304. Is business right for you?

Starting a business can look pretty appealing from the outside. More freedom, more money, no boss, and the ability to work from wherever you like. But the reality can involve a lot more uncertainty, responsibility and late-night problem solving.

Tash and Emma unpack what running a business actually looks like, who it might suit, and why leaving a good job isn’t always the obvious upgrade social media makes it seem.

In this episode:

💼 Why starting a business might make sense if you want challenge, ownership or more control, but not necessarily if you just want an easier life

💼 The difference between having flexibility and actually being able to switch off when the business still depends on you

💼 Why Tash and Emma both found business appealing after struggling with workplace processes that didn’t make sense to them

💼 The “golden handcuffs” problem: why walking away from a well-paid, flexible job can be very different from leaving a lower-paid role

💼 Why building a business on the side can give you time to test an idea before giving up the security of a regular paycheque

💼 The lumpy reality of business income, from strong months to surprise costs, payroll and chasing invoices

💼 The skills that can make business easier, including problem solving, taking action, financial literacy, adaptability and being comfortable making decisions without someone else’s approval

💼 Why networking doesn’t have to mean awkward events and business cards, and how social media can make it easier to build useful relationships

The big takeaway? Running a business can create freedom, ownership and opportunities that are hard to replicate in a job. But it can also bring uncertainty, responsibility and a lot more work than the highlight reel suggests. Before jumping in, it’s worth asking what you actually want from business, and whether there’s a lower-risk way to test it first.