Supporting Employee’s Personal Projects

We think our employees rock and want to do everything we can to help them succeed, no matter what they’re striving for. That goes double for employees who are inspired to start their own businesses or make what they already pursue even better. If you’ve got a great idea, we want to help make that a reality. Why do we care so much about personal projects? Because we believe they reflect passion, ambition, and drive—qualities that help you grow professionally and personally. Whether it’s a side business, a creative hobby, or just learning something new, these projects fuel the type of forward-thinking ideas that benefits everyone. In this post, we’ll explore why we encourage our team to pursue their side hustles, and what we do to support that—including more than just great PTO and flexible schedules!

Why we love employee side hustles

At Two Barrels, we see employee side hustles as more than hobbies, they’re growth opportunities that enrich our workplace. When people pour their creativity, ambition, and skills into personal ventures, it doesn’t just benefit them—it fuels innovation, sharpens problem-solving, and brings fresh perspectives to the table. Here’s why we think encouraging these endeavors makes us a stronger, more dynamic team.

Creativity through diverse perspectives

Personal projects have a way of sparking fresh ideas that can transform how we approach challenges at work. When employees explore their own businesses, they often bring back unique ideas and new ways of thinking. Whether it’s designing a marketing plan for a side business or streamlining operations for a passion project, these experiences enrich our Two Barrels teams with new perspectives. By encouraging and supporting these endeavors, we create a workplace where original ideas flourish and creativity thrives.

Building skills beyond the job

At Two Barrels we know that personal ventures are opportunities to build invaluable hard and soft skills. From mastering project management and financial planning to sharpening communication and negotiation skills, employees gain real-world expertise that make them even better at what they’re already doing. These skills don’t just stay with their personal projects—they enhance teamwork and contribute to a stronger, more adaptable workplace. By investing in and supporting these pursuits, we’re building a workplace that values continuous learning and skill development for everyone.

Turning ambition into impact

Personal ambition fuels resourcefulness and sparks innovation. When employees tackle challenges in their own ventures, they develop a knack for creative problem-solving and thinking on their feet. Many of these projects also give employees the chance to experience our products and services firsthand. As some of our best customers, they test out our tools in real-world scenarios, offering invaluable feedback and ideas for improvement. These skills often find their way back into the workplace, inspiring fresh approaches to team projects and company goals. By navigating obstacles in their projects, employees build the confidence needed to tackle complex problems, turning ambition into actionable solutions that benefit everyone. It’s a cycle of ambition turned into actionable solutions—benefiting not just their own projects but the entire Two Barrels team.

How we support our people

Last year, we rolled out the “Owning Your Business” training course to help employees step up, trust their gut, and make confident decisions that align with our mission. We tackled big ideas like building trust with your team, gathering the right info, and advocating for your choices without crumbling under feedback. This wasn’t just theory—we gave practical tools to help everyone take ownership of their responsibilities and lean into autonomy. The goal? To leave feeling fired up and ready to “do the dang thing” with purpose and precision.

We’ve also got a dedicated chat channel where employees can share their side hustles and trade tips and strategies. It’s a space for collaboration and encouragement, where questions get answered and wins get celebrated. Whether someone’s looking for feedback on a new idea or just wants to support a coworker’s venture, this channel is all about helping each other thrive, in and out of the office. Plus, it’s a great way to discover that your teammate in marketing also makes killer candles or offers top-tier tutoring.

And we make it easy to get your company formed—because starting your own business shouldn’t be complicated. As an employee, you’ll get our registered agent service and filing support to help you get up and running with minimal hassle. Just create an account, add the services, and let us handle the filing. We’ll even adjust the invoice to reflect your employee perks. Once everything’s squared away, you pay, we file, and voilà—your business is officially in business.

But we don’t stop there. We think our professional phone service is pretty great, designed to make your life easier and more efficient. Whether you need a second phone number to separate your business and personal calls or simply want a reliable communication tool, we’ve got you covered. The best part? Employees get this service absolutely free—because supporting our team is a priority. And that’s not all. As an employee, you’ll also enjoy exclusive access to premium domain pricing—normally reserved for customers managing 200+ domains. Your domain name is the face of your project or brand online, and we can even help you come up with a solid domain and get it live. We’re all about perks that make your life easier and that help you hit the ground running.

Why this matters for you

At Two Barrels, we believe that supporting personal ambitions isn’t just a perk—it’s a pathway to growth, both for you and for us. By fostering a culture that values creativity and skill-building from personal projects, we create a place where you can thrive professionally while pursuing what matters to you. We encourage you to bring your whole self to work—your ideas, your passions, and your unique experiences—all of which make Two Barrels stronger and more innovative. If you’re looking for a place where your growth is as important as your contributions, we’re excited to have you on the team.