Why Return-to-Office Mandates Could Be a Sign to Start a Business in 2025

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One of the few benefits of the COVID-19 pandemic was the rise of remote work, work from home, and flexible schedules. Millions of people formerly known as office workers found working from home or working from anywhere to be a fulfilling new way of life with greater work-life balance. And companies found that they could still be productive and put more money in their business bank accounts without making people sit in a cubicle all day.

But lately, it appears that many big companies are unlearning these lessons, and ushering everyone back to the cubicles. Major companies like Amazon have recently announced return-to-office mandates, forcing workers to go back to the office full-time.

If you love working from home with a flexible schedule, and your company is trying to put an end to this valuable (and productive) perk, it might be time to start your own business.

Let's look at a few reasons why return-to-office mandates might be the last straw for a new generation of entrepreneurs.

Americans are starting millions of businesses

The pandemic years sparked a new boom of entrepreneurship in America. Between January 2021 and December 2023, Americans formed 5.2 million "likely employer" business applications, up more than 33% compared to 2017-2019. If you've been feeling the urge to start a business, you're in good company.

Working from home during the pandemic showed millions of people that they could be productive in new ways, beyond the traditional corporate office environment. Seeing everyday life get turned upside down by quarantines, border closures, and social distancing reminded everyone of how uncertain the world can be. Why not take a chance and make money your own way?

Entrepreneurship could be a better deal for women

Flexible work and working from home is often a life-changing benefit for women, especially women who are caregivers for children or for older loved ones. Working from home during the pandemic helped women be more productive and ambitious --plus more present for their families.

Recent research from McKinsey found that 1 in 5 women said that "flexibility has helped them stay in their job or avoid reducing their hours," and many women who work hybrid or remotely said they feel "less fatigued and burned out."

Work from home was a massive benefit for women and other people who are often underrepresented in corporate America. Now companies are trying to take that all away. Doesn't seem very "inclusive."

If you loved working from home the past few years, getting forced back to the office might feel like being forced to take a pay cut. Are you fed up? It might be time to start a business. Running your own company lets you work from anywhere with a flexible schedule -- and you might even earn more.

You have more than one way to make a living

Too often, people look at jobs with a mindset of scarcity: "Oh no, I'd better hold on to my job! What happens if I lose my job? Surely I will lose everything and be forced to wander the wilderness alone forever."

The truth is: The job market is still quite healthy. Unemployment is low (4.1% as of September 2024). There seems to be strong demand for labor. Especially if you have valuable skills and credentials and experience, you don't have to live in fear.

If your job is messing with your life by forcing you back to the office, it might be time to pursue other options. Start a side hustle. Build a small business website. Learn about new ways of making money online.

You might discover that you can make enough money by moonlighting on nights and weekends that you can start to replace your day job's paycheck and build up a healthy emergency fund in your savings account . Instead of getting 100% of your income from one job, one paycheck, one boss, one cubicle that you don't want to sit in ever again…what if you could make money via the internet?

Bottom line

Instead of letting their employees continue to enjoy the freedom, productivity, and mental health benefits of working from home with a flexible schedule, some big companies are forcing everyone back to five days a week in the office.

The end of work from home could be the start of your new life as an entrepreneur. Running a small business isn't always easy, but it's almost always interesting. Starting a business can be the start of a healthier way to make a living -- and a happier, more abundant way of life.

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