⚡ Get All Content for 20% Off ⚡

10 Things All Entrepreneurs Must Do Before Quitting Their Day Job The steps you must take to turn a side hustle into a full-fledged business.

By Nina Zipkin

entrepreneur daily

Before running a business full time, many entrepreneurs toggle between their day job and a dedicated side hustle. So how do you know when it's time to take the leap and leave your steadier gig behind? If you can check these items off your list, consider your decision made and exit your current job on a positive and graceful note. And for four more indispensable startup tips, check out the video above.

Related: 5 Tips from Entrepreneur Pros on Starting a Business

  1. Research. Do the requisite market research, talk to potential customers and scope out your competition.
  2. Legal. Engage an attorney to trademark your ideas and incorporate the business.
  3. Web presence. Buy a domain and build a dynamic website. Make sure customers have a way to get in touch with you and your team.
  4. Money. Open a bank account specifically for your business
  5. Social media. Find the platforms that work for you and start building the support of your customers.
  6. Identity. Develop a consistent brand from your logo to your voice on social media.
  7. Team building. Work with like-minded co-founders and assemble a support network of investors and advisors.
  8. Business plan. Can't take action without one.
  9. Budget. Make sure you have clear, separate books for both your business and personal expenses.
  10. Presentation. You're going to have to share your vision with many people as you get the company off the ground. Get your business proposal presentation in top shape.

Related: 4 Hidden Elements of Leadership to Learn Before Starting Up

Nina Zipkin

Entrepreneur Staff

Staff Writer. Covers leadership, media, technology and culture.

Nina Zipkin is a staff writer at Entrepreneur.com. She frequently covers leadership, media, tech, startups, culture and workplace trends.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Side Hustle

The Remote Side Hustle a 43-Year-Old Musician Works on for 1 Hour a Day Earns Nearly $3,000 a Month: 'All From the Comfort of Home'

Sam Ziegler wanted to supplement his income as a professional drummer — then his tech skills and desire to help people came together.

Business News

Costco CFO Reveals Uncertain Fate of $1.50 Hot Dog and Soda Combo

CFO Richard Galanti reveals that the price will stay the same — but only "for a while."

Business News

The Most Unexpectedly Popular Side Hustle of the Decade Has Low Startup Costs and High Markups

A new report shows that vending machines are a popular investment — and the industry is set to grow up to $3 billion by 2031.

Marketing

Ever Wonder Why Certain Websites Rank Higher Than Yours? This SEO Expert Reveals The Secret to Dominating Search Results

It's often the smart use of SEO, now supercharged with AI, particularly in keyword optimization.

Business News

AI Is Impacting Jobs. Here Are the Gigs Affected the Most, According to an Analysis of 5 Million Upwork Postings

The researcher said in the report that freelance jobs were analyzed first because that market will likely see AI's immediate impact.

Leadership

Former Interrogator Shares 5 Behaviors Liars Exhibit and How to Handle Them

Five deceptive behaviors to look for and how to respond to those behaviors when you encounter them.