How to Build a Business That Generates Income Before You Quit Your Job
- Akino Davis
- Jun 1
- 5 min read
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In last week’s article, we explored, What Makes a Business Profitable? Key Factors You Should Know, a deep dive into building a business model that actually works before you leap from your paycheck.
This week, we’re staying with that theme and tackling one of the biggest unspoken fears professionals have:
“How do I make money in my business before I leave the comfort of my salary?”
The Fear That Silently Paralyzes Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Let’s not sugarcoat it; your salary feels like security. It’s predictable, it’s structured, and for many, it’s tied to identity. The thought of walking away from that into the “unknown” of entrepreneurship? That’s where panic sets in.
Here’s what I’ve learned: most people don’t fail at business. They rush into business without a real plan to generate income before their safety net disappears, and that’s a recipe for stress, not success.
I remember back when I was still leading construction, operations, and facilities teams. I had what many would consider a successful career. But I knew I wanted more freedom, more impact, and the ability to build something of my own. The idea of becoming an entrepreneur wasn’t just about passion; it was about designing a life that gave me choices. But I also knew I couldn’t afford to be reckless.
So, I built SME Digital while still working full-time, and let me tell you, doing both at the same time requires strategy.
Let’s walk through how to do that.
Why Most Advice Doesn’t Work (And What You Should Avoid)
If you Google “how to start a business before quitting your job,” you’ll find tips like:
“Start a side hustle.”
“Save 6 months of expenses.”
“Launch a product.”
And while these tips sound helpful, they miss the deeper reality for professionals:
You don’t just need a side hustle; you need a profitable business model.
You don’t just need savings; you need recurring income.
You don’t just need to launch; you need to validate first.
The result? Many professionals launch businesses based on hobbies, vague passions, or whatever idea sounds exciting, only to find themselves making little to no income and wondering what went wrong.
Here’s what I’ve learned as a business coach: Clarity beats passion. Systems beat hustle. Strategy beats speed.
The Real Path: How to Build a Business That Generates Income Before You Resign
To build a profitable business before you leave your 9–5, you need more than courage. You need a framework that helps you move from “aspiring” to “earning.”
Here’s the framework I used in my own transition and now teach in my Becoming An Entrepreneur Coaching Accelerator:
Step 1: Solve a Real Problem
Forget about chasing a “cool” business idea. The most sustainable businesses solve urgent problems for a clear audience.
In my case, I noticed that professionals who wanted to start businesses had no strategy. They were stuck in analysis paralysis or trying to do everything at once with no structure.
So I built SME Digital to coach those professionals, people like you, through a tested pathway from idea to income.
Start here:
Who are you helping?
What urgent problem are they trying to solve?
Can you help them get a result?
Step 2: Validate Before You Build
Don’t build the whole business and then go looking for clients. That’s backwards.
Instead, validate demand with low-risk offers like:
A free consultation call
A beta version of your service
A simple “starter package” with a clear outcome
You don’t need a logo or website to earn your first $500. You need to know that people want what you’re offering.
Step 3: Create a Repeatable Income Pathway
Once someone says yes, how do you get another “yes”? And another?
That’s where you develop:
A signature offer
A sales process
A content strategy to attract leads
This is how I’ve built consistency in my coaching business, even while managing operations, leadership, and logistics in high-pressure environments.
Step 4: Systemize What Works
Once you know what works, document it. Build systems that save time.
Use tools for:
Scheduling
Payments
Content Creation
Workflows
The more you automate, the easier it becomes to run the business part-time while growing it full-time in the background.
My Journey: From Full-Time Employee to Full-Time Entrepreneur
I didn’t jump blindly.
I started coaching professionals after work. I tested services. I refined my offers. I created content consistently. I built lead magnets and offers that could work even when I wasn’t online. I even wrote my first book on entrepreneurship: “Becoming An Entrepreneur - Beginners Guide.”
By the time I was ready to walk away from the 9–5, SME Digital was already generating income, and more importantly, I had confidence in my ability to grow it.
That’s the power of building a business before you quit.
So, What’s Next For You?
If you’re in a full-time job and dreaming of your business, here’s your checklist:
Find a problem that matters
Validate before you build
Create repeatable income systems
Build your confidence by testing your ideas while you’re still employed
Don’t let fear keep you stuck. And don’t let the wrong advice cost you time, money, and peace of mind.
You can do this strategically and profitably.
Want more weekly strategies just like this?
Subscribe to the Becoming An Entrepreneur Newsletter at www.smedigital.biz/blog and get the tools, tactics, and mindset frameworks to go from professional to full-time entrepreneur with clarity and confidence.
Let’s build your business the smart way before you hand in that resignation letter.
Whenever you are ready, there are more ways that I can help you:
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Group Business Coaching Accelerator: A step-by-step group coaching program designed for professionals ready to confidently transition from employee to entrepreneur. Next Cohort Starts: July 1st, 2025. Learn More Here
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