If you're toying with the idea of self-employed life on the road, and you have a business idea that can work around your main job, you might not have to take the white-knuckle plunge! A smooth, gradual transition to self-employment will enable you to keep your salary whilst slowly building your startup, testing ideas, exploring demand, and gradually tailoring your offering to fit with your chosen market. I've coined this slower, and less hair-raising approach the slow startup hustle - because, really, it does what it says on the tin:)
The slow start-up hustle
The concept of the ‘slow hustle’ is the opposite of working every hour of the day to achieve your goals. It’s about ‘deep work’; concentrated bursts of work time that get the job done. In fact, it’s suggested, within this theory that most of us can complete a day’s work within 4 hours.
The slow start-up hustle combines this deep work with a long-term plan. So if your time is limited by a full-time or part-time job, working deeply will enable you to be far more efficient with what time you have - to progress to a point where you can leave the 9-5 shackles behind.
You’ll find your own rhythm, but here are some tips to get started:
1 hour: Mornings are your planning meeting with yourself.
Wake up 1hr earlier, grab a cup of sunshine, and work on your passion project before the daily grind kicks in. This is a perfect time for planning what you want to achieve that day. And, with set goals, you’ll be more productive during the short bursts of activity you can grab in-between other commitments.
1 hour: Lunchtime is your secret weapon.
Use your break to tidy up small tasks, such as replying to emails, or scheduling social media posts. You can get a lot done in an hour or less when the pressure’s on!
2 hours: Evenings are for exploration.
After work, dedicate a couple of hours to browsing your soon-to-be competitors and building a picture of what your business will look like. (But remember, rest is your friend; zombies make terrible freelancers.)
Weekends are your playground.
Dive deep into your project; take YouTube classes or network with fellow hustlers. These can be days for creativity, connection and discovery.
Remember, consistency is key – small, but regular flurries of activity will help you carve out a path for your business. Transitioning from employee to entrepreneur takes planning and efficient time management, but having a routine will serve you well throughout your self-employment.
Speak to your employer - if you can
Perhaps you have a good employer that you can talk to about your slow start-up hustle aspirations; if that’s the case, plan your approach carefully before speaking to them. It may be your first ‘pitch’ as an up-and-coming business, so sell your worth!
A good employer will understand that you have a dream, and some may even support your decision. A frank, honest discussion may result in agreeing reduced hours, or alternative shifts.
Depending on your business idea, there may even be scope for your employer to hire your services. Consider how that might work and what the benefits will be for them. For example, one vanlifer I know left their job in IT and started providing web support as a freelancer. As company purses tighten, many are warming to the concept of saving on tax and N.I. contributions - with an ‘insider’ who can carry out the work seamlessly.
Alternatively, you may have a less empathic employer. In that case, it might be prudent to keep your own counsel and plan your escape on the QT …
Build Your buoyancy - save and plan
In times of uncertainty, we can be drawn to shiny things that promise better organisation and greater productivity. Make do where you can, and save the pennies for necessary outlays, such as equipment, subscriptions or insurances.
Instead, use this time to build a safety net, saving diligently and creating a financial buffer that gives you breathing room. Track your expenses, create a budget, and save what you can. Financial stability will give you peace of mind to think clearly and pursue your dream more effectively.
Find your support crew
Reach out during your startup’s infancy. Find your tribe - fellow dreamers and side hustlers who understand the joys and jitters of building something new. Join online communities, attend workshops, and connect with like-minded individuals. Share your struggles, celebrate your victories, and learn from each other's experiences. This support crew will be your cheering squad; your compass in unfamiliar waters. But, importantly, they will also keep you on the right side of sanity when things get tough!
Whilst you will likely want to get to the point of ditching your 9-5 as quickly as possible, there’s far more to be gained from a slow and deliberate exit. Enjoy the freedom to explore your passions, the thrill of learning new skills, and the quiet satisfaction of building something meaningful - and crucially, sustainable.
At which point you feel you can hand in your notice will depend on your business type and income needs. However, while studies suggest between 1 and 2 years to break even for companies, the smaller overheads required for freelancing can be beneficial here. Whatever your timeframe, using a slow start-up hustle approach, you have more control and less stress than quitting and hoping. For that reason, it’s well worth exploring at the outset.
My Slow Start-up Hustle ...
After quitting without a safety net in my previous job, I decided to try a different tack. I had escaped the corporate world for a school job on a tiny island, and now had the luxury of free time. I started working on People per Hour in the evenings - a project marketplace where freelancers ‘bid’ to take on a project. Do a good job; get high ratings; get more jobs. Simple.
Planning ahead
I set my alarm clock for an hour earlier than I needed, and created a routine that meant I didn’t have to think about what I was doing whilst my brain got to grips with the day. I would check my emails, and read what other similar businesses had posted on their socials, noting any good ideas. Then, I had a quick writing stint before planning lunch hour tasks, and the projects I would work on in the evening. At the weekends and evenings, I took online courses in marketing, took in podcasts until my ears rang.
Alongside this, I worked out my target market, and how I would reach them. My art skills needed to be transferred to a digital platform, so I downloaded some graphic creation apps on my iPad, and got to work. (As I was going to offer blogs, articles and social media content, this was a must).
Freedom!
Around 8 months into my ‘side-hustle’ I finally handed in my notice at the school. I knew there would probably be a few own-brand soup and pizza days, but I felt if I didn’t do it now, I’d stave it off for months more. With my resignation accepted, the countdown of remaining days at work brought razor-sharp focus to all the ‘meh’ tasks that I had been putting off.
Of course, your journey will be different, with a whole set of variables, barriers and opportunities unique to you. However, the premise remains the same with the slow start-up hustle: plan your milestones, make every work minute count, and keep your ultimate goal of freedom from the 9-5 at the forefront of your mind for the ultimate motivation:)
