How to Successfully Have a Side Hustle as an Account Executive
The Side Hustle Opportunity
Account Executives have unique advantages for side hustles. You understand sales, you know how to build relationships, and you have skills that translate to other businesses.
But you also have constraints. You work long hours. You have quotas to hit. You might have non-compete agreements. And you can't let your side hustle interfere with your main job.
Here's how to successfully build a side hustle as an Account Executive — without burning out or violating employment agreements.
Why Side Hustles Make Sense for AEs
Side hustles make sense for Account Executives for several reasons:
Variable income: Commission income is volatile. A side hustle provides additional income that's more predictable.
Skill transfer: Sales skills translate to other businesses. You know how to sell, build relationships, and close deals.
Financial security: Additional income reduces financial pressure, allowing you to take calculated risks and negotiate better.
Career optionality: A side hustle can become a full-time business, giving you options beyond your current role.
Learning: Side hustles teach you new skills and perspectives that make you better at your main job.
What to Consider First
Before starting a side hustle, consider:
Employment agreement: Check your employment agreement for non-compete clauses, moonlighting policies, and intellectual property restrictions.
Time commitment: Be realistic about how much time you can commit. Don't let your side hustle interfere with your main job.
Energy: Sales is demanding. Make sure you have the energy for a side hustle without burning out.
Financial goals: Understand why you're starting a side hustle. Is it for extra income, career optionality, or learning?
Legal and tax: Understand the legal and tax implications of your side hustle. You might need to form an LLC, get insurance, or pay quarterly taxes.
Side Hustle Ideas for Account Executives
Here are side hustle ideas that work well for Account Executives:
Sales consulting: Help other companies improve their sales processes, train their teams, or close specific deals.
Coaching or training: Teach sales skills, provide career coaching, or offer sales training programs.
Content creation: Write blogs, create courses, or produce content about sales, account planning, or your industry.
Affiliate marketing: Promote products or services you use and believe in, earning commissions on sales.
E-commerce: Sell products online, leveraging your sales skills to market and sell.
Service business: Offer services like account planning, sales enablement, or business development.
Real estate: Real estate sales or investing, leveraging your relationship-building skills.
Choose based on: Your interests, skills, time availability, and financial goals. Pick something you enjoy and can sustain long-term.
Time Management Strategies
Managing time between your main job and side hustle:
Set boundaries: Define when you'll work on your side hustle. Early mornings, evenings, or weekends — but not during work hours.
Batch work: Group similar tasks together. Do all your side hustle work in one block of time.
Use downtime: Use commute time, lunch breaks, or slow periods for side hustle work.
Prioritize: Your main job comes first. Don't let your side hustle interfere with quota or performance.
Say no: You can't do everything. Be selective about side hustle opportunities and commitments.
Legal Considerations
Legal considerations for side hustles:
Non-compete agreements: Check if your employment agreement prohibits competing businesses or working with competitors.
Moonlighting policies: Some companies have policies about outside work. Understand your company's policy.
Intellectual property: Make sure your side hustle doesn't use your employer's intellectual property or confidential information.
Conflicts of interest: Avoid side hustles that create conflicts of interest with your employer or customers.
Contracts: Use contracts for side hustle work. Define scope, payment, and expectations clearly.
Consult a lawyer: If you're unsure about legal issues, consult an employment lawyer.
Tax Implications
Tax implications of side hustles:
Additional income: Side hustle income is taxable. You'll need to report it on your tax return.
Quarterly taxes: If you earn significant side hustle income, you might need to pay quarterly estimated taxes.
Business expenses: You can deduct legitimate business expenses from side hustle income, reducing your tax burden.
Business structure: Consider forming an LLC or S-Corp for liability protection and tax benefits.
Keep records: Track all income and expenses. Use accounting software or a spreadsheet.
Consult a tax professional: Work with a tax professional to understand your specific situation and maximize deductions.
Building Your Side Hustle
How to build your side hustle:
Start small: Don't try to build a massive business overnight. Start with one client, one product, or one service.
Validate demand: Test your idea before investing too much time or money. Make sure people will pay for what you're offering.
Leverage your network: Use your professional network to find clients, customers, or partners.
Provide value: Focus on providing real value, not just making money. Build relationships and reputation.
Iterate: Start, learn, and improve. Don't wait for perfection — launch and iterate.
Scale gradually: As your side hustle grows, scale gradually. Don't overcommit or burn out.
Avoiding Burnout
Avoiding burnout with a side hustle:
Set limits: Define how much time you'll spend on your side hustle. Stick to those limits.
Take breaks: Schedule time off from both your main job and side hustle. Rest is essential.
Prioritize health: Don't sacrifice sleep, exercise, or health for your side hustle.
Know when to stop: If your side hustle is causing stress or interfering with your main job, consider pausing or stopping.
Balance: Maintain balance between work, side hustle, and personal life.
When to Go Full-Time
Signs it might be time to go full-time:
Consistent income: Your side hustle generates consistent income that matches or exceeds your main job.
Growing demand: Demand for your side hustle is growing, and you're turning away opportunities.
Passion: You're more passionate about your side hustle than your main job.
Financial security: You have enough financial runway to make the transition.
Clear path: You have a clear path to scale your side hustle into a full-time business.
But consider: The security of a full-time job, benefits, and steady income. Make sure you're ready before making the leap.
The Bottom Line
Side hustles can be valuable for Account Executives:
- Additional income: More predictable income to supplement variable commission
- Financial security: Reduces financial pressure and increases optionality
- Career development: Teaches new skills and provides career options
- Learning: New perspectives that make you better at your main job
Keys to success:
- Check employment agreements and legal considerations
- Manage time effectively and avoid burnout
- Understand tax implications and keep good records
- Start small, validate demand, and scale gradually
- Prioritize your main job — it comes first
Choose a side hustle that matches your interests, skills, and time availability. Build it gradually, provide real value, and maintain balance. With the right approach, a side hustle can provide additional income, career optionality, and financial security.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Employment agreements, non-compete clauses, and tax laws vary by jurisdiction and individual circumstances. You should consult with qualified employment lawyers, tax professionals, or financial advisors before starting a side hustle or making any related decisions. Individual circumstances vary, and this information may not be suitable for your specific situation.