Do you not have enough time for your business?
- Hajar Scholten
- The choice
- 5 January 2026
- 2 min
- Ending and deregistration
You have your own business, but you realise that you do not really have enough time for it. Maybe you have another job, a family, or a hobby that takes up a lot of your time. Can you continue in a way that suits you? And when is it better to stop? We help you make the right choice.
Do these statements reflect your situation?
- You often do not have enough time for your business.
- You work at times when you would rather be with your family or doing other things.
- You experience stress or guilt because you cannot help your customers enough.
- You are not sure if you want to continue like this.
> Go back to Continue or end your business
What options do you have?
Read here what you can do.
1. Make more time for your business
Take a critical look at your schedule and decide which activities you can eliminate or postpone. Sometimes, by looking at which tasks take priority, you can free up more time.
2. Take on fewer assignments or adjust your offering
By focusing on fewer, but perhaps better-paying or more enjoyable assignments, you can reduce your workload. This will help you maintain your energy and enjoyment in your work.
> Step-by-step plan for a new business model
3. Collaborate with others or outsource work
Collaborate with other entrepreneurs who can take over some of your tasks. Consider hiring a freelancer for administration or marketing. This will free up time for the parts of your business that you find most important.
> Outsourcing your work: options and
4. Temporarily put your business on the back burner
Sometimes it is enough to temporarily give your business less attention. You take on less work and put big plans on hold for a while. This gives you space to assess whether you want to take on more work again later.
5. Close your business permanently
If you find that you consistently lack time and your business no longer fits your life or goals, closing it may be the best choice. Deregister your business with KVK and wrap up any ongoing obligations. This way you can close this chapter properly.
> Checklist for closing your business: what you need to do first
Please note: You cannot put your business ‘on hold’
You cannot temporarily deregister your business and then re-register it later. When you deregister your business, you lose your KVK number and your trade name.
How do you make a choice?
Whether you continue or close your business, the important thing is that your business fits your life, not the other way around. By taking an honest look at your time, energy, and goals, you can make a choice that will help you in the long term.
- Take an honest look at your schedule. How much time do you have for your business?
- What gives you the most energy? Decide what is most important to you.
- Calculate the financial consequences of both continuing and stopping.
- Discuss your doubts with someone you trust or who has experience.
Want to discuss your personal situation?
Every situation is different. That is why our business advisers are happy to to help you think things through.
- Our advice is always free of charge.
- We are available every working day from 08:30 to 17:00.
- Our advisers understand the practicalities and provide personal advice.
Call the KVK Advice Team
Pros and cons
We have listed some of the pros and cons for you:
| Continue | Stop | |
|---|---|---|
| Advantages | You can continue to build your dream; the reason you started in the first place. You retain your customers and (additional) income. You remain your own boss. | A clear choice brings peace of mind. You have more time and space for other things in life. You can explore a new direction. |
| Disadvantages | You are left with the worries that come with running a business. You must keep doing your accounting and submit your VAT returns on time. You have less time for other things | You will have to say goodbye to something you have put a lot of energy into. You must still arrange a number of things to close your business properly. You will lose your trade name, KVK number, and VAT number. |
Frequently asked questions about stopping
It is not possible to put your business on hold. Sometimes you may have to stop your business temporarily. For example, for a study, a (temporary) job, or to travel. Read what you need to arrange depending on your situation.
No, deregistering from KVK is free of charge.
Read about everything you need to arrange in the Ending your business checklist.
