5 Entrepreneur Myths That Keep Us Trapped in Capitalist Fantasyland

Entrepreneurship has been glorified as the ultimate freedom—do what you love, make unlimited money, be your own boss! But for most small business owners, especially those of us trying to build something outside of extractive, capitalist norms, the reality is much more complex.

The dominant narrative around entrepreneurship sets people up for burnout, financial precarity, and unrealistic expectations. Worse, it often convinces folks they’re failing when they’re actually just navigating the real challenges of running a business under capitalism.

So let’s bust some myths and talk about what being a business owner actually looks like—especially for those of us trying to do it differently.

Myth #1: Entrepreneurs Don’t Quit

Reality: Quitting isn’t failure—it’s strategy.

There’s this hustle-culture myth that “real entrepreneurs” grind through every challenge and never, ever give up. If you quit, you must not have been serious enough, dedicated enough, or tough enough. Sound familiar?

This is garbage. Knowing when to quit is a strength. Every business decision carries opportunity costs. If something isn’t working—whether it’s a business model, a client relationship, or even an entire venture—it’s not just okay to walk away, it’s necessary.

In anti-capitalist business spaces, we talk a lot about sustainability. Not just environmental sustainability, but human sustainability. If your business is draining your energy, bleeding you dry financially, or making you miserable, it’s time to step back and reassess.

The goal isn’t to force yourself into a broken system and call it success. The goal is to build something that allows you to thrive. And sometimes, that means quitting—sooner rather than later.

Myth #2: Entrepreneurs Do Exactly What They Want

Reality: Running a business means doing a lot of shit you don’t love.

A lot of people start businesses because they want more autonomy. They’re sick of taking orders, they’re passionate about their craft, and they want to do things their way. But here’s the truth: even when you work for yourself, you’re never just doing the work you love.

Maybe you started a business to bake bread, design websites, or teach yoga. Guess what? You also have to send invoices, respond to emails, pay taxes, deal with tech issues, and market your services. Even if you love what you do, you’ll still spend time doing things you don’t love.

That’s why the goal isn’t to eliminate the boring or frustrating tasks (because you can’t). The goal is to set up systems, structures, and support so you can spend most of your time in your zone of genius. Maybe that means automating admin work, outsourcing bookkeeping, or just accepting that one afternoon a month is going to be dedicated to spreadsheets.

If you’re waiting for the day when you only do the “fun” parts of your business, you’ll be waiting forever. Instead, aim for an 80/20 split: 80% work that energizes you, 20% necessary bullshit. If you’re stuck in a 50/50 or worse? That’s a red flag. It might be time to quit something (see Myth #1).

Myth #3: Entrepreneurs Know Exactly What They Want (and How to Get It)

Reality: Most of us are figuring it out as we go.

There’s this idea that successful business owners have a crystal-clear vision from day one. They know exactly what they want, how to get there, and they just execute the plan flawlessly.

That’s a lie.

Most small business owners—myself included—spend a ton of time figuring out what we actually want. Our needs change. Our understanding of our work deepens. The market shifts. What seemed like a great idea a year ago might feel completely wrong today.

Clarity comes from doing, not from sitting around waiting for the perfect plan to emerge. And when you hit a wall, get support. No one builds in isolation. Find a business coach, a peer group, or a mentor who understands your values and goals. The worst thing you can do is stay stuck because you think you should already have it all figured out.

Myth #4: Entrepreneurs Are Usually Rich

Reality: Most small business owners are financially precarious—especially at the beginning.

The myth of the wealthy entrepreneur is everywhere. Social media is full of “six-figure” business owners selling you a course on how to make six figures, which often involves…selling a course on how to make six figures. 🙃

Let’s be real:

• Many entrepreneurs start their businesses broke.
• Many businesses lose money for the first few years.
• Many business owners never reach the income they had in a traditional job.

That doesn’t mean entrepreneurship isn’t worth it. It means that if financial stability is important to you (and it should be!), you need to plan accordingly. Avoid massive debt. Start small. Keep your day job if needed. Grow at a pace that works for you.

And most importantly—don’t fall for the idea that making less money means you’re doing something wrong. Wealth isn’t the only measure of success. Does your business give you flexibility? Does it align with your values? Does it allow you to contribute to your community? Those are just as important as a big paycheck.

Myth #5: Entrepreneurs Take Huge Risks

Reality: Smart entrepreneurs take calculated risks.

There’s a lot of bravado around “risk-taking” in business. You hear stories about people who emptied their savings, maxed out their credit cards, and bet everything on their business idea. Sometimes it works. But a lot of times? It doesn’t.

Most successful business owners mitigate risk. They test ideas before making big investments. They start as side hustles. They secure other income streams. They build safety nets.

Capitalism loves the “rags-to-riches” story because it makes failure seem like a personal flaw instead of the result of systemic barriers. But taking wild, unnecessary risks doesn’t make you a better entrepreneur. Making thoughtful, informed choices does.

Final Thoughts: Redefining Entrepreneurship for a Just World

If you’ve been holding yourself to some impossible standard of what an “entrepreneur” should be, I hope this gives you permission to let that shit go.

• You can quit things that don’t serve you.
• You don’t have to love every single task.
• You don’t have to have it all figured out.
• You don’t have to be rich.
• You should take risks—but only the smart kind.

The best businesses aren’t built on grind culture, overwork, and reckless leaps of faith. They’re built with intention, sustainability, and a deep commitment to doing things differently.

So tell me—what’s the biggest myth you had to unlearn about entrepreneurship? Let’s talk about it. 👇