The Joys of Owning a Business

Starting a business in no small feat. They say roughly 20% of new businesses don’t make it past the first year. Do the benefits of small business ownership outweigh the negative? After facing a few challenges each day, I usually say (sarcastically), “Oh, the joys of owning a business!”

While my husband worked for his family-owned business since he was 12, I had no clue of what owning and running a towing business would all entail. While you know you need a lawyer, insurance agent and banker to get you started in those areas of the business, you really can’t afford to hire any employees and so you become the office manager, dispatcher, bookkeeper, etc.

Owning your own business means you are in control, but the risk and reward of financial gain or loss falls on the shoulders of the owner(s) as well. It requires sacrifice, determination, resilience and long hours, and it comes with lots of stress and administrative burdens. The towing and recovery industry is a round-the-clock business and does not offer a healthy work/life balance. Because of the long hours, little rest and fatigue, there were times when I was ready to give up.

Although starting a business requires great sacrifice, it can also bestow many great rewards.

Owning your own business means you’re the boss with lots of independence, flexibility, power and control, along with the satisfaction of seeing the fruits of your labor and, with your beliefs and values, the growth and success. You get to go to work every day doing what you enjoy, and know you are providing a service that is helping others.

Worry, anxiety, anger, frustration and feeling overwhelmed are surely emotions you may feel almost daily, but there are joys in owning a business: having great employees, a network of helpful towing colleagues, appreciative customers and a supportive community.

That’s what keeps me going.