Happy Birthday Energybyte!
Today I celebrate one year since starting a Web Design company, a blog and the part time entrepreneurship experience. While I have accomplished my goals from the business plan point of view, I will make a summary of my one year experience with good and not so good things that happened.
Probably first thing to say is that it’s really possible to have your own company as a part time job (especially if you are into the Web Design business). This doesn’t mean it’s easy. It’s complicated. More complicated than having only a regular job.
I’ve learned that working only by evening it will require a good level of commitment towards the business. It’s hard sometimes that after having a full day at your 9 to 5 job to get home and start it over again with a different set of problems and in a different environment with different goals. Sometimes you will be tired, sometimes you will want to spend time with your family, but if you are committed enough you will be able to do it.
I’ve learned that some things will fail. Sometimes you won’t be able to finish the projects in time, or maybe you will be a little late paying your taxes or fulfilling some other legal obligations. But as long as you keep this in normal limits, that not a real reason not to start a part time entrepreneurship thing. Just hire a legal adviser that will keep you up to date with the things you need to do.
I’ve learned that I have to ask for the family support. When you get home, and start to work again you won’t have enough time to spend with your family. This is not very nice, and if you don’t have the family support you are likely to have some issues with you wife, mom or dad.
I’ve learned that each customer you gain, each finished project will bring you a lot of satisfaction and a feeling of accomplishment. Because everything you do, you do harder because it’s for you.
I’ve learned that part time entrepreneurship will bring you security. First you will have a little extra money which can add to your normal revenues when needed. Second, if you decide to change your 9 to 5 job, things will be much more easier, because even if you don’t find something very good, you always have your company to support in between jobs.
I’ve learned that a part time entrepreneurship will make you feel more confident. Even at your 9 to 5 regular job, you will feel that you are at least as good as your colleagues. Because you are doing something extra, and you are a boss as well (well, at a different thing but this is not important).
I’ve learned that you have to establish with your 9 to 5 employer (from the legal point of view) that you will be working for your own company as well. That’s going to be hard, but if you really bring a good value to their team they will accept it.
I’ve learned that if you are partnering with other guys that have a regular job as well, their commitments to their 9 to 5 job might be different, and at some point they might become unavailable for the part time job…
I’ve learned that my services offerings should address a very narrow market segment. Because I’m unavailable for the customers during normal working hours, therefore you shouldn’t look for the entire market, but for a niche of potential clients who are also working in the evening.
I’ve learned that a part time entrepreneurship will keep the entrepreneurship pressure low. Because you are not really depending on the money your business will bring in, you can do it slowly.
See you next year!
