The Best Jobs for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneur sticking notes on glass with colleague
Photo: 10'000 Hours / Getty Images

If you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, you can take various career paths to turn your dream into a reality. Which direction you go depends on your experience, skills, finances, and flexibility as well as your goals for the future.

Here are some tips and careers that can help you realize your entrepreneurial dreams.

Jobs That Build a Background

While some entrepreneurs have become successful without spending time in a traditional workplace, many people have solid work experience before starting their own business. That experience equips them with the skills they need to get a business off the ground and up and running.

Some jobs will hone your entrepreneurial skills while you learn the ins and outs of running a business. Working in roles where entrepreneurship is valued can give you some of the rewards without the responsibility.

Note

Franchising is also a way to learn valuable entrepreneurial skills. Well-established companies offer franchise packages with training to get you started.

There are also jobs and gigs where you can work a flexible schedule that leaves you time to pursue your passion. It can also make financial sense to start a new venture as a side job because not all new businesses become successful. Half of all new companies are forced to close within five years of opening their doors.

Having an income you can count on while you grow your own business can be a solid strategy for success. Be careful, though, that your side gig doesn't violate your employment contract.

Jobs With Entrepreneurial Skills

Focus on jobs that align with your aspirations. You’ll be able to develop the skills you need either to start your venture on a full-time basis or as a side job to eventually transition into your own full-time business.

The jobs that are the best fit for you will help you gain experience in the career field or industry you're interested in. These are some of the positions that will give you the general expertise you need to equip yourself for going it alone.

  • Advertising, Marketing, and Public Relations
  • Business Development
  • Design
  • E-commerce and Social Media
  • Management
  • Software, Web, or App Developer
  • Real Estate
  • Sales Manager/Account Executive
  • Consultant
  • Product Manager

Jobs Available After-Hours

There are jobs where you don’t have to bring the job home with you or work extra hours. If you’re willing to dedicate after-hours time to your new venture, you’ll have the free time you need to get your business started. Here are some positions that are excellent for working in your free time to develop skills and contacts:

  • Accounting/Finance
  • Civil Service
  • Gigs and Flex Schedule Jobs
  • Human Resources
  • Insurance
  • Teacher/School Administrator

Jobs at Large Corporations or Startups

If you can gain work experiences at a leading company like Google, Amazon, Microsoft, or Apple, you’ll be up on the latest technology. You may have an opportunity for an entrepreneur-type role within the organization, and you’ll be well-positioned for success when it’s time to launch your own business.

Note

The keys to being a successful entrepreneur are to have a vision and mission for your idea—as well as the enthusiasm to bring it about.

Another way to get started is to join a company on the ground floor as a co-founder, where you’ll have someone to share the workload and startup costs. CoFoundersLab is a site where potential entrepreneurs look for co-founders. You can also use it to find someone to partner with you.

Working at a startup is one of the best ways to learn what’s involved in being an entrepreneur. Choose a startup that aligns with your interests, and you’ll get some fast-paced experience as well as a chance to see what it’s going to be like running your own company.

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Sources
The Balance uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Small Business Administration. "Small Business Facts." Accessed Mar. 9, 2021.

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