Leaving a Stable Job to Start a Business: 5 Things I’d Tell My Past Self

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Leaving a Stable Job to Start a Business: 5 Things I’d Tell My Past Self

Leaving a stable job to start a business was the best decision I ever made, but the first months were hard, mostly because of fear. If I could go back, I’d tell myself five things: save six months of living costs, say yes to projects early on, give more than you agreed on, start your email list right away, and make every project cover three pillars.

Below I share how I left my job at a university, what scared me most, and why each of these lessons matters if you’re thinking about going solo.

How I left a safe university job

More than 10 years ago I had a stable job at a university. Honestly, it was okay. The salary was fine, and for me stability meant one simple thing: a regular paycheck every month. The problem was that I couldn’t express my creativity there, and that part of me is really important. It’s what fills me up.

So I started a small business on the side. For a while I told myself it worked. In reality I was working every afternoon, every evening and every weekend, and I barely had a private life.

I remember visiting my parents one weekend and catching myself counting how many hours I’d have to make up for that visit. That’s when I knew something had to change. A few weeks later a bigger project came up that I simply couldn’t do next to my job, so I had to decide whether to jump or not. I jumped.

What the first months after leaving felt like

The people around me weren’t excited. They were surprised and told me I was crazy to leave a regular job. I was scared too, and looking back, I think that’s completely normal.

My biggest fear was simple: what if I don’t survive and can’t pay my bills? The first months were hard, not because of the work but because of that fear. I kept asking myself whether I’d just made a huge mistake.

The doubt came mostly when I was overwhelmed. When you work solo, you don’t have one job. You’re the designer, the marketer, the salesperson and the accountant, and there’s a lot of bureaucracy and regulation nobody tells you about. You first have to find out it exists, then learn it, and then actually do it.

Slowly, step by step, I realized that leaving that job was the best decision I ever made.

5 things I’d tell my past self before leaving a stable job

1. Save enough to live for at least six months

When you start, you don’t want to be fighting for survival. When you’re scared about paying your bills, it’s really hard to make good decisions. You say yes to the wrong things and can’t think long term. Six months gives you room to breathe, and this is the biggest piece of advice I’d give myself.

2. In the beginning, take the projects that come

Take opportunities even when a project isn’t completely in your lane or 100% what you dream of. Every project teaches you something, brings you experience and contacts, and very often leads to the next project. You can become picky later. In the beginning you’re building, and it’s okay to try different things.

3. Give more than you agreed on

Surprise your clients and build good relationships. Happy clients come back, and they recommend you to others. To this day I’m often recommended in Facebook groups when someone is looking for help, and that started with clients who felt they got more than they paid for.

4. Start your email list right away

Start building your list and sending emails, even if there are only three people on it and one or two of them are your parents. I see that many solopreneurs don’t do this early, but it’s so valuable. With a small list you can practise, become a better copywriter and salesperson, and build real relationships with the people who are with you from the beginning.

My first list was me, my test email and my mom. It doesn’t matter, because you’re building the habit and finding your voice, so when more people join, you’re ready. Today my email list is probably one of the most important parts of my business, and I wish I’d started even earlier.

5. Make every project cover three pillars

This one took me the longest to learn. Every project you start should cover three pillars:

• Visibility. It helps more people find you.
• Income. It brings money. Even a freebie can do that, because it leads people to your offer, or you can offer something small when they sign up.
• Long-term value. It keeps working for you, for example a system that brings clients again and again, not just once.

When a project does only one of these things, you always feel like you’re running and never getting anywhere.

Would I leave a stable job again?

Yes, without thinking twice. Today I’m my own boss. I decide which projects I take on, when and how I work, and when I’m free. That’s exactly why I care so much about systems, because working solo should give you freedom, not take it away.

If you want to see the system I use to get clients, read How to Get Clients Without Posting Every Day. And if you already work solo but aren’t sure where your clients come from, or why some months are full and others are quiet, the free Client Flow Check shows you where your client flow breaks.

FAQ

How much money should I save before leaving my job to start a business?

I’d aim for enough to cover at least six months of living costs. That gives you room to make good decisions instead of saying yes to everything out of fear.

Is it normal to be scared after leaving a stable job?

Yes. My first months were hard mainly because of fear, not because of the work. The doubt got smaller as I learned all the roles that come with working solo.

Should I start my business on the side first?

That’s how I started, and it worked for a while, but I ended up working every evening and weekend. I left when a bigger project came that I couldn’t do next to my job.

When should I start an email list?

Right away, even with a handful of subscribers. A small list helps you build the habit and find your voice, so you’re ready when more people join.