In one of my previous jobs, I remember once on a Monday morning, my boss ran into an employee trying to sell clothes to another employee. His response in Yoruba was ‘Ko da oh’, literally meaning “it’s not fair oh”. The reality is in today’s world most people often juggle more than one ball professionally i.e. they have a side hustle, which either currently brings in income (or it is hoped that it will) or just as a passion.
Plus, as someone aptly put it, “Why be one thing when you can be many”. Why be just a Lawyer when you can be a Lawyer and a Photographer. Why be just a doctor, when you can be a doctor, a blogger, a model and a blog planner creator.
The reality however is that if you are financially dependent on your day job, then you must tread with caution – lest your day job suffers and then, boom you’re fired! These tips should help in trying to juggle both and avoid being fired:
I bet if my colleague was trying to sell the clothes at lunchtime or after office hours or at the very worst on Friday morning or a slow day at work, the boss may not have raised an eyebrow. It’s important to ensure that the time you spend on your side hustle doesn’t
This will invariably depend on the policies of the organisation you work for. Some offices are strictly against the use of office resources and supplies for the purposes of any private projects. So if you’ve been a given an official car and a driver, it may not be in your best interest to decide to use the car for your UBER side hustle. Similarly, the use of office computers, phones and something as little as printing may be frowned upon and could be a sure way of being subject to disciplinary proceedings at work. In pursuing your side hustle, please ensure you don’t violate company policies in this respect.
As it is necessary to separate the two, a good idea is to have separate business cards. You don’t want someone ringing the Engineering company you work for asking for you, the Makeup Artist.
If your side hustle is very similar to your day job, you probably need to check your employment contract to ensure that there is no non-compete clause which prevents your from pursuing a similar business, even after you leave the organisation. If this is the case, an early disclosure to the management may be necessary.
There’s good news! Having a day job can definitely enhance your side hustle. In these ways:
Again in the case of the employee above, her colleagues served as potential customers. Likewise, and depending on what you do (and subject to office policies) you could always pitch your side hustle to clients. After a business meeting and over casual conversation, it doesn’t seem like there’s anything stopping you from letting clients know that you’re also a photographer or food &fitness coach, in case they ever need any of those services. Use the network of people you come across to your advantage.
It’s important to also consider how the skills you acquire in your day job can enhance your side hustle. I love Law and I love writing/ blogging as a passion So I’m able to imbibe some of the training and dealings at work into my blog. I may not have been able to write these if I didn’t have a day job. I wrote a piece related to Africa’s Energy Law here and a bit of Intellectual Property Law here. I know of someone who is a pharmacist and also a Makeup artist, having realised that a lot of colleagues didn’t quite get the hang of ‘office appropriate makeup’ decide to organise a special class on this to a broad range of people.
I know, I know. It gets really annoying when you have to certain seemingly small tasks like proofread 300 page of document or appeasing an angry customer. And at such time, your probably thinking of how you can’t wait to start break free of your 9-5 and then get rid of these admin tasks for ever. Sorry to burst your bubble, but chances are you’re more likely to get sucked into admin stuff as a business owner. It’s your business so you’ll make want to make sure your pitches are perfect and without typos. You will also deal with more crazy humans and you have to act calm. So, use that annoying co-worker to practice your patience and calm!
Finally, some people simply pursue a passion on the side – with no intention of quitting their day job. Others however hope to someday be financially dependent on their passion. To this latter group of people, you have to give it time and only quit your day job after careful analysis, building a satisfactory brand and a whole lot of certainty. The last thing you want to do is be out of a job and broke. At that point, you may even begin to detest your passion.
Got any more tips to add? Do you have a side hustle – for money or just for passion? How do you juggle with your day job? Have you quit your job to pursue your side hustle fully? Well, let us know what you do, as we may be in need of your services!
Love,
Kachee… xx
Toluwalade Toyin-Kehinde
August 9, 2016 at 12:43These are such great tips!! I’m currently working on my blogger business cards and I’m excited. And I agree, learning all the small small stuff can be a tad bit annoying!www.toyinwithfashion.com
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
August 10, 2016 at 06:45I’ve been procastinating these business cards for so long! But we gotta do it. Looking forward to see what you come up with!
Saminu Eedris
August 9, 2016 at 14:20Very nice Kachee the “You don’t want someone ringing the Engineering company you work for asking for you, the Makeup Artist.” really cracked me up!Very resourceful post, will make sure i share on my fb and twitter.
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
August 9, 2016 at 17:00Thank you!! I appreciate.
pagesbyike
August 9, 2016 at 14:23Great tips, Kachee! Lol @ office resources. This also includes not stealing pens and toilet roll from the office to aid your other job. Haha! I especially like tips #1 and #4 , uh and #3 ok, and #2!xx
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
August 10, 2016 at 06:44People really steal toilet roll?? 😂😂. Thanks Ike!
