You’re gainfully employed. You have a “good” corporate job with “good” pay and “good” benefits. You’re well respected in the office. Your situation seems quite stable and secure.

Well, you did survive that last round of layoffs, but who’s counting?

This is what society has been telling you to strive for all your life. Then why on Earth does it now feel like an unfulfilling grind?

According to Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace report, 77% of employees are disengaged at work, with many experiencing stress and burnout daily despite having “good” jobs with competitive compensation.

You want a life of freedom and fulfillment. But due to the lifestyle you’ve built, it feels impossible to escape. You’re stuck in the corporate trap.

For some people, an all-in jump into entrepreneurship is the right path. For others, whether due to their comfort level or financial obligations, such a leap may feel like a bridge too far.

The good news is you don’t have to quit your current full-time job to become an entrepreneur. You can start a business while continuing to work full-time. Some call it a part-time business, others call it a side hustle. Call it what you want, but it could be your ticket to freedom.

Step-by-Step Guide to Launching a Business While Still Employed

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, over 50% of small businesses are initially operated as part-time ventures while founders maintain other employment.

So once you’ve determined what kind of side business you want to start, here’s a step-by-step guide to launching it while keeping your paycheck:

1. Create a business plan. Before you do anything else, you need a real business plan. Not a vague idea in your head, but a documented strategy that answers: What are you selling? Who’s your target customer? How will you reach them? What’s your pricing? What will it cost to start and operate?

A solid business plan forces you to work through the hard questions before you waste time and money. It’s your roadmap from idea to launch.

I walk you through the complete business planning process step-by-step in my Business Planning Blueprint course, which is also included as Module 7 in the Corporate Liberation Masterclass.

2. Do comprehensive personal financial planning

Starting a business while employed means managing two financial realities at once. You need to understand your current financial position, calculate how long your runway is, and plan for the transition period.

This means knowing your monthly expenses, how much you’re saving, what your risk tolerance is, and how much revenue your business needs to generate before you can consider going full-time. Without this clarity, you’re flying blind.

3. Build your exit plan

Launching your business requires preparation you can’t do overnight. That’s where strategic planning comes in:

• The Laundry List: All the foundational tasks you need to complete while still employed: business setup, branding, legal compliance, tools, and operational systems. Getting these done before you launch means you hit the ground running.
• The -90 Day Plan: Your strategic roadmap for the 90 days leading up to launch. What needs to happen when so you’re ready to go full-time.
• The +90 Day Plan: Your first 90 days after launch. Revenue targets, daily priorities, and how you’ll operate as a full-time entrepreneur.

Most people scramble to figure this out as they go. Planning it systematically means you launch with confidence instead of chaos.

Want the Complete System?

These three steps (business planning, personal financial planning, and exit planning) are Modules 7, 8, and 9 of my Corporate Liberation Masterclass. The Masterclass walks you through all six steps of escaping the corporate trap, from building outrage and shifting your mindset to practical planning and making the leap with confidence.

Learn more about the Corporate Liberation Masterclass here and build your exit strategy the smart way.

Signs It’s Time to Quit Your Job and Go Full-Time Entrepreneur

Once you’ve started a part-time business, the next logical question is: how will you know when it’s time to quit your job and go full-time as an entrepreneur?

Let’s walk through four questions you can ask yourself to determine your true “all in” moment.

The first question is, “does your business pass the Ikigai test?”

The Japanese principle of “Ikigai” applied to business teaches us that success and fulfillment come when you find something you are good at, that you can be paid for, that the world needs, and that you love. Learn more about Ikigai from the Government of Japan’s official website.

Without all four components, something will be missing, and that gap can lead to burnout or failure. This is your golden opportunity to take stock of whether the business you’ve started fulfills each of these criteria.

You already have an advantage over someone who took the leap believing their idea was an Ikigai fit. You’ve been running the business and can evaluate it based on your own experience.

Second, does your financial picture allow you to make the leap without undue stress?

In Step 2, you calculated your runway before and after quitting your job. But that was theoretical. You were still employed.

Now you’re looking at actually pulling the trigger. Your runway becomes real. You need to use those financial projections to answer: do you have enough resources to go full-time, or are you jumping without sufficient cushion?

Is your runway long enough to let you ramp up without panic? Or will you be scrambling to make rent in three months? Financial pressure kills more businesses than bad ideas do. Don’t jump until your numbers say you’re ready.

Third, is your job holding your business back?

If your full-time job starts eating up the time and energy you need to take your business to the next level, it may be a sign it’s time to move on. For example, if a big new client opportunity arises that you can’t deliver on because of your day job’s demands, that could be the signal you’ve been waiting for.

When your business has traction but your schedule holds it back, staying in the job too long can kill your momentum.

You might start turning down new clients, missing deadlines, or falling behind on marketing because your day job is crowding everything else out. If your business has outgrown the time you can give it, splitting your attention could cause it to stall right when it’s ready to grow.

And finally, are you mentally checked out of your job?

When your heart is no longer in your job and your energy is going toward your business, it may be more than just burnout. It might be a sign that you’re ready to move on.

If the work feels hollow and your mind keeps drifting back to what you’re building, that’s something worth listening to. Just make sure your decision is backed by the numbers and a clear plan, so you are not simply trading one kind of stress for another.