Should I quit my corporate job? Advice and tips from our expert panel

Grinding out the 9-to-5 while working on your startup, freelance gig or any other side hustle may be a romantic journey at first, but it starts to take a toll as days, months and even years go by. You’re contemplating leaving your corporate job but doubt always creeps in and questions arise about whether or not it’s time to take the leap. ‘Should I Quit My Corporate Job’ was an interactive discussion with founders and freelancers who successfully made the leap from corporate life to entrepreneurship. Before we share what we learned, please meet the speakers!

Kelly Bewers

Previously she was the Managing Director of social innovation programme Year Here and before that, a Senior Manager at global management consulting firm Accenture. Kelly is an activist of hope, practitioner in the lost art of asking questions, searcher for nuance and reader of books.

Neil Tanna 

Jide Adetunji

The conversation was moderated by The Yard founder, Clarice Metzger.

Ok, now for the answers to the questions we’ve all been asking!

What was the moment that made you leave?

I was scared to leave because of what people would say. Fear of the unknown, fear of failure, fear of judgement, fear in general can hold you back, but it wasn’t until my mum passed away that I realised life is too short – Neil Tanna 

I left corporate because I wasn’t learning, it was more about the game of getting promoted and working yourself up the ladder, but now I learn all the time – Kelly Brewer

If ever I’m gonna take a risk, whilst I still have no responsibilities, it’s now. Whilst I was in corporate I saw so many people living comfortable yet unfulfilling lives, and nothing scares me more than mediocrity. – Jide Adetunji

There will never be the perfect time to jump into what your gut is telling you to do, you’ve got to create the time – Neil Tanna

Photos captured by Josh Hanley

How did you prepare yourself before leaving?

I didn’t burn bridges as there was a lot I learned in corporate and a lot of relationships I built which helped me when I started running a small business – Kelly Brewer

Before making the jump, ask yourself ‘Do I have these four things – Heart, hustle, hardwork, ownership thinking’, without them you’ll struggle- Neil Tanna

Your time is as valuable as you decide it is, whether that’s 30k a year, or a billion in a year, figure out now how you want to price yourself – Jide Adetunji

For 6 months I hedged my risk, working at my corporate job to ensure I had a stable income, whilst investing quality time and resources into my brand. I left when I had no choice but to go full time – Neil Tanna

Photos captured by Josh Hanley

What mistakes did you make that you would have done differently?

I would have liked to have given myself a financial runway and more time to plan my exit than having left due to burnout. There’s a lot of hustle culture worship, but that isn’t a reality for people who have lots of social challenges like being a single mum or unpaid carer, so planning ahead is key – Kelly Brewer

When seeking funding ensure you properly account for the real-time resource that allows people to work with good mental health and adequate work-life balance. Don’t try and squeeze eight jobs out of one person, just because you’re scared to ask for more funding, otherwise you’ll quickly lose good people and productivity due to overworking and burnout – Kelly Brewer

Find communities that allow you to connect with other freelancers so you can bounce ideas off each other, have candid conversations about pay and motivate each other – Kelly Brewer

Don’t strive for perfection, the best thing that can happen to you is feedback, and you can only get feedback once you try  – Neil Tanna

Networking has helped me massively, I’ve met some great contacts just starting a conversation with ‘I love your shoes’ – Clarice Metzger

Photos captured by Josh Hanley

This event was presented by Better Space, Guap and the Yard. With over 100 people registered in attendance, thank you to everyone who came out, we look forward to hosting you at the next one.

Better Space 

Better Space is one of Islington Council’s Affordable Workspaces; a coworking community designed specifically to support local entrepreneurs and social impact start ups with accessible facilites, events and networking opportunities. Operated by City, University of London’s Entrepreneurship division and opened in summer 2021, the space now has more than 20 social impact start up teams, entrepreneurs and freelance members using the space at 127 Farringdon Road.

Photos captured by Josh Hanley

The Yard 

London’s membership clubs are inaccessible, pretentious and homogeneous. So we’re creating one that isn’t. The Yard is a community-led members club centering diverse change-makers. It’s a space made for (and by) you. Welcome to the Yard, y’all.

Photos captured by Josh Hanley