SUBSCRIBE

You Are Not Crazy, But Owning a Business Makes You Feel Crazy

accountants accounting firm bookkeepers bookkeeping firm business mindset Jul 29, 2026
Woman in black shirt smiling with her arms on the back of a turquoise chair with words on the screen that say, "You Are Not Crazy, But Owning a Business Makes You Feel Crazy"

There have been seasons of owning a business where I genuinely questioned myself.

How could I have the best sales month in company history and still feel stressed about payroll? Why did hiring an employee, something I had prayed for and worked toward for years, suddenly make me feel anxious instead of successful? How could I be surrounded by clients, employees, and opportunities while secretly wondering if I was making the right decisions?

If you have ever felt that way, I hope this brings you some comfort.

Running a business means making decisions that affect not only your own family, but the families of your employees, your clients, your vendors, and your community. Every financial decision has a ripple effect, and there are very few places where business owners can openly talk about the invisible pressure that comes with carrying every decision and how heavy that responsibility feels – all.the.time.

Success Doesn't Always Feel Like Success

I think this is one of the hardest lessons to learn as an entrepreneur. We keep moving the bar and redefining what success is every moment of every day. We rarely celebrate the small wins because we feel like they are expected of us.

From the outside, people often assume that revenue equals peace. They believe that once a business reaches six figures, seven figures, or even eight figures, the stress somehow disappears. The reality is often the opposite. As your business grows, the decisions become larger, the payroll becomes heavier, and the consequences of getting something wrong becomes more significant. It’s exhausting to have to weigh the pros and cons versus just going for it.

Growth solves some problems, but it also introduces entirely new ones.

Financial Stress Changes the Way You Lead

I have noticed something interesting over the years. When business owners are constantly worried about cash flow, every decision begins feeling heavier and scarier. The fear spiral and imposter syndrome takes over. Hiring feels risky. Raises feel impossible. Investing in training feels expensive instead of exciting. Even small mistakes made by employees can feel overwhelming because every dollar suddenly feels magnified.

The numbers may stay inside QuickBooks, but your stress never stays there. It follows you everywhere, never giving you a moment of peace.

It follows you into conversations with your spouse.

It follows you on vacation.

It follows you when you are trying to sleep.

That is why you feel crazy, overwhelmed and stressed all the time.

Final Thoughts from Your Favorite Accountant

Hopefully, you feel a little more seen and understood. And maybe you are crazy. But owning a business def makes you crazier, lol!

Manifesting Magic, Crys

Download the Cost of Labor Worksheet here.

Download the Owner Pay & Lifestyle Planning Worksheet here.

Straight from Crystal's brain to your inbox!

We'll never spam you or sell your contact info.