Leaving your job to pursue a side hustle full time might sound thrilling — but according to Wayfair CEO Niraj Shah, it’s also one of the riskiest moves an aspiring entrepreneur can make. Speaking on NPR’s How I Built This podcast, the billionaire co-founder of the $8.4 billion home goods giant urged professionals to approach that leap with caution and clarity, not impulse.
The “No-Regret” Decision
Shah believes every career gamble should be guided by what he calls a “no-regret decision.” “Often, if you don’t pursue something you want, you’ll have regrets,” he said, as quoted by CNBC Make It. “But if you do something reckless, you could have different regrets.”
To avoid the latter, he suggests a mindset where, even if your venture fails, you can still look back knowing you made a well-considered choice.
Is Your Business Truly Ready?
The first question Shah says you must ask is deceptively simple: “Has your side hustle progressed to a point where it’s worth the risk and effort of making it your full-time vocation?”
He advises looking beyond enthusiasm and focusing on evidence — measurable goals, recurring revenue, a growing customer base, and a realistic path to sustainability. If your business metrics signal real momentum, then the idea of going full time becomes more defensible.
Podcast host Guy Raz added that signs like stable income or expanding demand can serve as “green lights” indicating readiness for full-time focus.
Can You Afford the Fall?
The second question is purely financial: “Are you in a position where you can afford to take that risk?” Shah echoed the wisdom of fellow entrepreneur Mark Cuban, who once warned, “Save your money first. Don’t just leave unless you know what the hell you’re doing.”
Financial planners typically advise saving at least six to twelve months’ worth of living expenses before resigning. Shah emphasized that unless you can weather a downturn — through savings, investments, or even family support — quitting might put your financial stability in danger.
The Middle Path
Shah also offered a pragmatic alternative for those caught between ambition and caution. Instead of an “all or nothing” decision, consider hybrid arrangements — negotiating fewer work hours at your day job or hiring part-time help for your business.
However, he warned such compromises could reduce income and slow progress if not carefully managed. “I wouldn’t give up the job too quickly,” he said, urging aspiring founders to ensure their risk is strategic, not desperate.
Wayfair itself began as a small online experiment in 2002 before growing into a global e-commerce powerhouse with a market cap of around $8.4 billion, according to Forbes. Shah’s own journey from cautious beginnings to billionaire status underscores the very advice he gives — success often comes not from rushing the leap, but from knowing exactly when to take it.
The “No-Regret” Decision
Shah believes every career gamble should be guided by what he calls a “no-regret decision.” “Often, if you don’t pursue something you want, you’ll have regrets,” he said, as quoted by CNBC Make It. “But if you do something reckless, you could have different regrets.”
To avoid the latter, he suggests a mindset where, even if your venture fails, you can still look back knowing you made a well-considered choice.
Is Your Business Truly Ready?
The first question Shah says you must ask is deceptively simple: “Has your side hustle progressed to a point where it’s worth the risk and effort of making it your full-time vocation?”
He advises looking beyond enthusiasm and focusing on evidence — measurable goals, recurring revenue, a growing customer base, and a realistic path to sustainability. If your business metrics signal real momentum, then the idea of going full time becomes more defensible.
Podcast host Guy Raz added that signs like stable income or expanding demand can serve as “green lights” indicating readiness for full-time focus.
Can You Afford the Fall?
The second question is purely financial: “Are you in a position where you can afford to take that risk?” Shah echoed the wisdom of fellow entrepreneur Mark Cuban, who once warned, “Save your money first. Don’t just leave unless you know what the hell you’re doing.”
Financial planners typically advise saving at least six to twelve months’ worth of living expenses before resigning. Shah emphasized that unless you can weather a downturn — through savings, investments, or even family support — quitting might put your financial stability in danger.
The Middle Path
Shah also offered a pragmatic alternative for those caught between ambition and caution. Instead of an “all or nothing” decision, consider hybrid arrangements — negotiating fewer work hours at your day job or hiring part-time help for your business.
However, he warned such compromises could reduce income and slow progress if not carefully managed. “I wouldn’t give up the job too quickly,” he said, urging aspiring founders to ensure their risk is strategic, not desperate.
Wayfair itself began as a small online experiment in 2002 before growing into a global e-commerce powerhouse with a market cap of around $8.4 billion, according to Forbes. Shah’s own journey from cautious beginnings to billionaire status underscores the very advice he gives — success often comes not from rushing the leap, but from knowing exactly when to take it.
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