Leave my job?

[kannedysimage]

Hello everyone! I just have a HUGE question to ask. I have had this business that I haven't quite launched yet but feel like I'm ready to do. I want to start with using my family and friends as volunteers but I want to do that before I actually advertise my services to the public. I've gained a lot of information about my field and now I'm hoping to launch it officially in January 2012. The problem is that I already have a full-time job.

Let me tell you a little about my full-time job. I work for a developmental disabilities agency as a manager and my schedule is very inflexible. I can be called and have been called at any time of the night and may even leave my home in cases where my clients are rushed to the hospital at 4 in the morning. However, now that I have a new baby (She's 10 weeks old) I don't want to sacrifice my time or my family involvement for work. That is why I want to quit my full-time job to start my home business.

I've spoken to many people about this in the past as well as recently and they seem to be unsupportive. They tell me to wait until I've built up enough money to leave but I feel differently. I know that it would be good to stay and have that money to support me just in case my business is unsuccessful, but then I also feel like if I stay at my job it'll be more of an excuse for me not to pursue my business. Plus, with my inconsistent schedule I may not even have the time to network and market my business as I want to do.

Right now I'm still on leave and am hoping to return to work at the beginning of the year. I tried to talk with my fiance to come up with an agreement that I would save up for two months and then seriously launch my business. He seemed supportive but then he'll make comments like Why do you have to do this? Why can't you just stay with your job? Or Why can't you wait until you finish your degree and then start your business? (Which I have two more years to finish my doctorate for personal reasons) I just get frustrated everytime.

So, advice people. Do you think that I should just go ahead and quit to launch my business full-time (also offering free services in order to build my portfolio and client base) or do you think I should wait until I save money and then launch it? My only thing is I truly believe that I've waited too long. This has been a desire of mine for years and I've talked about it for years. Now I feel like this is the right time and I'm ready to be FREE.

Any advice is welcome. Thanks.

[Cornelius]

Currently you have a baby and a fiance and not a baby and a husband. As we know there's a huge difference between a fiance and a husband. The job offers some sort of guarantees along with benefits. Just take that into consideration when you make your decision. I'm not trying to say put your dreams on the back burner but just make and educated decision rather than an emotional one.

One questions.. As your currently on leave are you replacing your current incomes? In the best laid plan it doesn't hurt to have a financial cushion... No one can advise you because know one really knows your situation but just sit back think it through and make a decision that you feel you can live with.. Good luck in all you do..

[malea]

I think it depends on what your current monthly expenses are and if you have a savings account to fall back on .

[dean19693]

Keep your job, and build your business to the point of where you see enough consistent monthly income to replace your job's income.

[sasta10]

I suggest you build your business first and then leave your job, or find an alternative job may be part time that suits your hours and do your business on the side. At this moment of time loosing a job and then finding another one is tough and may take a while. Thanks.

[ginene]

I think you should maybe find another job, maybe part time and then work your business part time until you make enough to supplement it full time. I plan on quitting my job this year but I have 4 kids and a husband and I really want to help with his business and succeed with something of my own. I wish you luck. If you do quit, work your business to the fullest!

[avonlady916]

Keep the job with benefits.
All new business's take "time" to grow and you have a young child who needs your income and benefits right now.

Start the business that interests you - you will figure out pretty quickly if it is the ONE for you - but while doing so, you have your permanent J>O>B> to fall back on.

I didnt quit my fulltime job with benefits until I had been doing my home biz for my first year - and even then it was a bit scary to quit in this economy. Im glad I did.... but Im also glad I gave it a full year to build up my customer list and form a team of my own.

my two cents.
Bonnie

[VirtuousT]

You should to keep in mind that you do have a newborn, and you are going to school. Both can take up a lot of time. I agree with your fiance' about finishing up school first. That should be gone with the f/t job goes. If you have 2 years to finish you should take that time and get adjusted to the addition to your family, while working, finishing school, and also working your business whenever and however you can. Cornelius said it best, make a wise and practical decision instead of an emotional one. If it's meant to happen, it will, and if you are determined, then success is eminent. The positive desires of your heart will come... Enjoy your new baby!

Many blessings!

[ParentingCoachLisa]

I would suggest that you play with safe. Keep your job. You may establish business first because there is no guarantee if you would succeed or not. With your job, you know it's stable. You have new responsibilities to be focused on so stick with it.

[Elisha D]

Firstly CONGRADULATIONS on becoming a mother. I am a big believer that life is too short and I am also in the process of starting my own business that I could have launched a year ago but was too afraid to give up my job as I am a single mother of two since leaving my husband. I decided to leave my demanding job and take up part time work house cleaning by doing this I can now clean a few hours a day while the kids are at school which helps with living expenses but is flexible that if I have a meeting or radio interview etc for my business I can change the day of a clean or put it an hour later also while cleaning I can exercise and use this time to think about my business and how to make it grow into a fulltime job. Also with such a young baby most clients are happy for you to take your children as they can sleep or watch a movie depending on age and any interruptions you may have you stay longer till your paid hours are up the best thing is you can work for yourself around your schedule and be paid up to $30 an hour. I think that if you don’t give your business a go you will always have regrets find a job that suits you that can help with the bills but isn’t so demanding it is only short term so take what will suit you around your family and business. This will take away these hard decisions and clear your head space to make your business work. With school if it isn’t going to help your business right now what’s the harm in deferring for a year or two. Ask your partner for his support as you really believe in this and are doing this for all of your futures.
Good Luck