Some entrepreneurs are glorified in the media for making the leap from full-time worker to business owner. While this strategy can work for some people, other times it adds unnecessary risk.
Starting a business doesn’t mean you need to quit your day job. It means devoting time and energy to a side hustle that can eventually become your full-time gig. Businesses aren’t born overnight, and having a source of income while getting your business off the ground can be a key to success.
For Jason Quey, an entrepreneur who launched his first footwear and clothing business at age 22, quitting his day job wasn’t necessary to generate more than $211,000 in revenue by the end of his first year.
Since then, Quey has been working as a freelance marketer, continuing to test different side projects. Although it’s tempting to be jealous of other entrepreneurs, Quey finds this route as a low-risk way of finding entrepreneurial success. Additionally, he can test new ideas on his projects, giving him the ability to deliver great results for his clients.
To start your own business on the side, Quey recommends aspiring entrepreneurs focus on three things:
1. Use your day job to build your business.
While building a side business, your day job is your number one priority. There are a lot of no-no’s you need to avoid so you don’t get fired, or sued, like working on company time. That doesn’t mean the eight hours at work need to be wasted, either.
Quey took on projects that would give him valuable skills for his business. As a marketer, Quey decided to make fellow marketers and startup cofounders his target audience. This allowed him to gain insight into how to better serve his potential customers. Through his work, Quey also discovered an untapped market. Many marketers believe in the show, don’t tell model of marketing. They value in-depth…