Do I spend my evening catching up on work or helping with homework?
Do I prioritize scaling my business or simply surviving the day?
And it’s not just the choices themselves—it’s the sheer volume. With multiple business, five kids, and all the things I volunteer for; everything feels multiplied for the kids alone:
Five sets of doctor and dentist appointments.
Five extracurricular schedules.
Five unique sets of needs, personalities, and emotions.
Every day, I try to make sure there’s something for each of them, but it’s an impossible standard to meet perfectly. The guilt? It’s real, and it’s heavy.
The Sacrifices No One Talks About
What most people don’t see are the sacrifices behind the scenes. Running my own empire means:
Missing moments with my kids because I’m preoccupied with work.
Working late into the night after everyone else is asleep.
Putting my own needs—rest, hobbies, downtime—on the back burner.
It’s not just a physical toll; it’s an emotional one. There are days when I feel like I’m barely holding it all together, like no matter how hard I try, it’s never enough.
Why I Keep Going
So why do I do it? Why not just find a job with PTO, sick days, and someone else to handle the hard stuff? Because despite the challenges, running my own businesses gives me something I can’t get anywhere else: ownership.
I own my schedule, even if it’s chaotic.
I own my successes, even if they’re hard-earned.
I own the life I’m building for myself and my family.
My kids see me working hard, chasing dreams, and showing up even when it’s difficult. That example means everything to me.
Is Balance Possible?
Here’s the thing: Balance is possible, but not without clear boundaries. Without them, it’s easy to feel like you’re failing at everything—work, parenting, and life.
I’ve learned that creating balance starts with setting limits:
Saying no to things that don’t align with my priorities.
Delegating tasks, both at work and at home, so I’m not carrying everything on my own.
Scheduling time for myself—because if I’m burned out, I can’t be the mom or business owner I want to be.
But even with boundaries, balance is a constant work in progress. Some days, it feels attainable. Other days, it feels like a distant dream.
The Bottom Line
Running your own business is hard. Parenting is hard. Doing both? Some days, it feels nearly impossible. But I’ve learned that the beauty is in the effort—in showing up, making the hard choices, and building a life that reflects your values.
So, if you’re in the thick of it, feeling like you’re being pulled in every direction, know this: You’re not alone. It’s okay to struggle, to feel overwhelmed, and to admit that it’s hard. The key is to keep going, to keep choosing what matters most, and to keep reminding yourself that you’re doing the best you can.
Balance is possible, but only when we create space for it. Without boundaries, the chaos will consume us. With them, we can carve out a life that feels intentional, fulfilling, and uniquely ours.
Here’s to doing the hard things, one day at a time.
