For those who want to start a new business, it is not necessary or always advisable to take the plunge and give up their day job immediately. Termed the ‘five to niners’ , there are a whole host of entrepreneurs holding down a normal nine to five job, and setting up a business from home in addition.

This trend was spotted by entrepreneur Emma Jones, who wrote the book “Working 5 to 9”, a guide for those considering converting their hobby or passion into a business.

Research into this phenomenon has shown that 51 per cent of people who set up a business from home, planned to give up their stable day job within the next year. The remainder were happy to build up their businesses gradually in their spare time.

The businesses being set up vary greatly in type, but the research revealed that around 80 per cent of these businesses involved selling online. In addition the research showed that all of the businesses used the technique of social media marketing to help them build sales.

Emma Jones believes that everyone has an idea for a business and that it is never too late or too early to start. She added that research indicates that by the end of this year in excess of eight million people in the UK will be earning money from home.