It’s essential to do what you love when running your own business Posted on 2023-07-112024-02-11 By Cath B Loving your trade and business is essential for enjoying and thriving in it.However, embarking upon a new venture can be a transformative experience but challenging when our passions and work don’t align.Last year I took over a pub with my partner and thought I would love it; instead, I discovered that being a landlady is not who I am.The pub trade is challenging, and I suppose many people think you are just pulling pints and having a nice time behind the bar chatting with the locals.The background work is difficult, especially if you don’t have enough staff nor a chef in the kitchen. My partner and I ended up side by side in the kitchen from morning to night. I was also the morning cleaner and ensured everything was set up in the bar before opening at noon. I can truly say I have never worked so hard in my whole life, and living on the premises made it even worse because you cannot escape it.Don’t get me wrong, running a pub can be a tremendously rewarding experience for the right person, someone who loves people and doesn’t mind the unsociable and long hours or hard work, because you must remember that it’s a lifestyle. You live it and breathe it 24/7. It’s been a challenge for me, especially with my chronic illness + menopause. I thought that working with my man was something I wanted to do, but I have realised that we are two different people, I’m an introvert who loves my own space, stillness and listening within, and my man is an extrovert who enjoys meeting and talking to people. We love each other to bits, but running a pub together is not what we should do. Too much stress, and all you talk about is the PUB! I don’t regret it, though, I have grown a bit wiser, and all routes lead to where we are supposed to be and who we are becoming.At least now, I have gained knowledge about running a business, and the confidence and skill set I have gained from this experience will undoubtedly serve me well in my upcoming path. I have also understood how important it is to love what you do, especially when you embark on an entrepreneurial journey.Purpose, joy, values and alignment are essential for a happy and fulfilled life + business. So, where are we now? We decided in January this year to sell the lease. We’ve had a little bit of interest but no takers yet.We are ready to go, but it will happen when the time is right.– Cath B Share this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)