by Jeanette R. Harrison, MPH
As an entrepreneur, one question I often hear is, “So, are you working?” It’s usually asked with a hidden agenda, especially when people notice I’m not tied to a traditional 9-to-5 schedule. What they really want to know is: “Are you making a regular income?”
The Entrepreneurial Reality
The truth is, owning a business means that I am always working. It's Saturday, and I woke up this morning at 5:30 am to start getting ready for work. I scheduled a 5,000 Steps Walk this morning, and I had to be there and show up for myself. Was anyone counting on me to be there? I was. In actuality, I walked over 16,000 Steps today to provide that 5,000 Steps Walk. I might add, it was 30 degrees this morning. I made sure I was there, because I made a commitment.
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Photo of Me Walking in 30 Degrees Weather This Morning |
From planning next steps to managing day-to-day tasks, business ownership is a constant commitment. What many don’t realize is that entrepreneurship doesn’t have a predictable paycheck. It can be feast or famine. This is especially true for those of us who are in the early stages of building a brand or service. I have a lot of days where I work all day for myself for free.
When you’re in a typical full-time role, you work your set hours and receive a set paycheck. There’s security in that structure. In my last full-time role, I barely made enough to make ends meet, and I spent a lot of time commuting by taking the bus and walking five miles home a night. Time is money, and I lost money through this commute time. As a business owner, however, my income depends on the growth of my business, the relationships I build, and, most importantly, the clients I serve.
The “Invisible” Work of an Entrepreneur
Owning a business, whether it’s full-time or part-time, requires more than just the work people typically see. Behind the scenes, I’m strategizing, managing finances, marketing, networking, creating content, and keeping up with industry trends. I'm a one-woman show. This invisible work doesn’t directly translate to an instant paycheck, but it’s critical for long-term success. For example, I wrote, edited, designed the cover, published, and marketed my last book, "Get Your Walk On." That was all me. It's a lot of work. I didn't wake up one weekend and decide, "Oh, I think I am going to publish a book today."
When people ask if I’m “working,” I could describe the hours spent developing resources like my latest free guide, “Dealing with Holiday Burnout,” or planning an event. None of these activities are as predictable as a steady paycheck, yet they are necessary for my business’s growth.
Redefining “Working” and “Income” in a New Way
One of the things I love about owning a business is the freedom to set my own schedule and redefine what “work” looks like. Today, I woke up and walked, and then I came home and relaxed. And, I took a really long nap on top of my heating pad. This evening I started working again when I finally had a reboot of my physical energy. But that flexibility also comes with the need for careful financial planning, as earnings aren’t as predictable as a traditional paycheck. Sometimes, that does mean getting a day job where I make less than I am worth, and I make sacrifices and have to walk home five miles from the bus. During my last day job, I worked on my business on breaks and my lunch hours, and I tried to maximize my time spent walking. For me, building a business isn’t just about meeting my financial needs; it’s about creating synergies and services that provide genuine value, make a positive impact, and grow sustainably.
Final Thoughts
So, yes—I am working. In fact, I’m working more than ever before. I work all day every day. It's 10:35 pm right now, and I am working. When I am done, I get to go to bed. Tomorrow is Sunday, so I will take my self-imposed Sunday morning time off. I do not work on Sunday mornings. While there may not be a "consistent" income, the value of what I am building is beyond a simple paycheck. Every hour, every project, and every client interaction is part of a larger vision for my business.
If you’re a fellow entrepreneur, you probably know exactly what I'm talking about. And if you’re someone curious about what business ownership looks like, know that it's a lot of hard work, even if you aren't making buckets of money. I'm here every day trying to explore my vision to truly create the healthcare of tomorrow today.
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