I attempted to start my consulting business on a part time basis, twice. I failed both times. I quit my job to do my business full time, and now I am succeeding. One can argue that part-time vs full-time was not entirely the basis for my past failures. However, this is what I've learned working for an employer full time, and dabbling in my own business on the side:
1)I cannot work two jobs whole-heartedly. Thinking about my business while working for somebody else created internal conflict. My efficiency and motivation decreased for both jobs over time. Maybe thats just my problem.
2)Working in my business, I really needed to do my marketing, meet clients, and conduct site visits during business hours. Primarily, business hours was the time alloted for my full time employer.
3) In my business, you frequently endure feast or famine. That worried me, because I worked overtime with my employer during the feasts, which permitted less time for my business. During the famine cycles, I had extra time, but could only use it for business planning.
4)You can only do so much business planning before you begin. Learning, experiencing, additional planning, and re-evaluating is much easier to do without an employer.
Anyway, go for the full-time consulting. Only your fear will keep you down. I started my business by moving to another state, with only one potential business contact (who has never used my services yet), only about 4 months of reserve funds, confidence, faith, and knowing that I could easily get another employer if need be.
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