Launching a side business while working full time is not for the faint-hearted. Those who do, warn that it requires real sacrifice and commitment. But when a start-up takes off they say there is no greater sense of satisfaction.
Anureet Sra, a qualified accountant from Essex, set up her own web design and development business, Couture Web Design Ltd, last year.
Although working full time for an accountancy firm, Sra wanted to stretch her creative side and took a variety of courses to build up a portfolio in web design.
She admits that balancing her business with a full time career is challenging. “To stay motivated I try to remember that I help people with their businesses,” she said.
Sra has to be disciplined with her time and starts work at 7.30am, but she has also had to learn when to stop.
“I used to come home and go straight onto my laptop to work, including client work, courses and reading about business, but this became quite overwhelming,” she said.
“I was advised by my coach to take a one hour break before touching my laptop and then having a hard stop at a certain time.”
Now Sra works on her web business from 6-9pm Tuesday to Friday, and at weekends works around errands and other social activities.
She sets boundaries for when she takes client calls, and uses a project management tool to organise her client work.
“I’m delegating and outsourcing more now rather than trying to do everything myself,” she said.
She has discussed her business with her current employer and has their support. “My manager thinks that running a business, being coached and helping others is helping me develop as an employee,” she said.
Sra now plans to offer “strategy sessions” to help other so-called “9-5ers” set up their own businesses.
“I have a year of experience of trying to balance career and business and would love to help others navigate a clearer route to successfully balancing everything,” she said.
Her top tip is to invest time in research. “Really investigate whether what you want to offer is something that is needed,” she said.
For Rebecca Lundin, a Swedish entrepreneur based in Hong Kong, passion is the key to success.
By day Lundin is a merchandising manager for a large fashion company, running a team of ten and working across China, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Thailand.
When not travelling, she spends every evening in her kitchen, creating soaps, body lotions and candles with entirely natural ingredients.