04/30/2025
The Ugly Side of Business: Taxes, Stress, and the Struggle No One Talks About
I wish I could say this feels like exciting news...this past year, I hit six figures in my business. Again. That should feel like a win, right? A moment to pop champagne, take a breath, maybe even take a damn vacation. But instead? I’m staring down the barrel of a MASSIVE tax bill. And I’m frustrated, I’m sad, I’m overwhelmed.
Here’s the kicker: I planned for this. I’m not some clueless newbie who forgot taxes exist. I squirrel away money for exact moments like this. I did everything "right." But that doesn’t change the fact that this milestone moment feels more like a punch to the gut than a victory lap.
Because when you’re self-employed, when you do every single job in your business yourself—from CEO to janitor—no one tells you about this part. The part where success doesn’t feel like success. The part where growth comes with a side of dread.
The worst part? It’s not just me.
Small business owners everywhere are being crushed. We're lumped in with mega-corporations when tax season hits, but we don’t have lobbyists. We don’t have tax loopholes. We don’t have billion-dollar buffers. We’re just out here grinding, trying to build something meaningful—and getting punished for it.
The government should WANT people like me succeeding. We’re fueling the economy. We’re creating jobs. We’re buying supplies, paying contractors, renting spaces, paying more taxes than some massive companies do. And yet, we’re the ones sweating it out in April, praying our calculators aren’t lying.
Let’s not forget what we’ve been through. Remember the pandemic? It shattered small and mid-sized businesses. The ripple effects are still hitting us hard, and they’re not slowing down anytime soon. Add inflation, sky-high costs (have you seen the price of eggs?!), and inconsistent policy support—we’re still getting hit from all sides.
This isn’t just a vent. It’s a wake-up call.
If you haven’t already, it’s time to actively support your local small businesses. Go buy a pint at your neighborhood brewery. Pick up those juicy, organic tomatoes from your farmer’s market. Grab that baby blanket from the woman who crochets down the street.
These aren’t just transactions. They’re lifelines.
We need community. We need connection. We need people to care. Small business owners are pouring their hearts into every product, every service, every interaction. We’re not just building businesses. We’re building better neighborhoods.
So no, I’m not giving up. I’m stubborn as hell, and my business isn’t going anywhere. But if you care about the soul of your community, the quality of what you consume, the character of the places you live in.
Support small. Celebrate the grit. Share the love.
And maybe, just maybe, buy that beer. It really does make a difference.
Pursu Agency