Preparing for a business while working at a company

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I am a 38-year-old office worker who, in a way, was promoted quite quickly. I used to want to grow further, but lately I have been wondering if I should start my own business. I would appreciate your advice on whether it is right to run the business while working or to leave my job to prepare for it.

Video with comments: “"Is this how everyone lives?" The story of an office worker in their late 30s trudging along.“

First of all, I am very skeptical about preparing to start a business while working at a company. This is because there are things that can only be seen after leaving the company, and I believe it is somewhat shallow to think that one can build a startup part-time while working when success is uncertain even when pouring one's life into it full-time. Therefore, I tend to argue that it is necessary to voluntarily and intentionally push oneself into unemployment.

Nick Szabo, a world-renowned cryptographer and successful businessman, said this.

Unemployment is an opportunity. The optimal time to obtain outstanding ideas is unemployment. You must be able to intentionally experience being unemployed.

Part 17 'Nick Szabo' from *If Not Now, When*‘

Marie Forleo, whom Oprah Winfrey named as a next-generation leader, said this.

To live the life you want, try everything. Anyone who intends to endure their current company until they find a better job should submit their resignation immediately. The work you desire is intertwined with the things you attempt. If you somehow manage to make the first dot, a line will form between them. Do not let the most precious time of your life slip away making grandiose plans when you haven't even made a single dot yet.

Part 19 'Marie Forleo' from *If Not Now, When*‘

I captured that story in the video below.

However, after the video ended, I remembered some advice I hadn't been able to say.

Even if you cannot complete a business while working at a company, you can prepare for it.

The first step in preparation is studying design. This is a tip that appears starting at the 2-minute mark in the video below. If you want to build an actual business, design becomes an urgent issue.

The second step in preparation is website creation. I strongly recommend developing your own website. Try adding banners and integrating payment systems. Doing just that can lower the barriers to entry into the online market. There is no better way to run a business without capital than online. Conversely, no matter what the business is, if it cannot expand online, it cannot stand on its own.

The third step in preparation is "meeting people." Go find and meet the person you vaguely want to emulate. If you ask to meet without any preparation, no one will agree. Build rapport first, and offer help first. I met many internet celebrities this way. Around the age of thirty, I followed Lim Jung-wook, the former CEO of Lycos and an internet star at the time, and always responded to him. He once posted that he wanted to read a book, so I bought it right away and sent it to the U.S. Thanks to that, when CEO Lim visited Korea, I was able to meet him in person and treat him to a meal. Recently, I met the 200,000-subscriber YouTuber "For Real" in a similar manner. I have met many people this way. There is much to learn from successful people, no matter how small their achievements may be.

The fourth preparation is writing a book. Strategically, writing a book is a business where you never lose out. In particular, if you write a book about the business you want to pursue, you position yourself as an expert, build branding that immediately boosts sales, and become a more in-depth expert in the process of writing. If you cannot write a single book while working at a company, then a business that is several times more difficult...

The fifth point is physical training. I recommend personal training. Make sure to do it, even if it costs money. In the early stages of a business, there are many times when you have to dedicate the entire day to work.

The sixth point is money. I am not talking about business capital. Secure living expenses for at least six months to two years until the business is running smoothly. Do not dream that the business will generate immediate profits. Without this capital, impatience will lead you to make bad decisions rather than succeed in the business, and you are highly likely to end up returning to your job.

Other ideas in Part 2.