Starting a Small Business - Full Or Part Time

If you have made the decision to start a business, oneconsequence that you will lose your job. You then
of the first decisions you have to make is whether tohave a another decision to make of starting your new
start it full time or part time. If you are thinking of goingbusiness full time or find another job.
part time, then keep in mind your relationship with your- We all have only 24 hours in a day and by having
boss. If your new business is somehow going totwo jobs, you may be burning the candle at both ends.
conflict with your current employer, you have no otherThe thrill of starting a new business could cause you
option but to quit your job. It would be wrong andto take on too much, which can lead to personal
unethical to your employer and the company if youanxiety, family stress, emotional and burn out.
were to continue working there and at the same time- If you still have a daytime job, there is a inclination to
compete with his/her business.think about, or work on, your new venture when you
The right to do something does not mean that doing itare at work. Even if your new business does not
is right. - William Safire.conflict with your employer, you need to keep the two
However, if it is possible to start your business whilecompletely separate. Your employer pays you
continuing in your regular job, you have severalfor~You are paid by your employer during} the
advantages:daytime hours, so you ought to work for him and be
- If you still have a daytime job, you maintain a safetycompletely committed to the job.
net in place by not jeopardizing your medical and- You might have to rely on your partner and/or
retirement benefits, holiday and other fringe benefits.children to help you out, because things might have to
Once your business is running smoothly and makingbe done when you are at your employer's business.
good money, then you can set up your own safetyYou need to decide if you can handle the potential
net as you see fit.conflicts and problems of working your new business
- You are financially not dependent on the newpart time. If not, then you have no choice but to start
business. Cash flow the biggest issue for a start-upfull time. However, if you do not have enough cash to
business and having income from a job will take a lotsurvive for at least one year, then you are better off
of pressure off you.waiting and put enough money aside till you have built
- You can take your time in setting up and developinga sufficient reserve to carry you through year one.If
your business while you are not forced to makeyou already have the financial resources to start the
rushed decisions due to financial pressures and thebusiness full time and are able to survive the first year
need to generate an income. However, starting partwithout having to draw an income from the business,
time has also some drawbacks:then I suggest you start full time. Going full time you will
- Your boss might not like it that you are starting abe more effective and able to deal with problems that
business because he knows that he is going to losearise in your business right away. The bottom line is
you eventually. Maybe he is worried that you are notthat it is preferred to start full time if you have the
fully committed to your job anymore with the possiblefinancial resources.