Ep 345: Are you actually cut out to be a business owner? Here's 3 things to consider.

Let's start with a question that not enough people are asking before they dive into entrepreneurship: Are you actually cut out for business ownership?

I know that might sting a little. But hear me out — because I think asking this question before you start is one of the most important things you can do for yourself.

Social media has done a great job of glamorizing business ownership. And look, I love that more people are going for it. But sometimes it almost makes you feel like a wimp if you don't start a business. And y'all — that's just not true. Business ownership isn't for everyone, and that's okay. It's only for you if you feel genuinely called to it.

Over 5.4 million people filed to start a business in 2023. Another 5.2 million in 2024. And 5.6 million in 2025. Those are incredible numbers. But here's what nobody's talking about — wanting to start a business and actually running one are two completely different things.

So today I want to talk about three things you should honestly consider before you take that leap.

1. You're Going to Wear a Lot of Hats

When I started my first online business in 2003 — selling monogrammed gifts and home accessories on a Yahoo store — I was a photographer, web designer, copywriter, order processor, packager, shipper, customer service rep, and bookkeeper. All at the same time. With two little ones at home.

That is the reality of business ownership, especially in the beginning. You are not being hired for one job. You are doing all the jobs. And you have to be prepared for that — mentally, practically, and organizationally.

The good news? You will eventually start to figure out what to outsource. I hired my sister-in-law to help with shipping and inventory. My son, who started a power washing and fence staining business to fund his world travels, is learning the same lesson right now — he's great at sales and doing the work, but the bookkeeping is about to make him pull his hair out. So he's learning to hire that out.

The point is — go in with eyes wide open. You will wear every hat before you can afford to take any of them off.

2. You Have to Be Willing to Sell

Before you click away — I am not talking about being pushy or icky. I'm talking about finding YOUR way to sell that feels natural and authentic to who you are.

For me, selling online in those early days meant getting my website ranked on the first page of Google, making the site feel trustworthy and pretty, and then — when someone called — genuinely gushing about how cute the bag was. That wasn't selling to me. That was just being excited about something I actually loved.

That's your job as a business owner. You have to find your version of that. Whether it's your knowledge, your enthusiasm, your ability to build trust — you need a way to get people to hand you their money in exchange for what you're offering. If you can get excited about what you sell and share that excitement with people, you're already most of the way there.

Ask yourself honestly: Am I willing to sell in a way that feels comfortable to me? If the answer is yes — green means go.

3. You Have to Be Able to Manage Your Own Time and Energy

This is the one that sneaks up on people. There is no boss hovering over you. No structure handed to you. No one telling you to show up or stay late or pivot when something isn't working.

Self-leadership is the job underneath the job.

You have to be able to boss yourself around — and do it consistently, not just when you feel like it. Your customers and clients are counting on you to show up.

I have a set rhythm to my days. Coffee with my husband, a walk, shower, then I sit down to work. It's evolved over the years — when my kids were little, I worked during nap time and hired a babysitter for a couple of afternoons a week. Now my youngest is about to be a senior, I play pickleball in the evenings, and my day looks completely different. But I've always had structure. You have to create yours.

If you can manage your time and energy, you protect your business — and yourself.

Here's the bottom line: if you can wear the hats, sell with confidence, and lead yourself — you are going to do fabulous. Especially if you've already been dreaming about this. That calling you feel? That's real. You just need to get honest about what it actually takes to answer it.

And if you need help getting clarity on your next steps — whether you're starting a business or a podcast — I offer one-on-one coaching and we can get you structured and moving forward in even just a power hour together. Reach out at KimberlyBrock.com or DM me on Instagram at @startwithkimberlybrock. I would love to help.