From Side Gig to CEO: Turning What Started as a Hobby Into a Full-Service Business
If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking, “Maybe this side hustle I do in the evenings and on weekends could actually be a real business,” you’re not alone. A lot of people start out that exact same way.
You help a friend with SEO consulting. She got impressive results and referred you to someone else. That someone else becomes another someone else, and before you know it, you’re juggling this hobby with your main job, answering DMs by 3 AM, and wondering if this is it.
That’s exactly how many of today’s entrepreneurs started. A skill they didn’t take seriously at first. A little bit of consulting work here and there. That quick graphics design after putting the kids to bed. Many people are putting their skills and passions to work and making a success of it. In fact, according to a recent survey by Bankrate, 16% of American hustlers plan to turn their side hustle into a full-time business as soon as possible.
If you see yourself doing something similar, read on as I walk you through how to make the transition from side gig to full-service business as smooth and painless as possible.
How Do You Know It’s Time to Go Full-Time?
Transitioning what used to be a side gig into a full-scale business is not something you should hurry into. How sure are you that the time is right?
Remember, you’ll likely have to stop your day job to make this work, so it’s important you’re certain from the get-go. Here’s what to watch out for:
Demand is Growing
Remember our SEO example from earlier? You started by helping out a friend because her online business wasn’t doing well. Then she referred you to someone, who referred you to someone else, and things picked up from there.
If you suddenly find that you have ‘clients’ you never chased, but who seem to be coming to you regardless, that’s a sure sign that your side gig could be successful as a full business.
You’re Earning a Consistent Income
Notice I didn’t say ‘huge’ income. Because, of course, you can’t exactly earn six figures offering your services only at weekends and in the evenings. However, if this side gig is reliably bringing in, say, about 40% of your monthly income most months, then clearly you have a ready market and should consider going at it full-time.
Your Passion is Shifting
Another big green flag that it’s time to go full-time is when you notice your passion shifting. You now derive more joy talking to people about search engine optimization and helping to improve their chances of getting found online than in your regular marketing job.
Sometimes, it’s not even about the pay. You’re more excited about a client’s breakthrough than your pending promotion.
You Feel Ready for More Responsibility
This one is more of a gut feeling — that female intuition we’re known for. When you get that nudge in your heart of hearts that you’re set and ready for the next phase, listen to it.
A full-time business means full responsibility. I'm talking about the taxes, the client contracts, the business plan, and so much more. If the thought of handling these details energizes you instead of overwhelming you, you’re in the right headspace to make the leap.
What to Consider Before Turning Your Passion Project into a Full-Time Job
So, now you can tell whether or not you’re ready to make that side gig your full-time career. But don’t rush and build your website just yet. I know it’s become incredibly easy to do so thanks to AI website builders that allow you to build an entire site in minutes.
According to Hocoos, you don’t even need to have coding or tech skills; just answer a few questions, and you’re set.
But here’s the thing: that you know the time is right is one thing. Are you ready for this new phase of your life? Here’s how to know:
Do You Have a Financial Cushion?
When you start a new business, you don’t expect to start raking in the dollars immediately. It’s a slow process that pays off with time and dedication. According to Startups.com, it’ll take up to 4 years for most startups to even see a small light at the end of the tunnel. The duration will likely not be the same for a service-based business, but you get the point.
The question now is, “Do you have enough money set aside to last you for the next few months?” If the answer isn’t a confident yes, that’s your cue to slow down and plan a little longer.
The advice varies, but most financial experts suggest having three to six months of expenses saved before making the jump. Personally, I prefer six months, just to be safe.
Things will definitely be somewhat slow in the early days, and that cushion is what will prevent you from running out of your mind with worry. It'll give you the space to make smart decisions instead of rushed ones.
What Does the Competitive Landscape Look Like?
You might be the only one doing what you do in your area, but going full-time means opening up to the entire world. This means competition.
Who else is doing what you’re doing? How are they pricing their services? Is the industry choked up or still growing? These details will help you choose your niche if you decide to take things further. The goal here is to understand the playing field. This type of knowledge is power.
Do You Need More Skills, Certifications, or Tools?
A close friend of mine wanted to dive fully into digital marketing. She’d been helping people with their online presence for years, and at some point she realised, “Wait… I could actually do this for real.” Know the first thing she did? Take a digital marketing course online. Nothing dramatic. Just one small step to help her get to where she wanted to go.
Now ask yourself, “Are there any extra skills, certificates, or tools I need to make this work?”
Sometimes the answer is no. You might already have the skills and experience to compete with the best of them. Other times, a small gap may be holding you back. Maybe what you need is a certification to compete professionally. Maybe it’s a short course to brush up on your skills.
Whatever it is, filling that gap early makes the transition from side hustler to CEO feel a lot smoother.
Keys to Transitioning From Side Hustle to Full-Time Business
Now, let’s get practical. How can you make this move from side gig to full business successfully? Here are the basics that should get you started.
Choose a Niche
I know you can do a lot of things very well, but if you’re serious about turning your side gig into a meaningful business, you want to carve a niche for yourself. The goal here is to be known as a master of one, not a jack of all trades.
Pick one or two core services. If you’re a digital marketer but do extremely well with social media marketing, restrict your services to that. Maybe say you do “Social media strategy for Canadian e-commerce startups.”
Be ultra-specific. People prefer to deal with niche experts and will even pay higher rates. You can always add more services later, but start narrow.
Decide on a Business Model
Next, think about how you’ll get paid. Hourly is good for when you're just starting out, but you quickly hit a time limit. Project-based is better. You get paid for the value you deliver, not the time.
A retainer or subscription-based model is also another preferred option. Clients pay you a fixed amount monthly for ongoing service. This helps you earn a consistent income and keep your business liquid.
No matter the option you choose, don’t be tempted to hide or hit your clients with surprise expenses. That’s the fastest way to ruin your new business. In fact, up to 80% of your clients will lose trust in your brand if they find that your prices are not consistent.
Establish Your Business Identity
You’ve been doing this on the side for some time now. People know you and trust your services. But it’s a weekend thing. An informal thing. You probably don’t even have a name for what you do. This is where you change that.
Give your new business a name, preferably something that relates to the services you offer, so that it works well on search engines. Next, build a brand around it. Choose a logo, message, and look and feel that reflect your vibe.
If you don’t already have a website, now’s the time to create one. You don’t even have to hire a web developer. There are AI tools you can use to get your site up and running in minutes.
Don’t forget social media. LinkedIn, especially, can be a goldmine for women running service-based businesses. You can join the 10 million people already using LinkedIn Services Marketplace to reach clients and industry decision-makers. Just make sure that your brand identity is uniform and consistent across all the touchpoints you have.
Launch and Grow
If you’ve gotten to this point, you’re ready to launch. Since you’ve been doing this on the side already, you probably have a few clients on your list. Start from there. Get in touch and let them know that you’re no longer limited to evenings and weekends.
Also, don’t be afraid to ask for referrals. Most people are happy to help; they just need to be asked.
Of course, it’ll be slow going at first. From one client to two clients, and half a dozen clients. Don’t get discouraged. Everyone started that way. The key is to be consistent with what you do and watch things grow from there.
Wrapping Up
The journey from side hustle to business CEO is one that a lot of people have been taking in the past few years. If they can do it, you can too. Hopefully, this article has covered all the key details you need to know about taking such a leap.
Remember the key points: be sure you’re ready, define your niche, price consistently, and leverage your existing network. It’s not going to be plain sailing all the way, but I’m confident that your experience will come through for you.