The Harsh Truth About Starting a Business

Let’s be real, starting a business in 2025/2026 isn’t easy. There’s the highlight reel we see online, the success stories, big wins, and “overnight” growth, but behind every thriving small business is a grind most people don’t see. I learned that firsthand when I started my own audio production company and opened my recording studio.

When I first began, I thought passion and talent were enough. Spoiler: they weren’t. If I wanted this to be my full-time career, I had to go all in. I worked long hours, mixing, editing, and producing, while still clocking into my 9 to 5. Every spare minute went into building something that didn’t exist yet. There were nights I questioned if it was worth it. There were weekends I gave up plans with friends and holidays I missed with family. And I can’t count the number of times people told me my studio was just a “hobby.”

But here’s the thing, if you stay focused long enough, the noise fades and the results start to speak for themselves. Slowly, I built a client base. The late nights started turning into steady work, and one day, I finally earned enough to quit my 9 to 5 and focus fully on what I love.

Whether you’re launching a creative studio, a tech startup, or your first online brand, understand this: success doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time, money, and more patience than you think you have. You’ll sacrifice, you’ll doubt yourself, and you’ll learn more than any book or course can teach you.

But if you stay consistent, if you keep learning, adjusting, and showing up, it’s worth it. Keep going. Your future self will thank you for not quitting when it was hard.

-Aaron On Audio