Strategy

A woman who left her $500,000-a-year job to work for herself says too many entrepreneurs make a huge mistake before they even start

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"Clarity doesn't come from thinking," said Susie Moore, pictured. "Clarity comes through action."  Courtesy of Susie Moore

If you ask Susie Moore, everyone should have a side hustle.

In a Facebook Live interview, the author of "What If It Does Work Out?" told Business Insider that a side hustle — a business you build and pursue outside of your day job — is the perfect way to dip your toe into entrepreneurship.

But do you get started, we asked her, if you don't have an idea?

"This is where a lot of people kind of trip themselves up thinking they need the perfect idea, or that they need to wait to have that real spark of inspiration that will give them this kind of golden, million-dollar idea," Moore answered. "But really, when it comes to finding an idea, it's just paying attention to who you are, what you love to do, what you're good at."

In 2013, Moore left a sales job where she was earning $500,000 a year at age 30 in order to start her own business as a life coach, after building up her company on the side, to the point where she was earning up to $4,000 a month. Now, she encourages others to pursue entrepreneurship through Side Hustle Academy.

"Clarity doesn't come from thinking," she told Business Insider. "This is the biggest mistake people make. They overthink, overthink, overthink, and they never get started. Clarity comes through action. If you start your side hustle and you don't like it? No harm, right? You tried it, it didn't work for you, that's OK. That probably won't happen, though — if you're thinking about it, if you have that entrepreneurial hunger, than maybe you'll just take a detour, or your business will change and evolve over time."

Getting started, she said, is the best thing you can do. 

"Ideas are overrated," she said. "Execution is truly everything. The most important thing is just have some confidence in yourself, look and understand what it is that you're good at, and how you can provide value with that thing."

Watch the full Facebook Live interview:

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Libby Kane was a personal finance expert who has reported and edited stories about money for more than 10 years. She previously held the Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI) certification issued by the National Financial Educators Council.Experience She has written and edited articles on everything from investing tips to model budgets and has interviewed dozens of authors, financial planners, and early retirees to share their advice, experiences, and insights with a global audience. Before joining Business Insider in 2014, she was an associate editor at LearnVest, a personal finance site to help women learn about money. Her work has appeared on sites such as MSN, AOL, Forbes, Slate, and The Street.Her team at Business Insider has tackled projects including:• Women of Means, a series about women taking control of their finances• Inside the Racial Wealth Gap, an exploration of the causes, effects, and potential solutions of the racial wealth gap in the US (finalist, Drum Award, "Editorial Campaign of the Year," 2021)• Strings Attached, a series of essays from people who have left insulated communities and how that journey affected their relationship with money• Master Your Money, a year-long guide for millennials on how to take control of their finances  (first runner up, Drum Award, "Best Use of Social Media," 2022)• The Road to Home, a comprehensive guide to buying your first house (silver award winner, National Association of Real Estate Editors, "Best Multi-Platform Package or Series – Real Estate," 2022)Libby believes in one universal truth about money: Advice is never for everyone. The best strategies, tools, and products depend on your preferences, financial situation, history with money, and goals.ExpertiseHer expertise includes:• Behavioral finance• Early retirement• Budgeting• Saving moneyEducationLibby holds a bachelor's degree from Wellesley College.Outside of personal finance, Libby enjoys reading, baking, and walking her dog.