Starting a Business With Family And Day Job

Struggle and Drive

Juggling a full-time job, starting a business, and family life is like trying to keep a trio of very opinionated cats from scratching the furniture – it requires constant attention and near-superhuman patience. In my own hustle, I’ve been doing this dance for years, and let me tell you, it’s a challenging routine. My days are a whirlwind of engineering machines, fostering new technologies, and then rushing home to be with my wife and kids.

Working Life and Family Priorities

Between the day job and family, my time is sliced thinner than the last piece of holiday pie. Maintaining a balance is like walking a tightrope. The hours needed to nurture a startup are often at odds with the ones dedicated to family and work. My experience has shown me that this isn’t just tough; it’s a full-on Herculean task.

Aspiring for More Freedom

But why keep at it? Freedom. That’s the dream driving the grind. More free time means more moments with my family and more opportunities to work on what ignites my passion. It’s the fuel for my entrepreneurial fire, pushing me to find that sweet spot where my business can sustain us, freeing me from the 9-to-5 and giving me control over my time.

So, if you’re in the same boat, know this: you’re not alone. It’s rough waters out there, but the destination is worth the voyage.

Embarking into Entrepreneurship

Background Foundations

After university, I dove straight into the world of engineering and design. Working on machine development and embracing new technologies became my daily bread. However, jobs were scarce, so I launched a freelance gig to keep the ball rolling. That move into entrepreneurship was born out of necessity, but it planted the seeds for my future endeavors.

First Ventures and Lessons

I made my first serious foray into business with interior design. Yet, with two very young kids at home and a full-time job demanding my attention, I quickly learned that starting a business under these conditions was a recipe for burnout. I was trying to solve a puzzle without all the pieces – I lacked both time and understanding of product-market fit.

Switching gears, I developed a software for a woodworking company, crafting a 3D visualization tool for custom orders. It was a hit, and it worked! But juggling full-time work, family, and this side gig was like spinning plates on a unsteady table. I had a viable product, but couldn’t muster the energy or focus to market it effectively. In hindsight, I see that it wasn’t just about having a good product; it was about having the capacity to push it forward.

Transitioning to Full-time Entrepreneurship

Learning Curve

I learned the hard way that diving into full-time entrepreneurship needs more than just a good idea; it demands a stable income first. From 2019 to 2021, I soaked up every lesson on entrepreneurship I could find. It became clear that before I could even think of leaving my day job, my business had to be churning out a steady profit. And not just any profit—I needed to hit $10,000 a month to match my engineer’s salary, without compromising my family’s financial security.

Goals and Time Allocation

So, I set some strict rules for myself to carve out time for my business. I figured I had about 2 hours daily to dedicate to this venture—no more, no less. Weekends offered a bit more leeway, but that was it. Time management became my secret weapon. And let me be clear: those 2 hours had to be productive, because my goal was to build a $10,000/month profit business within those constraints. That meant focusing on services that customers would pay for, like IT support and automation systems—stuff that’s essential for businesses today and tomorrow.

Lessons in Growth and Consistency

Launching a New Agency

When I started Scale by Tech in early 2023, I had a clear vision: harness my knack for developing systems and software to help small businesses scale through technology. It’s not just about having a smart product; it’s about creating something that energizes both me and my clients. Designing an agency with this focus allowed me to tap into my passion for optimization and automation, which is key for growth in any business.

Revenue Model and Client Retention

I knew that for my agency to be successful, I needed a solid revenue model. That’s why I shifted towards Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR)—it’s the lifeblood of any service company aiming for consistency. Yet, I hit a snag with client retention. After selling my automation systems, clients didn’t stick around, making it tough to sustain the MRR model. The lesson here? It’s critical to win customers over with services they’ll need month after month.

Business Development

Despite the hiccups, I didn’t shy away from trying different things. I even dabbled in helping personal trainers and coaches with membership setups. It didn’t pan out as expected, but it was a step in my learning journey. Ultimately, I pivoted towards offering software that supports businesses in automating their processes—a service that’s increasingly essential. It’s about finding that sweet spot where what you’re good at aligns with what the market needs.

Balancing a Growing Business and Personal Life

Balancing Act

In my quest to scale Scale by Tech, I’m constantly wrestling with time. My days are split between a demanding full-time job, being present for my family, and squeezing in moments to breathe life into my business. It’s not just tough; it’s a Herculean feat that I’m determined to conquer.

I’ve come to realize that to avoid burnout, which I’ve experienced before, I need to be strict with my time. With only about 2 hours on weekdays and a little more on weekends, I have to make each moment count. The goal? To build a profitable business that doesn’t sacrifice precious family time or personal well-being.

Market Trends and Business Sustainability

For long-term success, I’ve learned that my business must offer services that cater to persistent market demands while generating recurring income. Automation and IT support are now at the heart of Scale by Tech, as these are services that companies will always need. This focus is vital for sustaining growth and ensuring that my business thrives alongside my personal commitments.

Future Endeavors and Automation

Future Plans

I’m setting my sights on helping small firms to scale up through technology. The goal is to craft systems that not only function efficiently but also resonate with my passion for development and optimization. The kind of work that not only pays the bills but also gives me that extra spark of energy.

Plan Execution and Daily Operations

Right now, the plan is to grow Scale by Tech incrementally, aligning with my daily life that’s already chock-full of responsibilities. It’s about making the most of those two precious hours each day that I can devote to my business. The focus is on providing consistent value to my clients, ensuring that every minute counts towards the monthly goal of a stable $10,000 profit.

Value of Automation

Automation is the ace up my sleeve. It’s about giving small businesses the freedom to focus on growth by taking care of the repetitive tasks that eat up their time. I’ve learned that by automating processes, these companies can invest more in areas that need a human touch. And that’s where Scale by Tech shines, offering that much-needed leverage for small firms to punch above their weight.