Part-time Business Success
I would venture to guess that most “employees” have thought about running their own business at some point in their corporate career. I really have to applaud those that take the initiative and make something happen. It shows that they also know how to walk the walk and are willing to step out, just a little and take action towards a better life – whether that means more money, time, freedom, or a combination of all three.
So, why do most leave their plans on the drawing board, so to speak?
Fear, the need for security, financial responsibilities, and lack of money pretty much top the list. I don’t blame anyone for being careful, especially when others depend on that salary. It’s one thing to be a risk taker, but another thing, entirely, to be reckless. Everyone’s situation is different, and there are more things to consider than your own wants and needs.
I was like that for most of my 18 years as a wage-slave. Until I decided to make the best of the situation and start a part-time business. Well, actually, I started several over the years. I knew that risking everything and jumping into a full-time venture would be foolhardy, so I decided to work on starting a business that I could do in my spare time. The number one criteria was that it had to be low-key because I wasn’t able to put out fires during the day. I needed something where I didn’t have to interact with customers on a daily basis – And if I did need to interact and solve their problems, I could do it at my own convenience. In other words, no sense of urgency.
Here is a partial list of businesses I started and ran while I kept my day job:
Residential window cleaning (weekends)
Gutter cleaning (fall – on weekends)
Flea market sales (prep inventory after work and sell on weekends)
Wooden pen making (whenever I had time)
House sitting
Pressure washing (weekends)
Carpet cleaning (weekends and after work)
Deck refinishing (weekends)
Grout cleaning and minor repair (weekends)
Firewood service (by appointment)
And that’s just off the top of my head. I suppose the point I’m trying to make is that if you desire something, and you are willing to work hard towards succeeding, anything is possible. Yes, I did have my challenges trying to maintain a reputable name in some of these areas (considering I could only work on the weekends), but I did manage. In fact, I was able to very handsomely supplement my income. My part-time money helped to pay for many vacations, a few mortgage payments, and even bought a classic car that I had my eye on.
Was it easy? Heck, no. I was working 12 hour days, seven days a week at one point. Which brings me to a point: There is no free ride. You get out what you put in. If you think any differently, save your time and money and keep your job.
There are no “get-rich-quick” schemes that will ever come close to what you can do with a little thought, persistence, and hard work.
