Running a business while working full time

[Matt Usherwood]

Hey. After a tricky afternoon working my full time paid job, while juggling sorting a crisis out with my own business (run on the side) I thought I would see if this is something others went through. I run a small tourism business. Occasionally, despite my best efforts, things don't align that well and I end up trying to solve problems during the day while trying to actually be a good employee (thank god for smartphones).

Anyone else have experience of this while growing a business from the ground up?

 

[obscure]

Sorry if this response isn't as supportive as you were hoping but this forum is primarily filled with business owners/managers - people who employ. I don't think you will get much advise on how best to run your business during work hours other than "don't".

Do I have experience of being paid by my employer to work for them and spending that time working on my own business? No. When I wanted to start my business I saved up money (yes it was hard), then told my employer I had enjoyed working for them but needed to do my own thing, left, set up my own company.

Is it possible to work a second job/run a business while being employed? Sure. But there is a huge difference between selling stuff on Ebay in the evening or doing dog walking on the week-end as opposed to doing a job that requires you to work during your existing paid hours of employment.

Sorry if this seems very negative but you need to think about how your employer will view this if they find out. As an employee you have a legal obligation to work in the best interests of your employer. I'm not saying you aren't capable of getting all your work done for your employer while juggling your new business - it is more what they will think. You are being paid to work for them. If they find out they may well view that as theft. Also, if your employer has any policies in place regarding mobile phone/email usage you may also be in breach of those.

People don't generally like it when they believe people have misled them and, contrary to what some will tell you, employers are people. Good ones may react by simply sacking you for gross misconduct. A bad one my decide that you were spending all day on their dime running your business (may not be true but they won't care) and sue you. Not really what you want when trying to get a business off the ground.

Advice
1. Set your email/phone to auto-respond with a message that you are in a meeting and will call back at X (lunch time/after work).
2. Talk to your boss. Say you have some on-going personal stuff that needs dealing with on a regular basis so could you please come in an hour early/work late and have an extra hour at lunch time (giving you more time to sort issues without being on your employers dime).
3. "don't"

 

[Matt Usherwood]

Oh dear I'm reading through my first post and it probably looks like I'm sat at work working on my business, taking calls etc at my employer's expense. That's certainly not the case. I've taken handfull of calls in about 2 years of running my business from work and never take a lunch break simply to ensure if I do get a call its not on my employer's dime. Yesterday was just horrible and took about half hour to sort, again that was on my lunch break, but i would have preferred to not sort it within the confines of work at all.

I guess then my question is more about how people manage working full time, and working self-employed. For example, how to manage customer expectations.

Work is aware of my self-employed status and I went through the necessary steps to inform them of what I do outside of work rather than 'moonlighting'.

Thanks for your reply though, very very helpful and my apologies if anyone has been offended by the thought that I am working a business during work hours, thats not the case.

 

[obscure]

Well in that case I shall modify my response slightly

If you are managing everything OK and work are aware, then the key issue is customer expectations. So ignore all of my above post apart from...

1. Set your email/phone to auto-respond with a message that you are in a meeting and will call back at X (lunch time/after work).

That way even if you can't deal with it they know straight away that you are aware of their issue and when you will be in touch.

Also don't be inclined to represent yourself in a way that may make them think you are larger than a one man band. Some people think that appearing larger will make them more attractive to customers and, while that can be true, it also increases expectations. I am a solo photographer. I have an hotdesk office but make it clear that I am usually out taking photos so people should email/call, not just turn up at the office.

 

[Gecko001]

What you need to do is manage your own expectations for this business.

Customers will expect the service they pay for. You should try to be in a position where the customer expects less than what he eventually gets.

 

[Chi Doan]

This is also happen to me too.
I can't get a lot money from my business compare to the full time salary the boss paid, but the problem that I love it and can't stop.

So I just try my best to work for both of them

 

[Mr D]

Plenty of people start off a business while also working full time.
Its a relatively safe method of doing things, you can still pay the bills while growing the business.

I did work stuff at work and business stuff on my lunch break.

A few times have set up businesses and planned to grow them while working. Circumstances have twice forced me to leave the employment before the business is making sufficient to pay a decent wage. Plans each time was grow the business to match the wage before leaving employment.

 

[Bob Morgan]

What you need to do is manage your own expectations for this business.

Customers will expect the service they pay for. You should try to be in a position where the customer expects less than what he eventually gets.

'Managing Expectations' - Plan B for when the SH1T Hits the Fan!

 

[Mr D]

'Managing Expectations' - Plan B for when the SH1T Hits the Fan!

Ok that's your plan B.
I have it as part of Plan A. Helps avoid the need for a plan B, C, Z etc.

 

[estwig]

I subcontract out CAD work to guys I've never met, it's all done by email and the occasional phone call.

One of my subbies called me the other day with a question, halfway through the call he goes................'Sh*t the boss is coming' and he hung up!

Turns out the cheeky git does my work, at work!

 

[mattk]

I guess then my question is more about how people manage working full time, and working self-employed. For example, how to manage customer expectations.

When I was in a similar position to you I found the best approach was to be honest with customers. Tell them you will respond within 4-hours, meaning you are only distracted during lunch or after you've finished work.

"Train up" repeat customers to that urgent tasks they may demand from you, they can perform themselves.

At the end of the day, persuade your customers to realise that they get what they pay for. If they want a professional company on call 24/7 then the fees charged will reflect this.