Safe Way to Start Your Own Business
by: Wayne Van Dyck
We know you want to start your own business. First you need a list of what you want to do. Then you can get started with the rest.
Now, hopefully you now know what it that business will be.
Stepping out of your comfort zone can seem a little risky if you are used to a steady paycheck from a regular job, with a family or other financial obligations, makes. It doesn't seem to matter how miserable you are in that job, the alternative scares the pants off many of us. There is a safer way of jumping off that cliff and it entails your current boss.
If your employers business doesn't conflict with your dreams, then your employer could be your ticket to a successful freelance business. If you were thinking of starting a freelance copywriting business, you could negotiate a contract with your current employer for reduce your time to half for the first year after you leave. This would give you a springboard for finding other clients while still covering your monthly expenses.
You're maybe wondering why your employer would agree to sign a contract for half of your time. There are a number of reasons that can result in a "win-win" situation for both of you.
If you and your employer are on good terms, the chances are she doesn't want to lose you. It takes time to train someone to fill your job, train them to the company's way of being productive, and training costs money.
Even if she decides to replace you, it can take months for her to gather resumes, interview candidates, and hire the right person. During that time you can be performing varies job functions from your home office, perhaps even training your replacement and providing your boss with a smoother transition by minimizing the disruption to her business.
On the other hand, if you're not on good terms with your boss and the company is downsizing, merging, or being bought out, you can help them avoid the unpleasantness and cost of firing you. You are actually doing them a favor by restructuring this in the form of a contract for services that can be "stretched out" for a period of time if needed.
If an employer has to choose between firing you and paying severance and benefits versus signing a contract for a time period, which do you think she'd prefer? Signing and getting tangible work and services in return without the costs associated with terminating you is a much better deal for him. The contract may even be allocated from a different budget category, making it more affordable for the company.
There's another reason your boss may choose a contract. That is your knowledge. You are already familiar with the company, its clients, and services. You're able to provide the services they need and you understand what has to be done. Many creative people have used this logic in approaching their bosses to negotiate their first contract and go out on their own.
If you're interested in starting your own business your current job can provide the security you need in your first year. What better way to get started on your dream?
About The Author
Wayne Van Dyck is a former venture capitalist and builder of offline technology companies. He is the founder and developer of Simple Money Machines. Simple Money Machines is all the money making technologies in one, easy-to-use, hosted application… enabling non-technical people to set up online businesses in less than 30 minutes. It's made for people with 9-5 jobs, retired folks, stay-at-home moms and college students. To get a FREE copy of “STARTING A HOME BUSINESS MADE SIMPLE", go to:
http://tinyurl.com/ykyoqx.
Permission to reprint this article in unchanged form, including author bio.
