There are as many reasons people consider going into a business of their own as there are people.  Some of the reasons I've been given so far this year include: Working for E-1 and wanting a "Plan B", reaching that point in life where "if I don't do it now I'll never do it and then will be sorry," needing extra income for a growing family and not wanting to change jobs or get a second job, being on a fixed-income retirement that is not keeping up with inflation, and, as one person put it, "wanting to be in charge of my own destiny."

Whatever the reason for wanting to become an entrepreneur instead of an employee, it is not necessary to have "all or nothing."  Dozens of people in Marion County start part-time businesses each year to either suppliment their income or "test the waters" before making a full-time committment.  There are several ways to do this, depending upon what your product or service is.

Starting an online business, either low effort as in selling individual items on eBay or higher effort in opening an Internet store site, works well for small manufactured items {small artistic pieces like rings, custom-made hair clips, handpainted refrigerator magnets, and the like) as well as for items you resell that are easy to pack and ship.

Taking a booth at a flea market on weekends can work for almost any item as well as most services.  One person sells faux painting services and another bathroom refinishing from a flea market site that displays samples of their work.  As for items, whether you resell, create, or grow them (produce), a flea market can be a good outlet location. 

For people who make items, especially artwork, clothing, and jewelry, putting your items into an existing store on a consignment basis works well.  If you use several stores that are geographically spread apart (Cedar Key, Dunnellon, Leesburg) you can take advantage of a larger marketplace while creating a brand and recognition of your work.

Many retirees as well as teachers create seasonal businesses by being vendors at local art shows, craft fairs, and festivals on weekends in the fall and spring.  Then, in the summer, they combine vacation with income opportunities by traveling around the nation to vend at other events.

If you are thinking about making the switch from employment to enterepreneurship you can employ one or more of the above methods to make sure that a strong market exists for your product or service, that you can differentiate yourself from the competition, and that you truly enjoy the prospect of being your own boss.