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Running a small business means making sacrifices. Are they permanent?
A Rocket Lawyer survey of 883 owners found 55.3% started for schedule flexibility, while 23% cited time as a major barrier.
Rocket Lawyer's 2026 Small Business American Dream Survey found that 55.3% of small business owners started their companies partly for greater schedule flexibility, based on input from 883 owners surveyed in June 2026.
Starting a business often involves sacrificing predictable income and personal time, with 23% of owners citing time constraints as a significant barrier to business growth and success.
One owner noted business ownership means working "often times more than a traditional 9-5," while another described the potential reality as having "not enough income." Both quotes illustrate the core trade-off.
Rocket Lawyer recommends owners track time for one or two weeks to identify tasks to delegate, automate, or outsource while reviewing cash flow, pricing, and margins for sustainability.
Regularly reassessing initial sacrifices helps ensure businesses remain flexible, allowing owners to choose habits intentionally rather than continuing ones their company has outgrown during growth phases.