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Hopefully, you took my advice last week and now have your handy-dandy list of potential business ideas in hand. You've been dreaming about starting your own business—and now, you might actually know what that business will be.
So, what’s stopping you?
For most people, it’s fear. Fear of losing that steady paycheck. Fear of financial instability. Fear of stepping outside your comfort zone—especially if you’ve got a family, bills, or other obligations. And even if your current job is draining the life out of you, the unknown can seem even scarier.
But what if I told you there’s a smarter, safer way to take that leap?
Your Boss Might Be Your Best Business Partner (Seriously)
It might sound strange, but your current employer could be the key to launching your new business.
Let’s say you're starting a freelance copywriting business. Why not negotiate a contract with your current employer for 50% of your time for the first year after you leave? That way, you're not jumping off a cliff—you’re stepping onto a sturdy bridge. You get consistent income while building your client base, and your boss gets continued access to someone who already knows the ropes.
You might be wondering: Why would my boss agree to that?
Well, here’s why it could be a win-win.
1. They Don’t Want to Lose You (Yet)
If you’re a valuable employee and on good terms with your boss, chances are they’re not thrilled about losing you. Hiring and training someone new is time-consuming and expensive. You continuing to work on a contract basis—even remotely—can ease that transition and buy them time to hire and onboard your replacement.
2. It Saves Them Money
Even if the company is letting people go or being restructured, your exit doesn’t have to be painful. Instead of layoffs, severance packages, and HR headaches, your boss can shift you to a contract role. No benefits to pay, no taxes to manage—just clear deliverables in exchange for a service fee. It might even be pulled from a different department’s budget. It’s cleaner. It’s easier. It’s smarter.
3. You Already Know the Business
You understand the company culture, clients, systems, and expectations. That makes you far more valuable than an outside freelancer. You don’t need to be trained. You can hit the ground running. That familiarity can be a major selling point when negotiating your first contract.
Many successful creatives and entrepreneurs have made this move—leaving the job but taking the client with them, just in a new form. It’s not shady. It’s strategic.
So, What Are You Waiting For?
If you’ve been sitting on your dream of starting a business, this might be the sign you needed. Your current job doesn’t have to be a prison—it can be a platform. Negotiate smart. Plan ahead. Build your client list while still cashing steady checks.
There’s no “perfect” time to start a business, but there is a right way to start. And that right way might be working with what (and who) you already know.
