The opinions expressed by businessmen are their own.
Last month, I took the initiative to pursue my full-time job. What started as a fun project turned into a side hustle is now my full time job. Three years ago I was planning my honeymoon and was frustrated with the lack of comprehensive information and websites dedicated to honeymoon planning.
So I created HoneymoonGoals.com. Today, the company helps more than 1 million newlyweds plan their trips each year and brings in over $15 million annually for my partners.
Here are five lessons I learned when I turned my part-time job into a full-time job.
Related: New Year's resolutions are on your side
1. Just start
All you need is an idea and a way to make money.
The next step is the hardest (which is good, because after that everything is easier). We have to start.
Start small and don't be shy. Richard Branson said, "Great companies start small. You should be a little ashamed of your first product release. But don't be shy. You have to start something. Every entrepreneur starts with something embarrassing."
You can start your side business with a simple website, Facebook page, or popup. Any thing. Your first method will be incomplete and poorly thought out. You will make mistakes. useful. Use this desire to solve problems and improve work to increase motivation to keep going.
2. Apply a steady pulse
“Rocket ships” is a very common metaphor for startups. Spaceships move fast, fly high, and are as ambitious as venture-backed tech startups. I've worked at three VC-backed startups, and they all called themselves "Rockets" at some point. You can probably blame Sheryl Sandberg for saying, "If you're offered a seat on a Rocket, don't ask for one." Get on the plane.
I think the best analogy for a rocket and building lateral momentum in action is the constant thrust required to reach escape velocity.
The rockets launch with tremendous effort. At first they move slowly. But they keep paying. As it rises and begins to escape Earth's gravity, the same push causes it to continually increase speed.
Treat your side job like a rocket. It takes a lot of effort to get started. It takes constant effort to move forward. For me, that meant three years of daily work at my job. It could be as trivial as adding a new article, scheduling a post on social media, or reaching out to a new colleague. Daily promotions provided the impetus. Momentum builds up over time and you can increase your escape speed.
Related: 5 Ways To Turn A Side Hustle Into A Full Income
3. Keep it simple
To be a successful company, you need to be in business.
This means no money or ambition. The beginning of the side hustle is full of distractions. You can take your new business in a million different directions. It is up to you to decide which ones are worth pursuing.
Simply put, focus on the short term and focus your efforts on:
- Increase your income.
- Cut costs.
- Bring value to customers.
This is a very basic list. But it's amazing how many entrepreneurs get distracted by unnecessary goals, build personal influence, or make risky bets.
Focus on short-term wins that increase profits and delight your customers. If your side business is generating increased profits and happy clients, you can quickly transition into a full-time business.
4. Network early and frequently
Getting in touch with your side business can be difficult.
You can only have one idea. You may not have any clients. You could be ashamed of your website. Don't let this stop you. Meeting people in your industry is likely to open new doors for your business and accelerate the growth of your side business.
When I started my business, I worked in product marketing at tech startups. I was no expert on honeymoons. Connecting with other travel agents, partner resorts and my clients (honeymooners) was such an amazing feeling. When I felt like a fraud, I didn't let that stop me.
Networking and networking with people in this new industry greatly contributed to the company's growth. This allowed me to become a honeymoon expert faster and gain many profitable partnerships for the company.
See also: How to turn your busy site into a full-time job
5. You have big goals
If your battle succeeds, will it be big enough to protect you? Many entrepreneurs start a business that is too small to become a source of additional income.
But if you want to fully devote yourself to your work, then you should think further. For my business, my goal is to create the world's leading honeymoon planning website. When I started the site, it was a ridiculous goal. I have no clients or partners. But I set a goal big enough to turn the site into a full-time business. With Americans spending more than $60 billion on weddings and $12 billion on honeymoons annually, this is a huge opportunity.
While striving for big goals, I have great opportunities as I work full time for the company. If you set yourself many small goals, you will reach your goal very quickly.
conclusion
Starting a side business is a great way to get into entrepreneurship. Over the past three years, I have turned my part-time job into a full-time job. I started with consistent small efforts for three years, focused on customer satisfaction to increase profits, worked hard in the field and set big goals.
If you want to turn your side job into a permanent business, remember that the hardest part is getting started. So go ahead and hurry up!