Part Time vs. Full Time Search

Should you keep your job and search for a business on the side, or go all in and make the search your new full time job?

Let me start by saying this: if you can keep your job, do it. The security of a steady paycheck is a beautiful thing, and your bills will be grateful. But let me also tell you why I did not follow my own advice.

Searching Takes Time

In a recent post, I shared how I prepared to start my search. The total time investment was around 39 hours. That may not sound like much, but to put it into perspective, it would require working two hours every weekday for a full month just to prepare and send one LOI.

After a full day of work, adding two more hours of research and analysis is not easy. And if you have kids like I do, evenings are already spoken for. By the time they are asleep, you are barely holding on to life and cannot possibly sit down to study financials and legal docs.

The work also does not fit neatly into convenient windows. Some days, you need more time to analyze a CIM or run a valuation. Other days, a seller meeting might be scheduled in the middle of your workday—and if your job conflicts with that, you are stuck.

I, Honestly, Could Not Do It All

I have a long history of overcommitting and pushing myself to exceed expectations, often at the cost of my own health. I finally realized this, though awareness is just the first step. So naturally, I started my search part time.

I read Buy Then Build on my phone while my kids slept beside me. (To anyone judging: co-sleeping saved me from total sleep deprivation, and I just had to do it. If your kids sleep better, count me envious). I squeezed in calls with entrepreneurs and brokers during lunch breaks. I listened to podcasts while exercising. I requested CIMs and signed NDAs after dinner while my husband navigated bedtime. I used weekend nap times to review deals and run valuations.

By the end of it, I was exhausted. And I was barely making any progress. Life kept happening. Work days ran long. The kids got sick. After four months, I had only sent one LOI.

They say it takes three countersigned LOIs to close a deal. Did that mean I needed to keep up this pace for at least another year 🥵?

By month five, I knew something had to give. I could either stop the search and walk away from a dream I had just begun to believe in, keep burning myself out and risk my health and happiness, or quit my job and give this search the time and attention it deserved. I chose the dream. I quit my job, not because it was easy, but because it was the only choice that aligned with the life I wanted to build—for myself and for my family.

How I Prepared To Leave My Job Behind

Before quitting, I made sure I had a plan to hit the ground running. I:

• Formed an LLC

• Built a website

• Assembled my team

• Found a supportive community

• Mapped out how I would approach my search to make the biggest impact with limited time

My husband and I also reviewed our budget and looked for ways to cut costs. That meant saying goodbye to Netflix, deleting Amazon from my phone, and making some bigger changes, like reducing childcare.

We decided to send our little ones to daycare three days a week instead of five. This helped lower our expenses, but more importantly, it gave me more time with my kids—something I had been missing deeply. I had fewer days to focus on the search, but more time to be present with my family. In a way, I was already beginning to live the life I wanted: one where I could be both a present mom and someone who followed her dream.

Three Reasons Why Quitting Makes Sense

1. Time is a Competitive Advantage

When you search full time, you can move quickly. You can respond to brokers right away, schedule meetings when it works best for sellers, and analyze CIMs sooner than others. That speed can be the difference between winning and losing a deal.

2. You Feel the Urgency

Without a paycheck, you become more intentional. You know your resources are limited, and that pressure creates momentum. You become more decisive, more focused, and more assertive in evaluating opportunities.

3. Your Mindset Shifts

With limited time and resources, I stopped searching for the perfect deal. Instead, I began looking for realistic deals where I understood the risks and had a plan to manage them. Ironically, this helped me feel more prepared—because I knew what could go wrong, not just what could go right. I think that mindset change opens doors. You became open to more deals, which increases your chances of finding the right one.

How It Feels to Quit Your Job

Since this blog is therapy for me too, I want to reflect on what it felt like to quit—and what it has felt like since.

The idea of quitting was terrifying. I kept putting off the conversation with my boss, looking for reasons to stay, and convincing myself I could keep searching part time. I ignored how exhausted I was and convinced myself I could push through, even though deep down I knew it was not sustainable. Leading a team of six in a high-pressure role demanded a lot, and trying to search for a business on top of that was simply too much.

When I finally quit, I felt a mix of emotions. I was proud that I had chosen myself, but I was also scared I had made a mistake. I genuinely loved my team and had enjoyed my time at the company, which made my last day bittersweet.

But then the first week of my full time search started. In one week, I accomplished more than I could in a month while working full time. I felt productive and accomplished. I did not need permission from anyone to move forward. There were no hoops to jump through. I woke up excited to work and curious about what the day might bring.

Suddenly, I also had more flexibility to take care of myself and be present with my family. My energy returned. I felt lighter. My mood improved. I had more patience, and laughing came easier.

That is when I knew I had made the right decision. I had chosen me—and it was already changing everything.

Let’s Talk About Your Search

If you're searching, wondering if you're doing it right, or debating whether to go full time—I’d love to hear from you. What’s been your biggest challenge so far?

Drop a comment, share your experience, or ask a question. And if you don’t want to miss future posts on lessons, wins, and the real stuff behind ETA, make sure to subscribe below.