Joe and His Time Machine

It all began with a late-night scroll through eBay, when most people were scrolling through cat videos or memes, but not Joe.

Joe was different.

He was scrolling through listings for something far more... ambitious.

And then he saw it.

"Vintage Time Machine, Works Like New! (Or at least, it’s supposed to.)"

The listing featured a blurry photo of what looked like a rusted, vintage steamer trunk with dials and levers sticking out.

It was listed by a seller named "ChronoChad," who claimed the machine was "guaranteed to transport you back to any moment in time—provided you don’t mind a few glitches."

Joe chuckled. "Sure, why not? I’ve got nothing better to do with my $500."

He clicked "Buy It Now" and waited for the confirmation email.

A few hours later, the package arrived.

It was exactly as advertised: a beat-up trunk with a dial that read "1998."

Joe grinned. "This is going to be fun."

The First Trip: 1998

Joe set the dial for January 1, 1998, and hopped inside.

The machine hummed to life, and before he knew it, he was standing in his old bedroom, surrounded by posters of bands he hadn’t listened to in years.

He was 22, fresh out of college, and about to start a new job at a marketing firm.

But instead of heading to work, Joe sat down at his old computer.

He remembered how he used to dream about starting a small side business from home.

Back then, the internet was still young, and there was so much opportunity.

He could have built a website, sold t-shirts, or even started a blog.

But life got in the way.

There were bills to pay, relationships to manage, and responsibilities to juggle.

Joe sighed. "If only I had started then..."

He opened his browser and Googled "how to start a business online."

Sure enough, it was easy.

In 1998, you could set up a basic e-commerce site with just a few clicks.

Joe spent the next few hours building a simple website for selling custom t-shirts.

By the end of the day, he had a working prototype.

But then, reality hit.

His phone buzzed with a message from his boss. "Hey, we need you at the office tomorrow. Important meeting."

Joe groaned. "Life always gets in the way."

He closed the laptop and stepped back into the time machine. Back to 2025.

The Second Trip: 2008

Joe tried again, setting the dial for 2008.

This time, he was determined to start his business.

He knew the market was ripe for online ventures.

Social media was exploding, and e-commerce was booming.

He could have capitalized on the trend.

But once again, life intervened.

His phone rang.

It was his partner. "Hey, can we talk about our wedding plans?"

Joe hesitated. "Of course, but I was just about to start my business."

His partner smiled. "We can talk later. Just wanted to check in."

Joe nodded, but he never got around to starting that business. Instead, he spent the next few months planning a wedding, moving into a new house, and adjusting to married life.

By the time everything settled down, the opportunity had passed him by.

He stepped back into the time machine, frustrated.

The Third Trip: 2018

Joe was running out of patience.

This time, he set the dial for 2018.

The world had changed dramatically.

Streaming services, social media influencers, and dropshipping were everywhere.

It was easier than ever to start a business from home.

But once again, life got in the way.

His phone buzzed with a message from his kids. "Daddy, can you come help us build a fort?"

Joe smiled. "Of course, sweethearts."

He spent the afternoon playing with his children, building forts, and laughing.

It was a beautiful moment, but it also reminded him of how easily opportunities slipped away.

If he had started that business back in 2008, he could have been well-established by now.

He could have been traveling the world, working from anywhere, and living the life he dreamed of.

But life got in the way.

Back to Reality: 2025

Joe finally gave up on the time machine.

He realized that no matter how many times he traveled back, life would always find a way to distract him.

Opportunities didn’t just disappear—they were overshadowed by the demands of daily life.

But here’s the thing: Joe didn’t need a time machine to change his future.

He didn’t need to go back to 1998 or 2008.

He could start right now.

He picked up his phone and downloaded a few apps.

He started researching ways to monetize his skills, whether it was freelancing, creating content, or even launching a small e-commerce store.

It wasn’t too late.

And while life would still get in the way sometimes, he could make time for himself and his dreams.

Because let’s face it—life will always get in the way.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t make room for the things that matter.

You don’t need a time machine to build a better future.

You just need to start now.

And who knows?

Maybe one day, you’ll look back and laugh at all the reasons you put off starting your own side hustle.

After all, life does get in the way—but that doesn’t mean you can’t find a way around it.

Moral of the Story:

If you’re thinking about starting a side business, don’t wait for the perfect moment.

Life will always find a way to distract you.

Whether it’s bills, relationships, or even family time, there’s always something pulling you away.

But if you take action now—no time machine required—you’ll be amazed at how much better your life could be.

Have a good weekend - I’ll be back in your inbox on Monday.

Alun