Financial freedom. Be your own boss. Escape the rat race.

We are bombarded with these headlines and inspiring videos every single day. But why does nobody talk about the downside? Since 2010, I have been self-employed with my own company. I was only 21 and a student when I started — not because I was dreaming of "freedom," but because I simply wanted to stand on my own two feet. After 16 years, I have learned a lot. Especially about my own limitations.

The Illusion of Freedom

There is a very special feeling in creating something from scratch and watching a project grow — from the first few orders a day to over 80. I have experienced a bit of everything as an entrepreneur in my field and at the scale my business reached. From the early days as a sole proprietorship to growing into a limited company (ApS). I felt the pressure during the COVID-19 crisis, where we could not keep up and had to adjust delivery times while everything was uncertain.

But here is what many people do not tell you: as an entrepreneur, your brain never clocks out. Whether you are at dinner or out with friends, the thoughts are always running in the background. I assume the "rat race" of a 9-5 job stops at 5 PM — at least I think so, as I have never actually tried it. As a self-employed person, you often take that wheel with you all the way into the living room and into bed.

A Difficult Prioritization

When you have children, the true cost of entrepreneurship becomes clear. I have done everything I could for my business, but it has demanded an immense amount of my time. I have been the kind of boss who felt I had to handle everything myself — from daily operations to heavy bureaucracy regarding excise duties and environmental regulations. It drains the creative drive.

I have reached a point where I want to prioritize differently. I want the mental energy for my children while they are growing up. To me, being there for them is about more than just physical presence; it is about being able to listen without my mind being occupied by inventory levels or legalities. That is why I am choosing to close this chapter now, to find peace in a new way of life.

Moving Toward a New Chapter

After 16 years, I have reached a crossroads. I have realized that life as a self-employed business owner in the food industry no longer aligns with the life I wish to prioritize. I am ready to leave entrepreneurship behind to gain more stability and time with those closest to me.

Ironically, for 15 years, I hoped for a bit of media coverage — but it never happened while things were running smoothly. Now that I have chosen to change course and the road has become steep, the attention finally arrived. It makes you reflect on how we measure success.

For me, the greatest success now is finding peace in a new role. I am standing at a turning point, moving from being the "master of my own house" to becoming an employee. It requires humility, and it is naturally a major transition after so many years. But I see it as a strength: I bring 16 years of frontline experience, a deep understanding of responsibility, and a genuine motivation to join a stable environment where I can contribute to a collective success.

I look forward to proving that the skills I have built as an entrepreneur are exactly what will make me a loyal and dedicated employee in my next chapter.