Everyone Should Have A Side Hustle

Side hustles are everywhere. Whether you're looking to earn extra income, explore a creative passion, or test the waters of entrepreneurship, side hustles offer a flexible way to do more with what you already know.

Side Hustle: Definition

A side hustle is more than a hobby. That's because it is any income-generating activity you get involved in that is outside your primary job. It’s often flexible, self-directed, and tailored to your interests or skills. Unlike a full-time job, you are in complete control of your side hustle. It typically starts small and grows at your own pace. It can be entrepreneurial (selling products), service-based (freelancing), or content-driven (blogging, teaching online).

A hobby is something you do purely for enjoyment—no deadlines, no pressure, no paycheck. A side hustle adds strategy, consistency, and the potential for income. Some hobbies can become side hustles, and you can earn money while doing what you love.

Why Side Hustles Are on the Rise

Chances are you have noticed that many celebrities have side hustles. Besides acting, they sell their own products such as make-up, skincare, perfume, clothes, wine, and many other items.

You cannot go a day without seeing celebrities on television advertising Royal Kingdom, the mobile puzzle game. Some of them include the NBA’s all-time leading scorer and four-time champion LeBron James, award-winning actor and comedian Kevin Hart, popular late-night host Jimmy Fallon, and a whole host of others.

As of 2024, nearly 45% of working adults in the U.S. report having a side hustle. Side hustles are on the rise, and there are reasons why more people have them. They are answers to some of the needs of the world.

Consider these needs:

• Economic pressure: Rising costs and stagnant wages have people looking for extra income.
• Digital access: Platforms like Etsy, Fiverr, Vocal.Media, and Substack make it easier than ever to start something from home.
• Creative freedom: Many people want to explore interests that don’t fit into their 9 to 5 jobs.
• Community and visibility: Social media helps niche creators find their audience.

Benefits of Having a Side Hustle

Side hustles can offer many benefits:

• Extra Income: Supplement your salary because of inflation, pay off debt, or build savings.
• Share Gifts: Teach others what you know and get paid for it.
• Personal Fulfillment: Pursue interests that energize you.
• Networking: Connect with like-minded creators and professionals.

Popular Types of Side Hustles

Here are common types of side hustles along with examples. Choose a type that fits your personality, interests, and lifestyle.

• Freelance: Offer a skill for hire, such as writing, editing, tutoring
• Product-Based: Sell physical or digital goods, such as crafts, eBooks, templates
• Content Creation: Build and monetize an audience, such as blogging, YouTube, and podcasting
• Service-Based: Provide a helpful service, such as coaching, virtual assistance, or grocery shopping and running errands for the elderly

Should You Start a Side Hustle?

Whether you're a writer, maker, teacher, or organizer, there’s a side hustle model that fits your strengths. Before diving in, be able to answer certain questions to determine if a side hustle will be right for you.

• Do I have time and energy to commit?
• What’s my goal—income, creativity, flexibility?
• Am I willing to learn and adapt?
• Will this add value to my life or create stress?

Side hustles require effort, but they don’t have to be overwhelming. Start small. Test ideas. Learn as you go.

Personal Testimony

While working at a lucrative job at the Post Office, I had a side hustle as an adjunct faculty member in a local community college, teaching keyboarding in the evenings. My passion was teaching; therefore, I resigned from the Post Office and signed up with every community college in my area.

Then I had time to become an online writer. This is the tenth site I have written for in the last 15 years. I currently write for three sites: HubPages, NewsBreak, and Vocal.Media. Today, I make my living by writing, which developed from a side hustle over the years. I also teach online courses.

Final Thoughts

If you have a skill, a spark, or a half-finished idea tucked away, maybe it’s time to give it a second look. Just make sure the side hustle you choose aligns with your values, gifts, and lifestyle.

If you have been contemplating starting a side hustle, perhaps this article is confirmation that you should give it a try.

Check here for a list of 41 side hustles. You can work from home with most of them.