I don’t know who needs to hear this, but the weight of creating and keeping a business going is damn near impossible.
And not just in 2026.
It’s been this way for a while.
Every now and then, as a business owner, you look up and feel the weight on top of you. The bills. The salaries. The taxes. The quality of what you deliver. Supporting your family. Maintaining your reputation.
The long nights questioning why. And wondering how to escape. The busiest days where everything and nothing gets done. Anxiety in your chest. Showing up seemingly unfazed every single day.
Honestly, it’s too much.
We didn’t choose self-employment to work longer, harder hours than ever before.
We didn’t choose self-employment to see less of our family than ever before.
We didn’t choose self-employment to be judged, questioned and challenged about how we run our business.
But this is reality. Not for everyone. But for so so many of us.
So really, this is a message for anyone who is pushing so hard with little reward, getting no credit.
YOU ARE BUILDING SOMETHING.
You are brave. Bolshy. Brilliant. Unwavering. A powerhouse. A strong, independent, truly amazing person.
I know this.
Because if you are on this path, I know what you are made of. I know the s*** you’ve endured and just kept on going. That’s power. Every time you’ve been knocked down, you’ve got back up. Stronger and wiser.
I am proud of you.
I have spent 7 years building something. A business that has chewed me up and spit me out. Many times. A business that has gone bust and come back to life. Blood, sweat, tears (and money) have gone into this and the truth? I don’t even know if I’m proud of it.
But I am proud of me.
I’m proud of carving a path surrounded by judgment, questions, fear, critique. Proud of not being complacent, sitting at a desk, counting down the hours to my next holiday. Proud of telling my kid the story of it all, and what I learned from it.
Most people can’t stomach this path. And I love it. Honestly. I love knowing that I can handle a debt collector, a raging client asking for a refund and a broken laptop all before 12pm. I might not have the money to show for all this graft, but you can give me that.
Founders, business owners, family businesses – I love you. You are what makes this world truly special. Keep being you.
Tom x
