In 2008, I was suddenly laid off from a fortune 500 company during the financial mortgage crisis. That was when I decided to always have a back up plan in the form of either a side hustle or my own company. The first side hustle I created in 2008 was leveraging my engineering degree to launch an environmental consulting business. Since I was successfully using LinkedIn for business development, I launched my second side hustle which was a LinkedIn coaching business. 10 years later in 2018, I turned that second side hustle into a full time company as the Founder of the LinkedIn Business Accelerator Method. I reverse engineered the success of over 500+ clients into a repeatable method to set in motion business development efforts that last for years. The power of starting a side hustle gets you: - social proof, - client success stories, and - a referral network to launch your business full time. Looking back, I am grateful for that initial layoff because it set in motion a path to build up a predictable income stream, growing an audience over 47,000 followers, and reaching over 15+ million views from content built to last from speaking, video, and podcast opportunities.
I didn’t start out to create a new service industry but that’s what happened when I began helping family and friends with the transition from film to digital cameras back in the mid-2000’s. I was helping them with emailing photos, making photo books and moving photos from a memory card to a computer. One day, someone insisted that she pay me and gave me the fee a professional organizer as an example of what I should earn. Upon arrival at her home, however, I realized it as a MUCH bigger job than I’d ever anticipated: backing up and organizing her digital photo collection, printed photo organizing, scanning of inherited family photos, and conversion of home media as well as album creation for family gifts. I left with a check in my pocket, ten more appointments, and a vision for a new business model. In 2008, I opened PhotoSimplified to test my small business idea and was amazed at the response from clients! Before long, I was helping others start their own photo organizing business. That’s when I had the idea to create an association for this new industry - The Association of Personal Photo Organizers (APPO) was created in 2009 with 50 members. Within two years, it had grown to over 200 members along with our first annual education conference. We just had our 13th conference last month in Columbus and have over 700 professional members and 100 members in training, all over the world, in The Photos Managers (the revised name for APPO). We have an amazing array of people in The Photos Managers, ranging from part-timers to those enjoying a second-act career to members who have created significant companies with numerous employees and grossing six and seven figures. They may come from diverse backgrounds but they all share the same passion of doing meaningful work to help others. As our membership has grown, so have our offers which include courses for hobbyists, a Certification program for professional photo managers, and assistance to companies in creating backups and workflows for their images. We’ve created significant partnerships with companies like Mylio Photos, Epson, and Fuji Film to offer Photo Managing concierge services, assisting customers with their technology struggles. Photo Managing gave me the opportunity to become a published author, with two books on the subject: Photo Organizing Made Easy: Going from Overwhelmed to Overjoyed, and A Business Roadmap for Professional Photo Organizers. Financially, The Photo Managers grossed over $700K last year and I anticipate accelerated growth for the next while. Every day, 10,000 Americans turn 65 years old. There is a tsunami of Baby Boomers looking to downsize and do something meaningful with their legacy, telling their stories and passing on their photos and mementos to the next generation. But the younger generations want to save the memories, not the “stuff”, which has increased the need for the help of Photo Managers. What is most satisfying to me is that we've helped hundreds of thousands of families, access their photos, videos, and stories. I'm very proud to have created a profession that offers flexible, rewarding careers for hundreds of people worldwide, doing work they love and making a difference in people's lives. I’m truly thrilled and honored that I had the foresight to start an association model that has given people the training, skills, and certification they need. They have built amazing businesses, much bigger and beyond anything I had ever imagined.
My side hustle, Cultured Voyages, sprang from the downtime created by the Covid-19 lockdowns of early 2020, when I made the decision to transform my well-researched travel plans into a full-fledged travel blog - and figure out how to make money from it, too. The next couple of years were tough - I was balancing a demanding role at a tech company with blogging in every spare moment I had. But I persisted and in August 2022, I made the leap from corporate life to running my travel blog full-time by August 2022. Now, my earnings are on track to surpass what I made in the corporate world. The real payoff, however? I’ve gained autonomy, independence, and a much deeper sense of fulfilment. I feel like I’m building something with unlimited potential, which has been extremely liberating. It also proves that with hard work and a clear strategy, that side hustle you’re dreaming about is not only viable; it can fundamentally change your life for the better.
