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Event Columbus Startup Week starts on May 5, 2026, 8:00:00 AM (America/New_York)
Dreams After Dark: Building a Business While Working Full Time
Founders Story Startup Support
Location: Pavilion - 5/5/26, 3:00 PM - 5/5/26, 3:45 PM (America/New_York) (45 minutes)
Ray Waite
Ray Waite
Ray Waite is a futurist and founder of Lighthouse Force, specializing in training and consulting on topics critical for the workplace of the future, including artificial intelligence, innovation, and design thinking.
Ray loves taking the complex and explaining it in a practical way that can be easily applied. His advice and guidance stems from his 25+ years as an engineer and senior manager with AT&T Bell Laboratories, Lucent Technologies, IBM, and Citizens Bank, as well as his 15+ years as a university instructor. Ray relates his training with many examples with his global engineering and business teams.
Ray earned his BS in computer science from University of Pittsburgh, his MS in computer engineering from The Ohio State University. He holds a Project Management Professional (PMP®) certificate from the Project Management Institute and is a member of the National Speakers Association.

Turning your passion into a thriving business while holding down a full-time job isn’t just possible. It is a strategic advantage.
In this talk, I’ll share my 10-year journey of juggling both worlds, from the late nights and tough trade-offs to the financial security and skill-building that made my transition into full-time entrepreneurship smoother. We’ll explore the real benefits of starting your business on the side: lower risks, time to refine your ideas, and the freedom to build at your own pace. We will also tackle the unavoidable challenges like time management struggles, growth control, and divided focus.
Success isn’t just about hard work. It’s about working smart!
You’ll learn the importance of matching your day job to your business goals, mastering productivity techniques to make the most of limited time and developing the right mindset to handle setbacks. Whether you’re just starting or deep in the hustle, this session will give you practical strategies and inspiration to turn your side business into something truly sustainable. If you’re dreaming of making the leap, I’ll show you how to build a strong foundation. Then, when the time comes to transition to your dream, you do it on your own terms