My feeling after being in the business as a Real estate Broker for 18 years is that in order to be successful and stay on top of the constant changing market you should work the business full time in order to truly act in the best interest of your client.  Upon start up of a real estate career it may be necessary to generate additional income until you establish clients.  Agents are paid on a commission basis only and it will take a few months getting started.   If part time agents selling makeup or other things invested that time into marketing, education and growing their own business they would not need a 2nd job and would be that much better at real estate and representing their profession and their clients.  Just one Realtors opinion!