Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Hi,

Just curious how many people here are working on a new business while keeping their day job?

Even more specifically anyone else in the IT/corporate world by day and starting their own thing by night?

 

Indeed I exactly match your "query". I am a Product Manager (former software engineer) at a small software company by day and run a sailing business on the side. I started SailTime Boston in 2004 and have slowly grown it every year. Although I am basically a licensee of a global company, when I started there were only 5 other locations with virtually no systems in place. All I received was use of a website and some business cards and t-shirts. It has been strenuous and stressful, but extremely rewarding. I work 12-14 hours a day, 7 days a week from April-October, then slow down a bit in the offseason. The business is about break-even over the last 3 years, but our projection for 2007 shows us turning the corner and generating a decent profit on 100% growth.

If I can answer any specific questions, let me know.

I`m curious how you manage your time between your regular job.  Also do the folks at your day job know about your side business?

I do a full time job and find time to run a business (however not a lot of time). Therefore, time management and doing what I promised myself I`d do is crucial for success. It is easy to make an excuse........no time, no money, no what ever.

Commit to your goals, stick with them and don`t quit!.....That has been working for me. Plus both my job and entrepreneurial activities are EXTREMELY fun and do cross over on to one another.

As to work colleagues knowing, I don`t actively advertise it at work. In my previous job, I did use our products and services effectivley (If you wnat me to expand on this I can). Nonetheless, I try to keep them separate.

Time to do my enterpreneurial activities-mostly evenings and weekends.

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http://www.hellomyworld.com Your "Digital Live Made Simple"

I am a full time business operator for www.ElusiveTreasures.com. Prior to full time, I was a full time worker and part time business owner. I still don`t make the salary level I earned as a full time employee of someone else`s business. But I continue to build and find ways to connect to individuals looking for truly unique earthborn & handmade products.

I don`t know how I could do all that I do and work a full time job. There just isn`t enough hours in the day. I work more now with less reward. But I don`t have to deal with the attitude of a "I am all powerful" boss. Sometimes I think about returning... but to what? A race to help another person achieve their goals while not providing any support to my own?

A job is simply investment capital for your own ideas. Keep your daily expenses low. Be free from the system!


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Vincent Wilcox (a.k.a. KRAKR)
Drummer
My band: Letters Make Words

I work nights full-time and often overtime in the casino industry.  I am also a Mommy to an 8 month old infant.  I do all the household stuff/shopping/landscaping/etc. as I am single and, still, albeit slowly, I am beginning a business. 

It`s called multi-tasking, prioritizing, and achieving goals set for myself (perhaps not in as timely a fashion as I would like, but, hey, at least I`m moving forward)!

I have mostly gotten the info together in one of the free websites to design my website for a professional to do it (called keeping costs down by having the info pretty much ready).  I`m having a professional do the final for my web domain so that my customers can safely shop and because I am smart enough to know my limitations! When it is all said and done and up and running, you`ll be able to visit me at YourSoothsayer.com, a metaphysical shop for the mind, body & spirit.

Meanwhile, if you want it, you`ll find a way to get it.

jillybeans

I work a day job while doing my side business at night. It`s perfect for me because I am a workaholic. I`ve owned a business which was full time and I would not do it again unless it was going to gross enough to pay twice what I currently make. A regular job and side job is the perfect compromise if you can pull it off. The day job gives steady income and benefits, the side job gives you supplemental income and growth.


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SecurityDistro Arm Your Toolbox

Hi,

I`m really impressed at how many of you can have day jobs and a side job at once!

Quick question, if you`re at your day job- who and how do you have someone look over YOUR bussiness??

I`m looking at starting my on business in the near future and I didn`t consider keeping my day job (as an account manager in the advertising industry) and then at the same time open and let someone else manage my new bussiness?? I want to open up a beauty palor but I would think that I would have to leave my day time job in order to run my own bussiness... I mean when it comes down to it, no-one will work as hard to get new clientel through the doors; they`re  just there to "just do their hours"??!!

Have you found that you can trust a good manager to your bussiness; or have you involved family or friends into the mix??

LoLo,

My side stuff is on the Internet and mostly maintained by me except when I hire outside people. They work remotely so it is not an issue at this time.

As for starting a beauty parlor and not being around. I don`t really see that it would be feasible. Especially in the first months. If you could find someone who could work in your best interest and on behalf of you then it could work. But if you don`t already have someone then it is not likely you will immediately find that person and trust them to start your company. I know someone in that business and from everything I have seen, it is a high risk venture usually started by people who already do these types of services for a living. That way they can have there own customers and run the business at the same time. Essentially doing the work of 2 people every day to save money.


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SecurityDistro Arm Your Toolbox

efoozle,

I totally see where you are coming from and I understand... I guess what it just comes down too is if I`m willing to give up my advertising career over this new venture!! I`d be learning everything from scratch and it will definately be a hard for the first 2-3 years...