The job market is still rough. The next step in your career might be becoming your own boss.

Summary

Darnah Thompson and Bonnie Chiurazzi started their own businesses. Jordan Vonderhaar, Morgan Lieberman for BI Bonnie Chiurazzi did what people usually do after a layoff: process it, apply for jobs , and ask connections about opportunities. When applications weren't leading to a new gig, she decided to try something new. "No point in waiting for someone to hire me to do it." In addition to — or instead of — playing the job-search game of personalizing résumés for each opening, attending interview rounds , and hoping not to get ghosted by employers, job seekers can develop their own businesses. It's an opportunity for people new to the workforce and those with long work histories, ready to see whether they can use their expertise to become their own boss, especially at a time when it's easier to start a venture. Chiurazzi, who has a few students and others helping her out on a contract basis, thinks one reason business is going so well is that she's able to support teams who recently experienced budget cuts and layoffs by filling the gap. At first, Chiurazzi thought being her own boss would be a temporary "corporate detox." Morgan Lieberman for BI While US job growth is healthy again, with the highest three-month average since 2024, over 7 million people are unemployed and actively looking for work. The job market also has stubborn weak spots: It's an especially challenging time to be searching in the tech-heavy information sector or the white-collar-heavy financial activities sector. Kory Kantenga, LinkedIn's head of economics for the Americas, said LinkedIn data showed that many US business founders think entrepreneurship in a slower job market is more accessible and achievable than it was for previous generations. "We're seeing that play out in longer job searches and declining job mobility," he said.