Quit when the numbers say so. Not when a stranger online does.
Dreaming of leaving your job to run your own thing? Good. Build it alongside your job first, then check these six things before you hand in your notice.
Before you hand in your notice.
- Has it paid you steadily, for months?
One great month isn't a salary. Look for income that keeps arriving after the launch buzz wears off, and track it month by month, after fees and costs. - Do you have a savings buffer?
A common rule of thumb is 3 to 6 months of essential expenses set aside. That's a general guide, not a rule. Business income is lumpy; your rent and bills aren't. - What does your job quietly pay for?
Employer retirement contributions, paid annual and sick leave, employer-paid parental leave, sometimes insurance or health cover. Once you leave, each of those comes from your own income, or not at all. - Who takes the tax out now?
Nobody. Put money aside from every payment, and find out how tax instalments work for self-employed income where you live, before the first big bill arrives. - What does your contract say?
Check your notice period, any restraint or non-compete clause, and who owns work you created on company time or equipment. If anything is unclear, ask a lawyer where you live. - Could you live on it for six months without panicking?
If yes, you might be ready. If not, keep building alongside your job. That isn't failing. It's the smart version.
What changes when you're self-employed.
The basics for each country we cover. General information only, with a link to the official source for each.
Australia
Super: if you're self-employed, nobody is required to pay super for you; you choose whether to contribute. GST: you must register once your GST turnover reaches A$75,000. Tax: you may be put on PAYG instalments once you have business income. Parental leave: the government's Parental Leave Pay can be available to self-employed parents who meet the work test.
Official source: ato.gov.au · servicesaustralia.gov.au · business.gov.au · FACT as at October 2026. Rules change, so check the official page before you rely on it.
United Kingdom
Tax: register as self-employed with HMRC and file Self Assessment; payments on account may apply. VAT: registration is required once taxable turnover passes £90,000. Pension: no employer contributions. Maternity: you may get Maternity Allowance rather than employer maternity pay.
Official source: gov.uk · FACT as at October 2026. Rules change, so check the official page before you rely on it.
United States
Tax: self-employment tax (Social Security and Medicare) applies, and you'll usually pay estimated tax quarterly. Health insurance: if it came through your employer, plan for it before you leave. Sales tax: rules differ by state. Retirement: no employer match, though self-employed plans exist.
Official source: irs.gov · your state revenue office · FACT as at October 2026. Rules change, so check the official page before you rely on it.
Canada
Tax: you pay both the employee and employer portions of CPP contributions. GST/HST: you must register once taxable supplies pass C$30,000 over four consecutive calendar quarters. EI: special benefits for the self-employed are opt-in.
Official source: canada.ca · FACT as at October 2026. Rules change, so check the official page before you rely on it.
New Zealand
GST: you must register once turnover passes NZ$60,000 in 12 months. Tax: provisional tax may apply once your tax bill passes a threshold. KiwiSaver: employer contributions stop when you're no longer an employee.
Official source: ird.govt.nz · FACT as at October 2026. Rules change, so check the official page before you rely on it.
Start by finding what fits.
Most women build alongside their job first. The free 5-Question Fit Check helps you rule ideas in or out in about ten minutes.