Started as a side hustle, became my main job — but I quit twice first

As an educator, I've been down the same road. I'll add something specific to selling course materials.

The biggest trap in this business is creating every product from scratch. I prepared every material from scratch for two years, then realized I could adapt the same skeleton to different topics.

After setting up templates, my production speed tripled, and quality didn't drop because the template already carried what had been tested.

Second suggestion: look at your top three best-selling products and make sequels to them. Trying new topics is exciting, but it often means searching for a market from scratch.

I run a kindergarten. I got stuck on the shame part of Seda's post, honestly, because I experienced the same thing, for years even.

In our circle, a woman starting a business is still seen as strange, especially if her spouse works. They immediately ask, "Do you need to?"

After a while, I learned not to answer. Now no one asks anyway, because I've been in the same place for twelve years.

Congratulations, Seda. Starting three times is harder than succeeding once.

I'm an intern, wanted to ask something after reading this, hope it's okay.

Has your side gig ever clashed with your main job? Like in terms of time or causing issues with your employer. I also want to do stuff while studying but idk where the line is.

Good question, let me outline the general framework from an HR perspective; you need to check your contract and internal regulations if any for your specific situation.

First place to look is your employment contract. Some contracts include non-compete clauses and restrictions on side jobs. For public servants, there are separate and stricter regulations.

Second thing to check is whether your side job competes with your main job. If you're providing the same service to the same customer base, it can cause problems even if there's no explicit ban in your contract.

Third is resource usage. The company's computer, data, working hours, and customer list cannot be used for side jobs. This is the clearest boundary in most places.

If you're unsure, asking HR is usually the healthiest option. Asking doesn't make you look suspicious; doing it without asking and then having issues does.

to get into the details: Start with a small trial; dont commit to everything at once.

if I were you, I'd go this route.

if I understood correctly, you're saying: Extending terms makse customers happy but turns you into a financing institution.

the first thing to break as you grow is communication not the numbers.. and this is my opinion I'm not claiming it's absolute truth.

The opposite happened to me, that's why I'm writing. If it's your first time, start small; scaling comes later.

I'm writing this so you don't make the same mistake. Everyone rushing into side job gets stuck at the same point.

Cutting your own salary is a temporary tactic; if it lasts more than six months, something will break. Hope this helps.

I agree.

This thread is archived. Looking profitable on paper but having no cash in the bank is very common.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

there are three things to check when doing this but the biggest time-waster for us was not knowing who had the final say.

good luck with that.

There's also a measurement aspect to this. Looking profitable on paper but having no cash in the bank is very common.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

To get into the details: If the gap between accounts receivable and accounts payable turnover days is widening, revenue won't save you.

The harder it is to reverse a decision, the slower you should make it. If you post the result here, it will help others too.

there is something to watch out for and extending terms makes customers happy but turns you into a financing institution.

looking profiable on paper but having no cash in the bank is very common.

Following. Everyone rushing into side job gets stuck at the same point.

Proven by experience.

There is something to watch out for. Mistakes made on the side job side are usually reversible but expensive.

The biggest time-waster for us was not knowing who had the final say. If you have questions, write them; I'll answer as best I can.

Let me summarize the topic, since several different answers were given. Processes without records never improve, because you don't know what to fix.

When making decisions write down the worst-case scenario too not just the best. If you have questions write them; Ill answer as best I can.

Exactly and not many people know this. like delaying bad news is the habit that causes the most losses in this job.

Good luck with that.