#7- The Neuroscience of Building a Business Without Quitting Your 9-to-5

#7 Neuroscience Unplugged

Ever wanted to start your own business but felt like your 9-to-5 had you in a headlock?

Spoiler alert: you can do both.

Welcome to the seventh edition of Neuroscience Unplugged!

Neuroscience Unplugged is a series here to make complex neuroscience insights practical and jargon-free for everyone’s personal growth journey.

This week, we’re exploring how you can ‘have your (biz) cake and eat it too.’ Your day job doesn’t have to squash your dreams of bringing that passion project to life and turning it into a viable business—in fact, it can actually fuel them. Let’s unpack how your brain, a sprinkle of (neuro)science, and a rock-solid plan can help you grow your side hustle without giving up the stability of your paycheck.

But first, let me tell you about someone who did just that.

Case Study: How I Helped Aisha Build Her Business Without Leaving Her 9-to-5

Meet Aisha (name changed for privacy), a determined professional.. Her dream? To launch Heritage Looms (name also changed), a line of home décor that celebrates traditional craftsmanship with a modern twist.

The catch? Aisha had a full-time job, financial responsibilities, and a family. But she also had a vision, and we worked together to make it happen.

Here’s how we made it work:

1. Defining Her Purpose

For Aisha, this wasn’t just about pretty cushions; it was about honouring her heritage. This purpose became her North Star, helping her stay focused during late nights and setbacks.

2. Crafting a Manageable Schedule

Time was tight, but we broke it into bite-sized pieces:

• Evenings for strategy: Two weeknights of creative planning.
• Weekends for action: Prototyping, photoshoots, and supplier emails.
• Microtasks during breaks: Social media updates and quick admin tasks.

By chunking her workload, Aisha made consistent progress without burning out.

3. Using Her 9-to-5 to Her Advantage

Instead of seeing her job as a hurdle, Aisha tapped into workplace resources:

• Free training workshops sharpened her marketing and financial skills.
• Colleagues as test audiences provided early feedback (and became loyal customers).

4. Starting Small with an MVP

Instead of overwhelming herself, Aisha launched with three products. This “minimum viable product” approach helped her refine her offerings based on real feedback.

5. Six Months Later: A Dream Realised

Heritage Looms launched to rave reviews. A steady stream of sales is now growing into something bigger—all while her 9-to-5 pays the bills.

The Neuroscience of Juggling Both

Starting a business while working full-time activates two brain systems:

• The reward system loves chasing creative goals. It’s what gets you pumped about that side hustle.
• The stress regulation system kicks in when responsibilities pile up. But with planning, you can hack this system to avoid overwhelm.

Here’s the secret: balance.

Financial stability (your 9-to-5) creates a “safe zone” for risk-taking in your business. Less panic = more creative thinking.

Three Brainy Hacks to Start Your Business

1. Use Your Peak Energy Hours Figure out when your brain works best. Morning lark? Do business planning before work. Night owl? Save it for after dinner.
2. Focus on One Thing at a Time Multitasking is a myth. Your brain works better when you zero in on a single task—so dedicate separate times for job and business.
3. Celebrate Small Wins Each sale or milestone triggers dopamine, your brain’s happy hormone. Celebrate these to keep your motivation alive.

Could This Be You?

Aisha’s story shows that building a business while working full-time isn’t just possible—it’s smart.

• Purpose keeps you going when it gets tough.
• Your job is an asset, not a barrier.
• Small steps lead to big wins.

If you’ve got a business idea simmering, don’t let it stay on the back burner. Create a game plan to help you launch—one step at a time.

Your future self (and bank account) will thank you.

Thank you for reading the seventh edition of Neuroscience Unplugged!

I'm excited to explore more fascinating topics and share practical tips with you in future editions.

Stay tuned and be sure to subscribe to the newsletter so you don’t miss Edition #8! We’ll explore solutions for feeling stuck—specifically, decision fatigue. Learn how your brain’s overthinking might be holding you back and discover neuroscience-backed strategies to help you take confident action.

It will be published Wednesday 4th December. ?? Heema Shah