The Difference Between Wanting It & Working For It | Where Anti-Hustle Culture Gets It Wrong
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Wanting success isn’t the same thing as working hard for it and that’s where so many entrepreneurs get tripped up. This episode may ruffle some feathers, but Victoria is challenging the rise of the anti-hustle movement and reminds you that perseverance, discipline, and resilience are what actually build lasting businesses.
Unpack why today’s “manifest it” message can leave you discouraged, and how embracing a season of hustle can prepare you for the freedom and flexibility you dream about. Victoria also shares the truth most people don’t want to hear: business will feel hard sometimes, and that’s not a sign you’re failing; it’s a sign you’re growing.
If you’ve been wrestling with whether you’re pushing too hard or not doing enough, this conversation will reframe the way you see your work. Press play and let Victoria encourage you to keep going, even when it feels tough, because the payoff is always worth the perseverance.
The Rise of Anti-Hustle Culture
If you’ve spent any time on Instagram, TikTok, or even scrolling through your favorite business podcast feeds lately, you’ve probably noticed a common theme: hustling is out and soft-entrepreneurship is in. Everywhere you turn, someone is telling you to slow down, stop overworking, set stronger boundaries, and simply manifest the business you want.
And while balance and boundaries are absolutely important, the truth is building a successful business requires hard work. Success doesn’t happen just because you want it or dream of it, it happens because you’re willing to put in the time, energy, and perseverance to see it through.
Make a List of “Successful Entrepreneurs”
Who comes to mind when you hear “successful entrepreneurs”? Go ahead, write it down. For Victoria, this list included her dad, Jeff Bezos, Jenna Kutcher, The Car Mom, and Sara Blakely. Once you make your list, think of what those people have in common. Going back to Victoria’s list, at first glance, these names don’t necessarily have much in common. They come from different industries, different generations, and different approaches to building their businesses. But when you look closer, there’s one thread that ties them together, every single one of them worked incredibly hard to build what they’re known for.
Why The Anti-Hustle Movement Is Killing Ambition
Every day we are shown messages that encourage you to slow down, to stop overworking, and to manifest the life you want to live. But here’s the problem. These messages create false expectations, especially if you’re in the early stages of business. Yes, balance matters. Yes, burnout is real. But if you buy into the idea that effort isn’t necessary and that success will just come because you desire it, well you’re just setting yourself up for major disappointment.
Perseverance is the most valuable skill you can possess as a business owner, it’s what keeps you in the game. When challenges come, when you keep getting told no, or when you’re losing money at the end of the month, if you can persevere, you will come out on the other side. Too many people assume that when the going gets tough, they must be doing it wrong, and that’s largely due to this soft-entrepreneurship messaging that’s being spread on social media.
It’s Never Been Easier To Start a Business Today
The entrepreneurial landscape has changed greatly over the years. Our grandparents had to build businesses brick by brick, sometimes literally, and starting businesses for them meant having to buy expensive equipment, rent storefronts, and hire employees just to open. Our parents had to rely on print ads, radio spots, or trade shows to find customers.
Fast forward to today, all you really need is a laptop, a domain name, and a social media account. You can reach thousands of people instantly, sell digital products without ever touching inventory, and grow your brand without printing a single flyer.
That low barrier to entry means you can start lean and move fast. But the irony in this is that, because it looks easy to start, people often assume it’s easy to succeed. The truth is, while the landscape has changed, the principles haven’t. Scaling and sustaining a business still requires discipline, strategy, marketing, leadership, financial management, and most of all, perseverance.
Every Business Has Seasons
One of the most powerful reminders from this episode is that entrepreneurship always comes with a season of sacrifice. That doesn’t mean endless 100-hour weeks or neglecting your family and health. But it does mean there will be times where you need to hustle harder, learn faster, and persevere through challenges you never imagined.
Dave Ramsey says all the time, “we need to live like nobody else now so that later, we can live like nobody else.” That’s entrepreneurship in a nutshell. When you put in that effort early, you’re laying the foundation for the freedom, flexibility, and stability you want later. If you try to skip over that season of hustle, you end up skipping the very experiences that sharpen your skills, strengthen your resilience, and prepare you for long-term success.
The anti-hustle movement might sound appealing, but the reality is that desire alone won’t build a business. Vision matters, mindset matters, and boundaries definitely matter, but none of those can replace discipline, strategy, and perseverance.
Victoria leaves you with one last piece of encouragement. “Don’t be afraid of the hustle. Don’t shy away from the hard work. Protect your energy, yes, but also be willing to put in the effort.” That combination is what will ultimately help you build a brand you’re proud to stand behind.
Text The Show!
If this episode resonated with you, Victoria would love to hear from you! Take a screenshot of the episode and share it to your stories and be sure to tag @brandwelldesigns on Instagram! If you disagree with this episode’s message, Victoria would love to hear your thoughts as well! Send her a DM on Instagram or text the show by using the link in your favorite podcasting platform.
Hopefully this episode encouraged you and challenged you in the best way. Be sure to check back next week for a great episode with Victoria and Lauren, BrandWell’s COO, to dive more into Victoria’s hustle season growing BrandWell.
Key Quotes
“Don't fall into the trap of thinking that you deserve success just because you want it. Yes, you have to want it, but that is what's going to drive the work that's going to get you the thing that you want.”
Victoria Marcouillier
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