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Forbes has a interesting article on a rather alternative type of business owners. Those that have a daily 9 to 6 job (or career) and holding regular hours (as well as a regular pay) but turn small business owners at night. Officer worker by day, self declared boss by night!

Read Don’t Quite Your Day Job

First of all, I will state that not all all entrepreneur are created equal. Conventional media (read local media) tend to favour the next big time. The potential big winners and the award winners. The local authorities have funding and support also for the next big idea. And more often than not, the next big idea requires research, development and insights. Not all entrepreneur are created equal and not all entrepreneurial pursuits fit the popular model.

Drawing another scenario. Someone who is in the 40s and 50s, having an established career and possibly a sizable investment portfolio may spend a couple of hours after work in his/her portfolio. He or she may spend effort creating value (read monies) for his or her retirement or other lifestyle goals.

For someone younger and starting out on a junior position in his or her 9 to 6 job, he or she can spend the after hours in some entrepreneurial pursuit. Be it doing some simple freelance work or some simple personal projects. It is happening all around. Young adults giving tuition, while others are into MLM (*which I kinda frown upon) and other sales.

Some might fear that running a business on the side might incurr the wrath of the employer. I feel that as long as there is not conflict of interest, or/and a formal and former understanding of such an issue, the employer have no rights over whatever a employers do with his or her after hours time.

I find it encouraging that there are many who are post 9 to 6 entrepreneur. Look at the many shopping blogs out there. Look at the many flea market booth operators. And look at those who are selling on eBay. People are doing that. What should be next is operations, management and scaling expertise to help such players move on to the next stage.

Anyone who reads this post and is an after office hours entrepreneur or busines owner, do leave a comment.