Earlier today, I read a post by a former civil servant who once imagined that quitting her job would usher in stylish freedom—complete with a sleek office, confident attitude, and flexible schedules. But what she discovered instead was a truly bumpy road to self-employment, filled with more tears than tea breaks.
Her story reminded me so much of my own.
More than ten years ago, I quit my demanding microfinance job, fired up by motivational books like Rich Dad, Poor Dad and Awaken the Giant Within. In hindsight, I probably didn’t fully grasp what those books meant. But the message I clung to was clear: failure can be your biggest turning point.
So I leaped—believing I was jumping into freedom.
Hitting Restart: The First Leap into Business
I still remember writing my first resignation letter and sending it to my branch manager. She talked me out of it.
But the itch didn’t leave.
The second time, I didn’t consult anyone. I had started a small grocery business and had hired a young man to help me run it. When I quit, I took over selling myself, hopeful and determined.
But reality hit harder than I expected.
Customers started ghosting me. Stock began to rot. And the boredom of sitting behind a small counter every day soon crept in. Before long, I was back to job hunting.
The role I landed paid so little, I’d rather not say the amount here. I moved from one unstable job to another, trying to stay afloat. But something in me still longed for the freedom of running my own venture.
Re-entering the Job Market and Juggling Hustles
Eventually, I found myself back in business—same grocery dream, different setting. This time, I had a one-year-old baby. Life was survival by hustle. Rent was overdue, customers were few, and bills never stopped.
I closed shop again.
Then came another job — a little more stable — and with it, a fresh idea. I ventured into egg wholesale. This time, I got lucky: I hired a reliable young woman who handled sales beautifully.
But within three months, she left for college.
Now I was working full-time, caring for my child, and trying to run a business. Luckily, my job, house, and shop were all close. So I took orders in the evenings and delivered during breaks.
💡 But the real drain? Restocking. And the biggest monster? Separating business money from personal money. That’s a painful dance no one warns you about.
📘 Affiliate link: Cash Book for Small Businesses on Amazon
📗 Affiliate link: Budget Planner for Hustlers
📙 Affiliate link: Egg Business Success Guide
Business vs Life: The Tough Balancing Act
Let me say it plain: Being a mother in business is hard.
I’ve answered calls with a child on my lap. I’ve done deliveries with a baby strapped on my back. I’ve sold eggs while helping with homework.
It’s not just physical exhaustion. It’s the emotional toll of wanting to give your children a better life while juggling a business that barely breaks even.
And yet, I kept going.
Eventually, I found myself out of a job again — now with two children, no savings, and a growing mountain of debt. I had to go back home and start life all over again.
Again.
But now, I had something I didn’t before: resilience.
What I’ve Learned on the Bumpy Road to Self-Employment
1. Support Systems Are Everything
Whether it’s a family member, a good employee, or even a network of fellow hustlers—support matters. I’ve learned to stop glorifying the “I did it all alone” narrative. Truth is, the journey is heavy. We need help.
That’s why I’m so grateful for communities like the ones I’ve found online and through blogging. Knowing others are navigating similar struggles reminds me that I’m not crazy—I’m just building something real.
You can connect with me on LinkedIn—let’s grow together.
2. Your First Business Will Probably Fail
And that’s okay. According to Entrepreneur.com, most small businesses fail within the first 5 years. That doesn’t mean you’re a failure. It just means you’ve got to learn, pivot, and try again.
3. Read Books, But Live the Lessons
I still treasure Rich Dad Poor Dad and Awaken the Giant Within. They planted a mindset of ownership and responsibility in me. But no book can prepare you for the smell of rotten tomatoes in your stockroom, or the awkward silence when a customer says, “I’ll come back,” and never does.
Experience is the best teacher. But books are great co-pilots. Another one I’d highly recommend for today’s Kenyan hustler is Atomic Habits by James Clear.
Finding My Voice, Again
I now understand that I don’t need to have everything figured out to move forward. I’ve shared some of this story on my dera hustle journey—a testament that you can start over, no matter how far you feel you’ve fallen.
This blog, this moment, this season—I’m giving it my all again. Not because I’ve arrived, but because I’ve refused to quit.
Final Thoughts: Self-Employment is Not Just a Career, It’s a Calling
If you’re on this road too, don’t be ashamed of the detours. Don’t feel behind if others seem more established. Entrepreneurship is personal. Messy. Beautiful. And worth it.
Being a motherpreneur means living in tension—between laundry and LinkedIn, between homework and hard choices. But even on the hard days, I remind myself: I’m doing this for more than money. I’m doing it for legacy.
And that’s what keeps me going.
💬 Let’s Connect
- Want to grow as a small business owner? Let’s link up on LinkedIn.
- Need affordable fashion? I’ve got beautiful deras—DM me or check out my Dera Hustle blog post.
- Curious about blogging or my customer service stories? Visit my post on The Gift of Becoming.
If this post inspired you, share it with someone who’s navigating their own bumpy road to self-employment. You’re not alone—and neither are they.
