Category: Uncategorized

Open bakery business

Bread has always been in demand from time immemorial. Vespasian became Roman Emperor in July 69AD but took up the position in early 70AD because he was away from Rome in Egypt trying to secure wheat supplies for Rome. He knew if he took power without securing wheat, the main ingredient for bread, the empire would run out of bread and he would be violently removed from power.

That is how important bread is.

You can start a small bakery on the side and focus on few product lines, say a loaf and scones.

I know two people who did that successfully and you can do it.

Entry rates into this sector will vary from one area to the other so do thorough market research to determine viability.

Thank you for reading.

I may not have statistics on hand but I believe some side hustles are at the core of some of the conflicts between employers and employees.I believe so because I used to have some serious disagreements with one employee I supervised some years ago because she came late, dodged from work and to cap it all- she would even park her truck at work during working hours and sell stuff she produced at her side hustle.It was a difficult employment relationship. Today I felt I should write something that came to my mind about it. Fortunately, 7 things came to my mind. The 7 things are 7 ways a side hustler can do to minimize conflict with their employer.

#1: Understand your employment contract

Compliance with employment contracts by both parties is critical to amicable employer-employee relationships. In the relationship, the side hustler has control over their side of the deal and can’t behave on behalf of the employer. Therefore, do your part to comply with your employment contract.

If your employment contract doesn’t allow you to start a side business similar to that of the employer – then you respect your employer and look for other areas you can start a side hustle in.

#2: Don’t pick a business similar to that of your employer.

Some employers often obligate their employees to sign a separate non-disclosure agreement (NDA) prohibiting you from replicating your employers business or start a similar side hustle. If that is the case you comply.  But if your employment contract is silent on the subject of side hustle, I recommend that you don’t pick a business similar to that of your employer. It is a potential conflict of interest you would want to avoid. 

#3: Don’t do business with your employer

When I held a public service job, I avoided doing business with my employer who happened to be the government. That was the personal philosophy that I maintained until I quit employment. I still recommend that you don’t do business with your employer.

If you work for a public body I would advise not to do business with that body even if the board or CEO likes you a lot.

It is an ethical minefield you may not survive once things go south.

I would also advise that if you work in the private sector, you still avoid if you can – as other employees may claim they smell nepotism in the arrangement.

Perhaps this story will enlighten us to why we shouldn’t do business with our employers.

One gentleman, I know very well worked for a De Beers affiliated diamond mine and had a side hustle in the form of Construction Company. His company used to be hired by the local district council as well as the mine he worked at. At some point, his side hustle was hired by the mine (he worked for as an employee) to maintain its houses. His company flouted mine construction and safety regulations. As a result, his company was fired from the house maintenance construction project and banned from ever entering the mine again. It didn’t end there. Because of his company’s actions, he got also fired from his main job at the mine which was at a different department of the mine. 

He lost twice.

That is why I stick this recommendation; don’t do business with your employer. Your part-time business should never lead to a conflict of interest arising at your current employment.

#4: Your side hustle should not be allowed to get in the way of your employment.

Your employment shall come before your side hustle as long it is within the agreed employment terms. If you do 9-5 job, it then follows that any time from 9 am to 5 pm, you are at the disposal of your employer, and therefore, you can’t be at your side hustle.

Going against the agreed employment terms may lead to potential conflicts with your employer.

#5: Don’t use your employer’s resources to run your side business

Scout the internet you will come across many employees who fleeced their employers. Whilst many reasons could explain such behaviour, I am bound to believe some may have done so to bootstrap their side hustles. Pilfering and misuse of employer’s resources for personal gain by employees is real.

Start and run your side hustle cleanly. A tainted hustler is avoided like a public toilet by others in business circles and the general society.

#6: Don’t use your employer’s time for your business

This one is even tempting than stealing from one’s employer because many people the world over don’t view time as a resource. If you have been coming to work late or dodging, being a side hustler should help you deal decisively with those toxic habits – as any wayward behaviour may attract the negative attention of your employers to your side hustle leading to discharge from your job before you are ready to quit. 

#7: Avoid the “problem employee” transfer syndrome

Once you are in the business of side hustle, be as useful to your branch as you can be. Avoid being a liability to your bosses to reduce the odds of being tossed around stations. Problem employees are often tossed around stations because managers avoid them like plague. This is an important rule to take note of.

If you decide to become problematic at work, you may find yourself deployed to the furthest possible station leaving your hustle behind.