table of funtents

1. 👋🏼 it’s me, hi

2. 🤷🏻‍♀️ get a new job OR start your own thing?

3. 🚪 parting words

👋🏼 it’s me, hi

HAPPY WEDNESDAY, MISFITS ✌🏼

Daylight savings means it’s dark by the time you read this now, so I’m determined to make it a ray of sunshine in your inbox.

I’ll be honest - not feeling too much like a ray of sunshine myself at the mo 🤒

I had a gnarly oral surgery on Monday which basically means baby food (yes, really - here’s the best one in case you’re wondering 😌) and minimal speaking for 2 weeks!!

But that won’t stop us from misfitting (and hopefully, continuing to add value and memes to your inbox). We’ll just be slightly shorter today in line with my energy levels post-op ❤️ 

In this episode, I’m answering a question that’s come up a whole 8 times (!!!) in our new subscriber survey since last month. 8!!!!

Without further ado, let’s dive in 🌊 

🤷🏻‍♀️ get a new job OR start your own thing?

Many of y’all asked:

“I want to leave my current job but wonder - should I go for another job, or take the plunge and finally start my own thing?”

First things first: I can’t give you direct career advice - because, well, I’m not a career advisor ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

But I can tell you some of the decision points that ultimately led me to start keshty, when so much could’ve tempted me back into full-time work.

While I’ve learned that you’re never truly ready and there’s never a right time, I’ve also learned that some times are better than others for both.

1. reasons to go for another job

1. You like knowing when your next paycheque will come in. Simple as that.

2. You have genuine commitments, such as a mortgage, children, etc. that depend on you having proof of stable income or certain benefits.

3. You derive energy from being part of a larger team or organisation.

2. reasons to start your own thing

1. You know how to solve one specific problem repeatedly for one type of person. You know demand is out there and therefore, you can get paid for this.

2. You aren’t worried about cash, so you’re not operating with a scarcity mindset (which - spoiler - comes out in everything you do!).

3. You want to have total flex / control over your work and feel confident you can manage yourself.

3. my no-BS two cents

There are a million reasons we could go on about. But ultimately, it comes down to this:

Where are you at in your journey RIGHT NOW?

Because neither option is wrong - and above all else, the decision has to work for you.

Turns out, I was ready to start keshty when I did. I hadn’t planned to when I left my full-time job, but I was ready. And here’s how I knew:

I felt a visceral feeling of disgust when applying to jobs.

Applying to jobs is a full-time job, which inevitably will take you away from building. One day, after sending out hundreds of messages and bespoke CVs, I thought:

If I’m going to work this hard for someone else, why not work this hard for myself?

I was so much more excited about the unknown of building.

But until that point, the greatest lie I told myself was I needed a certain amount of experience before I could start my own thing.

And while it’s true you should have a certain level of experience before going out into the world as a fractional exec, you could start a venture at any point in your journey.

All you need to get going:

• patience

• a real problem to solve

• a real solution for said problem

• a healthy risk appetite

• a comfortable safety net

• the confidence to back yourself

You effectively have 2 options:

• Pick 1 pathway - either start your own venture or go for your next full-time gig - and give it 100% for a set time. I’d suggest the number of months you’re comfortable not making money, because most businesses won’t be profitable at the start and most FT roles now take months to secure.

• Do both - sustain a full-time role and work on a side gig - with the knowledge you can’t put 100% towards both (without burning out, anyway).

I chose option 1, gave myself a 9-month cap to make money before I’d throw in the towel, got my first proper client at month 5 and became profitable in month 7.

BUT, GUESS WHAT?!

I wouldn’t rule out going back to a full-time gig either! I’m fully aware there may come a point in my life where an organisation, team or mission compels me enough to consider working for someone else again.

My final word, folks: there are seasons for everything - and life is meant to change and evolve. It’s okay to do what’s best for where you’re at today.

Remember it’s also okay to try, experiment, win, fail, leave and come back to our career pursuits as and when they serve us 🙂 

🚪 parting words

That’s a wrap, misfits 🫶🏼

If this episode resonated with you and you’re keen to speak in more detail about your specific situation, remember you can access me here!

I’m also only a message away for thoughts, questions and topic ideas. I read and sincerely appreciate every single poll / email response! Please keep them coming.

Before you go, could you let a girl know what you thought of this issue with the pulse check below? Good intent feedback is always welcome ⬇️

See y’all when I can speak again and consume solid foods 💩

xo, Neds