Have you had a successful 9-5 and you want to take the leap into entrepreneurship? Have you built the experience and knowledge to venture out on your own? Do you want to learn how to transition from a 9-5 job to starting a business?
If you answered YES, good. I will guide you through the essential steps of making the leap.
I will be sharing the details on how you can do it but you don’t have to do it alone. You can do it with my guidance through my program- Start Your Business In 30 Days.
How To Transition From A 9-5 Job To Starting A Business
Let’s get started. What is the first thing you have to do if you want to give yourself a better chance of success? In this article, we will go through all the steps. Let’s start with step one.
Self-Reflection
Start by understanding your motivations, strengths, and weaknesses. The Personal Model Canvas tool will guide you to understand your strengths and weaknesses.
Why do you want to start your own business? Don’t start for the wrong reasons, abeg. Discover your ‘WHY.’
After, explore your passions and identify a business idea that aligns with your interests and the market. Your idea is the cornerstone. You can build your business idea through your marketable skills.
Research Your Niche
Knowledge is power, so you will have to spend time researching your niche, understand your target audience, competition, market trends and find the gaps in the market. It’s the foundation of a thriving business.
There are different tools you can use to research the market and get valid insights that will help your business. The tools you can use are Google, social media, and being a mystery shopper. I taught how to use these tools in Start Your Business In 30 Days.
Create a Business Plan
Dreams without a plan are just wishes. And wishes don’t get you anywhere. You need to learn how to create a rock-solid business plan that outlines your goals, strategies, financial projections, etc.
This plan will be a breathing document that you will update as your business grows. This means that you can always update your business plan if you decide to pivot the business or if anything changes in the business.
Alternatively, you can use the Business Model Canvas. The Business Model Canvas is a tool you can use to design how your business will create value, deliver value and capture value. We explained how to use this tool in detail in the program- Start Your Business In 30 Days.
Financial Preparation
When you are moving from a 9-5 to full entrepreneurship, financial stability is crucial. I have seen people go back to their 9-5 because they did not prepare adequately for the road ahead.
If you want to start your business, start saving and budgeting for the business now. I advise that you have money that will sustain you and your family for at least a year in case the business does not pick up immediately.
Network and Connect
Entrepreneurship is not a road you travel alone. You need a strong support system that starts from your family.
Do you have a spouse? Be on the same page with your spouse and family. You have to convince them to buy into your vision. If they do not support your vision, it is going to be difficult to achieve your goals.
I recently went to speak to a group of people who want to transition from paid employment into full entrepreneurship. One of the men in the group stood out. He was passionate about his idea and wanted to start a business, but his wife wasn’t buying into it. She preferred that he maintained his 9-to-5 job.
He once tried his hands at entrepreneurship and during the trying times, the pressure from his spouse made him quit and return to the 9-to-5. He wants to try a second time but his spouse has refused to agree to it. She prefers the salary stability that a 9-to-5 gives.
For this person, it will be challenging, because the person who should be the number one fan has not bought into that vision.
It is your responsibility to sell your vision. You have to figure out a way to make your spouse buy into the vision. They may just be afraid and their fear could be founded.
That is why I mentioned that you have to ensure that you have the financial stability that can sustain your family for a period until the business picks up. Also, it helps to have a clear conversation with your family.
Communicate with them and let them know how important the vision is to you and assure them that there are plans in place to take care of the family while you figure this thing out.
If you are married, the first person you should be getting on your side to be your number one supporter is your spouse.
Also, forge relationships with mentors, peers, and potential customers. Networking opens doors to opportunities.
Marketing And Continuous Development
Marketing can make or break a business. Be shameless about marketing your business, learn the latest marketing strategies and leverage social media to promote your brand effectively and attract customers. Your business deserves the spotlight.
Also, invest in your knowledge and skills. Continuous learning is the foundation of entrepreneurial growth. Learn and surround yourself with like minds. This is what my organisation do through Entrepreneurs Meet. If you want to transition from a 9-5 to starting your business, you need to learn how to market your business.
Launch Your Business
The steps I have shared will help you transition from a 9-5 to starting your own business. It’s time to turn your dreams into reality! Take that leap of faith and launch your business confidently. You shouldn’t spend 600 years preparing. You should let someone who has walked the talk guide you and hold you by the hand. Let me guide you.
To stop procrastinating is not easy. Many have delayed for close to a decade. You don’t want your old age to be filled with regrets about the opportunities you didn’t take. Do you want to be the grandpa who plays golf or the grandpa who plays draft?
Enrol In Start Your Business In 30 Days
Ready to take control of your destiny and start your business? Start Your Business in 30 Days’ course is your comprehensive guide to success. Enrol now. I would like to see you make a seamless transition.
