3 signs that it’s time to start your own business in 2024

Are you feeling frustrated with your job and hoping for something better in your career?

You know you deserve a healthier work/life balance and you deserve to be respected and appreciated for your work; In fact, people have been telling you this for a long time, but maybe you lack the motivation to become an entrepreneur and become a freelancer, or even launch your own start-up.

If you’re still weighing the costs and benefits of being employed versus being self-employed, here are some signs to look out for that usually indicate you should at least take the first step toward quitting your job and starting your own business:

1. Frustration from the lack of innovation and creativity

Some people, like Dieter Hsiao, an LA-based artificial intelligence and technology entrepreneur, quit their jobs in favor of starting their own business venture because they find that the current state of affairs at their company stifles growth and creativity.

“I decided to launch my side company, DIVISA, a strategic consulting firm, in 2008 during the financial crisis,” Hsiao recalls. “After working for large corporations for more than 10 years, I became disillusioned with the lack of innovation and vision. DIVISA was officially launched in 2009, and by making an impact for clients, the company grew steadily. The flexibility of running my business has allowed me to invest in growth areas such as e-commerce and new technologies, DIVISA now works with major brands and VC-backed startups across industries,” he continues.

Hsiao was able to fully unleash his creative thinking as an entrepreneur, and he hasn’t looked back since.

“The key to our success has been staying ahead of trends and building strong relationships,” he says. “We have developed innovative strategies using artificial intelligence and analytics before others. By understanding the challenges and opportunities of e-commerce, we have helped numerous brands scale and improve customer experiences. DIVISA’s success has provided the freedom to explore areas and new work with forward-thinking clients, which fuels our continued passion for growth.”

When asked what advice he would give to others who are similarly frustrated with their current jobs, Hsiao shares:

“Starting a side hustle is challenging, but focusing on your purpose and values ​​can lead to huge rewards. For DIVISA, our goal is to use strategy and technology to accelerate business growth in a sustainable way. Aligning work With our purpose, we’ve built a company culture focused on innovation.

If you notice that you are constantly full of ideas, but you are the only one who initiates them, and your ideas are not embraced or at least not considered, but are dismissed or rejected, it is time to think about taking your fortune. of knowledge elsewhere and using it to grow your empire.

2. Observing a need that your employer cannot/doesn’t meet

Working for an employer can provide a useful boost to any future entrepreneurial pursuits, not only because of the funding aspect, but also because your experience there gives you ideas on ways you can fill a unique gap in the market. Through your deep expertise and role in the company, you are uniquely positioned to understand your market and industry from the inside and use this knowledge to your advantage.

Take Courtney Zalesak as an example. The Texas-based entrepreneur decided to start her side business, Home Service Amplifier, in 2015 after spending over 15 years managing HVAC and plumbing companies.

“I recognized the need to help other home service business owners scale their operations through digital marketing,” she says. “Home Service Booster officially launched in 2016, and since then we’ve worked with hundreds of contractors to boost their online presence.

“The flexibility of running my business has allowed me to stay on the cutting edge of marketing trends and tailor solutions to each client’s unique needs. Our specialized experience in the home services industry gives us a competitive edge; we understand the pain points and can develop strategies that actually drive results.

“By focusing on lead generation through social media, PPC and SEO, our clients have increased sales, improved operations and increased brand awareness.”

Zalesak believes that while building her business as a side hustle wasn’t easy to get started, being able to empower other business owners by having the ultimate freedom to innovate according to their needs fuels her passion and success today .

3. When you have no other option

Another sign that it’s time to start your own business—even if it’s just starting as a side hustle—is when circumstances show you have no other choice. It may not be what you want to hear, but have you ever stopped for a moment to think that maybe the reason you are STILL unemployed after all these months, even years, waiting for a job opportunity and desperately applying for every opportunity that comes your way, is it that maybe working for someone isn’t for you anymore?

Have you thought about the fact that life goes through phases, and maybe you’re at a stage in your life where employers are saying no to your job applications, so much so that you’re fed up with their refusal to take your skills to the next level. elsewhere and give yourself a yes for a change?

Sometimes we have to close ourselves behind a wall before we realize that we are not where we need to be and that we are forcing and knocking down a door of opportunity, when in reality, a door has already opened somewhere else.

So if you find your creativity and problem-solving initiative stifled at work, you realize there’s a gap in the market you’re uniquely positioned to fill, or you’re up against the wall with rejection emails flooding your inbox every day. day – maybe, just maybe, it could be your sign to start your own business or become a freelancer.

It sure won’t be easy, but at least you’ll have the peace of mind knowing you’re following your passion and fulfilling your dreams—uninhibited.