A few months ago, I appeared as a guest on Kim Ward's Life by Design podcast where I revealed some of my best tips on how to start a side business the smart way — while working full-time.
Below is a summary of the crucial points from the interview.
If you wish to watch it in its entirety, you can click below:
For many, the traditional path of getting a good education, landing a secure job, and climbing the corporate ladder is the ultimate formula for success. But what if that path doesn’t lead to fulfillment? What if it leaves you wondering, Is this all there is?
That’s exactly where I found myself after years in the healthcare industry. I had done everything “right” – studied for 16 years, earned my PhD, completed postdocs, and worked my way up the ranks.
My career was rewarding; my wife and I worked in a lab helping couples struggling with infertility. Yet, despite the stability, something inside me kept nagging: Is this really it?
Like many professionals, I wasn’t necessarily unhappy with my job. I just craved something more—a challenge, a sense of ownership, and the ability to create my own future. That’s when my journey into entrepreneurship began.
The Unexpected Start to Entrepreneurship
My introduction to business wasn’t exactly glamorous. It all started in a barber shop, of all places.
With no smartphone in hand (this was before that era), I picked up a pamphlet while waiting for my turn in the chair. It promised financial freedom, being your own boss, and unlimited earning potential.
Intrigued, I brought it home, my wife and I looked it over, and—without much thought or research—we jumped in, convinced that we were on our way to getting rich.
Like many first-time entrepreneurs, we faced reality pretty quickly.
Our first attempt at network marketing was a disaster.
We had no idea what we were doing, we lacked a strategy, and—like many—thought we could “wing it.”
It didn’t work, but what it did do was spark something inside me: a realization that there was another way to create a future beyond the 9-to-5 grind.
Learning the Hard Way: The Mindset Shift from Employee to Entrepreneur
One of the biggest lessons I learned early on was that owning a business doesn’t make you an entrepreneur.
Just because you have a business doesn’t mean you have the mindset or skills to succeed.
As an employee, I was conditioned to follow orders, avoid mistakes, and work within a system.
As an entrepreneur, I had to embrace uncertainty, take risks, and learn from failures.
I had to unlearn everything that had been ingrained in me for decades.
For years, I bounced between different business models, searching for the perfect fit.
I dabbled in multiple network marketing companies, tried different strategies, and switched mentors, hoping to find the “right one” who would do the work for me.
Eventually, I learned the most crucial lesson in entrepreneurship:
Success comes from staying committed and mastering your craft, not constantly chasing the next big thing.
Creating Options, Not Just an Escape Plan
Unlike many so-called “gurus” who preach quitting your job overnight, I took a different approach.
I didn’t start my business because I hated my job—I actually loved it until I didn’t.
What changed?
I got promoted into a role I didn’t enjoy. Management, hiring, and firing weren’t my passions, and suddenly, the career I had once loved felt suffocating.
The difference was, I had built my business on the side. I had created an exit strategy so that when the time came, I had options.
I walked into my boss’s office and gave six months’ notice.
He thought I was joking, but six months to the day, my wife and I were cutting our retirement cake—five years ahead of schedule.
How To Start and Build a Side Business While Working a Job
For those who are still in the corporate world but want to build a business, the biggest challenge is time.
Most people don’t have eight hours a day to dedicate to entrepreneurship.
The key is maximizing the time you do have.
When I was still working my job, I had one breakthrough moment that solidified my belief that this could work. I had set up a simple system where my phone would “ding” whenever I generated a lead.
One day, I was in the lab working, and suddenly—ding.
Then another ding. And another.
By the end of the day, I had generated ten leads—all while working my regular job.
That was the moment I realized: This is possible.
It’s not about working 24/7.
It’s about leveraging systems, focusing on the most impactful activities, and being consistent.
The Biggest Win as a Full-Time Entrepreneur
Since leaving my job, one of the most powerful realizations I’ve had is the importance of collaboration and leverage.
One of the fastest ways to grow a business is by working with other entrepreneurs—through joint ventures, partnerships, and tapping into existing audiences.
Instead of relying solely on my own efforts, I’ve learned to connect with the right people, offer value, and scale my business through relationships.
Advice for Those Looking to Start
If you’re still in the exploration phase and wondering if entrepreneurship is right for you, my biggest piece of advice is this:
Understand your options before jumping in.
Many people don’t realize there are different business models, each with its own challenges and benefits.
Whether it’s affiliate marketing, e-commerce, coaching, or network marketing, take the time to research and choose a path that aligns with your skills, interests, and long-term goals.
And most importantly, commit for the long haul. Building a business isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme.
It takes three to five years of focused effort to create real, sustainable income.
Many quit too soon because they’re chasing overnight success, but those who stay the course are the ones who succeed.
The Power of Simplicity
One of the biggest game-changers for me was simplifying my business.
When you only have 30-60 minutes a day to work on your business, you can’t afford to waste time on distractions.
That’s why I created my Stupid Simple Daily Action Guide for Part-Time Entrepreneurs.
It helps you identify your 1-3 most impactful activities that will move your business forward, so you can stop wasting time and start seeing results.
Final Thoughts: The Journey to True Freedom
The goal of building a business isn’t just about quitting a job—it’s about creating options and freedom.
It’s about designing a life where you call the shots, whether that means leaving your job or simply having the choice to do so.
So, if you’re sitting at your desk wondering, Is this all there is?, know that you have options.
Start small, stay consistent, and build your future—one step at a time.
Want to start designing your own life of freedom?
Download my Stupid Simple Daily Action Guide for Part-Time Entrepreneurs and learn how to make the most of your time while building a business that works for you!
It's Your Time to SHINE!
Dr. Bob Clarke
Email: Bob@BobandRosemary.com
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