Do you want to learn how to become self employed? There are many different self employed jobs, careers, and home business ideas that exist.
Ever since becoming self-employed, I have been very happy. That’s pretty obvious if you have read my post Being Your Own Boss – 2 Years Since Becoming Self-Employed or any of my monthly income reports.
However, I don’t want anyone to think it’s all sunshine and butterflies.
Learning how to become self-employed is hard work and there are a lot of steps a person needs to take before they think about leaving their current job.
There’s no one “correct” way to leave your job and become self-employed and everyone takes slightly different steps.
However, by taking your time to become self-employed and preparing yourself, you may have a much smoother transition.
Below are the steps you should take before you make the leap for self-employment. The below will help you learn how to become self-employed so that you can have the best start possible.
Related: 30+ Small Business Ideas To Start Today
How to become self employed.
1. Start your business on the side.
Starting your business on the side will allow you to see if it’s something you want to do, if it’s a realistic way to make an income, and whether it will work or not. This is a great way to learn how to become self-employed as you will learn all about it on the side.
By doing this all on the side of your full-time job, you will be able to have a little less stress because you will have somewhat of a built up business before you drop your stable full-time income.
For me, I had my business on the side for around two years before I decided to make the leap into self-employment. There is no right or wrong amount of time for each person – just what you think is good for you.
You will want to think about:
- What kind of business you will start.
- How you will earn a living and whether you can earn money well into the future.
- Try living just on your business income to see if it’s doable.
- Get used to or research the behind-the-scenes stuff such as paying taxes, dealing with health insurance, and so on.
- What equipment, space, and so on you will need in order to effectively run your business.
Even if you are wanting to learn how to become self employed with no money, it is very possible! I didn’t spend any money on my new blog in the beginning.
You can find a list of possible business ideas here – 15 Home Business Ideas & The Free Courses You Need To Get Started.
2. Think about what you’ll do without the benefits of your current job.
If you want to learn how to become self employed at home, then you will want to think about your benefits.
If your job provides certain benefits such as health insurance, life insurance, retirement, daycare, and so on, then you will want to think about what you will do when those benefits no longer exist.
It’s much better to do your research and price everything out now so that you can get a better idea about what your self-employment budget will be.
Related: How To Quit Your Job And Become Self-Employed
3. Create an emergency fund to become self employed.
If you truly want to know how to become self-employed, then you need to take my word on starting an emergency fund!
When working self employed jobs from home, it is very wise to have an emergency fund to protect yourself.
An emergency fund is extremely helpful when you work for yourself. It can come in good use if you ever have a bad month (or multiple bad months), if you decide to change direction with your business, and so on. When owning a business, you never know which direction your business will go.
By having an emergency fund, you will feel a little less stress so that your financial troubles are not impacting your business in a negative way.
Related: Why You Need An Emergency Fund and How To Start One Today
4. Have a backup plan before you become self employed.
While some may say that having a backup plan is for those who have no faith in themselves, I do think it is a smart idea for many.
A backup plan can help you in case your business isn’t going as well as you thought it would, if you no longer like self-employment (I have seen this a few times), or something else.
Having a backup plan can help you feel less stuck in case that point in time ever does come.
5. Don’t forget about taxes and the legal side of running a business.
If you want to learn how to become self employed legally, then you will definitely want to think about taxes and the legal side of running a business.
Many of the newly self-employed underestimate what their taxes are. Be sure to either do your research or to contact someone who is qualified so that you can be ready for taxes. An expert, such as a lawyer or accountant can help you to figure out how to register self employed business too.
Another thing you will want to think about is possibly contacting a lawyer as well to see if there are any legal issues you should be aware of when it comes to your business.
6. Leave your day job to learn how to become self employed.
This is the step you’ve been waiting for.
The final step when learning how to become self-employed is to one day finally leave your day job.
When you finally feel prepared and ready to leave your current form of income, you should figure out the correct way to leave your job, set a final work day, and turn in your notice.
Have fun and good luck with your business!
Are you interested in learning how to become self-employed?
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diane @smartmoneysimplelife says
I managed five out of 6… 🙂
The one thing I didn’t think about was a backup plan. I guess, I didn’t think I’d need one. Turns out, I did!
But, because I had a healthy emergency fund, I had time to think about my Plan B.
Excellent list Michelle. And, I can recommend all of them to anyone looking to make the jump to self-employment.
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Thanks Diane!
Kristi @ Femme Frugality says
Great post, Michelle! I agree, self-employment isn’t for everybody. It’s definitely a high risk/high reward situation that you need to serious think about before undertaking. While stressful and frustrating at times, it has been immensely rewarding as well.
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Yes, definitely very rewarding.
Sarah @ the frugal millionaire blog says
Great post, Michelle!!! I’m glad you mentioned the taxes, benefits and legal side of it, as I think most people just think about replacing their income!
I kind of went backwards where I was self-employed and now I’m self-employed and work FT, lol. However, my goal is to grow my blog and replace that income with my day job. We’ll see 🙂 🙂 🙂
Awesome post as always!!
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Thanks Sarah! I know many who have flip flopped back and forth haha. When do you think you’ll be self-employed again?
Luis Rodriguez says
Thank you for a great article Michelle. I really appreciate your expertise.
I am one of the many looking to make the leap from a FT job to becoming self employed. It’s something I’ve considered for a while now but I still have a ways to go. Seeing what you have accomplished though keeps me inspired.
Again thank you for sharing.
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Thanks Luis! What kind of business do you hope to run?
