Side hustle as a way to transition out of corporate?

Dec 91 min read

Starting a small consulting thing on the side (maybe 5-8 hours/week) to eventually leave my day job. Currently 52yo with three kids still in college financially. My wife has a solid job so we're not desperate, but I'm burned out.

The plan is get the side thing to $30-40k/year over 2-3 years, then transition to that + part-time work. Seems smart on paper but I'm worried about spreading myself too thin with my family. Two of the kids are still young (11 and 14).

Anyone attempt this? How did it affect your family time?

10 comments223 views

Comments(10)

RRyan G.RegularDec 9

52 with three in college is tough timing. How much are you thinking you need to replace before you jump? That 5-8 hours/week consulting thing only works if it actually scales to replace your salary, not just supplement it.

SShane K.New DadDec 9

52 with college tuition still going is brutal. The consulting angle is smart though - 5-8 hours is realistic vs trying to build something from scratch that eats your entire life. Have you mapped out what the actual revenue target needs to be before you could realistically walk?

CCliff B.RegularDec 9

this is exactly where i am except i'm 49. wife makes good money too which is the only reason this feels possible. biggest fear is the consulting work drying up once i actually need to rely on it full time. how locked in are your first clients?

BBrad N.RegularDec 9

Real talk - the 5-8 hours/week thing will probably creep to 15+ once you get rolling. Not complaining, just reality. Make sure your wife is actually bought in on the vision because when this picks up, she'll feel the ripple effects.

DDerek P.RegularDec 10

lol good luck finding 5-8 hours/week with three kids still needing support. That's optimistic unless you're cutting something else out. What's your wife think about the timeline?

CCharlie A.New DadDec 10

I did this at 48 and honestly the hardest part wasn't building the side gig, it was letting go of the corporate identity. That paycheck hits different when you realize it's who you've been for 25 years. Make sure you're solving for the right problem.

VVince R.RegularDec 10

This is smart though. Testing the consulting market while you still have the corporate safety net is way smarter than jumping and hoping. How long are you planning to run both before deciding?

TTony V.RegularDec 11

Real question: are you trying to get out because you hate corporate or because you want more time with family? Those need different side hustle strategies. One scales, one doesn't.

RRich B.RegularDec 11

lol the financial dependency on kids' college years is no joke. my advice: stress test your side hustle numbers HARD. assume it takes 2x longer to reach your revenue target. what's your actual walk-away number?

BBob G.RegularDec 12

My buddy did this at 51 and it took him 4 years before he felt comfortable jumping. But the consulting work DID stick around and grow. Key was proving the model works while employed. You're doing it right.