8 Myths you need to Ditch to Start a Successful Side Business.

Emeka Ali
3 min readApr 13, 2023

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Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash

To start a successful side business, you need to ditch these common myths:

You don’t need a new idea

Stop obsessing over coming up with the next big thing. There are plenty of businesses out there that need your skills and expertise. Whether you’re a writer, designer, marketer, or something else entirely, there are plenty of opportunities for you to start a side hustle and make a name for yourself.

You don’t need more time

You don’t need to quit your day job and work 24/7 to launch a profitable side business. In fact, you only need to commit a few hours each day — before or after work — to get started. The key is consistency. Show up daily and put in the work, and you’ll see results over time.

You don’t need to invest a ton of money

Starting a side business doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. You can get started with just a few bucks — like the $50 I invested to learn how to land jobs on Upwork. From there, it’s all about continuing to learn and grow on your own.

You don’t need to build a personal brand

While having a solid personal brand can certainly be helpful, it’s not necessary to start a successful side business. Focus on delivering high-quality work and building your reputation in your industry, and the rest will follow. Don’t get bogged down in trying to be the next big influencer — just be yourself and let your work speak for itself.

You don’t need a fancy website or a huge email list

Don’t get caught up in trying to build a fancy website or grow a massive email list before you’ve even started making money. Focus on finding your first few clients and delivering excellent work. The rest will come with time. And don’t be afraid to leverage existing platforms like Upwork or social media to find clients and build your network.

You won’t burn out

Yes, starting a side business can be challenging. But with proper time management and self-care, you can absolutely maintain your full-time job and pursue your side hustle without burning out. Remember to prioritize your health and well-being, and don’t be afraid to take a break when you need it.

Your day job won’t suffer

With the right planning and communication, you can absolutely pursue your side business without sacrificing your full-time job. Just make sure to manage your time effectively and be transparent with your employer about your goals and priorities.

The bottom line is this

Starting a successful side business is all about taking action. Don’t overthink it or get bogged down in the details. Just start putting in the work, and the rest will fall into place. And if you need any help or guidance along the way, don’t hesitate to reach out — I’m here to help.

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