Before You Quit Your 9-to-5: What It Really Takes to Work for Yourself

If you’re reading this and recently found yourself laid off, or just quietly fed up with the 9-to-5 grind, you’re not alone. I’ve had so many conversations lately with women, especially in their late 20s to early 40s, who are asking the same question: Is now the time to finally bet on myself?

And the truth is, the tide is shifting. Research shows that thousands of professionals, many pushed by layoffs or burned out from rigid work cultures, are stepping out on their own. In the first half of 2025, tech layoffs alone jumped 35% over last year. But something powerful is happening in response: more people (especially women of color) are choosing entrepreneurship not just out of necessity, but out of vision.

You are not broken. You are being rerouted. And your pivot doesn’t have to be perfect to be powerful.

Millennials and Gen Z are leading this shift. Nearly 80% say they’re considering leaving their jobs to start their businesses, with the majority of them having a side hustle already. That’s not just a stat—that’s a cultural transformation. A redefinition of what success, freedom, and fulfillment look like.

So if you’ve been let go recently or you’re just at that crossroads, wondering what now? know this: You are not broken. You are being rerouted. And your pivot doesn’t have to be perfect to be powerful.

In this entry, I want to offer some real guidance grounded in both research and lived experience on what it really takes to make the leap into entrepreneurship, and how to do it in a way that honors your capacity, your vision, and your worth.

Know Your Why

Your “why” is the anchor that keeps you steady when the income isn’t consistent, when the doubt creeps in, and when folks don’t immediately see your vision.

Before you start building websites, ordering business cards, or creating Instagram handles—pause. Get clear on why you want to work for yourself. Not the polished version. The real one.

When I made the jump from my 9-to-5 to building Soul Movement Success, it wasn’t because I had everything figured out. It was because I hit a wall. I was tired of working in spaces that praised diversity but didn’t practice equity. I was craving freedom with how and where I spent my time, but also alignment with a mission and cause that fulfilled me. I wanted to serve my community, build something lasting, and create room for my peace.

Your “why” is the anchor that keeps you steady when the income isn’t consistent, when the doubt creeps in, and when folks don’t immediately see your vision. It’s what reminds you: This isn’t just a business—it’s a calling.

So take a moment. Ask yourself:

• What are you walking away from?

• What are you building toward?

• Who do you want to help—and why does it matter?

Write it down. Speak it aloud. Keep it visible. Because when you know your why, you can face anything the journey throws at you, with purpose, not panic.

Ready to get crystal clear on your why and set a strong foundation for your entrepreneurial journey?
Let’s chat. Schedule a clarity Session with me [Schedule Here], and together we’ll uncover what drives you and how to build from there.

Assess Your Capacity

I had to ask myself the hard questions: Can I manage my energy and time well? Do I have the financial margin to build this with intention, not desperation? Am I giving myself the grace to grow gradually?

Knowing your “why” is the heart. But knowing your capacity, that’s the strategy.

When I first launched my business, I had passion in abundance… but I quickly learned that passion alone doesn’t pay invoices or manage burnout. I had to ask myself the hard questions: Can I manage my energy and time well? Do I have the financial margin to build this with intention, not desperation? Am I giving myself the grace to grow gradually?

Entrepreneurship is freedom, yes—but it’s also structure, decision fatigue, and wearing ten hats until the revenue lets you hire help. That’s why it’s so important to check in with what you truly have the bandwidth to do now, not just what you hope to do later.

Here’s what I suggest:

• Start small and strong. Don’t overextend. Focus on what you can sustain.

• Audit your resources. Time, energy, finances, and support systems all matter.

• Build a system that honors your season. Some weeks will be full throttle; others, you’ll need space to rest.

I had to learn (sometimes the hard way) that overcommitting leads to resentment toward the very dream I was building. And I don’t want that for you.