4 tips to transition from employee to entrepreneur.

One of the most biggest questions I get asked is how I transitioned from a fulltime employee to fulltime entrepreneur.

How did you know it was the right time?
Had you been building your business for a while?
How did you make it work?
Was it hard?

The truth is, I had no plans to become a freelance writer or business owner back in 2014. Sure, I had dreams, half finished business plans, and ideas about how I could eventually break out on my own.

But it took getting a major kick in the butt from the Universe for me to finally take the leap.

You see, back then I had this feeling that it was time to move on, that I had outgrown my job. And with our company going through a somewhat tumultuous period, I could feel things shifting. Something told me that my time there was going to come to an end. And I was right.

Within a few months of my intuitive hit, I found myself jobless and pretty uncertain about what I wanted to do next. While it was incredibly unsettling, it was one of the best things that ever happened to me.

For the first time in almost 10 years, I had the space to consider my options. I thought about what I really wanted to do and how I could use my talents and my passion for health and wellness. I thought about moving out west or subletting my apartment to travel abroad.

Suddenly, anything was possible.

The other side of the coin—the less comforting side—was the never-ending feeling of uncertainty. It was unnerving to not have any structure or stability. And I was forced to dig deep and access not only my ambition, but also my faith in life.

I had to surrender, allow things to unfold and guide me, and to trust myself along the way. That uncertainty soon became something that was familiar and easier to face. And I’ve found that comfort in not knowing is essential to pushing through periods of fear, self-doubt, and failure as an entrepreneur.

Now, my experience is not an original one. I know plenty of entrepreneurs who created beauty in the face of unemployment. However, it’s one of the hardest situations there is when starting a business.

That’s why I always give the following advice because diving head first into a world that you’re not fully prepared for isn’t practical.

1. Build your business as a “side hustle” first. When you have a steady paycheck—even if it’s at a job you hate—you can still put pure, loving, abundant energy into a passion project or beginner business. The stability allows you to relax, create from your heart, and to plan without pressure. You’re free to enjoy the process of meeting new people, taking courses, paying for a beautiful website design, and cultivating client relationships with more ease. And with the right consistency and energy, you give it the chance to grow into something that’s lucrative enough to leave your job.
2. Save a boatload of money. If there’s one thing that quickly becomes a stressor when you’re a first-time business owner, it’s being able to afford the lifestyle you’ve grown accustomed to. There’s nothing worse than feeling stressed about money and then anxiously pursuing clients and business opportunities. Truly, that kind of energy is the biggest turn off; it’s practically client repellent. So having your expenses covered and knowing you have enough to live off of for at least 6 months brings essential peace of mind.
3. Build your reputation. If there’s one thing I’ve found to be the most valuable in my career as an entrepreneur, it’s my relationships. I’ve been so blessed to have amazing friends, colleagues, and mentors over the years, and their support and guidance has truly helped me shape the business I have today. Not only that, but my commitment to excellence and doing the very best work I can, has allowed me to build a name for myself in the industry. Doing that while you work fulltime will set you up with a community to cheer you on and recommend your work to others.
4. Line up part-time work. When I left my job, I dove into consulting work and health coaching clients. It was erratic, unpredictable, and unbalanced. I craved stability—an income that would cover my rent and base expenses. That’s when the opportunity to work at Parsley Health popped up. And I was not only saved, but scooped into an incredibly cool work environment and team. It gave me the confidence to let go and grow my freelance business, and I’m forever grateful for it. Definitely, grab yourself a job that you like to pay the bills as you transition. It’s a MUST.

As you can see, there’s a smart way and a stressful way to transition from fulltime employee to fulltime entrepreneur. I recommend doing it the smart way because you’re much less likely to get caught up in fear and self-doubt and much more likely to succeed.

Now, I’d love to hear from you. How did you transition from corporate to business owner? Or if you’re hoping to, what is your plan? Please share in the comments below.