Is it possible to open an online store while you are an employee and how do you manage your time

Sahl Tuesday,15 Jul 2025

Many employees in Saudi Arabia aspire to have an additional source of income and start their own business without leaving their jobs. Here comes the important question:
Can I open an online store while I'm a full-time employee?
The answer is: Yes, you can!
But success won't come randomly. It requires management, organization, and advance planning. In this blog, we'll help you with practical steps if you intend to open your store while you're an employee, and manage your time wisely between the two.
1. First, check your work system.
Before you begin, review your contract or ask your company's human resources to see if the system allows you to have a private business.
Some organizations allow this, while others require prior permission or notification. Be clear from the start so you don't face any future embarrassment.
2. Set specific hours for your store.
You can't manage everything randomly. Allocate a fixed time daily or weekly:
• An hour after work.
• 3 hours on weekends.
• Morning if your work schedule is evening.
Use task management apps like Trello or Google Calendar to have a clear plan for each week.
3. Focus on building a simple online store initially.
Don't push yourself too hard from the start. Start with a small number of products, a simple design, and no complexity.
Shorten your time by using companies like Sahl, which can create a ready-made, easy-to-manage store for you, saving you technical effort.
4. Use time-saving tools.
There are many tools that make management easier:
• Automated response to customer messages.
• Scheduling posts on social media.
• Integrating your store with delivery companies.
• Automatic electronic invoices.
These will help you work on your store as if you were full-time, even if you only spent a couple of hours a day.
5. Don't handle all the details yourself.
Consider hiring a remote assistant or someone to help you with packaging or delivery, even if it's temporary.
You can start with a family member or friend, and then expand your team over time.
6. Separate your work time from your store time.
Don't use your official working hours to manage your store.
Separating the two gives you more focus and makes each time truly productive.
Set a time to respond to customers, a time for delivery, and a time for planning.
7. Set clear and achievable goals.
Don't expect to receive dozens of orders in the first week.
Start with a simple goal:
• "Sell 5 orders in the first week."
• "Set up shipping and delivery within the first two weeks."
Every goal you achieve motivates you to continue and gives you energy despite the pressure of work.
Opening an online store while you're an employee is possible and realistic, but it requires intelligence and organization.
If you know how to manage your time and start right without rushing, you can build a successful project that works alongside your job.
And over time? It could become your primary source of income, and you'll proudly transition from employee to business owner.