The truth about running a business for 5 years.
It’s March 2026, which means it is Women's History Month and officially my 5-year business anniversary! Has it been an easy ride? Absolutely not! As we know, social media is fake as hell when it comes to pretty much every profession and lifestyle that exists. Here I am going to be completely honest about what my experience is like running a business, and how social media has this idea of what an entrepreneur's life looks like.
I’m always at the post office.
The people at my local post office are used to seeing my face by now, and they know I will be coming in with light blue mailers to drop off every week or every other week, depending on when I am able to make the drive there. Sometimes I feel like they’re annoyed to see me when I enter the building with numerous parcels, but it’s a part of the job that I signed up for. I did not expect this to be one of the places I frequent most.
I’m not rich. I live paycheck to paycheck.
I saw someone online joking that entrepreneurs take pre-order money from their shops to go on an expensive vacation, and, as someone who follows a lot of entrepreneurs, I had to laugh a little. I found it funny because I do follow quite a few entrepreneurs and have seen the trips they go on (when they post them online), but in reality, this isn’t true for me. People think that running your own business automatically means you’re wealthy, because social media has given people this idea of what an entrepreneur’s life looks like. We see online how many entrepreneurs live in upscale apartments, buy luxury cars, constantly get new designer handbags, and go out all the time. That’s not the reality for plenty of entrepreneurs. I know so many entrepreneurs who have jobs outside of their small business, myself included! I am working all the time. My business helps me get by, but I’m not rich at all, not even close to it. I live regularly. I drive a regular car, eat at inexpensive restaurants, take care of my own beauty maintenance, attend free events as much as possible, and use coupons when I can. I am content with this; I’m fine with just getting by. I didn’t become an entrepreneur to get rich; I became one because I wanted some form of independence.
Followers do not equal sales.
Not to bring up Arii, because I am aware that she doesn’t want to be known for this incident, as she’s used time and time when it comes people talking about getting sales; there’s truth to this situation. Arii started a small business, but it was quickly shut down because she couldn’t even sell 40 shirts, despite having over 2 million followers. Followers alone won’t get people to support your business. Marketing matters. The products matter too. If you want to get business, you have to put in more effort than just making something and posting it online. Closed mouths truly do not get fed; when it comes to getting sales, I have to do the most to get them. If I want my bills paid, then I need to speak up and promote myself!
It can feel isolating.
As I mentioned, I’m always working. I’m usually working alone. When I am talking to vendors, making new inventory, or fulfilling orders, I am up late at night with no one to talk to, no one to keep me company. It’s why when I have the chance to do in-person events to promote my business, I take them. Human interaction is part of life, and I find working by yourself all the time to be overrated. I am literally a professional yapper; it’s why I am a YouTuber in the first place. I enjoy my alone time as much as the next person, but I also want to continue connecting with others at work.
I am very thankful.
To still be in business after 5 years, in that time frame, my mother and numerous other family members died, my car got totaled, a close friend passed away, and I changed my major in university; I am thankful to be in business because I am aware that other businesses that started around the time I did are no longer active. I still get really excited when I get a new order. While it can sometimes be tiring for me, I genuinely like what I do. If you have ever purchased from me or even shared my business, I really do appreciate it. It means so much to me.
thank you all so much for reading. to celebrate my 5-year business anniversary, i have added new products and i am also restocking my best selling bonnets until march 21. please consider supporting a black woman-owned business this women’s history month!