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Should You Quit Your Part-Time Job to Focus on Your Business?

Many teen entrepreneurs have a part-time job to have extra spending money, save up for college, or work toward moving out one day. But when your business starts to pick up, it can feel like you’re stuck choosing between your job and your goals as a business owner. In this article, we’ll break down how you can figure out if quitting your job is actually the right move for you. 

1. Evaluate Your Job Satisfaction 

Almost 9 out of 10 teens say having a job they enjoy is one of their top life goals. So when you think about your current part-time job, especially if you’re juggling it with school, you probably want more than just a paycheck. Perhaps it teaches you something interesting, helps you build your communication skills, or you genuinely like the people you work with. But if you’re not feeling any of that, it might be time to rethink things. 

2. Understand Financial Needs 

Having financial stability is a big deal, and a lot of teens still rely on their parents to help with living expenses. But if your parents expect you to cover certain bills, like your phone, gas, or even a bit of rent, you need to be honest about where you stand financially. Here’s how to break it down: 

  • Make a list of your monthly bills (e.g., phone, subscriptions, transportation). 
  • Add up how much money you need each month to cover everything. 
  • Create a simple budget to see where your money is going. 
  • Compare how much you’re earning from your part-time job versus how much you’re making from your business (if any). 

Then take it a step further: 

  • Make a list of pros and cons for keeping your job. 
  • Ask yourself: Can your business cover your expenses now? If not, do you realistically think it will in the next few months? 

Being clear on the numbers will make your decision easier. 

3. Assess Time Commitment 

According to Zippia, teens between 16 and 19 years of age work an average of 25 hours a week. That’s a big chunk of your time, so it’s worth asking yourself if it’s really paying off. Think about: 

  • Is the money you’re making worth the time and effort? 
  • Are you able to keep up with school and grow your business? 

4. Explore Alternative Options 

If you’ve already thought through how satisfied you are with your job, your financial responsibilities, and how much time it’s taking up, but you’re still unsure about quitting, there are other options to think about. You might try reducing your work hours instead of leaving the job completely. You could also look for a different job that offers more flexibility, like remote work. 

5. Plan Before Quitting 

If you’re still thinking about quitting your part-time job, it’s smart to start with a simple one-page business plan. This practice helps you get clear on your goals and where you want your business to go. Write down the specific steps you plan to take to increase your sales—whether that’s through marketing, promoting your business more, networking, offering new services or products, or even building a website. 

As you work on this plan, try to save up some money before making any final decisions. Having some savings set aside can give you a bit of breathing room while you focus on growing your business. 

In addition, consider talking over major decisions with your parents, a mentor, or a trusted adult. Go over: 

  • What kind of support you might need from them short-term 
  • The plan you created to show how your business can eventually cover your expenses 
  • Any advice they have for you 

Choose What’s Right for You 

At the end of the day, this is your decision, and you have to go with what feels right. Just remember, it’s not permanent. If you quit your job to focus on your business and realize a few months later that things aren’t going as planned, that’s okay. You can always get another part-time job, maybe one that suits you better, and keep working on your business on the side. 


Got big business goals and college dreams? If you’re a Florida teen, the Kantner Foundation scholarship might be yours. Find out how to apply here.

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