Should You Ditch the 9-to-5 Grind for a Self-made Career?

Open your own door and follow your passion.

MoonBeam article by Monica B
Content Creator & Editor for MoonBeam

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Are you thinking about ditching your 9 to 5 for something that fulfills you? Before you jump into freelancing or start a business, let me tell you what I've learned over the past 15 years working as a freelancer and then as a business owner.

The Truth

If you want to quit the daily grind and put your skills and experience to being your own boss, there are a few things you might want to consider.

The main truth is that you do have the power to create your dream job. You don't need to work for someone else or wait around for a job offer while unemployed. But just like a job being self-employed comes with its pros and cons.

The Pros of Freelancing & Business Ownership

Let's start with the pros of creating your dream job because in my experience, the pros outweigh the cons.

Create Your Own Work Schedule

When you're self-employed, you create your own hours. You can work as little or as much as you'd like. You may want to take a vacation or take a sick day. Well, no one is going to stop you from doing so whenever you desire. However, one month, you may get more work than usual and decide that you'd rather work longer hours to complete tasks, and that's okay too. You're the boss and it's up to you to decide what's best for you and your business.

Do What You Love

When you create your dream job, you're doing what you love to do. You don't have to settle with working for a company you hate. Working for yourself means leveraging your unique skills and talents to help people either get something they need or get something they want. Maybe you're an artist that enjoys creating stickers. People who like your artwork may want to own some of it and by creating those stickers, you're allowing them to do so. Let's say you have a pressure washing business. When someone has a dirty driveway or the siding on their house is dingy, they need you to get it cleaned.

Earn As Much As You Want

When you're the boss, the sky is the limit as to how much money you can make with freelancing or a business. Set the price for what you think your work deserves. If people like it, they'll pay you for it. If you manage to figure out a way to scale your business, you could make millions and in some cases, billions!

Now, let's get into the cons of freelancing and owning your own business.

The Cons to Freelancing & Business Ownership

You Must Find Your Own Customers

This is the most challenging part about being your own boss. Sure, you have the skills so the work comes easily but the customers is a different story. If you have a flow of customers, you'll have the work thus you'll have the income, but what happens if you suck at marketing? You'll surf the internet searching for information on marketing and watch loads of TikTok and YouTube videos swearing on techniques that won't work for you. You'll think to advertise your business on Google or maybe YouTube just to realize you don't have enough money to market your business. This is why most businesses fail in their first year. They lack the capital to advertise their business and lack the marketing knowledge to gain customers using free methods.

Proving Your Income Is Difficult

When you have a job it's easy to apply for an auto loan or rent an apartment because all you need to do is present a pay stub from your job. Granted you have a credit score to qualify, you'll get that new car and you'll get the apartment. As a business owner or freelancer the requirements to get an auto loan or rent an apartment are a bit steeper and go beyond just having a good credit score. Most places frown upon business ownership and prefer to give offers to people with 9 - 5 jobs. I wouldn't let this deter you from your dreams of being your own boss but you'll need a little education on the methods to get around the challenges. One way is to always pay yourself a salary. When you're paid from your business you are employed by your business which means you should send yourself a paycheck. Now, when you go to apply for the things you want or need, people look at you as employed instead of a fly-by-night business. Trying to do everyday things as a businesses owner can feel discriminatory because most places prefer people with careers. But your freelancing or business is a career. So again, don't let this deter you, just educate yourself.

No Salary Security, No Health Insurance, No Benefits

If you're employed full-time and thinking about becoming your own boss, consider whether losing your job benefits is worth it. I'm not saying that as a freelancer or business owner you won't have benefits but you'll need to provide yourself with those benefits. You'll need to allot a percentage of your business income to go to not only your salary but your government taxes as well as your health insurance and any other benefits you'll need, just as a job would.

List of 50 Services You Could Provide As a Freelancer or Business Owner

Here's some business ideas to get your brain thinking about how you can become your own boss and create your dream job.

Content Writing (blog posts, articles, website copy, etc.)
Copywriting (advertisements, sales pages, brochures, etc.)
Graphic Design (logos, branding, social media graphics, etc.)
Web Design and Development
Digital Marketing (SEO, PPC, social media management, etc.)
Virtual Assistant Services
Bookkeeping and Accounting
Financial Planning and Consulting
HR and Recruitment Services
Legal Consulting and Services
IT Support and Troubleshooting
Software Development and Programming
Mobile App Development
Video Production and Editing
Photography and Photo Editing
Animation and Motion Graphics
Voice-over and Audio Editing
Translation and Interpretation Services
Tutoring and Online Courses
Coaching and Consulting (business, life, health, etc.)
Event Planning and Management
Interior Design and Styling
Fashion Design and Clothing Alterations
Jewelry Making and Custom Accessories
Furniture Restoration and Upholstery
Home Cleaning and Organizing
Personal Concierge Services
Meal Planning and Preparation
Landscaping and Garden Design
Handyman and Home Repair Services
Childcare and Nanny Services
Pet Grooming and Sitting
Fitness Training and Wellness Coaching
Music Lessons and Instrument Repair
Art Commissions and Custom Paintings
Creative Writing and Ghostwriting
Public Speaking and Presentation Design
Market Research and Data Analysis
Project Management and Consulting
Influencer Marketing and Brand Partnerships
Podcast Production and Audio Editing
Social Media Management and Content Creation
Virtual Event Production and Management
Customer Service and Client Support
Transcription and Data Entry
Online Course Creation and Instructional Design
Affiliate Marketing and Product Promotion
Resume Writing and Career Coaching
Travel Planning and Itinerary Design
Sustainability and Green Consulting

Success Is Not A Straight Line

The path to self-made success may not be a straight line, but I can assure you, the journey is well worth taking. By tapping into your unique talents and embracing an entrepreneurial mindset, you can break free from the 9-5 grind and build the fulfilling, self-directed career of your dreams.

So what are you waiting for? It's time to take that first step towards your self-made future. The world is waiting for the unique gifts that only you can bring.