I have used my experience in teaching to start a coaching side hustle. I specialise in coaching young people who are underperforming, disorganised and demotivated to transform into elite students who are set for success in their exams. I was fully aware of the value of the skills that I had accumulated over my teaching career and rather than go down the typical teacher side hustle of tutoring, I wanted to try something different. By carving out my own niche, I have thrived in the challenge of finding my own path rather than treading more familiar paths.
I own She's Sew Vain, an embroidery and monogramming shop located in Eastern Kentucky. I have always been interested in making beautiful things. As a child, I was drawing on every scrap of available paper and building artistic “masterpieces” with pieces of scrap lumber. As I grew older, I discovered handicrafts and eagerly learned how to cross-stitch, latch hook, and knit. I loved taking raw materials and creating something that existed in my imagination with them. I started machine embroidery in 2011 and haven't looked back since! What started as one flatbed machine has grown into a dedicated studio with seven multineedle machines and a recent expansion into sewing and future planning for in house digitization services. We are pleased to see our growth on schedule to reach six figures this year.
I started taking photos back when I was in college 2nd year, and then after college I started working with my family business and photography was the side hustle. A few years later I realized my passion for photography and decided to get a professional diploma in Photography from VanArts, Canada. After completing my diploma, this side hustle became a second stream of income for me. I earn an approximate INR 5-10L in a year depending upon how many projects I pick up.
I'm a PR and Marketing Manager for a college. In the past I've had side hustles in editing, writing, and promotions, but now I take all that I know and do on a daily basis to teach college marketing classes as an adjunct. The department actually approached me with the opportunity, preferring to have business students learn from people in the field, and I started teaching both online and in class. I've found that teaching others about what I do has increased my own confidence as well as given me a purpose outside of my tasks. I feel renewed in my work--and adding a second revenue stream doesn't hurt, either. As a professional, it is easy to be worn down in a quest to be successful, so it's great benefit to get to pause and remember why I chose my profession. I also get a new perspective by focusing on students instead of myself. I highly recommend it!
I tried my hand at web design in 2010 while making only $200 at my full-time job. That was low, even by Romanian standards. A newborn passion for web design turned into a freelancing side hustle, which helped me earn enough to quit my job and go full-time into freelancing a year later. Little did I know that those freelancing gigs would become a full-blown marketing business in 2016. From celebrating my first $100 web design gig to 5-figure projects in 2024, that old side hustle became a borderless business serving clients in 15 countries, allowing me to live on four continents.
I embarked on my side hustle journey by recognizing my strengths, interests, and assessing the level of risk I was comfortable with. For those with a stable support system, like a tenured parent or spouse, diving into building a brand offering sophisticated services to a niche clientele could yield substantial returns, albeit with a longer gestation period for the initial client acquisition. On the other hand, for those with immediate financial responsibilities, opting for a side gig with a broader appeal might mean lower profit margins initially, but the volume of transactions could compensate for it. Regardless of the path chosen, the key is consistent effort—akin to a marathon, where daily practice and perseverance are crucial. Personally, I began as a freelance business feasibility consultant, and while it took me three months to secure my first client, thereafter, a steady stream of opportunities, both new and recurring, ensued.
I started my side gig as a marketing content writer when I was laid off from my corporate retail marketing position in 2014. This was the second time in three years that I'd been laid off, and a career change seemed like a good idea. I thought the writing work would keep me afloat while I figured out my next step. The next step turned out to be leading a marketing and communications team for a nonprofit. It was work I loved and found meaning in. However, I also found that I loved the writing work. So, I kept the side gig going throughout my 7+ years at the nonprofit. I refined my writing style and expertise. I collected a stable of very regular and happy clients. I thought the side gig would be a great way to ease into retirement when I was ready. But a change in leadership changed my plans again. For my mental health, I needed to leave my beloved nonprofit position. As always, my side gig saved me. I'm now a full-time brand strategist and content writer. It's no longer a side gig; it's now my entire future. And I couldn't be happier.
