I’ve been there. Staring at bills while trying to get a business off the ground. The truth is, survival mode and builder mode often overlap. What saved me was finding bridge income that gave me breathing room without killing my momentum. For me, that meant leaning on the skills I already had. I took on contract work, did short consulting projects, and even packaged smaller services that could generate cash quickly. None of it was “the dream,” but it kept the lights on and bought me time. The trick is not to see these gigs as a distraction but as a bridge. Cut your burn rate as much as you can, pull in flexible income where you’re already strong, and keep your eyes on the long game. It won’t feel glamorous. Sometimes it feels like duct tape and grit, but that’s what gets you through the early chapters until your business can stand on its own.

LinkedIn is one of the most useful platforms for job search today. But its effectiveness depends on how you use it. A few key points with numbers attached: Visibility & Reach: Over 90% of recruiters use LinkedIn to find and vet candidates, and more than 50 million people search for jobs on LinkedIn each week. That means simply having an optimized profile (clear headline, strong summary, keywords aligned to your target role) dramatically improves your chances of being found. Networking Advantage: Studies show that 70–80% of jobs are landed through networking and referrals rather than job boards. LinkedIn is essentially the world’s largest networking database, so the real success comes from building and nurturing relationships, not just hitting the "apply here" button. Recruiter Success Rates: In my own work (executive search), LinkedIn is where we source the majority of candidates. At the CFO level, I’d estimate 60–70% of placements involve LinkedIn either as the first touchpoint or as a credibility check later in the process. Applications vs. Inbound: Job postings on LinkedIn can be hit or miss because of volume. A single posting might get hundreds of applicants. But people who actively engage (comment on industry content, post insights, connect thoughtfully) consistently report higher inbound interest from recruiters and hiring managers. Bottom line: LinkedIn alone won’t land you a job. But when combined with a proactive networking strategy and a polished profile, it becomes one of the highest-ROI tools in the modern job search.

The key is to de-risk the transition by building momentum in your business before you step away from the security of your full-time role. A few practical tips: 1. Test before you leap. Start validating your idea nights/weekends. Build your first version of the product or service, talk to potential customers, and make sure you’re solving a real problem before going all-in. 2. Build a lean support team. Instead of hiring a big team right away, start with contractors or freelancers who can cover gaps (marketing, bookkeeping, product dev). This gives you flexibility and keeps costs low. 3. Time-block your energy. Your full-time job pays the bills, so protect it. But carve out consistent, non-negotiable blocks (early mornings, evenings, weekends) for your startup. Progress compounds when it’s structured. 4. Set financial guardrails. Have at least 6–12 months of personal runway saved, or a clear revenue milestone from the side business, before making the leap. 5. Build your advisory circle early. Surround yourself with mentors, fellow founders, and peers who’ve done it. A small advisory group will help you avoid blind spots. The smoothest transitions usually come when you already have traction (clients, revenue, proof of concept) before leaving your day job, that way, the risk feels like a step down, not a cliff jump. What stage is your idea currently in?