The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) has an independent business-owner group or community or whatever they call it. I must have signed on to it because I get the e-mail discussion thread in my in-box. A recent online conversation, prompted by somebody considering starting their own PR shop, explored the benefits of running your own firm. Numerous “old hands� raved about controlling your own schedule, about being able to balance work and family, work and recreation, work and whatever.

Call me Mr. Reality Check. Yep, I do achieve a fantastic balance between work and family. But I’ve had to do two things. One, I’m willing to work myself to exhaustion and two, not give a damn if clients give a damn when they reach me and I’m at a kid’s lacrosse or soccer practice, a hockey or basketball tournament.

Very, very rarely do I miss a game or concert that one of my kids is in. I’m usually the parent running children to a practice. But I pay a price. I’m in the office most days by 7 a.m. I work most nights at home. And, sometimes, if necessary, I’m up working at 3 or 4 in the morning. I can tell you what the sunrise looks like from my office window. And about two times a year I work myself to sickness – so I work from bed.

I wouldn’t trade being self-employed for the world (well, unless there is somebody with a big check who might like to buy my small shop!) But nor would I pretend that it’s easy. That wouldn’t be honest, and a disservice to anybody considering taking this path.

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