Sky
August 9, 2016 at 16:32Great realistic tips Kachi.One key thing for me is time management. It’s the maker or breaker, i think.Plus, allowing yourself to do only as much as you can at a time with the side hustle, otherwise you’ll burn out, lose energy and start to under-deliver with your main job and the side thing, which will be a disaster (my personal experience).SNF Taking Stock 07
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
August 10, 2016 at 08:35You do have a point with the taking on only as much as we can. Sometimes we try to stuff too much in and then under-deliver! Thanks Sky!
Berry Dakara
August 10, 2016 at 02:10My job in Nigeria afforded me the time to work on my blog on the side, and now my hours here in Atlanta gives me even more time! The latest I get off work is 3pm, so I have a good few hours to spend on my blogging passion. I certainly think that time management is key – don’t encroach on your employer’s time. Use your lunch breaks wisely. Set a daily or weekly schedule if need be – one that is realistic.Berry Dakara Blog
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
August 10, 2016 at 08:35Aren’t you living the life getting off at 3pm? Lol! Time management really is everything!
Tega Enai
August 10, 2016 at 06:31Great tips Kachi!!I am more of a morning person. I wake up 4am every morning which gives me 3 hours to prepare blog posts and other activities. Time management is key! because really why be one thing when you can be many.www.tegaenai.comHow to style an ankara skirtxoxo
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
August 10, 2016 at 06:43Wow! You have no idea how this just inspired me. 4am! Time management is really key. Thanks Tega!
BagosMutendiBlog
August 10, 2016 at 08:18Lovely tips!!! I post stuff on the blog only during lunch time or any free 5 minutes I get. Time management is crucial.
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
August 10, 2016 at 08:34Thanks BM! Time is everything really.
Abby
August 10, 2016 at 19:26Very useful tips! The hustle is real! In Church they said we should stop calling it ‘hustle’ sha because Grace will take us where hustle can’t 🙂 🙂 .
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
August 11, 2016 at 08:37Hahhahahaha. Grace will indeed take us where hustle can’t! Ok, side passion!
Pamela
August 11, 2016 at 09:07I totally love this. Especially having separate business cards, I once met a lady who had three different cards. Lol.www.heelsandabout.comhttp://heelsandabout.com/wh…
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
August 15, 2016 at 09:06Thanks Pam! I need to try and get mine sorted out for the blogger side of me!
Mitchell Awah
August 16, 2016 at 00:06Yaaayy Kachi! Finally I can comment. Remember me? Right now job is more volunteering than a job. So I’m desperately looking for something to do to bring in money. I’m not even looking at passion right now. Just give me the darn money lol. When I start getting regular and substantial income, I can then settle down and think of what my passion is and how I can make money from it lol. Oh wait I think I know what my passion is. I love to read. So anybody wanna pay me to read? Lol. Will even do it for free sef lol. But no abeg. I NEED money lol
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
August 16, 2016 at 08:30Ofcourse I remember you! And all the things we have in common. Loool @Just give me the darn money. I know what you mean. I really pray something comes up soon foryou. I’ll be praying. In the meantime, just do your best at the volunteer job! Blessings. Xx
Omowumi Oguntuase
August 17, 2016 at 15:48This post is my sub and I’m so embracing it LOL! I am currently juggling 8-5, blogging and thrift store and boy is it demanding! I usually don’t want to keep my customers’ inquiries waiting for too long and I have a deadline at work. I agree with you about learning the little things (I work in customer service and you need that everywhere). Thanks for this post, I needed it.wumituase.wordpress.com
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
August 18, 2016 at 07:01Wunmi!, I was subbing myself as well to be honest. Lots of changes I need to make and I’m working on it. You’re welcome love. These little things are so necessary. 😘
Oyindamola Abbatty
August 19, 2016 at 12:40“The last thing you want to do is be out of a job and broke. At that point, you may even begin to detest your passion.”This made me laugh. My side hustle is my blog http://www.yorubachic.com and for now it’s just a passion. Every single one of these tips are really on point.
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
August 19, 2016 at 12:44Yay! You have a blog. That means I can know you better!Girl, it’s so true! You need to balance until your side hustle begins to pay the bills if that’s what you want. Thank you!
Yummy Mum Life
August 19, 2016 at 23:51As a stay home mum running a business on the side I would think I’ll have all the time but keeping up with social media as per the blog,YouTube and pushing the business via that can be very tedious.Another thing is I’m not a morning person so I stay in bed almost 3 hours after my eyes open.That takes a lot of tie that could have been useful.I’m trying to change that gradually.www.cheecheelive.com
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
August 19, 2016 at 23:55Haha! I know. The days I stay at home and have all the time are the days I often get nothing done. Also, Social Media honestly requires so much time especially when you’re using it to push a blog/business.Lol@ 3 hours! Just grab your laptop or phone while still on the bed and get some work done.
Sharaye Stanberry
July 7, 2017 at 22:09So relatable, such a helpful post! Thanks Kachi xoxo- Shay dearhumanswithlove.com