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- Should You Stay at Your Job While Building a Business? Here’s the Tradeoff
Should You Stay at Your Job While Building a Business? Here’s the Tradeoff
Time vs. Money. Comfort vs. Risk. Stability vs. Speed.
Hey builders!
If you’re trying to build something of your own, you’ve probably asked this:
“Should I stay at my 9-5 while I work on my business, or quit and go all in?”
There’s no perfect answer. But there is a tradeoff.
Understanding that tradeoff is the key to choosing the right path for you.
Let’s break it down.
You have cash flow. Your bills are paid. You’re not building from a place of desperation.
You can fund your business. Tools, courses, software, design, ads - you have the means to invest.
You can validate slowly. You have time to find product-market fit without panic.
You’re under less pressure. You don’t have to make money fast, so you can make better decisions.
Staying at Your Job: The Cons
Your time is limited. Nights and weekends become build time — which leads to slower progress.
You might burn out. Balancing both can wear you down. Fast.
You can lose focus. It’s easy to coast at work and procrastinate on your own thing.
You may grow resentful. Watching your business crawl while your job eats your energy is frustrating.
Going Full-Time on Your Business: The Pros
You move faster. More time = more output = faster growth.
You learn quicker. With no safety net, you adapt fast.
You can say yes to more. Calls, networking, testing offers — you’re available.
You send a signal. Clients and investors respect commitment. You’re all in.
Going Full-Time: The Cons
Pressure increases. You need money. Soon. Stress goes up.
Risk of poor decisions. Scarcity can lead to bad clients, bad deals, or burnout.
You might panic-pivot. Without stability, it’s tempting to chase short-term wins over long-term growth.
The runway is real. Without savings, your dream becomes a countdown.
So… what’s the right move?
Ask yourself:
Do I have at least 3-6 months of savings?
Do I have proof that people will pay me?
Can I give my business at least 20 hours/week while still working?
Am I being impatient — or am I genuinely ready?
Here’s the Tradeoff
Staying = Stability, slower progress, more options.
Quitting = Speed, higher risk, total focus.
One isn’t better than the other.
But you need to be honest about what season you’re in.
Some people need security. Some need space.
Know which one will actually help you build — and start from there.
Entrepreneur Toolkit: Tools to Power Your Business
1. Toggl Plan – Create a realistic schedule for working nights/weekends
Map out your availability and projects so your side hustle doesn’t get lost in the chaos.
2. Qube Money – Budget like a business owner, even on a 9-5 income
Assign dollars to goals (like “Quit Fund” or “Marketing Budget”) and keep your money working for your dream.
3. Notion – Run your business HQ alongside your full-time job
From project management to offer tracking to content calendars, Notion helps you build with clarity.
Built Not Hired is built for the modern creator, freelancers, solopreneurs, and builders who want freedom and ownership. If that’s you, pick one idea and run with it.
That’s it for this issue.
Keep building! 🏃♂️💛
Nev Santana
P.S.
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