A Business Is Like a Box of Chocolates (You Never Know Which Expense You’ll Get)

If you’ve ever run a business, you know Forrest Gump was right: life is like a box of chocolates—you never know what you’re gonna get. The only difference? In business, the surprise centers are usually filled with invoices, taxes, and expenses you didn’t order.

Still, just like chocolates, running a business is addictive. And for a woman in finance, it’s also a little messy, sometimes bittersweet, and always worth unwrapping.

Navigating the sweet surprises of a business

The Startup Phase = The First Bite 🍫

In the beginning, you’re full of excitement. Every new idea feels like hazelnut praline—rich, smooth, and full of promise. But then reality hits: some pieces taste suspiciously like “unexpected supplier costs” or “VAT adjustments.” Surprise! Not all flavours are your favourite, but you eat them anyway (because that’s how you grow).

Growth = The Assorted Layer 🙃

As your business develops, the chocolate box gets bigger. Revenues rise, new opportunities appear, but so do random fillings like “extra employee training costs” or “tech upgrades nobody budgeted for.” Running a business in Romania as a woman in finance is like biting into cherry liqueur when you were expecting caramel—messy, but you learn to handle it with grace (and maybe a napkin).

Maturity = The Signature Selection 🧑‍💼

Eventually, your business matures into a fine selection. You know which chocolates to go for, which to avoid, and how to balance sweet wins (hello, cash flow!) with the occasional bitter bite (hello, tax season). Just remember: even premium boxes need regular quality checks—your financial reports, audits, and strategy sessions.

The Health Check-Ups = Expiry Dates 🩺

Every box of chocolates has an expiry date, and so does every financial plan. Regular check-ups—monthly budgets, quarterly reviews, yearly forecasts—keep your business fresh. Ignore them, and suddenly that sweet truffle turns into a stale liability.

The Immune System = Dark Chocolate Strength 💪

A resilient business is like dark chocolate: strong, good for your long-term health, and maybe a little intense. For female entrepreneurs, resilience means building emergency funds, negotiating smart contracts, and preparing for recessions or market surprises. Because yes, sometimes the box comes with flavours nobody asked for.

The Takeaway

Running a business is like opening a new box of chocolates every single day. Some flavors delight you, some make you roll your eyes, but all of them make you stronger, smarter, and maybe a little sweeter.

So the next time someone tells you “it’s just business,” smile and think:“Nope. It’s my fancy chocolate collection—surprising, messy, and always worth the calories.”