Tabitha Brown Wasn’t Wrong: Why Keeping Your 9 to 5 Doesn’t Make You Any Less of an Entrepreneur

When Tabitha Brown recently said it’s okay to have a 9 to 5 while building your dream, some folks twisted her words like she was telling entrepreneurs to give up. But let’s be real, she was NOT WRONG!

The truth is, being an entrepreneur doesn’t always mean quitting your job cold turkey. Sometimes your 9 to 5 is what funds your 5 to 9 hustle. And for Black business owners especially, this is more than just advice—it’s survival.

The Funding Gap Nobody Wants to Talk About

Access to capital has always been one of the biggest hurdles for Black-owned businesses. According to the Federal Reserve, Black entrepreneurs are about twice as likely to be denied loans compared to their white counterparts. And when they do get approved, they often receive smaller amounts at higher interest rates.

That means many Black businesses are forced to rely on personal savings, credit cards, or yes—even the steady paycheck from their 9 to 5 to keep their businesses alive.

A 9 to 5 Doesn’t Cancel Out Your Entrepreneur Title

Let’s set the record straight: working a full-time job while running your business does not make you less of an entrepreneur. It makes you resourceful. It means you’re using every tool available to build something sustainable.

Plenty of successful entrepreneurs started this way using their job to fund inventory, pay for marketing, or invest in systems until their business could stand on its own.

The Current Job Market Reality

With layoffs happening across industries and the job market feeling shaky, the safety net of a 9 to 5 can give you room to take risks in your business without putting your whole livelihood on the line. Think of it as a partnership....your job funds the dream, your business builds the freedom.

The Takeaway

Tabitha Brown didn’t tell you to give up your business. She reminded us that it’s okay to take care of yourself while building. Black entrepreneurship is already stacked with barriers. If a 9 to 5 helps you push past those barriers, then that’s part of your strategy, not a weakness.

So the next time someone tries to shame you for clocking in while building your empire, just remember: you’re still an entrepreneur. You’re just smart enough to make sure your bills are paid while you do it.