‘I feel more like a worker’: Man says family business promises have left him burnt out and uncertain

A man who joined his family's business following promises of eventual leadership is now feeling overwhelmed and uncertain. On the r/smeSingapore forum, the individual disclosed that his relatives had sold him a "big vision of exciting deals, growth, and building things of our own." However, these assurances were never formally documented, leaving him questioning the legitimacy of the promises.

The man had been handling a major client project single-handedly, despite his relative's responsibilities. He expressed feeling more like a worker than a future business owner, with the rest of the responsibilities falling solely on him. When he voiced his concerns about burnout, his relatives responded that they couldn't afford to hire additional help and that he needed to learn everything first.

The man is seeking advice from other Reddit users, asking whether he is being selfish or ungrateful, and how others with similar experiences have handled the situation. Many users advised against relying on such promises, questioning the business's prospects and the man's well-being. Some suggested he walk away from the family business and pursue his own career, while others urged him to seek a more concrete succession plan.