On the Side

Is it possible to keep a 9-to-5 job and still make money in business?

"I think it's all bullshit.

All of this talk about having a 9-5 job and also a business on the side that makes you money?

I've done that. 

3 times and failed 3 times – and lost lots of money.

I first tried it 7 years ago, when I opened a second-hand hardware store.

I have a friend in Italy who would supply me with all kinds of used hardware tools and parts.

So, all I needed was a store and someone loyal to run it for me.

I did that. But then, the store wasn't making any money. 

So, I closed it after just a year.

My second attempt was during Covid. 

Lots of people were making money from ghost kitchens. 

So, my wife and I decided to also open one.

I took a loan, bought some equipment and then, set up a kitchen in our backyard.

Well, that one too failed even after hiring two very good cooks.

Two years ago, we went into the Uber driving business. 

We bought a car and hired someone to drive it.

Things were looking good after a while. So, we decided to do more. 

We bought two more cars, two motorcycles for food delivery and hired more drivers.

And then, things changed.

Since, my wife and I are always busy at work, so the drivers did whatever they like. 

They stole from us, use the vehicles for their own hustle and so on.

We tried other drivers but it only got worse.

So, we sold the vehicles and cashed out."

Gabby*
An Oil Rigger

"I love helping people. 

My Mom and Dad always do it and so that's how I was raised.

But I'm no fool. I know being a nurse doesn't pay much.

So, right after graduating from nursing school, my fiancé and I started a side hustle selling second-hand clothes on weekends at the local market.

Well, we offer our clothes with a twist. We turn them into different styles and looks. 

It's perfect for my busy work schedule and we're doing well.

We even started to sell online a while ago.

However, delivery services over here are poor and costly. 

So, for now, we're only selling online to local shoppers.

Besides, we're also using the time to really learn the online business for when we're ready to open our online store"

Jennifer*
A Nurse & Market Trader.

"I've always wanted to own a business.

I've had a couple of great ideas and found some opportunities.

I've even gone ahead and tested some of them.

But my job and being a mom, doesn't really give me the time to do anything else.

I'm always busy and I don't think I'll ever have the time to make money in business or anywhere else."

Rose*
A Project Manager and Mom of Two Small Children.

*Names in this article have been changed.

First off, having no time is not an excuse.

How we work, has changed massively over the last few decades.

There are many innovative ways today, that could free you from your work.

Ways to make you work less hours but more productive. Especially for 9-to-5 workers who have pink-collar or grey-collar jobs.

Besides, we also have tools today, that can easily help you with that. Tools that only cost just a few bucks or even free.

So, if you really believe keeping your 9-to-5 job and having a business on the side will help you get what you want, then make the time.

It’s possible.

Now, with that out of the way, let’s move on to how you can avoid ending up like Gabby – and more like Jennifer.

“what can and can’t be on the side“

Today, anyone can be in business.

It’s the new reality.

We now have lots more tools and better technology that has created new and exciting ways to do business.

And also made it easier for anyone to do business on the side.

However, not every business can be on the side.

You see, a side hustle is something that’s low risk.

It requires less or no capital to start and less time, energy and attention to run.

That’s why it’s perfect for most 9-to-5 workers.

But then, not every business out there is like that – like all of Gabby’s failed businesses.

Such businesses require more time, energy and attention to manage – aside also being high risk.

And it’s all because of one teeny tiny thing called systems and processes.

“creating the money-making mould“

Now, unlike what most people think.

A business isn’t a store or the equipment in it or even the products.

Nope.

A business is actually a bunch of systems or processes put together to offer something of value and make profits.

That means, to make money in business, you would need to build those systems first.

However, since all businesses are not the same, some businesses do require more processes than others.

Especially, when the business:

has lots of moving parts or activities.
involves managing a team of employees.
offers products that are a bit technical or complex.

Hence, more time, energy and attention to own and run it.

Definitely not ideal for someone with a 9-to-5 job.

“making some real money“

Of course, it’s true that such businesses are also the ones that offer the most opportunities to make some real money.

But, you can’t approach it like a side hustle, if you want to successfully own and run such a business.

You would need help.

Maybe, from a partner or partners or a consultant who’ll free you from most of the work of:

building the many needed systems and running it.
and turning the business into a money-making machine.

“it’s how you pick“

So, Yes.

It’s more than possible to keep a 9-to-5 job and still make money in business.

But you can’t just pick any business as a side hustle.

It has to be something that:

is simple and can easily fit into your schedule.
will get you what you want.
could run itself one day.
could be scaled or expanded – if you want to.

Just like Jennifer’s.