Do you’ve a business you’ve been growing on the side? Are you wondering scale your brand so you possibly can leave behind your 9-to-5 job? Shanae Jones did just that, scaling her dream business without quitting her day job.
Shanae founded Flyest, a hip hop–inspired tea company focused on music and herbal properties—all while she was still working full time. She launched her brand in November 2016, growing the business slowly until she left her job almost 4 years later.
From the time she launched to her last day at her job, Shanae never stopped investing in her own education or growing her business. Ahead, learn the way you possibly can follow Shanae’s path and transition to full-time entrepreneurship.
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5 steps to transition from side hustler to full-time founder
For those who’re trying to set yourself as much as run your corporation full time and leave your day job, Shanae’s suggestions can get you there. Listed here are the five steps she took to grow to be a full-time entrepreneur.
1. Tell everyone your plan
Make it clear you’re serious and begin spreading the word about your corporation idea. The people around Shanae could see each her passion and the way motivated she was to bring her ideas to life. This honesty made it easier when it got here time to ask family and friends to assist fund her enterprise. They knew she was dedicated, they usually desired to help.
Shanae would also never mislead her co-workers or employer about her side-hustle. As a substitute, she made her commitment to her latest business crystal clear, setting boundaries, equivalent to telling co-workers,“I’m going to work on my business. I can’t do pleased hour.”
This made it easier to go away her job behind. If you’re honest along with your co-workers, they’ll see how passionate you’re about your craft, and be more prone to uplift and support you.
2. Apply to an accelerator program
Once Shanae had the support of the people round her, she felt able to launch. She turned to an accelerator program to learn the fundamentals of getting a business going.
Working a 9-to-5 job, Shanae didn’t have the posh of time, so she selected a program that focused on going from an idea to a minimum viable product in six days. “I learned start an LLC, and the minute details you could know, because whenever you’re starting a business, all you possibly can take into consideration is the tip product or success,” Shanae says.
3. Conduct research
After learning more about running a business, Shanae got down to study her area of interest through an herbal apprenticeship. “I didn’t let my lack of awareness hold me back,” she says. “I just went in any case the data I could find.”
This apprenticeship allowed Shanae to construct a good brand backed by research. It also gave her the abilities to teach her own community. “I wanted my brand to have authority and be backed by knowledge. This expertise gave me that confidence to maintain going,” she says.
The apprenticeship also introduced her to small businesses owners who eventually would help her construct out an area supply chain. Shanae still uses the knowledge from her course to connect with her online community and suppliers inside her area.
4. Manage your time efficiently
Working your full-time job while starting your corporation means you don’t have a ton of time in your hands. That’s why it’s vital to search out a productivity method that works best for you. Shanae used the Pomodoro Technique to remain heading in the right direction. She also recommends creating time blocks to get more tasks done directly.
As a full-time worker and part-time entrepreneur, it’s vital to make use of your time correctly. This maximization permits you to optimize each hour of your time for fulfillment, so you possibly can make that pivot to a full-time founder sooner.
5. Get comfortable on camera
Talking about your corporation goes to assist it succeed faster. The earlier you possibly can get comfortable talking about your brand on camera, the quicker you’ll reach latest customers.
One method to do that is to share more about your corporation and why it’s so vital to you. Be authentic online and also you’ll have the ability to grow a community that’s large enough to go away your day job behind.
One other approach Shanae uses is sharing content she’s pleased with, like showcasing among the work that goes on behind the scenes. “I began filming myself on the warehouse and used it as B-roll,” she says.
Shanae has grown a following of over 70,000 across social platforms by sharing her personality and fervour online.
Remember: Everyone’s timing is different. But for those who share honest updates about your corporation and conduct ample research, you’ll feel able to make the leap and go all in along with your brand.
To learn more about how Shanae was in a position to balance her commitments and construct out a supply chain, tune into the complete Shopify Masters episode.
