Starting a business but not quiting current job

[l3city]

Hi fellas, this is somewhow related with thread731-163628, about working from home. Here is my situation, I will gladly welcome any comments, opinions, experiences, etc.

I'm en electrical engineer, spend a few years in college, came out of college and started working as an engineer. I like this job, (except for the "thermo-nuclear" temperatures South West in Arizona) Anyways, I'been planning for months to start a business which is totally not related to engineering at all. I know there is a market, and this bussiness will work (in fact, my father raise my family and made a living out of it).

However, here is my dilemma: I don't want to quit working engineering design and at the same I know it is the right time for me to start this other business. I recently married, no kids, but they might come in the future, as well as other responsabilities. I have the opportunity now, but how to approach my boss??

I'm willing to work part-time, work from home or any other way, but not quiting. What would you do? Or if you're a boss/company owner, or HR manager, what is your opinion?

Thanks for any input, regards

 

[ee2002]

It sounds like the business that you will start is in no way related to the engineering work you provide from 8AM to 5PM. That being the case, your boss should have no problem with you doing this work on the side while continuing to work for him/her. The question of working part time is another story. If this is your dream/goal of starting this business, then you have to be honest with your boss. Explain your situation and that you are still committed to working with him/her, but that you are looking for part time hours. The bottom line is that you have to be honest with yourself and your boss. Take your boss out to lunch and talk about it.

Best of luck.

 

[NewfieEng]

I don't know of many engineers that work part time unless it is a new mother on some sort of part time maternity leave. You might be hard pressed to convince your boss to give you part time hours.

As for starting a bussiness on the side, as you mentinoed it is not related to Enigneering so there is not reason for him to be concerned unless it affects your performance at your current job.

 

[KENAT]

How good an engineer are you? How 'indispensible' are you?

If you're real good I would guess he's more likely to accomodate your wishes. I've seen it done but usually to expereienced engineers who could be considered almost as experts and whose absence would leave a big hole in the company.

I worked with an engineer for a while who also had a limo business. In my opinion it interfered with his work as an engineer (he'd get phone calls all the time etc) and If I was the boss I would not have been busy and would have talked to him about it.

Whatever you decide good luck.

 

[Zapster]

There are a few people that have the ability to run a business as an absentee owner. If you are one of them, then yes, start the other business if you can afford to. For you the choice should be one of passion. Is it you passion to be an absentee owner?

If you are like most small business men, you will find it hard to be an absentee owner. If you are this type of person, make a decision whether you would rather be an engineer or a business owner. Make the decision by what seems to interest you the most. The money will usually follow provided you have a knack for business and a passion for the type of business you are in.

Also, nothing stops you from owning your own engineering firm if that is what really interests you.

 

[ajack1]

I would say it depends a lot on what the new business is, there are certainly some businesses you can run as well as hold down a job, for example painting pictures where how and when you do the work is not that important but the deadline probably still is, maybe a birthday present for someone. However most of these are more an extension of a hobby that generates some income, I doubt you would support a family on them, as you say your father did.

I have set up and run my own business and know a good few others that have done the same and would say without exception you will need to work no less than 80 hours a week, certainly in the early days, it really is hard work and long hours. To hold down a full time job or even a part time is a big ask.

As a boss would I be happy to employ you part time whilst you were doing this, probably not. You maybe a totally honest person and great at your job but I would always think when the conflict of interest came along, do you finish a project I need or do you go to a meeting to set up a big order you need, you would (understandably) favour your business.

To start a business where you are not available for say 20 hours a week during normal office hours would be suicide IMO, to have a boss who is happy for you to work 20 hours a week outside of office hours and not be available to him or her you would be incredibly lucky.

 

[MedicineEng]

I would say that your idea depends on the position that you have. In my case, since I am head of department, I cannot afford to work part-time, even if sometimes my presence here is not needed 100%, I have to be here whenever is needed. So for me a side business is out of the question.

If you are "just" (no offense here) one engineer in a room full of engineers doing a small, more or less independent part of a project then you might get lucky. Either way, you have to put yourself in the position of your boss. He might agree at first, but I would say that this is not a long term solution since he most probably wants a full dedicated employee without side distractions.
One option is that you get an agreement with him, like for instance you work 6 months or one year in that scheme and then eityher you leave or you go back full time. This might be more interesting for him.
Either way, good luck. You will need it...

 

[BelspringKen]

I am thinking of doing something similar in the near future, except I plan on working fulltime at my day job and doing my side business (which is not engineering related) as a part time thing.


The firm where I work would probably be OK with me working part-time, if I chose to do that. I understand that is a rare thing. Of course, I would only make part-time money, and no benefits, so that is why I will stay on full-time and do my side gig as a part time thing.