What if I told you that quitting your job to start a business isn’t the smartest move?
That’s exactly what my friend, Andrew Spikes, figured out. Before becoming the founder of Missio, a digital marketing agency that landed on the Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing private companies, he had a stable job at UPS, a 3-hour commute, and a big dream.
But instead of taking a massive leap of faith, he built his business in the margins – taking calls during his 3-hour commute, hiring contractors before he was ready, and growing his client base without touching his savings.
Now, he runs a team of 40+ people, helping faith-driven businesses grow through strategic marketing. And in our conversation, he breaks down exactly how he transitioned from side hustle to full-time entrepreneur, without taking unnecessary risks.
Introducing Andrew Spikes, Founder and CEO of Missio
Believe it or not, Andrew’s first job wasn’t in an office – it was on a chicken farm in Kentucky. As a teenager, he worked for a man at his church who owned 8 chicken houses. It didn’t take long for him to realize that farming wasn’t for him.
Like most of us, he spent his early career trying different jobs: teaching piano lessons, working in a kids’ play center, and even pursuing the music industry.
But here’s what he learned: unless you were at the top, making money in music was tough. He saw that most people spent years struggling before making it big, and he wasn’t interested in that kind of financial uncertainty.
That’s when he discovered marketing – a mix of creativity and business strategy that clicked for him. The problem? Marketing jobs don’t just fall into your lap.
So his first step was to sell Yellow Pages ads. (Back when that was still a thing!)
From there, he kept taking sideway steps, each job leading him closer to the career he actually wanted. Eventually, he landed at UPS, where he managed digital marketing and search engine optimization (SEO) for 52 countries. It was a solid job but he knew he wanted to build something of his own.
The Smartest Way to Quit Your Job
Most people think starting a business requires a huge financial risk, but Andrew refused to touch his savings. So, he got a $500 credit card and bought ads for his business. And here’s the smart part: he used time zones to his advantage.
Since his corporate job involved global marketing, he knew how to strategically target different markets. So, he set up ads for clients in the UK, a time zone six hours ahead of him. Every morning, while driving to work, he’d take sales calls at 7 AM his time, 1 PM UK time.
Then, after work, he’d take calls from the West Coast – where it was still early afternoon. This double-time-zone strategy let him grow his business without quitting his job or sacrificing sleep. And that’s when he realized: this side hustle had real potential.
Then the pandemic happened – which urged him to quit UPS and start growing his business full-time. But here’s the thing: Andrew was already set up for success. Instead of waiting until he was overwhelmed, he started hiring early – bringing in contractors and employees before he even left his corporate job.
This meant by the time he went full-time, he wasn’t scrambling to figure things out – his business was already running.
Key Lessons for Anyone Wanting to Start a Business
Andrew’s journey is a masterclass in smart and practical entrepreneurship. Unlike the “burn the boats” mindset that tells you to quit your job with no backup plan, Andrew’s story shows that starting small, making strategic moves, and being patient can be far more effective.
Here are 5 major takeaways from his experience that you can apply to your own journey:
1. Start Small and Test Your Idea First
One of the biggest mistakes aspiring entrepreneurs make is quitting their job too soon without a proven business model. They assume that if they had more time, they’d figure things out. But the reality? More time doesn’t automatically lead to more success.
Andrew didn’t leave his job at UPS until he knew his business was sustainable. Instead of making a blind leap, he used his mornings, evenings, and commutes to test his idea, refine his services, and build a client base.
What you can do:
- Before quitting your job, start a side hustle and make your first few sales.
- Focus on solving a real problem – not just offering a service or product you enjoy.
- Reinvest your earnings back into the business so it can grow without draining your personal finances.
It’s not about waiting forever – it’s about knowing when the numbers make sense. If you can’t yet pay yourself from your business, quitting your job could put unnecessary pressure on you to make desperate decisions.
2. You Need to Solve a Problem
A lot of people want to start a business because they “don’t want a boss” or because they like the idea of being an entrepreneur. But just wanting to work for yourself isn’t enough. If you want a successful business, you need to be solving a real problem for real people.
At the end of the day, your business shouldn’t be about you and your dream life. It should be about how you can serve others and provide value.
Instead of saying: “I want to start a business because I love graphic design.” Try asking: “What specific design problems do businesses struggle with, and how can I solve them better than anyone else?”
Andrew built Missio not just by offering marketing services, but by helping faith-driven businesses grow. That unique focus helped him carve out a niche in the market.
What you can do:
- Identify what problem your skills solve for a specific group of people.
- Talk to potential customers and ask them what they actually need.
- Look at your competitors—how can you do things differently or better?
If your business isn’t solving a real problem, it won’t be profitable for long.
3. Use The Time You Already Have
Most aspiring entrepreneurs say they don’t have time. They believe that if they had more free hours, they’d be able to start their business. But in reality, successful people make time for what matters.
Andrew’s schedule was already packed with a full-time corporate job, a three-hour daily commute, and a family – but he still found time to build his business.
Tips to start:
- Audit your day and identify time slots you can use productively.
- Replace mindless scrolling and Netflix time with activities that move your business forward.
- Set clear goals for each work session – whether it’s outreach, product development, or marketing.
The truth is, you’ll never feel like you have enough time. But if you use the time you do have wisely, you’ll be surprised by what you can accomplish.
4. Hire Before You Think You’re Ready
Many small business owners hold onto every single task because they feel like no one else can do it as well as they can. But that’s a dangerous mindset that can lead to burnout and slow growth.
Andrew didn’t wait until he was overwhelmed to hire people – he started bringing in contractors and employees early on. At first, it was just a few part-time hires to handle the workload. But eventually, as the business grew, so did the team – until Missio had 40+ employees.
His approach allowed him to step away from the day-to-day tasks and focus on growing the business instead of just maintaining it.
5. Build Your Business with Integrity and Values
Success isn’t just about profitability – it’s about doing work you’re proud of. Andrew built Missio on a foundation of faith, integrity, and respect. He made sure that his business didn’t just help clients – but also created a great work environment for his team.
Here’s what you can do:
- Decide what values matter to you and let them guide your decisions.
- Treat employees well, even when you’re just starting out.
- Build a business that aligns with your faith, ethics, or personal principles.
Success means nothing if you hate what you have built. Create a business that solves real problems, and make something that you can always be proud of.
So, Should You Start Your Own Business?
If you’re dreaming about starting a business but unsure when to take the leap, here’s Andrew’s best advice:
- Believe in yourself. Confidence comes from action, not waiting.
- Solve a real problem. Your business should help people, not just fulfill your personal passion.
- Take action now. You don’t need to quit your job today – just take small steps every day.
- Be ethical. Give your employer 100% while building your business on the side.
- Use what you have. Even if it’s just a $500 credit card, make the most of it.
Starting a business isn’t about being the smartest person in the room. It’s about being scrappy, strategic, and willing to solve problems.
And if you take a strategic approach, you can too.
Listen to the full episode now for more tips. And if you’re ready to take the leap, book a FREE career or business strategy call with us this week so you can finally create the career you feel called to.
