Do founders typically do another job to sustain themselves?
Ankit Gupta
6 replies
Can one do a side job, apart from the startup to sustain themselves, and still succeed?
Replies
Cassia Trusty@ctrusttea
Bizzi Startup Software
I think you'll find examples of founders who built their startup while working full or part time and founders who took the leap by quitting and relying on their savings (or loans/debt) in order to build their startup. I know some founders who had full time jobs, worked on their startup in their free time, then quit their job once they felt it was time to fully focus on their startup.
It comes down to what your financial situation is and what you're able to do with the time you have.
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FlashApply
Launching soon!
Yup. Some also work part-time
NotesNudge
founders juggling side jobs? it's more common than you think. no one-size-fits-all answer here.
tip one: understand your bandwidth. both roles will demand time and energy.
two: pick a side gig that complements, not competes. synergy over entropy.
three: communicate. if you have co-founders or early team members, be transparent.
a side job can even be a learning curve. new skills, new perspectives.
however, understand priorities. if the startup needs you, be there.
it's a tightrope walk, but some succeed by balancing well. finesse is key.
failure in one can affect the other. emotional intelligence needed.
legalities matter. check contracts for non-competes or other restrictions.
it's not an all-or-nothing game. adaptation is a founder's superpower.
bottom line: possible, but demands a certain level of dexterity. proceed wisely.
Labescape
Hey there! Great question. In my experience, it's possible to juggle a side job while building a startup or product. In fact, that's exactly what I did. I started freelancing to ensure a stable revenue stream before jumping into building my own product. This allowed me to generate a stable income and also gave me the flexible time needed to focus on my Saas.
By maintaining a balance between customer acquisition for my freelance work and building my product, I've been able to build Ailliot without immense pressure or sky-high expectations. Of course, I'm incredibly passionate about succeeding, but this approach ensures that I can still pay my bills and live decently even if things don't go as planned.
Everyone's journey is different, and some might prefer to go all-in. This is just my take on it, and it's worked well for me so far!
Speaking for myself, I work a regular 9-5 and work on my projects in my free time. I'm completely bootstrapped so a 9-5 is a necessity for me right now.