The Highs and Lows of Being an Entrepreneur

Society loves to glorify entrepreneurship. It sounds fancy and exciting: you get to be your own boss, make your own schedule, and do what you want, when you want. Sure… all that’s true to a degree. But it definitely doesn’t come without a price.

I’ve had Sincerely Sunday for about three years now, but this past year? I went all in. I told myself, “It’s time to really turn this brand into what I know it can be.”

And wow, what a ride it’s been.

I always knew entrepreneurship was hard, but I had no idea how hard it could be. The past twelve months tested me in ways I didn’t know were possible -- mentally, emotionally, creatively. The resilience and emotional strength I’ve had to build this year is wild. Young me would be proud. Honestly, I don’t think younger me even realized how many internal battles I’d have to face along the way.

So without further ado, let’s get into it, starting with the lows (because let’s be honest, that’s where most of the lessons come from).

1. No One to Divide the Work

When I first started Sincerely Sunday, I was... let’s just say, a little naive. I thought that because I had a strong work ethic, was self-motivated, and thrived working solo, I could handle it all. Easy, right? Wrong.

Sure, I could do it all but that didn’t mean I did it well. Most of what I produced early on was “just okay,” because I literally had to figure everything out from scratch.

Running a business, especially a product-based one, is A LOT. And as a solopreneur, you’re basically every department rolled into one: maker, designer, marketer, copywriter, photographer, web developer, customer service rep, and unpaid intern (hi, it’s me).

At best, I was decent at two or three of those things. The rest? I had to figure it out. And while I tried to do it all, it quickly became clear that I couldn’t do it well -- not without burning myself out.

TAKEAWAY: If you’re doing it solo, prioritize what actually matters. You can’t make everything perfect, so stop trying to. Focus on the tasks that move your business forward and, when possible, outsource the rest. If you’re just keeping it as a small side hustle, no pressure to scale. Do what you can, when you can.

2. Limited POV (Perspective)

This one is especially for my fellow solopreneurs out there -- when you’re the only one running the show, your perspective can get real narrow, real fast.

• No one to brainstorm with.
• No one to tell you your “great idea” is actually terrible.
• No one to challenge how you think or see things differently.

And when you’re stuck in your own head for too long, it’s easy to lose clarity. As a business owner, having access to different perspectives isn’t a luxury -- it’s a necessity. It helps you validate good ideas, catch bad ones, and see challenges in a way that opens new possibilities.

In my case, this was especially true with scent development. Since Sincerely Sunday is scent-based, everything is subjective. What smells amazing to me might smell “meh” to someone else. Without outside opinions, I often second-guessed myself and sometimes it took a lot of trial and error to figure out what would appeal to a broader audience without compromising my vision.

TAKEAWAY: Even if you’re doing it alone, find ways to get other perspectives. Connect with other founders or creatives in your space -- people who can give you honest, constructive feedback. It’ll help you make smarter, more balanced decisions.

3. Constantly Learning

I love learning… but when it’s all day, every day, it can be exhausting.

The reality is, there’s no blueprint for entrepreneurship. You figure things out as you go along, and if there were a perfect formula, we’d all be millionaires by now.

This year alone, I’ve had to learn how to create content, edit content, SEO, email marketing, pitch to wholesalers -- the list goes on. Each new skill comes with its own learning curve and frustration, and sometimes it feels like you’re juggling ten full-time jobs at once. What makes it harder is that, as a solopreneur, you can’t delegate these learning moments. If you don’t figure it out, it falls entirely on your shoulders.

TAKEAWAY: You don’t need to master everything at once. Pick the 1–2 skills that matter most right now and commit to learning them deeply. Implement what you know, then move to the next. Progress, not perfection, is the key.

4. It’s a Lonely Journey

I’ve done a lot in my life -- got divorced in my 20s, left jobs that no longer aligned with me, traveled solo all over the world -- but nothing has felt lonelier than building Sincerely Sunday. And I don’t mean that negatively. It’s just the truth.

