Indie Founders Advised to Prioritize Side Hustle Growth Over Premature Full-Time Leap

Paris, France – Pascal Levy-Garboua, a seasoned entrepreneur, venture partner at Long Journey Ventures, and CEO of Noosa Labs, recently shared insights on the strategic timing for indie founders to transition from side hustles to full-time ventures. In a recent social media post, Levy-Garboua emphasized that while quitting a job to focus on a project might seem bold, a safer and smarter approach often involves nurturing the project as a side hustle until its financial viability is firmly established.

"Quitting your job to focus on your project sounds bold but most successful indie founders do not start that way. It’s often safer (and smarter) to start as a side hustle, then transition to full-time once the numbers make sense," Levy-Garboua stated in his tweet. This advice stems from his extensive experience, which includes launching two venture-backed startups, serving as an early executive at Checkr, and investing in over 140 startups.

Experts in the field of entrepreneurship echo this sentiment, highlighting that a significant percentage of successful small businesses, particularly those founded by Gen Z, originate as side gigs. This phased approach allows founders to validate their business idea, build a customer base, and establish consistent revenue streams without the immediate financial pressure of a full-time commitment. Key strategies for a successful transition include treating the side hustle as a real business from day one, developing a tailored business plan, and meticulously managing cash flow.

The transition requires careful consideration of several factors, including whether the business income can consistently replace or near the founder's current full-time salary and having a financial safety net of three to six months' worth of savings. Prematurely abandoning a stable income can expose founders to significant financial instability, especially given the inherent unpredictability of early-stage entrepreneurial income. Many successful founders build a "bridge" by proving their idea's commercial viability and securing paying customers before making the leap.

Levy-Garboua, known for acquiring and growing small, profitable SaaS businesses through Noosa Labs, advocates for a data-driven decision-making process. His own experience in the tech industry, spanning over two decades, underscores the importance of understanding market demand, refining product-market fit, and ensuring a clear growth plan before committing entirely. This measured approach minimizes risk and increases the likelihood of long-term success for indie founders.