Should I give up on my business?

For some context, I live in California. Where right now if you are not making more than 120k a year, you cannot live comfortably. Me (22f) and spouse (21m) work hard everyday. He is a mechanic (also attending engineering school) and i am a professional baker (for another business) For the last few years i have been running a Cottage operated bakery on the side hoping it would take off but it hasn’t. I know “baked goods” aren’t an essential everyday item. So i have been focusing on finishing my business marketing degree and working full time but recently i have been extremely depressed. I hate working for others, and i want to pursue my dream. Without giving away too much of my identity (not that i care too much) my business is an Ethnic bakery catering towards Russian and Italian decent. In the town i reside in Russian immigrants are one of the largest populations and that’s what my family is. I have gotten loads of business from them but it is not enough (out of my home) My goal for 2026 was to start doing farmers markets but that’s where i ran into a road block. I moved out of a nice home into a dingy apartment complex that is disgusting and i stopped selling out of my home. I cannot pass inspections and it’s killing me. I have 0 money left over to rent out a kitchen, and i have trust issues with family members. My dream is to own chain restaurants of my ethnic foods and have my own products in stores! Maybe even one day i can teach lessons for people who cannot afford culinary school like me. But i’m reaching a realistic dead end..or should i seriously invest into this while i’m young? Or should i be realistic. My spouse and in laws tell me it’s okay to be a stay at home mom and just have a degree on the side but as much as i am grateful for having a spouse with a great career path, i cannot sit at home and watch my dreams dwindle away.

Posted Dec 29, 2025, 7:55 PM UTC

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