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How Sophie Warwick turned her side hustle into a thriving career

Balancing a full-time job and a passion project nearly broke her. Then she set the rules—and changed her life forever. Here's how.

The image shows a woman in a black and white dress standing in front of a fence with a quote on it...
The image shows a woman in a black and white dress standing in front of a fence with a quote on it that reads "Being a woman entrepreneur means having the passion to take risks and the courage to make them real through action and collaboration". In the background, there are trees, vehicles, and a clear blue sky.

How Sophie Warwick turned her side hustle into a thriving career

Sophie Warwick once juggled a full-time job as a structural engineer with a growing side business in diversity consulting. The strain of balancing both roles eventually led her to set strict conditions for turning her passion into her main career. Now, as co-CEO of the Thoughtful Co., she helps others navigate the same tough decisions about their side hustles.

Warwick launched her consultancy firm while still employed, aiming to replace her salary within a year. She set clear financial targets, built an emergency fund, and mapped out client growth to test whether the business could sustain her. But the pressure of managing two demanding roles left her exhausted.

To avoid burnout, she established firm boundaries and imagined what a balanced life would look like. When her side hustle met her revenue goals, she made the leap to full-time entrepreneurship. Christen James, a coach specialising in side hustle success, warns that not all ventures will succeed. She advises recognising when a project has turned into a costly hobby with no financial return. Instead of seeing it as a failure, James suggests treating it as a learning experience. She also recommends celebrating small achievements and giving oneself permission to walk away when needed.

Warwick's approach—setting deadlines, financial targets, and personal limits—helped her transition from employee to business owner. Her experience now guides others facing the same crossroads. For those unsure about their side hustle, experts stress the importance of clear goals and emotional resilience when deciding whether to continue or step back.

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