People love to make assumptions about what your job or business is like. But often the reality is completely different. Every business has a story outsiders don’t fully grasp—the unseen effort, the misconceptions, the truths behind the polished surface. We asked some folks we admire to share what they wish people understood about their work—and the responses might surprise you.

ARLTON CANGELOSI

I think that most people see a food truck as a way to make easy money. If you have a great product with fantastic customer service and a reasonable pricing structure, you will be successful. There are more hours behind the scenes than anyone will ever know. Read More>>

Chai

One of the biggest misconceptions about my business is that I’m just selling soap, sage, or skincare products. But Chai’s Healing Corner was never just about products—it started as my personal sanctuary. I had an altar where I practiced journaling, meditation, yoga, affirmations—all the healing modalities that helped me find myself again. Read More>>

Julie Hamm

I think the thing that is most misunderstood about my business is that we are in it for the money and do not care about our dogs. Or that we are backyard breeders. When people hear that you breed dogs there is a preconceived notion that we don’t care about our dogs and all we think about is money. Read More>>

Marissa Reyes

The most commonly misunderstood aspect of my business is that it is merely a magazine, through which I derive substantial revenue. MHP Lounge offers far more than that. We provide a diverse range of products for both men and women, including custom clothing, accessories, bathing essentials, and beauty products. Read More>>

Mikayla Trotta

Many people think we just make ‘pretty’ logos. While a nice-looking logo is part of the job, our real goal is to create strategic branding systems and websites. The most misunderstood part of our process is the strategy phase. Most people assume it’s boring and unnecessary, but it’s the most important step, especially for new businesses. Read More>>