06/ 04/ 2007
by Judy Artunian
Do you have a full-time job, but dream of launching your own company? You do both; you can be an employee and an entrepreneur. The key is starting a business that you can run in the evenings and on weekends—a venture such as car detailing, pet sitting or selling products on eBay. A company that needs constant monitoring or that would demand your attention during your work hours will only leave you frustrated and possibly unemployed.
Whether you run a part-time business in hopes of eventually becoming a full-time entrepreneur or simply want a second income, you must be ready to give up a large chunk of your free time. All business owners must be disciplined and dedicated, but that goes doubly for those who also hold a full-time job. You may have to miss a few of your son's soccer games in favor of meeting with suppliers.
One way to lighten your load is to take on a business partner or a part-time employee so you can delegate some of your responsibilities. If your job is particularly demanding, look for a partner who can run the business during the week or handle half the workload.
You don't have to tell your employer about your side venture, but if there's a chance that he'll find out another way, such as walking into a bagel shop one Saturday morning and finding you behind the counter, then let him know. Companies can't prohibit employees from having a side business because employers can't interfere with their employees' private time. But your managers will want to be reassured that your business won't interfere with your work responsibilities. When you do reveal your plans, explain that you're starting the business to make extra money or take on a new challenge. Whatever you do, don't imply that you're planning to leave the company.
It may seem harmless to occasionally check your business e-mail while on the job. Resist that temptation. It doesn't take much for an envious co-worker to notice and mention it to your supervisor. Use your lunch hour and other breaks to return calls and e-mails related to your business, but don't do it on company premises. Return calls from your car or stop by a local coffee house with your own laptop, cell phone or PDA.
Try to stick to a schedule for business-related activities. Set aside time before or after work and on weekends when you can work without interruption. Let your family know that you can't be disturbed during those hours. On the other hand, don't let yourself get so wrapped up in work that you forget to schedule downtime. You'll be more productive as an employee and an entrepreneur if you have a day off once a week.
One way to give yourself more time is to streamline your business operations. If you've hired other people to work in your retail store, for example, create detailed operations manuals that explain everything from how to greet customers to how to use the cash register. Link your home and business systems so you can download store sales receipts and other records to your home computer.
You might also look into changing your job hours so you can devote more time to your company during regular business hours. That doesn't mean you would reduce your on-the-job time. Ask your employer if you can telecommute one day per week or take off a few days per month in exchange for working longer hours on other days. When you request a new schedule, make it clear that you're still fully committed to your job. When that commitment wanes, it's time to choose between your job or your business.
