Sometimes owning a business, even if it's a business that is totally online (ie no brick and mortar shop) can be exhausting. If you're like most people, you probably started a business because you thought it would be easier than taking orders from a boss, having to show up at 7:00 AM to help someone else make 'big money', and all that stuff that goes along with having a normal job.

I'll be you didn't think that now you'd be showing up earlier, staying later, getting paid less (per hour worked), and you're still a slave to the customer!

In my experience, and from what I've read on the internets from other aspiring entrepreneurs, this is YOUR FAULT. Sorry.

There's not reason you can't change it though, so keep reading.

The thing is that most 'new' entrepreneurs skip a few important processes, or at least don't think them all the way through.

I know when I first set up my own coffee shop, I resigned myself to working long hours. I knew I would be stressed, and that I would have problems along the way. It didn't bother me.

But my biggest mistake was planning that into the business. And this is what a lot of people do. They plan themselves into the business, making them the core functioning cog. While it works for a few months, maybe even a few years, eventually it gets tiring. You burn out, and so does you business.

That's what happened to mine. Without me at the helm, it all fell apart. Sorry, no more coffee.

It's a good thing too. If my business had actually grown and been successful, I probably would still be working 14 hour days and stressed out all the time. I realize now, that if you plan your business to run without you, you can then enjoy the things you would rather be doing, and someone else can take phone calls, record orders, and close up at the end of the day.

Unfortunately, I've made the same mistake again with my current business (so much for learning from your mistakes, right?), but I'm trying to make the shift. You can learn from my mistakes by starting the right way.

Many people say they want to 'be their own boss'. I just want to be A boss. My goal is to make my business a hobby, instead of job I have to do every day, and I'm busy trying to get my business model in shape to do that.

Do you have any experiences with failed or successful businesses? I'd love to hear your story, especially if you were able to create a business you run, instead of a business that runs you!