The $100 MBA Show – Episode MBA2666 Q&A Wednesday: How Can I Make Time To Start a Business with a Full Time Job?
Host: Omar Zenhom
Date: August 20, 2025

Episode Overview

In this Q&A Wednesday episode, host Omar Zenhom answers a common entrepreneurial challenge: “How can I make time to start a business with a full-time job?” Drawing from his own journey from full-time teaching to building and selling successful businesses, Omar provides mindset shifts, actionable tactics, and motivation for those feeling squeezed by their work-life realities. The focus is on how to find just 7–12 hours per week—and use them wisely—to make real progress towards entrepreneurship.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Hard Truth: You Already Have the Time

[02:09]

• Omar challenges listeners’ assumptions: “You already have time. You're just spending it on the wrong things.”
• He notes that the average person spends 2.5 hours a day on their phone and about another 1.5 hours on streaming services.
• Reallocating even some of this leisure time can “instantly unlock 10–12 hours per week.”

Quote:

"I know you don't want to hear this, but it's the truth. I know because I lived it..." — Omar [02:19]

Omar’s Story: From Teaching to Entrepreneurship

[03:00]

• When Omar was a full-time school teacher, he made a “non-negotiable rule” to spend 12 hours/week on his business.
• He used two 3-hour weekday work sessions at a coworking space and a 6-hour Saturday session.
• Admits it meant a “one-day weekend,” but calls it “temporary” and motivated by a bigger vision.

Quote:

“I was spending a full day on the weekend building my future. And that's exactly what happened.” — Omar [04:21]

Tactical Strategies for Time Management

1. Create a Time Budget

[05:00]

• Treat your 168 weekly hours like money; account for all your sleeping, working, eating, commuting, family, and leisure time.
• Identify “golden hours”—the pockets of 90 minutes here or there, or solid blocks on weekends.

2. Choose High-Leverage Activities

[06:04]

• Focus only on actions that build or sell: Talking to customers, making offers, building or iterating on the product.
• Avoid time-wasters like obsessing over logos or endless research.

Quote:

“Progress beats perfection. Always.” — Omar [06:34]

3. One Work Session a Day Rule

[07:09]

• Don’t just “fit it in” when you have time. Make business work a fixed, daily (or weekly) appointment.
• Consistency is the “key” and it solidifies the habit.

4. Front-load or Back-load Your Week

[09:09]

• If daily work isn’t possible, block out deep work sessions—like one 4-hour weekend block or an entire day every week.
• The business gets built “one block at a time,” even if it means compressing hours into one day.

Quote:

“You can't start a business and live like everyone else. There must be sacrifices.” — Omar [09:59]

The Need for Sacrifice & Discipline

[10:00]

• Starting a business while working full-time “is not forever” but requires giving up comforts like sleeping in, lazy Sundays, or social events—at least temporarily.
• Potential reward: Full-time freedom in “12 to 18 months.”

Common Mistakes to Avoid

[11:00]

• Don’t overthink the idea—just start building and let the market be your guide.
• Avoid getting lost in endless learning; prioritize implementation over acquiring more information.
• Don’t obsess over building the perfect website before a sale. Validate with sales, not just planning.

Quote:

“You want to use your time like an investor, not a hobbyist.” — Omar [11:37]

Building Support and Protecting Your Focus

[12:10]

• Once you block out business-building time, put it in your calendar and treat it as non-negotiable.
• Communicate with family or housemates so they’re aware and supportive; this preps both you and them for necessary sacrifices.

Quote:

“It's going to take some discipline, it's going to take some sacrifice, but boy, is it worth it.” — Omar [12:48]

Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

• On mindset: “You don’t need 40 hours a week. You need 7, 10, 12 consistent hours.” [11:52]
• On sacrifice: “If you’re going to gain something out of this, you have to let go of something.” [10:07]
• On regret: “The only thing I regret is not starting sooner.” [12:54]
• On progress: “Build momentum and your business will begin to earn back your time.” [12:04]

Practical Steps Recap (with Timestamps)

• Assess your habits and create a time budget [05:00]
• Identify and commit to regular work sessions [07:09]
• Focus only on highest-leverage business-building actions [06:04]
• Batch or block time if necessary [09:09]
• Sacrifice comfort for long-term reward [10:00]
• Avoid perfectionism and analysis paralysis [11:00]
• Get buy-in from those around you and protect your ‘work’ time [12:10]

Conclusion & Takeaways

Omar’s central message is clear and motivating: Yes, you can start a business while working full-time, but you must prioritize, make sacrifices, and above all, take focused, consistent action. By managing your time intentionally and avoiding the trap of endless prep and comfort, you can transform small weekly windows of effort into real entrepreneurial momentum.

Final Encouragement:

“Soon you won’t be asking, how do I find the time for my business? You’ll be asking, how soon can I leave my job? That’s exciting.” — Omar [12:19]

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