The Unfiltered Truth: What running your own business is actually like
Me having a lot of fun at a women in business event in London back in 2025 with Claire Johnson VA
I’ve spent a decade in the corporate world, and now I’ve spent a decade in the entrepreneurial world. Safe to say, I understand both of these worlds and I want you to know all the gorey details before you jump into the world of entrepreneurship…
I always had a fire in my belly to start my own business, but taking that leap was scary. It did help that I moved back to the UK, so I effectively had to quit my job in Sydney, Australia in 2026, and that gave me the push into the entrepreneur world I needed. It was still a brave decision, and one that a lot of people challenged me on. But over the last 10 years, I’ve grown and worked across multiple different businesses — selling some, closing others, and seeing pretty much everything in between.
If you’re sitting at a desk right now and thinking of leaving the corporate lifestyle, or if you’ve recently taken the plunge, here is my unfiltered reality of what running your own business actually looks like.
1. Income Uncertainty: The rollercoaster ride
The single biggest barrier keeping people in employment is the security of a regular salary. When you have a family, that predictability is so important and gives you peace of mind that you can cover your bills each month regardless of lifes ups and downs.
When you run your own business, that safety net is very different. Some months you’ll achieve incredible financial peaks, and other months you might hit near zero (yep, I’ve been there and that’s hard to admit). Seasonal ups and downs are very real and look a bit like this if you are a service business in the UK (obviously there are anomalies but this is based on countless clients and my own business experience):-
August slows down as everyone shifts focus to Summer holiday mode - decisions take longer and communication can be tricky with different holiday dates.
December winds down early for the Christmas break and although January should be a boost, typically it takes until the mid to end of January for things to really get moving.
Plus, when you start your business, you’re building your income from absolute zero. So the idea of quitting corporate to start your business becomes even scarier.
The Smart Strategy: If you can, build up a handful of clients or test your offering before handing in your notice then this is a much more comfortable way to do it. This means you are growing your business sustainably and you can transition out of corporate gradually (think part time / compressed days / etc).
However juggling a full-time corporate job, a budding business, and family life can quickly lead to overwhelm - I have been there. It takes planning, open communication amongst your family and being intentional with your time. If you want to have a chat about how I did this please drop me a message on insta or LinkedIn - @jenlisterstrategy.
2. Freedom vs. Unpaid Time Off: The flexibility paradox
Flexibility is always banded about as a key benefit of running your own business, and it really is amazing. However it can lead to an ‘always on’ type feeling.
My husband and I both run our own businesses, which means we can split the daily school runs, housework, etc. I get to design my own diary: I stack client meetings on dedicated days, and keep other days free for marketing and admin. If there’s a Christmas play or a school trip, I don’t ask for permission - I just go.
But there is a flip side to this - If I don’t work, I don’t get paid. There’s no corporate sick leave or paid holiday for me, and maternity pay was virtually non existent. I was recently hit with a horrible illness early summer and had to take two weeks off. I felt SO guilty and of course it had an impact financially.
The Smart Strategy: Having a business safety net (a reserve buffer in your business bank account) isn’t just good practice - it’s essential for absorbing these kind of things when they unexpectedly impact us.
3. The ‘Always On’ Trap: How to escape it
When you’re the boss, you’re also the marketer, the accountant, the customer service rep, etc. That means the business is always running in the back of your mind, tempting you to check notifications or answer client emails on a Sunday. Your business can easily spiral into a 24/7 business and I’m guessing this isn’t what you wanted initially?
The only fix for this is to take a step back, think honestly about what you really want and figure out your boundaries. You have to decide how you operate, communicate it clearly, and stick to it.
“I only work Tuesday to Thursday each week. Outside of those days, I don’t check Instagram DMs or business emails. Yes, it means people sometimes have to wait a couple of days for a reply - but that is the boundary that protects my family time and keeps me sane. ”
I’ve had clients who have told me they respond to enquiries they receive at 10pm on a Friday night, and they wish they didn’t feel like they had to. I honestly believe it’s about setting clear expectations, and ultimately it’s a personal choice. This isn’t ‘wrong’, but it’s not something I want to be doing right now in my business.
The Smart Strategy: It can be hard to figure out the right boundaries for you, but start with looking at your working hours and making these really clear from your family time and personal time. I could write a lot more on boundaries, but I will save that for another blog…
The Verdict
So do I think running a business is harder than a corporate job? It really isn’t directly comparable. But the uncertainty is real, the responsibility is entirely on your shoulders, and the ‘hustle’ (I hate that word) can be exhausting.
However I wouldn’t trade the freedom, the agency, and the sheer pride of building something of my own. One of my biggest reasons ‘why’ is to be a role model for my son and daughter and show them what is possible.
If you're preparing to make the jump, go in with your eyes wide open. Build your financial buffer, set your boundaries early, and embrace the wild ride.
If you want to have an honest chat about business owner life, ask me any questions, or begin to explore starting your own business, drop me a message on insta or LinkedIn @jenlisterstrategy or book in a chat here.