My latest side hustle is in the travel space. As full time digital marketers, my partner and I leveraged our SEO, content and PR experience to create Andorra Escapes—a website that connects holiday planners with the best deals and local details to book their dream holidays in Andorra. This primarily came about from my passion for the gorgeous mountain country that I call home. I'm so fortunate to have discovered this place and want to helps others do the same. Additionally, accurate and up-to-date information on Andorra in English can be hard to come by. We identified a gap in the market, and a demand that we felt we were able to meet, and started by putting the site together in our spare time. Establishing our online presence first has given us an in with local businesses that we will continue to grow. While this is still a side hustle in its infancy, the success of our first winter season has given us the motivation to continue pushing—eventually creating an additional business that supports the outdoor lifestyle we love.
While an undergrad in college, I launched my career coaching side hustle on Fiverr, charging five dollars to provide resume reviews and write LinkedIn profile summaries for job seekers. Over time, based on my dad's advice, I doubled my prices each time I had a waitlist, from $5 to $10 to $20, etc. I made multiple business pivots along the way. CaffeinatedKyle.com began as a resume review service for anyone looking for a job. I then transitioned into a boutique resume writing service for tech professionals, and then again toward career and interview coaching for senior managers and executives in Silicon Valley. In 2017, I left my safe, full-time position at a university to dedicate 100% of my time and energy to my business. A decade later, I now run a multi-six-figure career coaching business and serve as a trusted confidant to senior managers and executives in tech. My clients have included some of the biggest names in Silicon Valley and the world.
I am quite lucky to be able to say that my side hustle is playing piano on cruise ships, while running my businesses remotely. I realized I could combine my passion for music with my entrepreneurial spirit through remote work, and I've been benefitting from both ever since! I am now able to travel the world, entertaining guests with my music, while simultaneously managing Quote For Solar and coaching clients remotely. What began as a way to indulge my love for playing piano has evolved into a lucrative side hustle that allows me to enjoy my passion of music (and travelling) while also maintaining my professional commitments. It has been a great thrill to be able to do this, and I look to continue doing this into the future!
My most favorite and fun side hustle is creating User Generated Content (UGC) for various brands. It all started from my love for taking aesthetic photos, which naturally led me to explore UGC (User Generated Content) creation. What began as a passion has now turned into a rewarding side hustle that fuels my nomadic van life adventure. Through UGC creation, I've had the opportunity to obtain my favorite products for free, such as delicious hummus and refreshing kombucha, which are essential for my on-the-road lifestyle. This side hustle also allows me to work from scenic backgrounds, capturing captivating content that resonates with their audience, thats right I don't even have to post my own content. I send the content to them to use on their social pages! One of my recent brand deals was with a beverage company. They sent me their new drink and paid me $350 for creating 3 user-generated content videos reviewing and showcasing their product. It was a fun and refreshing collaboration that not only provided me with income but also allowed me to stock up my fridge with fun drinks! Which is a huge deal for me, since fun drinks are a main expense of mine. This side hustle as a UGC Creator has been incredibly fulfilling, learning how to properly cold email brands and try a bunch of new products! It also allows me the extra income and resources to fuel my Nomadic van life adventure across the USA!
I started side hustling when I graduated from college because I was terrible at my full-time job and needed an outlet to develop my strengths. I did blogging, digital marketing, photography, social media management, and resume writing, and now I've landed on LinkedIn coaching and training, and social media strategy. During undergraduate school, I focused on marketing, so it was easy to transition from marketing products to helping people market themselves with strong personal branding via LinkedIn. Soon after working with 1:1 clients, I led a LinkedIn training for a small group of women business owners and thoroughly enjoyed it!! I officially registered my side hustle as a business after I made a couple thousand dollars in the first year and had 3 to 4 clients in the pipeline. I still have my business and I'm working on scaling and growing - it's been a journey!
