I am running my own business at the moment and one of the biggest advantages is that I have the flexibility with my work and can fit it round child care. However, that flexibility has a downside, I have to put the hours in at other times, like working on the weekends, evenings etc. I fact I do a little everyday and seldom have a full day off.
My Husband works in the business to, his contribution isnt as flexible and he has rigid hours. We have staff, whist this is good in the sense the business is doing well, managing the staff has added pressure in other areas, some staff are good but not flexible, others are flexible but need micro managing. Some are brilliant but for personal reasons leave.
You get the level of cover right with the right staff, start having the work life balance then if they leave, fall ill etc you need to cover, they have statutory rights, you dont. I have on one occasion went to work sick, with a sick child in tow to cover someone calling in sick as I couldnt get any other cover or child care.
Other than Christmas day, Boxing day and Easter sunday our garage is open, I have worked evenings, weekends and birthdays.
I have also been employed working long hours, weekends, christmas etc, also not getting away on time, however, now I would have all tha back. Why? after 9 years of running our own show and employing people I'm fried, the constant fear factor of will things keep going well? (you cant take it for granted, lots of business fail). The stress of employing, managing staff, putting their needs and welfare before your own, customers and clients always wanting more and wanting it now. ( I have had a client kick off he couldnt get his car MOT done that day as my husband had been rushed in to hospital and needed time off after, many other regulars have also been utterly horrid at certain times too.)
I long for just going to work , doing my job, having statutory rights again. I would work weekends, Christmas anything if I could give up the stress.
I'm really sorry about this, my example may be extreme but very few are this honest about the tough side.
Do plenty research and dont forget to ask about the negatives, you do need to know them so your decision can be balanced. It can be rewarding, we have seen a failing garage as it was when we took it over to a thriving business as it is now, we have learnt an awful lot and developed some valuable skills, but it has been exhausting and stressful.
If your wanting work life balance running your own business may not be the answer due to the effort you need to put in and keep putting in to maintain its success.
Good luck in what ever you choose to do.