How much would you give up to start a company? Entrepreneurs and small business owners reflect on some of the biggest sacrifices they've made along the way.

1. BROUGHT TO YOU BY
What’s the biggest sacrifice that you’ve
made to start your business?
The members of Succeed: Small Business Network share 17 things they gave up to get ahead.

2. “Quality time with my four children and husband. In 16 years
as a business owner, I have never really mastered the art of
balancing work and family. I still struggle with the pros and
cons today.”
Carrie Goss
Owner, Advantage Billing Solutions

3. “I left my corporate job with a beautiful corner office
view to branch out on my own. It’s all about the
passion and doing what you love.”
Michael L. Russo
Strategic Leadership, Manufacturing and Operations Management

4. Karen Kerski
Owner, Catalpha Advertising & Design
“Financial (and mental) security. The two are almost
equal and vie for first place."

5. “My retirement money... it's a big leap of faith!”
Wendy Boston-Robinson
Event Planner/Decorator

6. “Almost all semblance of a social life. Pouring funds
into the business rather than other things.”
Rachael Saltzman
Freelance Photographer at Cohn & Wolfe

7. “I think the biggest sacrifice (since I don't have a family of my own or
significant savings yet) has been my sense of security and that
feeling of making my parents proud of me by getting a corporate job.
My mom did recently tell me she is proud of me for taking the risk to
start my business, and that meant the world to me!”
Kelly Rates
Owner & Lead Consultant at Blacktop Consulting

8. “I gave up my own place and full-time job to start my
company with my own funds and savings. It’s worth
following your passion.”
Jessica Church
President, Virtual Keepers LLC

9. “I sold my motorcycle (a 1989 Honda Hawk NT650—a
cult classic now) to buy a top-quality IBM laptop. I still
dream about that bike, but it was worth it in the end!”
Eric Weidner
President, Workbox, Inc.

10. “I have put money in as well as free time, but by far my
biggest sacrifice is time with my family. I constantly feel the
need to push hard so I can get to a point where I can be
with my kids before their childhood passes by.”
Joey Noel
Managing Partner at BNG Technologies, LLC

11. “All my assets, twice... And a relationship. And I
would do it again! And again!”
Sonny Hansen
Marketing Manager

12. “Time. My business partner and I often joke, ‘When we started, we
thought we would work 20 hours a week and get rich. We found out
we often worked 60-80 hours a week to make a living.’ But that was 25
years ago. It eventually got better. Was it worth it? ABSOLUTELY! The
extra time rarely felt like work—it was more like play, even at 2 a.m.”
Daryl Gerke
Partner at Kimmel Gerke Associates, Ltd.

13. “I sacrificed the security of high-quality health
insurance.”
Ginger Schultz
Business Owner at Bay Breeze Ad Specialties

14. “Free time! Really using any time I have available to work on
my business, but it was definitely worth it.”
Neal Morados
Entrepreneur, Investor, and Social Media Consultant

15. “My inflated ego is the biggest thing I've sacrificed.”
Ron Johnson
Chief Esteem Officer at Esteem Engine

16. “Stocks, savings, friends and family time, and my SUV. I earned
money, and I lost money. My first startup failed; I lost everything.
But what I have not lost is my passion. Now I’m starting back on
my track again.”
Shailendra S. Chauhan
Entrepreneur/Technologist

17. “When we were first married, my husband sold his cherished '64
Falcon Ranchero to buy me my first larger format professional
camera so I could step up, be more competitive, and take my
business full-time.”
Marie Leslie
Writer, Photographer, Image Specialist, WordPress & Social Media Trainer

18. “My stable quiet life. I am determined to leave a
(physical) legacy!”
Sherry Stapf-Tolisano
Broker/Owner at Spartan Realty

19. Join the Discussion:
“What’s the biggest sacrifice that you’ve
made to start your business?”
Succeed: Small Business Network, Powered by Staples is an online community
that helps professionals thrive in small business. Ask questions, share answers, and
learn from your fellow entrepreneurs.
Join the group at www.linkedin.com/succeedsmallbiz.
PHOTO CREDITS via FLICKR CREATIVE COMMONS
Slide #1: das_miller
Slide #2: Patrick
Slide #3: Dan Nguyen
Slide #4: Bill Frazzetto
Slide #5: Bill Barber
Slide #6: Henner Zeller
Slide #7: ryan harvey
Slide #8: David Dugan
Slide #9: Eric Weidner
Slide #10: Peter Voerman
Slide #11: Terry Ross
Slide #12: Jonathan Cohen
Slide #13: Brent Schneeman
Slide #14: Nathan Gibbs
Slide #15: Mark Fischer
Slide #16: Andreas Poike
Slide #17: Greg Gjerdingen
Slide #18: Kaibab National Forest