How Having a Job Has Helped Me Build a Business

22 Dec 2009

nathan in Afghanistan A lot of people are in a rush to claim their freedom, and I don’t blame them. It sucks to be stuck in a job you hate.

But, though some have pulled it off, I’m not so sure that leaving your job and putting it all on the line is a smart way to do business. Of course, I’m contractually obligated to keep my job, so maybe I’m not in the best position to make these kind of claims, but honestly I’m very happy with what having a job has done for my business.

It’s Not All or Nothing

One of the benefits I’ve had over the last few years, is not having to put all my eggs in a single basket. Were I to quit my job, every single word, blog post, or new product I created would have been more important than the last. I’d hear that clock ticking in the background, and I’m sure it would affect my judgment.

Having a job has allowed me to take my time and focus on creating a brand over time. I can test the waters with different projects until I find the ones that that best suit me and are the most profitable. It also allows me to build relationships with my readers instead of having to constantly push products on them in order to survive. That’s isn’t beneficial for anyone…and acting from scarcity is rarely a good idea.

Building a Foundation

Over the last year, rather than worry about monetization, I’ve been able to spend time in the blogging circles and the conference circuit meeting people and building my network. I liken this to building a strong foundation for my business…kind of like the 5 pillars of blogging.

These relationships have been the most critical aspects of my blog’s move from the 1,000,000 Alexa group to the 100,000 group. It’s how I’ve recruited affiliates for the Beyond Blogging launch, and how I’ve managed to get guest posts on half a dozen highly successful blogs.

Creating an online business is very similar to building a brick and mortar in that regard. You’ve got to spend a lot of your early time shaking hands and making friends. Your PR and branding is more important in the early stage than it is in the later stages. If you rush into the marketing phases before your business is ready, than people will blow you off and move on. And even if it does pay off at first, your structure is weak, and not built for long term success. If you focus on building a foundation first…think long term…then you’ll be able to weather small storms along the way.

Learning Your Market

I’ll admit, the products I think my audience wants are often not the same that they want for themselves. I’ve had a few failures, but because I had a cushion, they didn’t destroy my business. Over time, I’ve learned much more about my audience, both here and on my other platforms (especially those), so that I could create things that they need rather than what I wanted them to have.

Developing Skills

Perhaps the most beneficial part of being able to build a business part-time, while I work full-time, is that I’ve been able to take the time to discover what skills I’ll need, and start to not only learn them, but master them. For instance, over the past year I’ve been able to hone my writing style, learn the art of a product launch, learn WordPress inside and out, learn Google AdWords, learn how to create products, build a decent socila media consulting resume, and more. Were I in a spot requiring instance success, this might not have been possible.

Investing in My Business

Lastly, and something that took me a long time to learn, is that by investing money in my business, I’ve been able build it to capacity, rather than watch it choke. I liken it to fertilizing a flowerbed, because even though your flowers might do just fine with water and sunshine, they’ll do much better with a little extra green.

The same is true of your business. If you can spend money on design, marketing, developers, and content providers, then you can create a much more polished product. For instance, my blog design wasn’t cheap, but it paid off. The same goes for the money I spend on ecover graphics and mini-site design.

In paying others to do the work I could have done myself (not nearly as well mind you), I’ve been able to spend more time on the big stuff, such as networking and building assets.

Were I in a position where I needed every dollar I made, my business would still be tied to the amount of time I have available on a daily basis.

I’m Not Knocking It

If you quit your job to start your business (I know many of you), I’m not knocking you. I’m simply sharing my experience for those of you that are contemplating a move.

Has it been perfect? Of course not…I’ve spent more time working this year than I ever have before…but it was worth it.

Now, when I leave my job in the military, I won’t have to worry about where my next meal is coming from, and that is a wonderful feeling.

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feint

I don't think anyone should throw in their job just to start a blog. A blog is really difficult to generate income solely from. Most of the "bloggers" you see who have quit jobs have multiple sources of income and worked for years developing it before they just quit.

That being said, being able to work solely for myself has really changed my entire mindset. Im now so much more focused (I never believed I could ever get this focused) and less stressed. I think you'd be surprised at how your mindset changes, and its not negative (like a clock ticking)

Nathan Hangen

I know what you mean. I experienced that during my 2 weeks off at the end of the year. Very peaceful knowing you don't have anywhere to be the next day. Much less stress.

Oleg Mokhov

"If you have all day to do something, that’s how long it will take." -Glen Allsopp

Hey Nathan,

Like debfg48 mentioned, another benefit of having something else take up a large portion of your day is getting more done in less time. Or, more specifically, the important stuff, 80-20 style.

Since you only have a few hours a day, you're forced to do only the stuff that gets you the desired results, ignoring the time-consuming frivolous stuff.

37signals' David Henemeier Hansson talked about that here:
http://www.omnisio.com/startupschool08/david-he...

He actually recommends that if you have a job, you should keep it while starting your business. It'll force you to focus on the important stuff only, and you won't procrastinate. If you had the whole day free, you'd spend a large portion of it scratching your butt and watching TV (he was directing the comment towards the college crowd in the audience, but I think it can apply to a lot of us).

