How do you start a business when you’re afraid to leave your job?
In this solo episode, I share what I’d do differently after leaving a director of engineering position to start my own business with no plan. I grew up in a home where being an employee was safe and being a business owner was dangerous, and that conditioning held me back for years.
I share five practical steps for building something on the side while you’re still employed, so you never have to jump into the deep end like I did.
If you’re a woman in tech thinking about Coaching, consulting, speaking, or starting any kind of business, this episode walks you through how to start without quitting your job first.
Chapters:
0:00 – If I was doing it again, I’d do it differently
0:15 – The big career change that started everything
2:01 – Why I’d start while still employed
2:43 – Virginia’s starting point vs. mine
3:09 – Growing up in an employee mindset home
4:33 – Starting a business with no clue
5:30 – The information junkie pattern that held me back
7:30 – Step 1: Start with what you already know
8:13 – You don’t need a certification to begin
9:00 – Step 2: Keep your job while you build on the side
10:31 – Step 3: Stop learning as a prerequisite, learn on the go
12:28 – Step 4: Be open to opportunities you didn’t plan for
14:00 – Step 5: Keep everything lean
14:45 – The pattern I see in women who are waiting
16:00 – Start this week. Stop waiting.
Connect with Limor:
Podcast hub: https://limorbergman.com/podcast/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/limorbergman/
Substack: https://limorbergman.substack.com
