Can I Start An Online Business Around A Job?

Anyone can start an online business around a job if they are prepared to put in the commitment and consistency, the 2 ingredients that will set your business apart for success.

For me, the answer is a resounding “yes!”

The fact is, I started building my online business when I was still gainfully employed. I worked 80 hour weeks as a corporate lawyer, so I wasn’t in a part time job, or one that afforded me a lot of time.

That said, like whether or not you are too old to start an online business, the answer to whether or not you can start an online business while still holding a job is whether or not you believe that you can.

One of the biggest advantages of running an online business is the fact your “office” can be anywhere you are, as long as you have your laptop and internet access.

That being the case, you can definitely start building your online empire around your job or business, and even while looking after your family.

Having now worked with thousands around the world, I’ve got 2 big caveats –
(1) Your commitment to your business; and
(2) Your consistency in taking action.

To start an online business around a job requires… Your Commitment

First, you need to commit to your business because it is a business, and it is your business.

If you treat your business as a hobby or side project, that’s exactly what it’s going to remain – a hobby or side project.

You need to commit to learning the skills that you require – while we’ve put together courses, and click by click videos, you need to commit to learning those skills, and implementing them. It’s not enough to put up a website, and expect to make money, or buying an online business course and expect money to start coming in… That’s like buying a gym membership and expecting your health to take care of itself, and your muscles to magically grow! It doesn’t happen that way!

Having said that, it isn’t an impossible task. As I said, I worked 80 hour weeks, but committed a couple of hours every night, after my family had gone to bed to learn and implement these skills.

Which leads me to my next point – you need to do this consistently.

To start an online business around a job requires… Your consistency

Consistency, together with commitment are the 2 most important things you will bring to your online business.

Consistency is much more effective than lumpy work, even if the lumpy work is done in large chunks. When I first started, I was completely tired out at the end of each day – so I tried to do 2 full days of work on weekends. And every weekend, I spent half my time trying to remember what I learnt the last weekend – it simply wasn’t effective use of my time.

It was far better for me to spend a couple of hours every night, consistently. Because I focussed on the right things, I started to get results. The fact is that there is so much information online, and the courses that we give are so content rich, that you need a guide, a mentor to show you what you need to prioritise.

And for me, that’s what I do with my students. I understand their needs, and then show them the courses they need to focus on to make the best use of their limited hours. That way, they can learn from my mistakes and save time towards achieving the results they hope to achieve with their online businesses.

Having said that, actually making use of their time is something that students and budding entrepreneurs need to maintain the discipline to do. Remember, it is your business, not mine or anyone else’s.

To start an online business around a job requires… Staying Disciplined

Staying disciplined to carry out the actions to build your business is so important, because, as I said at the start of this article, if you treat it like a hobby, you’ll get paid like it’s your hobby – and for most of us, our hobbies don’t pay us anything! Because you’re reading this, I’m guessing that that’s not the result that you’re hoping for!

So, whether or not you can start a successful online business around your job or business, is a question that only you can answer.

I managed it.  And I have personally helped and witnessed so many of students, from all around the world, and all walks of life, build successful businesses and income streams around their day jobs, businesses by working a couple of hours day on their businesses.

With commitment and consistency, there is no reason why you can’t do this around your job, business or other commitments.