The Journey of Entrepreneurship: Why Being a Business Owner Isn’t Easy
Timi Nadela
Purpose Driven Maven: Christian Author, Lifestyle Blogger, Journal Crafting, eBook Creating, and Animal Advocate
Being a business owner is no small feat, and if you’re considering stepping into this world, there are some things you should know. My journey into entrepreneurship began in 2010, and it all started with a simple blog. Over time, that blog became much more than just a hobby—it was the start of a business and a new path in my life. But don’t be fooled; there’s no such thing as a "get-rich-quick" solution. Building a successful business is a long, winding road. Like many other things in life, it requires patience, hard work, and a belief in God’s timing.
One of the most common misconceptions about owning a business is that success comes quickly. It’s easy to believe that becoming a business owner is a fast track to riches, but I’ve learned that’s not how it works. In fact, unless you win the lottery, wealth doesn’t happen overnight. As the Bible says, “richness is little by little.” I have found that to be so true on this journey. Building a business is like planting a seed—you nurture it, water it, and give it time to grow. There are seasons of slow growth, times of drought, and moments of blooming, each one taking its own time.
The journey has been filled with challenges. Early on, there were times when I felt like giving up. A business needs so much energy and attention, especially in the beginning. There are days you question why you even started. You face setbacks and have to make decisions that can feel overwhelming. When you’re the business owner, every decision falls on your shoulders. Unlike working for a company where you have a team to handle different tasks, as an entrepreneur, you wear many hats. I had to be the marketer, the accountant, the customer service rep, and the content creator, all rolled into one.
One lesson I learned early on is that you can’t skip the hard parts. Starting a business from scratch requires a foundation. Building a foundation isn’t glamorous or easy; it’s made of small steps that slowly build upon each other. Many people look at successful businesses and only see the final product. They don’t see the late nights, the sacrifices, or the countless hours spent working in the background. This foundation is the unseen part of the business, but without it, the whole thing can fall apart.
There’s also a big difference between dreams and reality. I had dreams of running a business, working from home, and having the freedom to make my own schedule. While some of that is true, the reality is that owning a business often means working more hours, not less. You might be able to set your schedule, but work will find you at all hours. It takes commitment and discipline to keep going, especially during the times when progress feels slow.
One thing that has kept me going is my faith. God has been my constant guide through this journey, helping me stay grounded in times of struggle. I’ve come to believe that each challenge I face is a stepping stone towards growth, and that God has a purpose for every season. Patience and trust have been my anchor points. This journey has taught me that God’s timing is perfect, and even though success doesn’t come overnight, it does come if you keep working, keep believing, and keep going.
The reward in owning a business isn’t just financial. There is a deep sense of pride in building something from the ground up, a satisfaction in watching your work grow over time. It’s about the people you reach, the lives you touch, and the lessons you learn along the way. Each step, each struggle, is part of a bigger picture, a story that God is writing with me.
If you’re thinking about becoming a business owner, know this: it’s not easy, and it’s not a quick way to get rich. But it is a journey worth taking. You’ll need patience, persistence, and a willingness to grow through the struggles. There will be moments of doubt and days when it feels like nothing is working, but in those times, remember that greatness takes time. Richness, like anything worth having, is built little by little.
So, to all aspiring entrepreneurs, my advice is this: Start small. Plant your seed and give it time. Embrace the hard days, for they teach you valuable lessons. Hold onto your faith, for it will carry you through the tough times. And always remember, success doesn’t happen overnight. It happens with each step you take, each effort you make, day by day, little by little.