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How to avoid common pitfalls when juggling between a full-Time Job and Business

How to avoid common pitfalls when juggling between a full-Time Job and Business

By Addy Mukhamia

June 11th 2023

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When you are already working, starting a business might seem risky and frightening. Many people worry that if their employer finds out, they may lose the stability of their job and face consequences for moonlighting. However, many company owners who were also employed by another person successfully launched their own companies. Examples include Sara Blakely, the creator of Spanx, Marc Benioff, the CEO and founder of Salesforce, and Twitter founder Jack Dorsey. It is certainly possible, but there are a few things business owners should think about before registering their company and their current work. The legal requirements associated with registering your firm are one such topic to think about. The following are tried-and-true methods for juggling the two if you wish to establish a side business.

 

Consider your time before venturing into the side business

Being an entrepreneur requires a lot of time and can be daunting, which can make it challenging to maintain your work-life balance. Make sure you are prepared to handle your time and efficiency because, at least initially, you won't be able to truly turn off from work. Although running a side business while working is not simple, there are choices open to you. You might ask your employers for a flexible schedule if you can establish a pattern that includes working on your firm three mornings a week and dedicating the rest of your business week to your full-time job. Alternately, if doing so would be financially feasible for you, you might ask to have your hours reduced to part-time. The last thing you want is for your full-time career to suffer and put your position in jeopardy, but if your existing job consumes a lot of your time, your new venture won't take off either. Make sure you can achieve or keep healthy stability that doesn't jeopardize your lifestyle, family, or health.

 

Adjust slowly to the business as you work

You must set aside time to devote to your new business if you want to start a firm. The best course of action is to start small with this, just as with any business. However, it is advised to maintain your side business on a part-time basis when growing it while working a full-time job. This not only enables you to gradually adjust to the numerous changes that come with becoming an entrepreneur, but it also serves as a viable business model for maintaining a reliable income and the advantages of a full-time job. Being employed full-time while establishing a business has the extra benefit of preventing you from putting your funds in danger or running out of money to pay your expenses. Growing a business is a tremendous financial load for any new business owner who also works full-time. As your firm grows, you'll also need a strong business account to track your earnings and outgoings.

 

Communicate with your employer about your side business

Even if your employment contract may contain disclosures, you should still speak with your present employer and be as open and honest as you can. If your new firm doesn't directly compete with your existing one, they could start to view you as a partner in collaboration, a customer, or a future client. Any new business owner requires a strong network, and the greatest place to start could be at your present place of employment. Your employer may also be a possible investor in your startup or own shares in a joint venture, depending on your connection with the company. Make sure to seek independent legal counsel so that you may move carefully and appropriately before consenting to terms and conditions if your side business could provide a service to your day job that would cause them to become a customer, partner, or investment.

 

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Breaking the dilemma: Job or Business? Which way to go?

Start saving for the side income

It could be easy to get carried away with the advantages of having two incomes if your side business starts turning a profit. If you were to quit your full-time job because of this, your firm may suffer in the long term since you might have exhausted a fund that might support you. Create spending limits for yourself early on to keep you from going over your initial budget. When you eventually transition to full-time self-employment, deciding whether to invest or save your gains will reduce your stress by giving you a safety net for later.

Do not take excessive work

Understanding when to decline may help you avoid taking on more tasks than you have time for, regardless of how long you have been in the company or how recently you started your firm. You can review your existing client list to see which ones put you under more stress and sap your energy if you're having trouble finishing your workload. Respectfully advise these customers that you can’t embark on their company properly. As a company owner, keep in mind that maintaining a good work-life balance requires saying "no" when you don't have the time to take on more responsibilities

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