Conflict or interest or competing?

From what you're saying, you're being paid to market and manage your company's website, in which case opening your own separate site promoting the same products would definitely be a conflict of interest.

You could try getting the company's permission first, but if it were my company, I wouldn't allow it.

I agree with Frank.


And wonder why not promote something else?


If you're getting them buyers, you ought to be able to get yourself buyers, no matter what the product. No?

I wanted to do it with a product I am very familiar with as a proof of concept. I could learn what does and does not work a bit easier if I know it already converts with my other marketing efforts.



I have just always felt this is a bit shady to do with my knowledge of the inside. I believe if I left the company it would not be competing and would be okay but for now its best I hold off.



I have made quite a few websites over the years. If I go forward with this I will ask my employer for permission to promote his products for commission on top of my salary.

Why did you make less?

Did this company's sales go down... and perhaps they attribute that
to you?

I'm not asking to be negative, I'm asking because the only way
to make money, while staying in that job, is to become more valuable
to them.

And by more valuable, I mean you increase their sales and profits.

Other than that, there's not much you can do to stay where
you are, unless you're willing to work at being more valuable
to them.

And maybe this is a dumb question... but is it still an issue
of "non compete" if you start the side hustle WHILE you
still work there?

Isn't that "win win"... as in you get to perhaps make that
income BACK, through your side site... WHILE your company
still earns money from the sales?

I think a lot of this hinges on who exactly is selling your bosses products on Amazon... as in is the business you are working for selling on Amazon? OR is it 3rd parties?

If it is your employer that is using Amazon for distribution.. I would say sell away... Within the "Rules" of Amazon, there is nothing wrong with this. I would suggest even within the realm of a no-compete clause ( would have to read yours specifically ) if you were to quit and continue to promote their product from a affiliate site.. THAT would be legal.

Now if the product being sold on Amazon are from 3rd party sellers... I think things in direct relation to your employer MIGHT get complicated.. and I would request permission prior to starting. However, Me being a business owner and I had product on Amazon listed by 3rd parties I would be in favor of moving product at wholesale as well as retail.

Which brings up a whole other topic... are the majority of your companies sales direct retail or is it wholesale? Either way ultimately it benefits the company to move product.

I would force a hand here... I would walk into a meeting with the leverage of Employee retention in mind.. and The fact you are making less year over year, and this being an option to fill the gap and stay with the company - turns it into a bit of a win win all the way around.

I think its OK to start something on the side I think its a win win, you get to focus on the company growth, and focus on How to increase your income

You 100% need to start a side hustle and you need to do it now. Your days at the job are numbered for a variety of reasons.

Just don't sell a product that competes directly with the one you're selling now.

In what income scenario does it make sense, whether employee or owner, where you are losing money each year? They're either undervaluing you, or you're not providing enough value to them.

Either way, you're going to end up getting let go, or leaving yourself because your income is reducing while inflation is increasing. However you go, you need to have an income waiting for you, and nows the time to start creating it. No one will do it for you.

You do not want to wait until you are at zero and then decide to build your hustle. It will be very, very difficult then. You need to have a steady income and/or minimal to no expenses because you need to be able to focus.


The one thing I'll say you should do at the same time is figure out why your income isn't growing with this current company, and find out what you can do to fix it ASAP. That's definitely a red flag somewhere that your salary isn't increasing, and a bigger flag that it's decreasing. Are you capable of doing your job correctly and with excellence? If you are good, but if you're not, you need to improve first before trying to go out on your own.

If they're taking advantage of you, try to identify how the work you do has increased revenue for their company and use that to justify them increasing your pay.



If compensation is tied to the contract you signed, it may void out the non compete also.

Promote something else. You state that you manage this companies website, so you know how to set up your own. So do just that only promote non competing products or services. It really is that simple. I get that you have a non compete agreement and want to stay with the company, But I am sure they do not have products in every niche out there.

So, keep doing what you are doing with this company that keeps paying you less every year and on the side start your own affiliate business that does not compete with them.

al

Probably considered a conflict of interest but it all depends on your contract's clauses.

In Europe, non-compete agreements are illegal in many countries (they basically limit your free will by telling you where you can or can't work) or are almost impossible to stand in a court. If you are in Europe, i'd check that with a lawyer.

In my opinion, if you SIGN a non-compete you need to read it so you KNOW what it covers. If you agreed to it, keep your word - but that's just me.


What would happen if the OP asked his employer if this 'promotional effort' is OK - if the answer is 'I would be fired' - might want to rethink it.