I'm not giving up, but it's strange how fast emotions can go from exhilaration to overwhelm

Here’s a paraphrased version:
Hey, the last couple of weeks have been great for my startup. We’ve hit $50,000 in annual recurring revenue (ARR) in just eight months, which feels like a win! Our costs have only been $8,000, and they’re about to drop significantly.

Because of that, I feel like we can expect some steady growth going forward.

However, I got a bit of bad news this morning, and now everything feels overwhelming. The main issue is that money is tight, and I need to get us to around $100,000 ARR for us to feel more secure financially.
Honestly, just writing this out is helping me feel a bit better. Achieving that goal could realistically happen in about three months if I’m lucky, but if it takes the full eight, I’ll really have to dig into my long-term savings, which won’t be great, but it’s manageable.

I think I’ll be okay, but sometimes it does feel overwhelming.
I’m not sure why I’m posting this, but I wanted to share in case anyone else is feeling the same way or has gone through something similar.
Let me know if you need any changes!

Amazingly effective work. What kind of product is it, and could you provide the website that was truly motivated by your work?

I totally understand where you’re coming from. I’ve been running my company for five years, and over the last year and a half, we’ve developed a SaaS product instead of just offering services. Some days are incredible like when a new prospect shows a lot of interest, a client signs on, or we launch a great new feature. But then, literally the next day, things can go south: a new feature might conflict with an existing one, causing issues; a deal gets stalled by procurement; or we lose a client due to their internal changes.

It’s really tough. Over time, I’ve built up a strong resilience and stress tolerance, which I’m proud of. However, I feel like I’ve lost a part of myself along the way. I used to embrace a playful, childlike spirit, like running around the house or climbing furniture, which isn’t typical for someone in their 30s. But I’ve become much more serious in the last few years, and I find myself taking a management approach to everyday problems. I also notice I make my wife laugh less.

I’ve made a pact with myself and my wife to reassess things at the start of 2025 and figure out how to bring that playful side back, as we both miss it.

One thing I can say is that if you don’t have a solid business model and effective processes, things won’t get easier. The challenges may change in scale, but you’ll always be putting out fires or feeling like resources are scarce. If you get your foundation right, many potential issues won’t arise.Most importantly, don’t lose sight of yourself. Do what you love, or pursue what will make you a lot of money, but set a date to review your situation. Determine what needs to change or be achieved, and put it on your calendar.

Let me know if you’d like any adjustments!

It is already amazing that you have achieved $50k ARR in eight months, especially with your low operational expenses. Why are you so concerned about tripling your income in the next three months? is the question you should be asking yourself. Heck, unless your business began to run at a cash deficit, you’d be fine even if it took an additional year.

I owned my business for the first six years of my life. I stopped experiencing financial anxiety after I had six months’ worth of expenses saved. I also make my living providing business services. Everyone has done this at some point; starting out in self employment can be challenging.

Fantastic work trust me, I understand how this feels. It’s a heart-stopping emotional rollercoaster that feels like an effing marathon of sprints while boxing chess.
It is a huge accomplishment to have any regular money, so make sure the team takes a moment to celebrate!

Hey, I completely understand how you’re feeling. Being an entrepreneur is definitely a rollercoaster ride, and it can be tough. The worst thing you can do is bottle up that pressure and try to escape it with alcohol or other distractions. That’s why having a routine is so crucial it helps keep you grounded.
We all have those mornings when we question, “Why am I doing this?” I’ve had moments where I considered going back to freelancing because it seems more stable. But when you know your “why,” it keeps you motivated. For me, it’s about freedom not just financial, but also for my family.
Hang in there; you’re definitely not alone in this.

Even when I’m overwhelmed, I work hard.