When is the best time to pursue a side business?

Long story short - probably never! 😅 You're probably familiar with this: you have a demanding main job that takes up most of your week. Then there's family and friends that you don't want to neglect, and depending on the size, they can take up a lot of time. And then there's the household chores 🏠. Sure, you could outsource that - but I don't want to. And in case you haven't noticed - exercise 🏋️‍♀️ hasn't even been mentioned yet, even though it's extremely important for an office job and shouldn't be neglected!

And then there's the desire for a side business! Actually, it's completely utopian to think about something like that when you're so busy in everyday life, but I still hold on to this idea! Not because it's easy, but because I want to grow! 🌱

I know that this sounds quite ambitious at first, but actually my side business constantly presents me with new challenges and takes me out of my comfort zone💪💪💪. It's not always smooth sailing here, I don't get paid if I don't do anything, and of course that should change at some point - but no business in the world has become successful by doing nothing!

My side business means realizing a dream for me. To live out my passion and let my creativity run wild 🚀. My biggest enemy in this is focus. What I have advised some mentees in my main job, I can hardly accomplish in my own business 😅:

The blog - I should be much more active here! At the beginning of the year, I wanted to publish a blog article at least once a month. Well, that hasn't worked out so well! So it's time to change that 📝!

The website - needs to be revised! I'm no longer 100% satisfied with the layout. The blog is unfortunately quite hidden - the site is still relatively unknown. But the redesign🔧 is only worthwhile if I'm clear about how I want to present the business in the future. Which brings me to the next point...

The offering - Currently, the focus is on street art photography 📷. A topic that is extremely close to my heart ❤️. Also because of my love for colorful Mexico 🇲🇽. But I also notice that the offering probably doesn't appeal to my target audience - because mainly the less colorful motifs or simply prints with the logo are being bought. A hint that I should probably take seriously!

The marketing - "Mel, you were a marketing manager - then you know how it works" - uh yeah... no! B2B marketing within an established brand and B2C with a newly founded label are two different things! And the latter is much more challenging because you have to reinvent yourself over and over again. Plan A didn't work? Then let's try plan B! Plan B doesn't work either... Then let's try plan C! And while you keep trying, costs continue to accrue that are not necessarily covered by the previous earnings. As you can see, this all requires a high level of frustration tolerance. 😒

As you can see, various aspects of Buena Ondita are currently driving me. Of course, I receive praise and approval for taking the step - but hardly anyone looks at the downsides. 😕

If I go the extra mile in my main job, it usually costs me some overtime that doesn't automatically get compensated. And yet, I do it! Because I see the importance behind it, the impact I create. 💪

So isn't it simply a matter of prioritizing my time, whether it's worth it for my own business? Or should I sometimes let things slide at work and invest the time gained into my own company? I believe you already know the answer - and it's a resounding "YES" 😊

With that said, stay strong & stay curious! 🤟🤟🤟