Self employed

I'm self employed. I'm the boss! I have no one to answer to except myself...and my customers. LOL 

There seems to be a misconception out there that self employment means you make a TON of money and never work hard any more and have all sorts of cars and boats and...STUFF. 

NOTHING could be farther from the truth!!  I wish I didn't have to work hard any more. I wish I had a ton of money, I wish I had a boat! 

Here's the cold, hard truth. I have NEVER worked so hard for so little. Except for the satisfaction of not having to work for someone else, not having to worry if I need to take a day off to go to the doctor or closing for a whole week because my mother-in-law died. Yes, I can do these things without getting permission or worrying about my pay being docked. 

But I do feel a responsibility to my customers to be open on time. To be open on the days posted on my door. With a few exceptions, I am a stickler for that! 

Here's the other thing though...I make less money now than I did 15 years ago! However, I am MUCH more satisfied with my work life. And if I feel like turning up the music and singing (poorly!) at the top of my lungs, I can do it! There is no one to make me feel scared that I'll lose my job if I laugh too loud, or dance in my store. Or talk too long with a customer! I can and I will.  

Honestly, I don't do this every day for the money. I LOVE making my products and especially love helping people. When a customer tells me that one of my products has worked so well for them or their family, it's worth more than any amount of money! Don't get me wrong, the money is great too though. But the satisfaction of knowing I helped them with something I made myself is beyond measure.