Yes, I have and am doing it again right now. That said, first time I tried this I wound up failing before it really got a good start. I don't think the idea was bad, or really even flawed, but I was and so was my method.<p>My 2 cents:
1) First, I agree with most of things orangethirty said, with a couple of differences.<p>2) The services model doesn't work well while you are working a job. It is too demanding and you will fail someone.<p>3) I found setting a schedule is the best thing. Give yourself at least 2 nights a week where you do nothing. That isn't much, by the time you get out of work, eat dinner and unwind you will find it amounts to only a few hours. In reality if you are like most, you'll still write stuff down, and be thinking about concepts idea's etc. But avoid the keyboard if at all possible.<p>4) Layout your plan in detail. I created a task list and am working it every chance I get.<p>5) Outsource things. Don't try to do everything, if you need logo's, design work etc, find freelancers or some of the online groups. It is worth it. Use the money your "job" is paying you to make investments in people and things you need for the business.<p>6) Enlist family or friends to help you with details. I have a Google Voice number we forward to our cells and trade who is answering. That way if a client is calling they get a person most times, not a voicemail box. Seems small, but I think it pays off.<p>7) I talk to everyone I can about my idea, and any questions I have.
7a) I do avoid talking to anyone at the office in regard to my business in general as I feel I owe it to them to do the job they hired me to do. Some people that know I will talk to some, but I try to keep it minimal.
7b) I do however talk to executives in the business and people in key positions that might have insight or knowledge. So I will ask questions about problem domains or how they solved issues etc. I am not asking them for secrets or asking them to violate any company policies. But smart people always have opinions, and I do not say hey I have X business and how would you do Y. I will simply ask how did you solve problem Y (no different than a forum)? Also in my case, my "job" and my startup project/business are not in the same domain and in fact I sought a place so I could avoid conflicts, and ensured my non-compete etc would not cause issues.<p>8) Ok cause I can't seem to write anything short. Last thing. When you get a little traction dedicate yourself to the business or it won't go anywhere.<p>tl;dr --<p>Do's: make a plan, set a schedule, take time off weekly, enlist family/friends and talk to everyone.<p>Don't: Make it a Service business, talk out of turn at work, break confidentiality rules etc.<p>Updated to fix the formatting.