Running a business is hard.
Running two at the same time — while one is growing and the other is just getting off the ground — is something else entirely.
This is now my full-time work. Not a side project. Not a “maybe someday.” My days, my energy, my attention — all of it is focused on building and growing my notary business while launching a bookkeeping branch alongside it.
And if I’m being honest?
It’s been a lot.
The Weight of Doing This Full-Time
When you work for yourself full-time, there’s no off switch.
Every decision matters. Every slow day feels louder. Every small win feels earned — but fleeting. There’s no paycheck coming regardless of effort. No built-in structure unless you create it. No one else carrying the mental load of what comes next.
Right now, I’m growing a notary business that requires constant visibility, availability, and precision — while also laying the foundation for a bookkeeping service that needs trust, clarity, and long-term planning.
Both matter. Both take focus. And both are ultimately on me.
Greg helps when he can. He supports this fully. He understands how much work this is. But the reality is that this is my lane, my responsibility, and my day-to-day mental load.
That’s not a complaint. It’s just the truth.
Stress Doesn’t Mean You’re Doing It Wrong
There’s a narrative that if you love what you’re building, it shouldn’t feel heavy.
That’s nonsense.
Stress doesn’t mean something is failing. It means something matters. It means you’re stretching into a version of your life that requires more from you than before.
Lately, the stress hasn’t been about doubt in the work itself — it’s been about capacity. About carrying growth, uncertainty, and responsibility all at once. About knowing you’re doing the right things, but not always seeing immediate confirmation.
That kind of stress is quiet, persistent, and exhausting.
Which is why this week mattered so much.
A Reminder at the Right Moment
Greg surprised me with a Cameo video from Spencer Charnas, the lead singer of Ice Nine Kills, my favorite band.
It wasn’t dramatic. It wasn’t overproduced. It was simple encouragement to keep going and to keep building the business.
And it landed harder than I expected.
Not because he’s a musician I love — but because the message came at a moment when the weight of “this is all on me” had been sitting heavy.
Greg didn’t get that Cameo to motivate me into working harder. He got it because he knows this is a lot. Because he wanted me to feel that the work is worth continuing — even when it’s overwhelming.
That distinction matters.
Why That Encouragement Counted
Ice Nine Kills has always stood out to me not just for the music, but for the discipline behind it. The precision. The consistency. The commitment to doing things well, even when it would be easier not to.
That mirrors how I approach my work.
Whether I’m handling notarizations or building bookkeeping systems, I care deeply about accuracy, trust, and doing things the right way. I don’t cut corners. I don’t rush details. I don’t treat people’s documents or finances casually.
Hearing “keep going” from someone whose work reflects that same discipline felt grounding. It didn’t hype me up — it steadied me.
Why I Shared It Publicly
I shared that video on my business social media because this week felt personal — and real.
Not every post needs to be polished marketing. Sometimes it’s okay to acknowledge that building something meaningful takes effort, patience, and support.
If you’re also running a business, freelancing, or rebuilding your career, you probably know this feeling. The feeling of carrying the vision, the responsibility, and the uncertainty — all at once.
Sharing that moment wasn’t about attention. It was about honesty.
This Is What Momentum Actually Looks Like
Momentum isn’t loud.
It’s showing up again tomorrow.
It’s refining systems.
It’s staying consistent when results lag behind effort.
It’s continuing even when encouragement comes from a single, unexpected moment.
Right now, my focus is on building both businesses thoughtfully and sustainably — not burning out, not chasing noise, and not pretending this is easy.
This week didn’t remove the workload. It reminded me why I’m willing to carry it.
Moving Forward With Clarity
This reflection doesn’t change what needs to be done — but it changes how I carry it.
I’m still building.
I’m still learning.
I’m still showing up.
And when the stress creeps back in, I’ll remember this simple truth:
The work matters.
The effort is seen.
And it’s worth continuing.