Why You Should Keep Your 9-5 While Building Your Business: A Real Talk Moment from a Black Woman Entrepreneur

Look—I’m always gonna encourage anybody, especially Black women, to pursue their dreams. If you feel called to be an entrepreneur, I say go for it. But here’s the part they don’t always tell you: starting a business is so much more than launching an IG page or getting your logo designed on Canva.

You can’t just be passionate. You gotta be prepared.

Too many people think, “I love doing hair. I should open a salon.” Or, “I’m good at baking, I should sell cakes.” And yes, that passion is a key ingredient…but passion alone won’t pay your vendors, keep the lights on, or cover your kid’s field trip money. That’s why I firmly believe that, in most cases, it’s important to keep your 9-5 while you build your business.

Let me break it down.

Passion Doesn’t Equal Profit

There’s a big difference between doing something you love and running a business around it. A business comes with overhead, logistics, strategy, and—let’s keep it real—bills. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 20% of new businesses fail within the first year. By year five, roughly 50% have closed their doors. That’s not to discourage you, it’s to prepare you.

The Small Business Administration (SBA) says it costs around $2,000 to $5,000 to start a home-based small business, and that number can easily hit $30,000 or more if you’re opening a brick-and-mortar shop.

And that’s just to start.

Now ask yourself: How long can you go without making money from your business? Because most small businesses don’t start turning a profit for at least two to three years. Some take even longer. You might generate revenue early on—meaning you’re bringing in money—but that’s not the same as profit. Profit is what’s left after your expenses. And sometimes, especially in those early days, there’s not much left.

The Real Cost of “Being Your Own Boss”

There’s a line in Jay-Z’s “Boss” that hits home every time:

“Everybody’s bosses ’til it’s time to pay for the office. ’Til them invoices separate the men from boys.”

That lyric lives rent-free in my head because it’s so real. Putting “CEO” in your bio is cute, but are you ready to pay for QuickBooks, shipping supplies, email marketing, product samples, photography, business insurance, your LLC registration, and your quarterly taxes—all before your business is even paying you?

And let’s not forget: even if your business isn’t bringing in steady money, your household still needs food, gas, rent or mortgage, childcare, and peace of mind.

That’s why your 9-5 is not the enemy. It’s your business partner—for now.

Keep Your Day Job While You Build Your Dream

Your 9-5 provides stability. It pays the bills while your business is finding its footing. It gives you the resources to invest in your business, make mistakes without risking homelessness, and most importantly, breathe.

You can build your empire after work, on weekends, during lunch breaks, and in those late nights when your passion kicks in. But that steady paycheck? That’s your cushion. That’s what keeps your dream from turning into your financial nightmare.

And trust me, I get it. Working a 9-5 while building your business is not for the weak. You’ll be tired. You’ll feel like you’re always on the clock. But this season is temporary. Use it wisely. Make a plan. Stack your money. Learn your audience. Build your brand intentionally.

Success is not overnight. But neither is struggle—if you plan right.

So Sis, Here’s the Real:

Start your business. Be bold. Be creative. Be different. But be smart about it. Do your research. Understand your market. Know your numbers. Don’t let social media rush your process.

Your business can be a legacy, a wealth-building tool, a source of joy. But don’t quit your job just because somebody on TikTok told you to “bet on yourself.” Betting on yourself is great, but betting responsibly is better.

And one day, when your business is thriving, and that 9-5 is no longer needed, you’ll be able to walk away on your terms—with peace, not pressure.

Until then, keep building. Keep learning. Keep stacking. Your time is coming.

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Written with love and lived experience,

From one Black woman entrepreneur to another.