How do you start a business without leaving a job?

There are many reasons why you would want to start a business without leaving a job. You might want to keep that sustainable income while earning on the side or slowly build an empire before quitting that day job.

My Safe Escape Plan

I personally have this “safe escape from the corporate world” plan. I think of this plan as my safe route to quit my day job as a civil engineer and work on my own terms instead.

I promised myself to leave this corporate jungle 5 years after I started working. Now that I am in my fourth year, I can finally see myself fully working on my side businesses as I am nearing my promised term.

At this moment, I am doing sooo many things on the side which are generating income. Aside from this website, I am also working as a part-time online freelancer. I am also doing a few other things that could give me long term passive earnings (hopefully). 

Perhaps you’re asking. Why shouldn’t I just quit my current day job and pursue the things I do on the side?

Well, that’s easier said than done. Here are a few of the reasons why I can’t do that yet:

1. I am the breadwinner and I can’t afford to lose a sustainable income.
   
   
2. I want my side income to sustainably surpass my dayjob’s income before finally quitting.
   
   
3. I can freely experiment on my side businesses without the fear of not earning enough.
   
   

I know most of you can relate. Starting a side business is definitely not an easy task. It’s hard before it gets easy. In fact, you have to do most of the legwork yourself especially if you have no capital to start with.

Doing business doesn’t have to be selling

Before giving you the tips on how to start a business without leaving a job, I want you to erase the misconception that doing business always has to do with selling products physically.

In fact, you can even start one yourself with little to no capital at all.

What business can I start with nothing?

1. Blogging 
2. Vlogging
3. Photography
4. Online Freelancing
5. Dropshipping
6. Affiliate Marketing
   
   

So if you don’t have capital, don’t worry. When I started my side businesses, I also started with nothing except my laptop with an internet connection, curiosity, and a safe escape from the corporate world plan.

So how do you start a business without leaving a job? Here’s how you can do it.

Start a business without leaving a job with these 8 Steps!

---

1. Always start with your WHY and set a realistic deadline

I love my job as a civil engineer but I really find the working setup rather stressful. In this field, it is common to work 24 hours straight just to meet a project’s deadline. Of course, satisfying the client and the management also brings fulfillment. But this is not something I want to bleed for the longterm.

But at this moment, I am staying in this setup for sustainability. As I’ve said earlier, I am only giving myself 5 years in the corporate world. This self promise serves as a challenge to really work on my side business. 

So what is your deepest WHY? 

That should be more than just money. In my case, it’s a better work-life balance and living with peace.

How about you? How many years do you wish to attain the life and work setup you’ve always wanted to have?

---

2. Turn your passion into profit

Now that you’ve found your deepest WHY, look for something you love doing which you can monetize at the same time. 

To help you better, you can ask yourself about your IKIGAI.

What is the concept of Ikigai?

Ikigai is a Japanese concept that means “a reason for being”. This is one of the secrets of the Japanese people for a genuinely happy life.

Basically, your IKIGAI is the thing that gives you purpose. It’s the reason why you’re excited to get up in the morning to fulfill. At the same time, it’s the reason why you continue living that purpose despite the hardships you encounter along the way. 

What hobbies can you turn into a business?

If you have a hobby, then it’s easier for you to ask yourself if it can be your IKIGAI as well. But here are the common hobbies you can turn into a business.

1. Writing –  blogging, freelance writing, eBook writing, copywriting
   
   
2. Traveling – vlogging, blogging 
   
   
3. Gaming – live streaming, vlogging, tournaments and sponsorships 
   
   
4. Photography – stock photography, blogging, shooting events
   
   
5. Arts – sketching, charcoal painting, digital arts, blogging, vlogging
   
   
6. Engagement (being a conversationalist) – vlogging, affiliate marketing
   
   
7. Cooking – pastry, direct selling, blogging, vlogging
   
   

Those are just some of the common examples. In my case, I used to sell charcoal paintings and lifesize cartoons when I was younger. Right now, I am combining my passion for Arts and Writing in this blog and in my other online gigs.

---

3. See how other people did it

If you want to do something and you want to do it fast, observe and see how people did it. Then DO it. You don’t have to make everything from scratch or discover everything by yourself. Almost everything you need is just one search away. 

When I started my side businesses, I never had a single idea of how to create a website, of how to become a virtual assistant, or of how to trade forex. But thanks to my bestfriends — Google and Youtube. You can befriend them too!

---

4. Make use of your free time

I cannot stress this enough but please, make use of your free time WISELY! A lot of people ask why I am able to do so much considering how demanding my day job is. That is — I use my free time WISELY.

This is also the reason why finding your IKIGAI is very important. Because if you really love what you’re doing, it will never feel like working at all.

---

5. Make use of the technology

Again, this is reaaaaally important. As I’ve said in my third point, almost everything you need to start and grow your side businesses can be found online. Apart from that, you can leverage the internet to market your side businesses. 

You don’t have to show up physically in front of your customers or viewers. In fact, if you go back to the hobbies I presented lately, most of them can be done online.

---

6. Focus on providing value

Of course, you want to do businesses on the side for the monetary rewards. But you also have to take note that money always follows where the value is. If you go back on the IKIGAI concept, it should fall on what the world NEEDS. 

Sure, you might get lucky on your first attempts, but creating scrappy results and behavior will never really work in the long run.

---

7. Learn how things work then outsource

Once you learn how things work, you should also consider outsourcing your tasks to others so you can focus on the more important tasks.

Of course, it will be costly. But if your side business is starting to grow some traction, then you should really consider delegating some of the tasks. Lesser work on your part, bigger earning potential. 

---

8. Make it sustainable

You are doing this side business because you want to be your own boss. As soon as you start, try to establish systems that would help you stick to your goals or would make your tasks simpler. 

Have your side business grow so much until you can finally forward that resignation without a heavy heart but of grateful soul. Because this time, your side businesses have already generated a sustainable income for you to work on your own terms, on your own time.

---

Final Notes

Again, doing side businesses is easier said than done. I have shared these info to my friends but only a few took action. So what separates the people who just want to do it from the ones who actually made results? 

1. They do it with intention
   
   
2. They are realistic with their goals
   
   
3. They think long term
   
   

Did this article ignite that fire within you? Well, maybe it’s time to do something about it. Time to take some action.

How about you? What side businesses are you working right now and how are you able to keep your day job while hustling on the side? I would really love to hear from you!