It feels like everyone and their college roommate is starting their own business. Once upon a time, the dream was finding a comfy 9 to 5 and moving your way up. Now, startup founders and entrepreneurs grace the covers of business magazines. And maybe you’ve got what it takes to join that list of successful people. But how do you know it’s time to put in your two weeks notice and start hustling?
Well if you’ve noticed one of these six signs, it may be time to get going.
You can’t stop thinking about your “big idea.”
For some time now – maybe even years – you’ve been thinking about a specific business idea. You’ve researched the industry, thought about how you’d do it, imagined the final product, and you can’t get it out of your head.
Starting a business shouldn’t be done as a way to take a break from your day job. Sure, you’re your own boss, but being your own boss comes with ample responsibilities and sacrifice, especially in the early days. You probably won’t make much money, you’ll encounter a lot of doubt and disinterest, and the long hours will be incredibly exhausting until you can afford to hire employees.
If you have a “million dollar” idea you’re passionate about, you can use it to power through the practical challenges of starting a business.
You’re decisive and willing to make tough calls.
Unless you work in a managerial position, the tough day-to-day decisions of your day job don’t fall at your feet. Certainly, you have to put up with the consequences of those decisions, but you aren’t the one tasked with making them. Being a boss is different. If you waffle, hesitate to take action, or lack the backbone to make tough calls, your business suffers. A good boss has to know when to take risk, take responsibility, cut out darling ideas that aren’t working, and fire hires that aren’t a good fit.
You’ve created a nice nest egg and thought about your exit strategy.
If you have a financial cushion and you’ve contemplated how you’d go about leaving your job, it may be time to pursue that business idea. Despite rags-to-riches startup success stories, the smart thing to do is to make sure you have just enough to get by while you’re getting your business off the ground. Moreover, if you’ve taken time to think about how you would mindfully leave your job (i.e. avoid burning bridges, maintaining potentially useful connections) it’s a sign you’re serious about starting this business and not just entertaining the thought after bad work days.
You understand the risks and evaluated the economic climate.
While leaving your cushy job to open a cupcake shop sounds like a lovely idea, it’s important to consider the risks and the demand for the product. If there’s an economic downturn, people won’t be flocking to your shop to purchase high-end cupcakes. Additionally, if there are three other cupcakes shops in your neighborhood, you’ll have a hard time bringing in enough money to stay afloat. Someone who’s ready to start their own business has taken a sober look at the economy, their personal financial situation, and the risks inherent in the sort of business they want to open.
You’ve developed a network in your desired industry.
Have you spent your spare time meeting people in your desired industry? Have you developed relationships with people that you could turn to for advice or mentorship? Most importantly, have you spoken to people who’d be your potential customers to validate your idea? If this is the case, you’re looking at a huge sign that it’s time to start your own business. You understand that there’s demand for your product and you’ve got the professional network to get the word out and gain some traction.
You’ve drafted a business plan.
Writing a business plan is hard work, and it forces you to ask some tough questions about your precious business idea. If you’ve written a first draft of a business plan where you’ve conducted a competitive analysis and thought seriously about how you’d market the product, you are ready to give this business idea of yours a shot.
Starting a business is no small feat, and it carries a gargantuan amount of risk. Choosing to leave your job and launch your own venture requires careful consideration, thorough planning, and of course, a lot of guts.