If you are going to launch online, I think you should become a chicken entrepreneur. 

This is an idea I picked up from Michael Masterson in his book, The Pledge.  

What is a chicken entrepreneur?  

A chicken entrepreneur is someone who keeps his full time job.  He works on his entrepreneurial ventures in the early mornings, the evenings or on Saturday.  

This is what I did.  

I am free now.  I set my own hours.  But, it was not always this way.  

For over 20 years, I taught in classrooms.  I used early mornings, Saturdays, and summers to work on my website.  In class, I focused on becoming a better teacher.  I knew that skill would prove invaluable.   

On Saturday mornings I attended meetings at Toastmasters International to improve my public speaking skills.  

And, during the summers, while working in construction, or in apartment maintenance jobs, I listened to audio training material.  

I either listened language-learning podcasts and books, or business-building podcasts and books. 

For decades, I was a chicken entrepreneur.   I worked on my side hustle without giving up my full time job.  After all, I had a family to take care of.  

If you are young and single, and you are reading this, you will be able to move faster.  You will be able to take bigger risks.   

But, do you have the time?

Let’s break it down.  

We all have 24 hours a day.  

Subtract 8 hours for sleep.

Now, you have 16 hours.

If you have a full time job, put in your full time hours.  Improve your skills.  Pay attention.  But, ignore overtime.  Put in your 8 hours a day and be done. 

Apply the same to school.  Most kids are in school 6 hours a day.  Spend 2 on homework.  Focus.  Get it done.  Don’t drift.  

You have 8 hours left.

I am a strong believer in physical fitness.  I spend at least 2 hours every day working out.  If you do the same that leaves you with 6 hours.

Maybe you spend 3 hours with friends and family.  

That leaves you with 3 hours a day to improve skills, or learn new skills.  During these three hours, you can become an entrepreneur.  

It may take a while.  It may take years.

It took me years. 

But, the tradeoff was worth it.  

Now, I am free to study and learn what I like.  

If you are eager to start something, but you still need steady income, consider becoming a chicken entrepreneur.