Hot trend: Part-time entrepreneurs
“A recession-induced need for cash, and an ever-growing infrastructure enabling individuals to act as (part-time) entrepreneurs, are fueling concepts that help ordinary consumers make money instead of just spending it.” They try to brand this idea as “sellsumers” which is silly, but it’s great to see this general concept breaking through. Link includes lots of examples of people and companies that are finding creative ways to make money on the side.
Stephen Jenkins
on 02 Apr 09I would place myself in this group, 8am-5pm job time, 5pm-7pm family time, 7pm-10pm wife time, 10pm-2am work time. (Also working on a Ph.d on Tuesday nights.)
I don’t find it stressful, and still find time for family and a few hobbies. Like Gary V. and Jason F. have said, how can you complain about not having time for your projects but then go and watch Lost or some other TV show?!? Come on, get focused!!!
Set up some rules in your router software (Tomato FTW!) to block Digg, Slashdot, SvN, Reddit, LifeHacker, NYT, BoingBoing, etc during your project hours and buckle down!
My goal is to double revenue from my night projects every year until I can turn my night job into my day job, and move my day job (distance education support, and teaching) into a part-time role.
Paul
on 02 Apr 09Like Stephen I put myself in that group too.
I’ve been working on my project (Graphomatic) for a while in my free time, while working a full time job and running a local theatre company.
The “Being in control of one’s destiny” idea is especially important for me. Yes, making money is great, but more than anything else, I’d love to be my own boss eventually. It isn’t going to happen any time soon, and I’m happy in my job (and consider myself lucky to have one), but one day….
I think also the feeling of achievement from building your own thing is great. Every time a new user signs up I get a warm fuzzy feeling. It’s good to know you have created something that people are using. Also, it’s a great way of learning new skills or solidifying the ones you already have, in the case of Graphomatic it’s Ruby/Rails development, with the theatre it’s lighting and sound design.
The way I see it, if I make a little money from it, then that’s great, but it’s not the reason I’m doing any of it.
Paul
Thomas Reitz
on 02 Apr 09My work IS my hobby. Work it all of the time! Kinda like Stephen Jenkins schedule above… weekends are definitely off though… I read Ricardo Semler’s book last year called the “The Seven Day Weekend” – brilliant! Highly recommended! -Tom
Ben Rowe
on 03 Apr 09I’m like the guys above too.
I’m really fortunate to enjoy my day job, and that certainly pays the bills. But by night, I put my i vote for art hat on and really start having some fun.
One day I’d like to be able to this as a full time gig. But if that doesn’t happen, I’ve learnt a heck of a lot about running a web business, without having the stress of relying on it for an income.
Sure beats sitting around on your arse watching TV!
John S. Rhodes
on 03 Apr 09I’m actively involved in helping other people generate income from small online businesses. For example, I teach people how to generate some extra cash by blogging and using Adsense and selling affiliate products. When done right, everyone wins.
On the user experience front, I just released Selling Usability, which is about using “stealth tactics” to inject usability into organizations. I do not even discuss cost justification. Instead, I explain exactly how to cause culture change, easily market UX, and get other folks in your organization to be your champions. There’s a lot more too. And, I’m happy to say that it’s getting great reviews.
I bring up Selling Usability as a topic because people are also eager to (1) increase their pay and (2) keep their jobs. In this economy, UX’ers are thirsty for career tips but also tools that provide long term success.
The truth of the matter is that UX’ers are starting to see their jobs inside organizations through entrepreneurial eyes. It isn’t just happening “out there”—it’s happening right inside small, medium and large businesses.
This difficult economy is giving usability folks new strength. It’s causing a new entrepreneurial spirit, if not new entrepreneurs. When people are challenged they often rise up. That’s what I’m seeing and it’s awesome.
~ John
Marie Poulin
on 03 Apr 09I think this is part of the reason that the interactive industry is not hurting right now. There are so many entrepreneurs from so many different industries, and they’re starting to recognize the value of design to their business. Most of my work right now is from small start-ups and entrepreneurs; I think its an exciting time for a lot of motivated people who are willing to see where the opportunities lie.
Eugene N
on 03 Apr 09The best aspects of part-time entrepreneurship are the monetary one and, most importantly, the empowerment factor. Extra income really makes a significant difference in the standard of living. The feeling of being in control of your professional destiny (even if only partially) or the possibility to produce/create/showcase your work or art is a huge morale and esteem booster.
However, we must be very careful because some of this sellsumers stuff can easily be taken advantage of and become pure exploitation, where the big guy gives the little guy the illusion of entrepreneurship in exchange for peanuts: “Blogging | [...] as soon as an individual blog achieves 5,000 page views per month, Metro sends the author a MasterCard that’s credited with 150 Swedish kronor (USD 20 / EUR 16).” For that amount of money your better of building your own independent blog, instead of enriching others.
Don Schenck
on 03 Apr 09I’m working on my own project, too. I’m self-employed during the day as a software developer for hire, and use the evenings to either work for a client or - more often - work on my “project”. My project is directly related to my own self-employment, so I’m doing it FOR ME and HOPE to sell subscriptions when I’m finished.
I can’t lose. If nothing else, I’ve made my own administrivia more efficient.
Kevin
on 04 Apr 09I’m looking for a part-time ops manager interested in an entrepreneurial environment. We are flexiable on the schedule and located in the RTP area of NC. The position could become full-time. Please email if you have any interest. Thanks, Kevin
This discussion is closed.