If you are building a part-time internet business, one of the most important things you can do has nothing to do with marketing, technology, or business strategy. It is about the people you surround yourself with.
You need to avoid negative people. This applies to every entrepreneur, but it is especially critical when you are working part-time. You are already fighting for motivation to put in those extra hours after a full day at your job. The last thing you need is someone pouring cold water on your efforts.
Three Types of People to Watch Out For
The doubters. These are people who will tell you it cannot be done. Sometimes, unfortunately, this includes your spouse or your parents. Not because they are bad people, but because they do not understand what you are building and they are worried about you wasting your time.
In my case, my wife was actually the one who gave me the idea and the push to start my business. I got lucky. If your situation is different, the best approach is to get the doubters involved. Bring your spouse into the business. Show them the numbers. Let them see the progress. When someone understands what you are doing and why, they often go from skeptic to supporter. Sometimes they even become your best business partner.
The money-shamers. You will encounter people who have strange attitudes about money. They believe that making money from a business is somehow wrong, greedy, or exploitative. This is a mindset problem, and it can be contagious if you are not careful.
Here is what I believe: it is absolutely okay to make money in a business, especially when you are providing genuine value. I run a business and I want to help people. Those two things are not in conflict. I provide valuable content freely, and that forms the basis of a relationship where real value is exchanged. That might eventually involve money, or it might involve something far more valuable. But it starts with providing value to the people I serve.
A lot of people do not get that, and their confusion can erode your confidence if you let it.
The jealous saboteurs. This is the one I see the most, and it is the most dangerous. These are people who will view your success as a reflection of their own failure. If you are smart enough and disciplined enough to build a profitable side business, your coworkers may feel like they got left behind.
They may not even realize they are doing it. But the subtle comments, the eye rolls when you mention your project, the passive-aggressive jokes about your “little website” — it all adds up. Over time, it can chip away at your motivation and make you question whether you should bother.
How to Protect Yourself
You do not need to cut people out of your life. But you do need to be intentional about who you share your business ambitions with and how much weight you give their opinions.
- Find your tribe. Connect with other entrepreneurs who understand what you are doing. Online communities, mastermind groups, or even a single friend who is building something on the side can make an enormous difference.
- Be selective about what you share. Not everyone needs to know about your business. Sometimes the best strategy is to work quietly and let results speak for themselves.
- Evaluate feedback honestly. Not all criticism is negativity. If someone gives you specific, constructive feedback about your business, that is valuable. If someone just tells you it will never work without any reasoning, that is noise.
Your environment shapes your mindset, and your mindset determines your results. Choose your environment carefully.
For more part-time business advice, listen to the Late Night Internet Marketing Podcast.