Luis Rodriguez says
My intent is to have a business as a life coach. I just got certified as a Law Of Attraction practitioner and I am also working on my NLP certification. My intent is to educate people on how to achieve what they want and in the process to live their best life possible.
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Awesome!
Sarah Noelle @ The Yachtless says
Hi Michelle, thanks so much for this post! I am a new blogger, and although I’m managing the blog totally for free, as a hobby, I would love to start some freelance writing on the side as well. It would be amazing to have a side hustle to bring in extra income to help pay off my student loans, and I’d be interested to see if it could possibly turn into more than that. I’ve always loved writing, so I’m not sure why this didn’t occur to me before now!
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Welcome Sarah. Freelance writing is a great side hustle and I highly recommend it!
Reelika @Financially Wise On Heels says
I am working in a corporate field full time as an Internal and Quality Controller. I absolutely love my job and the team I have. It is challenging and I have very flexible schedule.
However, I also run my online business on the side and I launched my blog in January 2015. It generates pretty decent income already and I absolutely love what I do. I haven’t thought about leaving my corporate job yet, but who knows what the future brings. Both of my job and business allow me to travel and work on my own terms. So right now it is the perfect balance for me 🙂
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Sounds like a great balance 🙂
Jesse Gernigin says
Michelle this is a solid start up guide! You really know how to distill important info into easy to read bits. Awesome post!
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Thanks Jesse!
Kristin says
Great tips! I’ve been prepping for this moment for months 🙂 Being financially prepared was the most important step for me – I’ve socked away living expenses just incase something happens. The hardest to plan for was health insurance. It costs a lot more on my own and I just don’t know enough about health insurance to make sure I really have the best plan.
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Yeah, health insurance is hard when you’re self-employed. It stinks!
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Thanks!
Cat@BudgetBlonde says
These are all very important things to do before you quit your job. What a good guide, Michelle. 🙂
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Thanks Cat! 🙂
Jason Butler says
I can’t lie, I’m working on it. I need to set a goal and create a LLC or S corp. I also want to add more to my emergency fund, but I will wait until most of my debt is gone before I do that.
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
You can do it Jason!
Gina says
This is some really good advice. A couple of months ago I was planning on only working for myself and becoming self-employed immediately. But, it’s like you said, things like health insurance really need to be thought about. I’ve since started working on my business on the side. I’ll definitely save this page to look at when I’m getting closer to that work for yourself leap in the future. 🙂
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Thanks!
Lila says
Self-employment is not for everyone. There are a lot of ups and downs when you’re self-employed. One of my parent’s owned a small business so I would hear about the roller-coaster ride of being a small business owner as I was growing up. And a lot of people don’t like the competition aspect of being an entrepreneur.
It’s VERY competitive out there. I’m just starting a little blog because I want to be a writer and creative person, and this industry is VERY VERY competitive.
I imagine it’s more difficult to get started if you want to start an insurance agency or a restaurant. So that’s why I decided to start a business right now while I’m in college,because success takes time and I don’t have as many responsibilities. Luckily writing and blogging is a bit on the cheap side, well at least cheaper than trying to start up a boutique or grocery store.
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Yes, it’s definitely not for everyone.
Steave @ Monster Piggy Bank says
Creating an emergency is really helpful and I think this fund can back me at least three months or more, so that when being self-employed fails, I have something to depend on, Michelle. Thanks for the tips as I am contemplating on this matter.
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Welcome 🙂
Amy @ DebtGal says
There really is so much to consider and prepare. I have thought about suggesting my husband try to start his own business, but for now, a regular paycheck and benefits are too important for our family. It’s something I would consider for myself when our daughter is older, though.
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Yes, a regular paycheck is nice!
Jim Wang says
I hate it when people suggest that you should just up and quit, hoping to “figure it out” afterwards. As if burning your ships like Cortes somehow works just because you burned your ships. Preparation is absolutely crucial and I’m glad it was #1. Quitting and figuring it out makes for a better story but rarely works.
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Thanks Jim!
Andy H says
Definitely creating an emergency fund and saving more for taxes than you think will be necessary should be #1 and #2. Income is not steady nor guaranteed like a paycheck and I struggle with paying down debt while having enough to pay taxes and still live. It’s definitely a balancing act with a lot of stress, but it will be worth the struggle one day!
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Yes!
Andrew@LivingRichCheaply says
Wow, I can’t believe you quit your job 2 years ago…time flies! Your income reports are definitely inspiring. Great point about starting a business on the side to see if you can realistically make income. I know you have a tutorial on making a blog…but do you have a tutorial on how to make money from the blog?! =)
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
http://www.makingsenseofcents.com/2013/04/how-to-make-money-blogging.html 🙂
giulia says
nice tips, my intent is to be boss of myself in the next 10 having my real estae agency for the moment I am realtor (I do a job that I love) and looking for other side hustle, so at the moment I am still at pint number 1 of your list but I am glad about it, because I am learning and upgrading knowledge of several fields daily!!!
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Thanks!
Jesse Gernigin says
Michelle all your points are spot on! Making the leap isn’t something you should do all at once. A step by step approach like you suggest is the key to lasting success and if anyone should know it’d be you!
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Thanks Jesse!
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Wow, that is awesome Steve!
Jordan D. Ulmer says
Very insightful, thanks Steve !
Tyler Poldervaart mentioned you were a ajunct professor for the MSL program @ Mt. Mercy in Cedar Rapids Iowa. I am looking forward to learning from you and other awesome people in the MSL program at Mt. Mercy after my graduation in May 2017.
Have a blessed day !