Action Plan: How to Quit Your 9-5 and Build a Service-Based Business

Tired of the daily grind? Want to start your own business and achieve financial freedom?

In this video, the steps to break free from the 9-5 job and start living a life of genuine fulfillment are outlined. Many are familiar with the grind—waking up each morning with a sense of dread, counting down the days until the weekend, and feeling trapped in a cycle that drains their sense of purpose. The 9-5 lifestyle often conditions people to settle for comfort, making the idea of starting a business seem like an unattainable dream. However, this video demonstrates that breaking free is entirely possible, and it can be achieved with minimal upfront costs.

Follow this step-by-step action plan to leave your 9-5 job and create a thriving service-based business.

Step 1: Calculate Your Financial Needs

• Assess Your Current Income: Write down how much you currently make at your job.

  • Example: If you make $60,000/year, you’re earning about $1,200 per week.

• Determine Your Living Expenses: Add up your monthly recurring bills (rent/mortgage, utilities, food, transportation, etc.). Add 15% to this number for safety.

  • Example: If your total monthly expenses are $2,500, you’ll need about $625/week to cover them.

Action: Write down how much income you need to replace before quitting your job.

Step 2: Keep Your Job While You Build Your Business

• Stay Employed: Continue working while you start building your business. This ensures you have steady income as you build your client base.

Action: Allocate time to work on your business while still keeping your job.

Step 3: Choose a Service-Based Business

• Rule Out Unicorn Businesses: Forget high-risk ventures like tech startups. Focus on a service-based business that solves a common problem.

• Popular Service Business Ideas: Photography, web design, consulting, tutoring, graphic design, cleaning, power washing, etc.

Action: List three skills you have or are interested in and choose one to start your business.

Step 4: Build Skills and Gain Experience

• Learn the Skill: You don’t need to be an expert, just good enough to provide value. Learn through YouTube or online courses.

• Work for Free Initially: Offer your service to 2-3 clients for free to build your portfolio and collect testimonials.

Action: Spend time each day learning and practicing your chosen skill, then offer your services for free to build a portfolio.

Step 5: Build Your Business Website

• Create a Professional Website: Your website will showcase your work, testimonials, contact information, and FAQs. Use affordable website builders like Hostinger, which offers easy setup and AI tools.

Action: Build your website to showcase your portfolio and make it easy for clients to contact you.

Step 6: Market Your Business

• Advertise on Local Platforms: Start by posting on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and other local platforms. You can also use sites like Fiverr or Upwork for remote services.

Action: Post your services on at least two platforms (Craigslist, Facebook, etc.) and direct potential clients to your website.

Step 7: Charge for Your Services and Raise Your Rates

• Start Charging: Once you have a few clients and testimonials, start charging for your services.

• Increase Your Prices Over Time: As your skills and reputation grow, gradually raise your rates.

Action: Begin charging for your services and aim to increase your prices as you gain more clients and experience.

Step 8: Know When to Quit Your Job

• Track Income Growth: Monitor when your service-based business income exceeds your current salary.

• Quit Strategically: Once you’re consistently earning enough to cover your living expenses, it’s time to quit your job.

Action: Set an income target that matches or exceeds your current job salary. Once you hit it, prepare to quit your 9-5.

Step 9: Scale Your Business

• Outsource Tasks: Hire freelancers or a small team to take on tasks, allowing you to grow your business without trading time for money.

Action: Once your income is stable, look for ways to outsource tasks to grow your business and free up your time.

If you're ready to take the next step in your entrepreneurial journey and start your own business, having the right support is crucial. After following this action plan, one of the most important decisions you'll make is choosing a reliable registered agent to keep your business compliant. Registered Agents Inc. offers professional, nationwide services to help you manage legal notifications, corporate filings, and compliance requirements with ease. Let their expert team handle the paperwork, so you can focus on building and growing your business. Visit Registered Agents Inc. to get started today!