I'm one of those crazies who dove off no-job style, but I try to enforce time-limits throughout the day. Only a few hours for each task, rather than a few things and an endless day to attempt to finish them.

Thanks for your awesome insight on the other benefits of having a job while starting a business. Not rushing or forcing things but letting your business organically grow yields a solid foundation, rather than a hastily-assembled fingers-crossed project.

All the best with the upcoming Beyond Blogging launch and happy holidays,
Oleg

PS. Been meaning to mention: new design looks (cue Borat) very nice. High five!

Nathan Hangen

That's a good video, and he's such an awesome example of someone kicking ass.

As far as quitting, not quitting - we all have our path, but not everyone makes the best of it. In the past, I probably didn't have the discipline, but it's funny what 10 years will do :)

Glad you like the new design, was a long time coming!

Jason

I actually think you're doing this the right way Nathan. I took up blogging about 4 months ago to share my knowledge and experience in health care. Since then, I've lost my job and started my new lifestyle design blog, which will incorporate some health tips as well.

Because of losing my job and not being able to find another at the moment, I have been forced to try as hard as I can to learn everything as fast as possible. So next year will hold much more monetizing and product building for me in order to create an existence from the internet.

I'll definitely be following your blog to help me get ideas and know how...

Nathan Hangen

It's tough out there, but I'm glad you've taken up blogging. I really believe that now is a great time to be starting a business. It's all about the hustle baby :)

Tim M

Hey Nathan,

This is the first post of yours that I have read (*I'll admit I started with your 'About' page first) and I wanted to comment as a lot of what you wrote resonated with me in a big way.

Loved this post, really like your writing style, but more importantly, what you say is spot on (chimes with my experience).

I'm trying to get a couple of blogs up-and-running whilst holding down a time intensive job (aren't they all!). I'm at the bottom end of the success-ladder at present, but I can comment on a couple of definite benefits I see already from the job+blog combo.

- I really like having a project that is NOT my job to turn to for stimulation when my brain gets fried (this works both ways I guess)
- the skills I use in my job are a reasonably static set; learning web design, development and the attendant new skills (even if not to a professional standard) is good for the CV and soul!
- (as you mention) because the blogs are not supplying the food to my table, I can concentrate on producing worthwhile content in a manner that I don't think would be possible if I needed to rely on them for income

I'll let you know how and if this changes as things progress.

Keep up the excellent work.

Nathan Hangen

Tim, thanks for stopping by and commenting. Great to meet you.

Learning new skills is a great way to expand/re-invent yourself, and having something to focus on outside of work is what keeps me from going insane :)

I wish you the best, keep rocking!

Nathan

Jonny | thelifething,com

You should read "The Leap" by Rick Smith

Nathan Hangen

I'll check it out, thanks.

Rich Lazzara

First of all, BAD ASS picture! Second thank you for your service to our country.

I must say that having the financial pressure off of you so you are able to explore, learn and test new things is much preferred when starting a business. However as you know sometimes that added pressure can make you take things much more seriously...as in "get this blogging/business thing right or Im in trouble"

Anyways obviously you take this blogging thing seriously, you are all over the place ;) Keep up the great work and Im excited about your new beyond blogging project. Merry Christmas my friend.

Nathan Hangen

I do miss the beard :)

You're right...having the pressure is important. I put a lot of pressure on myself, but I know others that don't. In those cases, I recommend they either set a goal - "day of liberation" and mark it on the calendar.

Being in Afghanistan last year really gave me a lot of perspective.

Tanner @ Life Destiny

I do not currently have a job, unless you count being a student a job, which in some way it is. I do like your points though and they are encouraging for me because:
Since I am about to graduate here in May, I have already racked up some debt for school. I feel that I am going to need a job once I graduate as a way to help build my community at Life Destiny over time. Since my major of Information Sciences & Technology relates to one of my passions, hopefully the job will complement what I am trying to build at Life Destiny. Whatever I do make whenever I do get a job after graduation will go towards my student loans and as much of it back into Life Destiny.
After reading all kinds of different blogs and books that say quit your job to start your business, this is some refreshing material to read.
Thanks

Nathan Hangen

Is it possible to make it without a job? Sure...but it's a helluva lot of work.

Almost every lifestyle and business coach I've interviewed has recommended people find a job that pays the most for the least amount of work. That pays the bills so you can work at your own pace.

Kevin Tea

Nathan, I think that just throwing in your job and starting to blog like there is no tomorrow is like throwing yourself out of an aeroplane without first checking the parachute is OK. Learning to grow your business from within the safety shell of a day job may be tiring as you may put in a combined 12-16 hours a day, but it sure beats the hell out of hitting the ground hard after finding the parachute ain't working.

Nathan Hangen

Definitely. There's no rush, and you can do it right. Stressful enough without having my livelihood depend on it.

debfg48

There is a saying, "work expands to fill the time available." I think having a job encourages more efficient time management. Knowing I only have a few hours a day helps me to focus on what needs to be done each day to move toward my goals.