There’s a big difference between being alone and being lonely. Being alone can be peaceful; being lonely is when everything rests on your shoulders and no one else can truly relate.

Being a founder is inherently isolating. Most people around you aren’t entrepreneurs. They haven’t stayed up until 2 AM worrying about shipping logistics, marketing, or how to pivot a failing product. They don’t fully get what it means to have your business and, by extension, your livelihood -- resting entirely on you. There will be days when you question everything: your decisions, your skills, even your sanity. I know I have -- one too many times!

TAKEAWAY: Build community. Find other founders, solopreneurs, or business owners who understand your struggles. Share wins and losses, brainstorm solutions, vent when needed. Loneliness doesn’t disappear, but it gets a lot easier to navigate when you have your people.

Whew! I know -- that was a lot.

But I promise, I’m not here to scare anyone away from starting a business. Those challenges exist, but so do the highs -- the ones that make you forget the hard days even exist.

If you're ready, let’s dive into the bright side!

1. Tapping Into Creativity

I never thought of myself as “creative,” at least not in the traditional sense. Candle-making itself doesn't feed into my creativity -- it’s like baking: precise, methodical, and formulaic.

The magic happens in blending scents, experimenting, mixing, and creating combinations that feel like something entirely new. It makes me feel alive and that’s when I know I’ve created something worth sharing with the world.

TAKEAWAY: Being a solopreneur gives you full creative control. You get to decide what you make, how you make it, and what message you want to share with the world. That’s a kind of creative freedom you’ll rarely get working for someone else.

2. Freedom to Make My Own Schedule

This one’s a bit ironic because I actually like structure. I like processes. But I also love the freedom that comes with deciding how my day looks.

Now, that doesn’t mean I sleep in until noon and work two hours a day. Far from it. I wake up early (6–6:30 AM), post content around 7, and start my day by 9. It’s not about having less structure -- it’s about having the choice to create my own.

TAKEAWAY: Yes, being a business owner gives you freedom BUT don’t confuse that with “time freedom.” You’ll likely work more hours, not fewer. The difference is, you get to choose when and how you show up.

3. Building Connections

One of the most surprising and rewarding parts of entrepreneurship? The people.

Over the past three years, I’ve connected with incredible humans through pop-ups, social media, and events. Some became friends. Others became part of my online community. And some? Old friends I hadn’t spoken to in over a decade reached out because of my posts.

Each connection brought something meaningful: inspiration, support, advice, or just laughter.

TAKEAWAY: Entrepreneurship has a funny way of bringing people into your life who you never would’ve met otherwise. Some will become friends, others collaborators -- but all of them will remind you why showing up matters.

4. Working Towards a Purpose

When you work for someone else, you’re helping build their dream. When you start your own business, you finally get to build yours.

I’ve always known I wanted to make a difference -- it didn’t have to be huge, it just had to be impactful. So, when I came up with the idea of Deconstructed Candles (our candle refill kits or candle making kits), it clicked. I could create something beautiful, sustainable, and meaningful. Something that helps people reduce waste and gives old jars new life.

TAKEAWAY: Entrepreneurship allows you to align your work with your purpose. And when you get to do work that truly matters to you, the satisfaction is incomparable.

Entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart. It demands resilience, grit, and a kind of self-discipline that’ll test you in ways you’ve never imagined.

For some, that 9–5 life provides comfort, structure, and stability -- and that’s perfectly fine. But for others, the pull toward creativity, autonomy, and purpose outweighs everything else. There will be days where you feel unstoppable and others where you question everything. But that’s the ride you sign up for.

So if you’re sitting there debating whether to start that business or take that leap -- be honest with yourself. Ask what you’re willing to give, and if the highs outweigh the lows, go for it.

Because while the lows are real… the highs?

They’re absolutely worth it.