When is the right time to start your electrical business? | 92

Starting your own electrical business is never about the “perfect time” — because it doesn’t exist. 

In this episode, I break down why overthinking kills momentum, what the midwit theory teaches us, and how to actually prepare so you can take the leap with confidence.

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Transcript

Pass me the light bulb, Thomas. You’ve already fucked it up 10,000 times. I’m not trusting you anymore. You’re not really a sparky, are you, bro? Welcome to Simplified Sparky Marketing.

Today’s intro was all about Thomas Edison inventing the light bulb. He didn’t say he failed 10,000 times. He said he found 10,000 ways that didn’t work. That right there shows the lesson — keep going. Give it a crack. If it doesn’t work the first time, keep pushing until it does. Now, was it really 10,000 times? Probably not. He pulled that number out of the air. But the message stands.

This episode is inspired by one of my members — he’s finally taken the leap. He’s left his boss, grabbed his own truck, and he’s hitting the ground running as an electrical contractor in Melbourne. He’s stepping away from wages and comfort, and that takes guts. If you’ve started your own business, you’ll remember how daunting that moment is — moving from that steady weekly pay into the unknown. For a lot of us, that’s why we started: we didn’t like being told what to do, wanted to run our own race, build our own thing.

But here’s the big question: when’s the right time to start? Truth is, there’s no perfect time. Some people plan for years, others fall into it through redundancy or getting sacked. Either way, it’s always a jump out of your comfort zone.

There’s a theory I love called the “midwits theory.” Picture a scale: at one end, you’ve got the genius — dots the i’s, crosses the t’s, does all the research. At the other end, you’ve got the dumb fuck who doesn’t think at all — just wings it. Then in the middle sits the midwit. Not dumb, not a genius, just overthinking and stuck. And funnily enough, it’s usually the genius and the dumb fuck who succeed in business. The dumb one doesn’t overthink, just goes for it and somehow makes it work. The genius has everything lined up and crushes it. But the midwit? He’s paralysed by “what if I fail?” and never jumps. I’d put myself in that midwit category back when I started.

Here’s the kicker: people are watching, some even hoping you fail. You’ve got to say, “Fuck you — watch me prove you wrong.” That fire is fuel.

Now, let’s be practical. Don’t jump too early without a cushion. Save for 5–6 months of wages before you go out on your own. That money sets you up with tools, uniforms, signage, and a decent vehicle. Don’t roll up in a clapped-out HiAce dripping oil on Mrs. Jones’ driveway. Look professional from the start.

Subcontracting can help bridge the gap, but here’s my advice: don’t let it become a trap. One day, maybe two max, while you build your own work. If you’re flat out subbing five days a week, you’ve just swapped one boss for another. You’re not building your business — you’re building theirs. I learned that the hard way. Early on, I took a subbie job that was meant to be two full days. Turned out to be four hours, and I got shafted with $200 for blocking two days in my schedule. Lesson learned: get agreements in writing and protect your time.

While you’re still employed, use that downtime wisely. Get your licenses sorted — and make sure they match your company, not just your individual ticket. Get insurance in place, set up your systems, sort out your contractor’s license. Do the groundwork before you leap.

Look, there’s no “perfect” time to start a business. It’s like having kids. You’ll never feel 100% ready. But if you wait for perfect, you’ll wait forever. The difference is in action. Implementation is what separates the people who dream about it from the people who actually make it.

So, if you’re sitting there with itchy feet, waiting for the right time, here’s the truth: the right time is now. Take the leap. Worst case? You can always go back on wages. Best case? You build something incredible.

And if one of you listens to this and sends me a DM saying, “Fuck it, I did it — I started my own business,” that’s what gives me purpose. That’s why I do this.

That’s it for this week. Smash the stars, leave a review, and I’ll catch you next time.