"Do You Have a Job If You’re Not Working a 9-to-5?"

As a beauty professional or entrepreneur in any industry, the journey begins with an uncomfortable truth: you don’t start with income—you start with expenses. You’re not just working; you’re investing. Investing in your craft, your tools, your connections, and most importantly, your potential market. This is the entrepreneur’s path. It’s a path often judged by those in traditional 9-to-5 roles who equate “no income” with “no job.” But here’s the reality: entrepreneurship isn’t about jobs—it’s about careers, and careers only end when you stop investing in their evolution.

Let’s address the big question: Do you have a job if you don’t have a boss or a paycheck? The beauty industry, like many client-focused industries, requires professionals to wear multiple hats to build and support their brand. But first and foremost, every entrepreneur has one never-ending role—a salesperson.

This label can feel uncomfortable, especially in industries like beauty, where artistry often takes center stage. Many professionals resist the title of "salesperson," but the truth is undeniable: selling is the core of entrepreneurship. You’re not just selling a product or service; you’re selling yourself, your vision, and your value.

Some people say there are only two types of people in the market: salespeople and consumers. I submit there’s a third—the job itself. The job dictates what, when, how, and who you sell to, and it’s the invisible force driving every entrepreneurial decision. So again, do you have a job? If you’re building something from scratch, hustling to gain clients, and constantly innovating to grow, then you’re doing more than working a job—you’re creating one.

Sheep, Wolves, and Hunters

In the professional world, we often see three archetypes:

• Sheep, who follow the paths laid out for them without questioning.
• Wolves, who seek to exploit or take advantage of others.
• Hunters, who create opportunities, adapt, and never stop pursuing their goals.

As an entrepreneur, you are the hunter. You’re not clocking in and out of a system someone else built—you’re designing your own. It’s relentless and unpredictable, but it’s also empowering and transformative.

So the next time someone questions whether you have a job, ask them this: Who do you think created the job you work in? Every job started as an entrepreneurial venture, and without people willing to take risks and invest in their vision, the entire workforce would come to a halt.

Embrace the Salesperson Within

Whether you’re in the beauty industry or any other field, accept that being a salesperson is part of the process. Selling isn’t just about transactions; it’s about connecting with your audience, understanding their needs, and providing solutions. It’s about showing the value of what you bring to the table—every single day.

To all the entrepreneurs out there: keep hunting, keep evolving, and remember—careers don’t end unless you stop building them. You don’t need a 9-to-5 to have a job. You are the job. And that’s a title worth owning.

What are your thoughts? How do you define "the job" as an entrepreneur? Let’s discuss in the comments.