Before quitting her job, Jessie Inchauspé committed to working on her Instagram account for one hour every day for six months. This low-risk approach allowed her to gather data and audience feedback, validating the concept's potential before going all-in.

Use X's (Twitter's) short-form, high-feedback environment as a low-cost testing ground for content ideas. Once a concept gains traction and high engagement, expand it into longer-form content like a newsletter or YouTube video. This workflow ensures you only invest significant effort in pre-validated topics.

Pursuing a more fulfilling career doesn't require risking financial ruin. Instead of taking a blind leap, you can vet a new direction by "trying it on"—shadowing professionals, conducting informational interviews, and testing the work in small ways to understand its reality before making a full transition.

Instead of focusing solely on direct YouTube monetization, Jefferson Graham's primary goal was to build a content library and proof-of-concept for his travel show, "Photo Walks TV." This strategy successfully positioned him to pitch and secure a licensing deal with the broadcast network Scripps News, fulfilling his dream of getting on TV.

Monologue creator Naveen Nadeau arranged to work three days a week at his old job while exploring new ideas. This provided financial stability and runway, allowing him to experiment with less pressure before committing full-time to his own venture.

Jefferson Graham secured a deal with Scripps News, a FAST (Free Ad-supported Streaming TV) channel. New episodes of his show premiere on Scripps, and he then posts them to his YouTube channel 30 minutes later. This hybrid model provides broadcast revenue and exposure without sacrificing his direct-to-consumer YouTube audience.

It's highly feasible to build a major brand while working a day job. The founder of Liquid Death developed the concept while an employee at VaynerMedia. This strategy allows for market validation and brand development before taking the full entrepreneurial leap, significantly minimizing personal financial risk.

Instead of "burning the ships," treat potential career changes as experiments. By starting a new venture as a side hustle without financial pressure, you can explore your curiosity, confirm it's a good fit, and build a "safety net" of confidence and proof before making a full leap.