Answering the Age-Old Founder Question, When Do I Pursue My Business Fulltime?

Timing is everything in life, right? But how do you know when the time is right? 

Sometimes, the timing is never right, but at some point, you must make the leap and believe everything will be OK. Or regret not doing so.

Whether it's because they are looking for a permanent job, they lost regular employment, or their freelance business has become a full-time role, there are many reasons people become entrepreneurs full-time. 

Check out our blog posts "How a Layoff Put Ashly Scalise in a Prime Position for a Reinvention" and "Guide to Successful Side Hustles" for more insight. 

Back to the original question: how do you know when to make your business a full-time job? 

"There's no playbook; you have to write your own playbook according to your circumstances and future plans," said Regina Trillo, founder of Nemi Snacks. "You CAN have a full-time job and be totally serious about your "side hustle" (which ends up being another full-time job!). I advise creating a support network of other CPG founders, family, and friends who can support you along the way, have clarity around what it takes to make the leap, and keep checking in with yourself."

Regina founded Nemi Snacks in 2019 and has always dreamed of running the business full-time. In March 2023, she was battling burnout and fatigue and recognized something had to change. 

"I was mentally and emotionally exhausted from the division of time and mental space," Regina said. "I was ready to be fully present in the business. It was also frustrating to see opportunities before me, but I couldn't grab them because I didn't have the mental space or the time. I talked to my husband, family, and close friends about it again, and their support gave me the last push I needed." 

She admits the transition was bittersweet.

"I loved doing human rights work and, in the end, part of my identity was mistakenly linked to the work I had been doing for the past 18 years, so it took some weeks to work around this block," Regina, an attorney by trade, said. 

Manya Yeva has the same dream, but sometimes life circumstances control the narrative. She always wanted to be a business owner and have that be her career. 

She started bklynsaus in 2021 and struggled to balance everything. 

"When you start a business, it becomes all you can think about," Manya said. "I wanted to go out there and just make my business happen. I was saying no to events and pop-up markets because they fell during work hours. I had savings set aside and decided that I wanted to give it my all. I couldn't imagine going to my job for one more day. So, I quit."

However, after a year, she reevaluated her situation. 

"Being bootstrapped completely depends on how much profit you bring in," she said. "In a year, I had gone through my savings and buried myself in debt. I went into my business full force without realizing how much of a toll it would take on me. I couldn't afford help, so I spent all my time making hot sauce and prepping hundreds of bottles before every event. Eight months into it, I was burned out. I wasn't feeling well or sleeping. I had run out of money and spent more time worrying about how I'd pay rent and bills rather than doing actual work. If I didn't return to full-time work, I couldn't afford my rent anymore, and my business would eventually disappear. To continue doing what I love, I had to return to full-time employment." 

Manya believes that slow and steady wins the race. And entrepreneurship is a marathon. 

"Give yourself time to rest; you don't have to do everything at once," she said. "You won't have success if you're hurting in the process. Have a business plan and use it as a guide so you don't get overwhelmed. It'll be hard, but balancing a business and a full-time job while you're in the beginning stages of growth is possible." 

Everyone is different and has their own founder story. Before making the leap into a full-time business owner, here are some questions to ask yourself. 

• Do I have enough money saved to live for the next year?

• Do I have clients and retail partners eager to carry my product? 

• Can I afford needed healthcare? 

• Will pursuing my business full-time make me happy? 

• Do I have a backup plan if my business venture fails?

If you've answered yes to all the questions above, this might be your sign. Take a chance.  

Bottom line: Just like when considering having children, there isn't the right or perfect time. There's only the moment that feels right for you – when the stars align. However, having a plan to transition from employee to employer is vital. According to Foundr, "the most common mistake people make when quitting their job to start a business is not preparing before submitting their two-week notice." So before jumping, ensure there's a safety net below.