Sideline light entrepreneurship alongside regular work - a threat or an opportunity?

Many people dream of earning more, fulfilling themselves or changing careers. At the same time, a stable paid job offers security, regular income and familiar routines. Is it possible to combine these two worlds? The answer is yes - secondary light entrepreneurship is a flexible way to try your hand at entrepreneurship without taking a big risk.

But what does part-time light entrepreneurship mean in practice? Is it a clever way to earn extra income or a potential threat to, for example, your employment relationship or your ability to cope? In this article, we go through what you need to know before you start as a light entrepreneur alongside your regular job - and highlight three practical real-life examples.

What is part-time light entrepreneurship?

Light self-employment is defined as a situation where a person is self-employed on a part-time basis. light entrepreneurial work for example in the evenings or at weekends, while maintaining their main income from paid work.

Light entrepreneurship is based on the fact that work is done without your own business a billing service, such as Kevyesti.fi, via. The service takes care of taxes, insurance and invoicing for you.

Why become a part-time light entrepreneur?

🔹 1. Earning extra income

For example, creative or technical people can offer their skills in small projects.

🔹 2. From hobby to business

Light entrepreneurship gives you the chance to test your business idea before making any big commitments.

🔹 3. Making work more meaningful

Doing your own work on your own terms can bring variety and excitement to everyday life.

Practical examples of part-time light entrepreneurship

🎨 Example 1: Graphic designer in paid employment, light entrepreneur in free time

Sari, a 34-year-old visual artist, works in an advertising agency by day as an employee. But he has always wanted to do his own projects. That's why he started a side business as a light entrepreneur, offering logo and presentation design services to small companies and associations in the evenings and at weekends.

Sari uses a billing service that takes care of the paperwork for her. She can focus on her creative work and doesn't need her own business name. She has also agreed with her employer not to provide services to their clients. By doing so no competitive situation is created, and Sari is allowed to carry out her sideline activities with full permission.

🧘 Example 2: Welfare professional - flexible part-time work

Janne, 42, works as a sports instructor for the municipality on weekdays. In her spare time, she offers individual coaching and runs yoga classes for her local community. Janne does not want to set up his own business, but still wants to bill his clients legally and responsibly.

He chose light entrepreneurship because it is a hassle-free way to convert skills into additional income. Janne does his invoicing through kevyesti.fi and reports his income to the tax authorities. He keeps track of his own workload and only takes on assignments when it suits his schedule.

🖥️ Example 3: IT expert tests a business idea safely

Arto, a 29-year-old IT specialist, is a full-time employee in a software house. He is interested in starting his own consultancy business in the future, but does not want to jump into entrepreneurship without a testing phase.

Through part-time light entrepreneurship, he has done small projects on his own time and experimented, what demand there is for his or her skills. He is using light entrepreneurship as a prototype for his own business and has gained confidence and customer references for a possible business start-up.

Opportunity - what are the benefits of light entrepreneurship?

✅ Low risk: No need for a Y-number or bureaucracy.
✅ Flexibility: You decide on your own schedule and assignments.
✅ Tax planning: You can manage your taxes and take advantage of deductions.
✅ Gateway to entrepreneurship: The opportunity to grow and become a full-time entrepreneur.

What are the challenges to consider?

⚠️ 1. Employer restrictions

Check your employment contract - are you allowed to work on the side? Competitive activities may be prohibited.

⚠️ 2. Time management and coping

Two jobs require planning. Be prepared for rest and recovery.

⚠️ 3. Taxation

Remember to take into account the income you receive as a light entrepreneur for tax purposes. Update your tax card if necessary.

⚠️ 4. Benefits and social security

Side income can affect your unemployment benefit, for example, if you are ever out of paid work. For more information Kela from the website.

How to get started?

Starting as a light entrepreneur is easy:

1. Choose a billing service (e.g. Kevyesti.fi)
2. Sign up - takes just a few minutes
3. Agree the mandate with the client
4. Invoice your work through the service and receive your salary in your account

You can do one or more - no commitment required.

Summary: Sacrifice or opportunity?

Sideline self-employment is not a threat - it is an opportunity, if done smartly. It brings extra income, meaning and new career opportunities. At its best, it acts as a pathway to independent work or a dream career.

By looking after your wellbeing, being open with your employer and keeping track of your income, you can make the most of the benefits of being a light entrepreneur - safely and effectively. As a light entrepreneur, you don't need your own business to charge for the work you do. Sending an invoice is easy through the Kevyesti.fi invoicing service. You can leave all the paperwork to us and concentrate on your own work.

Light entrepreneurship without a business ID offers a risk-free way to sell your services and test the viability of your business idea. You can register with our billing service completely free of charge, and you only pay a service fee when you invoice something.

We will take care of all statutory contributions and deductions for you. You don't have to spend any time sorting out the red tape yourself. The only thing you need to take care of is your YEL insurance.

You are not tied down to anything by being a light entrepreneur. Anyone aged 14 or over can become a light entrepreneur, regardless of background, and you can change your business idea or start doing something completely different at any time.

👉 Get started today - register for free Kevyesti.fi -service and test your skills as a light entrepreneur with your first assignment!