AIBU to consider starting my own business instead of corporate work?

[hanga]

I currently work for a professional services company. I work 60 hours a week, minimum, sometimes 80. I do not enjoy all the “corporate america” stuff that comes with it. I have to live close to the office in central London and am always on call to work. I get paid very well but I’m unhappy.

AIBU to think with this level of working, I may as well take a risk and try setting up my own business/es? Sure I may have to work even harder, but then it’s for me and not for the partner profits.

I can move home to live with my parents to save money for a few years to start out. I don’t own a house so no mortgage to be stuck down by.

If you’re young enough, no dependents, lots of energy, obviously well qualified - yes!

How long do you envisage saving up for to have enough money to start out? The landscape might be different by then, AI etc.

Well of course you are not unreasonable if you can afford to do so and it’s an area where you can get business. I worked in ‘corporate’ for years and now run two businesses. It’s way more stressful running your own business and way longer hours (but yes, obviously the profit or loss (and the risk!) is all ours

If you're prepared to not make your current salary, for at least 5 years and potentially fail altogether, yes. Also, you will work every weekend and holiday and you will stress when business profits go up and down etc. You have to be able to manage that. There's a lot that goes into it but, if you're able to weather it, then go for it. All I would say is, be honest. Everyone thinks they can weather it, find out that 80+ hours for someone else is way less time than is required for their own business, responsibilities fall on you only etc and then you have been out of the work force for however long it took you to decide it wasn't for you.

Good luck

I would say yes if you primary driver is lifestyle. The gov is hell bent on stripping all profit out of companies and to put business owners in a less favourable position than employees.

So if it’s money you are after I would say no don’t do it. If it’s to be ‘free’ then go for it.

Why do you say young?
I work from home self employed providing professional services in the industry I used to work in. I left my professional job at 51 to do this. Age is not a barrier.
Go for it if you think you can make it work OP. My first year was all about getting regular clients which wasn't difficult as I had a lot of contacts, within 9 months I had to close my books to new clients.

I was thinking about the constraints of moving back in with parents to be able to save money, young enough not to worry about delaying having children (if that’s what she wants), the time and energy. I didn’t intend to come across as ageist. Congratulations on taking that step. Is it going well, are you worried about the future?

I started my own business a few years ago and now work freelance. I don't know your area but it's shockingly easy to do from.an admin perspective although I do recommend using an accountant. If you can afford it, do it, I absolutely love my job now.

The only caveat would be risk. Would it be easy enough to get another job in the future or are you in a 'gold dust' job? That might make me hesitate but not much as those hours just seem unsustainable.

Put your notice in now, use that time to workshop the new work, website, Instagram or whatever else is relevant. Don't forget to search for the new work on job sites. There are a surprising number of freelance sort of jobs on there. Perhaps short term contracts or consulting could work?

It’s on my mind for after the mortgage is paid off, so not just a young people thing.

i did have a try while younger, and when it failed I bounced up a few levels in corporate due to what I’d learned from the experience.

So as long as you can afford to fail, go for it.

No not at all. It's not my only income and the industry is pretty bomb proof.
I also have a second part time business that I plan on doing forever, or as long I physically can as it's something I really enjoy and gets me out and about. And I do a bit of ad hoc work for a local business too, something completely different again but all related to my previous profession.
I guess I like variety and working this way gives me that.

Dont think the business is even really important.

its as simple as you not liking your job, not having ties and having the safety net to move home. So do that. Figure out the work stuff as you go along.