Employee to Entrepreneur: 3 Steps You Can Take

In 2022 I found myself ten years into a career that looked good on the outside, but was not fulfilling on the inside. I realized I didn’t want to use the skills I’d acquired over the last decade to continue working 40 hours/week on a set salary until I reached retirement. The difficult thing is when you’re making decent money, in an unstressful job, you get comfortable. “Comfortable” is where most dreams die, because your brain doesn’t want to be in a state of discomfort. So you will be convinced by those around you, and even your own mind, that you have it good and there’s no need to change. It’s difficult in this circumstance to justify quitting everything to go from an employee to entrepreneur.

But what happens when your heart says something different? What happens when you have a sinking feeling every time you start to go down that rabbit hole of “Is this all there is?” “Is this all I’m supposed to be doing with my life?” Does that sound familiar?

Chances are you’re a pretty special person. I’d bet ALL my money that there’s no one like you in the world. Am I right? Of course I am! Every single person on this planet is unique, and thus has a unique gift to share with the world. Even if you feel the market is saturated in whatever skillset you currently possess, I promise you there’s room. There’s no one who does it like you do.

So if you have a skill, and a dream to start a business but have no idea where to begin, keep reading. This one is for you.

Here are three steps you can take to bring your business idea to life to go from unfulfilled employee to entrepreneur.

1. Learn from Those Who Have Succeeded

The first thing you should do is find someone who is already doing what you want to do and doing it successfully. Reach out to them and see if you can have a conversation, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Talking to someone who is already in the field you admire can provide valuable insights and kickstart your idea. Invite them for a quick coffee chat and ask them a couple of questions. Show them that you admire their work and have been following their story. This will help you establish a connection and gain inspiration from their journey.

2. Gain Confidence Through Real Results

To transition from a job you don’t enjoy to building your own business, it’s important to start getting real results for real people using the skills you want to turn into a business. This will help you gain confidence in your ability to get paid for your services and show potential clients what you can accomplish. Consider offering your services for free or at a heavily discounted rate to start building up a portfolio of client testimonials and case studies if you need to. This will not only give you the confidence to find more clients, but also allow you to charge more for your services as you continue to grow.

3. Work on Your Mindset

In addition to taking action, it’s crucial to work on your mindset to feel confident in turning your idea into a successful and thriving business. Here are a few things you can do:

THINK – Get clear on what you want. Take the time to think about and visualize what you want your business to look like. Clarify your goals and envision your success.
SPEAK – Speak your vision into existence. Start introducing yourself to new people with the title you want to be known as. Even if you don’t fully feel like a business owner yet, start speaking it into existence. This will help shift your mindset and attract opportunities.
ACT – Start acting the way someone who is already successful in your desired field would act. Hang out at places where like-minded individuals gather and immerse yourself in the industry. By thinking, speaking, and acting as if your business is already a reality, you will manifest it into existence.

Remember, everything starts with a thought. By following these steps, you can gain the confidence and clarity needed to turn your business idea into a reality. Whether you’re feeling stuck in an unfulfilling job or have a business idea but aren’t sure what to do next, these steps can help you take the necessary actions to bring your idea to life.