During an interview with a recruiter, against my better judgment, I told her I had a kids’ event planning business.
She had been drilling me on my marketing skills, SEO knowledge, and experience with social media. All of this was clearly outlined in my resume and portfolio, but I decided to share this part of my life — a real, lived example of me putting those exact skills to work.

Instead, she dismissed it.
Flat out said I shouldn’t mention it at all during the interview process.

It caught me off guard. For a moment, I felt angry, frustrated, and a little sad — because something I’ve poured into, something that actually shows my growth and resilience, was brushed aside like it didn’t count.

And to make it worse?
She was 10 minutes late to the interview. She was the one who had messaged me on LinkedIn saying I’d be a perfect fit. Yet here I was, being told the very thing that made me stand out should be hidden.

It Triggered Something Deeper

I left the call feeling more defeated than I expected.
It reminded me of a feeling I’ve carried for years — this sense that in corporate spaces, I constantly have to prove myself. That my path is never quite “enough.”

I had shared that I started and grew a 6-figure business to demonstrate that I could think strategically, manage teams, run marketing campaigns, create systems, and solve real problems. I wanted to bypass the vague recruiter questions and hopefully reach the hiring manager who could actually see my value.

But her reaction cut deeper than just feedback.
Because the truth is — in corporate America, I’ve rarely felt fully seen or heard. I’ve been overlooked, under-promoted, and stuck despite working hard and showing up.

For a while, I told myself I didn’t care. That I just wanted a decent salary and some stability. But that’s not the full truth.
I’m ambitious. I want to grow. I want to contribute. I want to lead. I want to be part of work that matters.

Straddling Two Worlds: Entrepreneurship and Corporate

Interviews like that one sting because I know I’m qualified.
And still, I don’t get selected. It bruises the ego and stirs up doubts about whether I’ll ever land a full-time role that values both my corporate experience and my entrepreneurial mindset.

It also brings up the ever-present tension:
Can I keep growing my business while still needing the financial security of a full-time job?

The past few years have been a loop.
I quit corporate jobs to focus on my business, only to return to the job hunt when I couldn’t take a salary from the business yet. Earlier this year, I left a role feeling energized about building systems, scaling, and launching a digital marketing agency to help others. But not long after, the anxiety returned — the kind that comes with not having stable income.

The Truth No One Talks About

As an entrepreneur, you’re constantly navigating the space between growth and security.

You invest time, energy, and money in your vision, hoping it will pay off. But in the meantime, bills don’t wait. And if you’re anything like me, you crave a little peace, a little certainty. That’s where having a remote, flexible, well-paying job helps. It’s a safety net — not a failure.

There’s this unspoken narrative in entrepreneurship that you have to be all in — no backup plan, no second job. But that’s not realistic for many of us. And honestly? There’s no shame in building both.

I like the flexibility that remote work gives me. I like the peace of mind from consistent income. I like that I can build my business with intention instead of desperation.

My Takeaways for Other Entrepreneurs Balancing Both Worlds

Your business experience is real experience.
Don’t let anyone make you feel like what you’ve built doesn’t count just because it doesn’t fit the traditional mold. You’ve led, built, marketed, problem-solved, and worn every hat. That matters.

Gatekeeping still exists — but it doesn’t define your worth.
Some recruiters or companies may not understand or value your path. That’s a reflection of them, not you. Your non-linear journey doesn’t make you less qualified — it often makes you more adaptable and innovative.

You’re allowed to want stability and growth.
Choosing a job for income and peace of mind doesn’t make you any less of an entrepreneur. It makes you wise. You get to define what your path looks like — not hustle culture, not corporate expectations.

It’s okay to feel discouraged — just don’t stay there.
These moments will sting. You’re human. Let it out, feel the disappointment, then dust yourself off. You are not alone, and this road doesn’t have to be walked in a straight line.

Final Thoughts

I’m still figuring it all out.
Still navigating what it looks like to run a business, grow a brand, and find meaningful work that values all of me — not just what fits a resume checkbox.

But if you’re in that in-between space, just know this: you’re not doing it wrong. You’re just doing it your way.

Tools I’ve Used on This Journey

Here are a few tools that have helped me grow Luxe Gather and stay on track—even when things felt overwhelming:

• Fiverr – for hiring freelancers who support your vision
• Bookeo – to streamline bookings and free up your mental space
• Metricool – Automate and analyze your social media and content performance across platforms
• Tailor Brands – for handling the essentials like forming your LLC, creating a professional logo, and building a brand you can be proud of without doing it all yourself
• Virtual Business Address – for separating your business life from personal