When My Business Income Stopped Being ‘Extra Money'

It took 10 years for my company to provide true income for myself and my family. For years, I treated my salary as “extra money” for us. It helped us pay off debt, covered sports fees, vacations, went toward retirement, and eventually helped with college tuition.

Yes, my salary absolutely mattered, and I was proud of what I was contributing, but there was still some kind of feeling that my income didn’t really matter because it was for the “extras”. That my husband’s paycheck was the income our family depended on. It sounds so silly to write this out, since it doesn’t really matter. My hubby and I are partners in all things. Plus, my husband never cared. He was happy to support us and happy to have me doing things that made me happy. It was all me, wanting to be independent and contribute to our family finances equally.

Additionally, with my businesses growing, I was working hard but somehow, my income was still unreliable. That never feels good, when you put in so much time yet still have very little to show for it.  When I finally reached the point where I was contributing equally, and eventually more than my hubby did, it felt amazing. Not because I was competing with him, but because after ten years of entrepreneurship, I could finally look at what I had built and know that it provided real financial security for our family.

I think we, as entrepreneurs, underestimate how long that it can take to build true, sustainable wealth. I know I underestimated everything. From hiring to making 7 figures. I thought it would be so easy to make a million in revenue and become rich. There is so much messaging around entrepreneurship that makes it seem like starting a business should immediately replace a salary, and if it doesn’t, something must be wrong with you and your business model.

But the truth is, it takes time to grow, hire, mentor, delegate, and let go enough to build a company that is generating enough revenue to take care of everyone. For me, that was 10 years and 4 businesses! It took a lot of tests, measure, fail, and repeat until I became my definition of success (sold 3 businesses and work 15 hours a week now with an awesome team who does all the rest)!

When you’re ready

Get my FREE workbook to help you plan your dream company, get it here: Lifestyle Planning Worksheet 💫