The Love–Hate Relationship With Your Business

Running a business is often described as a journey of passion, freedom, and fulfillment, but for many entrepreneurs, it can also become a source of stress, exhaustion, and even resentment. Recent surveys reveal that over half of founders (53%) experienced burnout in 2024 (entrepreneur.com), a clear sign that entrepreneurs are feeling overwhelmed by the demands of their work. Likewise, a global survey of 227 business owners found that 34.4% struggle with burnout and 45.8% experience high stress (founderreports.com), both key contributors to losing motivation and questioning one’s purpose.

In your own entrepreneurial journey, you may have moments where you suddenly realize you’re missing out on other parts of your life. You may wonder: Why am I doing this? What’s the point? Is all this effort worth it? These doubts are not only normal, they are healthy. But when left unaddressed, they can slowly build into something many business owners quietly experience: resentment toward the very business they created (kimkimball…aching.com). Research shows that misalignment, overwork, undercharging, and constant pressure frequently lead entrepreneurs to feel drained, disconnected, or stuck in a business that no longer reflects who they are.

The first step in reversing this spiral is simple: acknowledgement. Recognizing that something feels off isn’t a failure; it’s an invitation. An invitation to realign your business with your values, simplify your workload, set healthier boundaries, and reconnect with the spark that made you start this journey in the first place.

Rekindling your love for your business doesn’t happen overnight, but it is possible, and it begins by listening to what your stress, irritation, or fatigue is trying to tell you.

Author: Louis-Philippe Desjardins