A part-time job at a convenience store or a big box outlet isn’t going to pay the bills, but it will buy you some much needed time. Getting a business off the ground takes time – and a constant trickle of money. As soon as you believe you have enough cash to get started, you will learn that you need just a little bit more. The positions available at Job Application Center generally come with flexible hours so you can still have plenty of time to work on solidifying plans for your business while bringing in the cash you need to pay your bills. Here’s a few tips on how to make a part-time position work until your business takes off.
Take the Unwanted Shifts
Few people want to work overnight or during the weekends. If your plan is to run your own business, then you need to work during the hours that will allow you to be available for your company. Additionally, non-prime shifts will always be in abundance so you can pick up extra work when you need the money without even blinking. Moreover, working nights sometimes gives you an extra bonus for working late night schedules. Let your coworkers fight over the 10 to 2 or even the 8 to 4 schedule, while you come into work just as the sun is going to go down.
Leverage Your Work History
One of the main reasons that having a part-time job can be very helpful when you’re starting a business is when you go to look for funding. Loan companies are going to review your debt to income ratio, and if you don’t have a guaranteed source of income they’re going to be shaky about giving you a loan. By contrast, a part-time job does provide you with cash that can be used to show lenders that you are stable. Get and maintain a part-time job for a few years and you will be eligible for better business financing options.
Learn How to Pace Yourself
It’s easy to be enthusiastic when you first open a business and pour yourself into everything, but fatigue and burnout can hit you fast. This is even more so when you’re completely focused on your business and nothing else. When you work a part-time job, you don’t have any choice but to work at a rate that you can maintain over time. If you work too many hours at your job, you won’t have any energy left to work on business ideas. Focus too much on your business and your work performance will suffer. Working for an employer at least part-time will give you the ability to learn and master pacing.
Even when you have a great business idea that you are totally sure will pan out, you shouldn’t put all of your eggs into one basket. Work outside of the home for as long as you can so that you build up a nest egg as well as have more opportunities to network. Working a few hours a week can help you grow your business and multiply your investments.