What started out as a passion project, quickly turned into a business that promotes faith, courage, and deep inner strength. Addicted To The Climb is a brand founded on getting back up as many times as it takes, and becoming more resilient as you climb up from the valleys and towards the peaks. Through the fears of cancer, grief, heartbreak, and uncertainty, there’s now peace, joy, and a renewing of the mind that comes from unwavering faith. Being broken was how it started, but it’s also what built and restored what was once lost. Life is a climb and your life is worth climbing for.
My side hustle originally started with speaking engagements. As I began working with clients to develop sustainable work cultures, I received more and more requests to provide advice and tangible strategies to other organizations. It began virtually during the pandemic, as remote workers needed support to prevent burnout and navigate external challenges. Additionally, I supported leaders with pragmatic approaches to role model effective allyship within their organizations, leading them to feel well-equipped to support their direct teams. This pragmatic approach and strategy led to speaking opportunities at various conferences, where I shared real-life scenarios and emphasized the importance of tailored strategies in workplace mental health and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB). Now, speaking engagements have become a core service I offer within my business. By leveraging my expertise and adapting it to meet industry needs, I've been able to turn speaking engagements into a significant aspect of my professional endeavors.
Hi! My client, Cathi Nelson, would make for a great feature on side hustles. She transformed her hobby of organizing photos for family and friends into a full-time business, then into a whole new category of service providers (Photo Managers) and finally, into an international association, The Photo Managers. https://thephotomanagers.com/. She is making over $600K a year and is happy to share her financials. It all started when she began to notice people moving from film camera to digital cameras. As an early adaptor to digital technology she was helping her family and friends email photos, make photo books and move photos from a memory card to a computer and more. Eventually, a customer insisted she pay Cathi for her time and cited the fee she paid a professional organizer as justification and an example. Upon arriving at her home, Cathi realized it would take months to accomplish all the goals her client had: back up and organizing digital photo collection, printed photo organizing and scanning of inherited family photos, and conversion of home media as well as album creation for family gifts. With a check in her pocket and ten more appointments, Cathi had a vision for a new business model. In 2008 she started her own business called PhotoSimplified to test her idea and was amazed at the response from clients. Soon she found herself helping others start similar careers and she thought, what if I create the first association for this new emerging business. She founded, The Association of Personal Photo Organizers (APPO) which initially had 50 members. By 2011, she had over 200 members. Rebranded as The Photo Managers, it now boasts over 700 members worldwide, ranging from part-timers to those enjoying a second-act career to some six and even seven-figure business owners. The Photo Managers offers courses for hobbyists, a Certification program for professional photo managers, and assistance to companies in creating backups and workflows for their images. Additionally, they've partnered with the app Mylio Photos to offer Photo Managing concierge services https://mylio.com/concierge/ Cathi is the author of two books, Photo Organizing Made Easy: Going from Overwhelmed to Overjoyed,and A Business Roadmap for Professional Photo Organizers. She is an amazing case study on turning a fun hobby into a serious side hustle into a highly successful organization offering side hustle opportunities to others around the world. Thank you!
My side hustle was developing tool websites, which were actually tools that I could not find online for my own use. I began learning web development during my university studies. As a student, I could not wake up early and attend morning classes, so I needed a reliable alarm clock. After trying multiple apps and not finding one that suited my needs, I decided to create my own online alarm clock. Then, after lots of trial and error and considerable effort, I created a web app that I didn't even know I would continue working on to this day. Today, I am still working on developing various tool websites, and I continue to add more features to my online alarm clock, my first web tool. My side hustle has evolved into a small business, making me a solopreneur. In other words, I am my own boss, a man of many skills, and I keep learning new things about web development and marketing every day. My motivation remains strong, partly because I likely earn more than I would in a traditional job in Europe.
I have two side hustles in the party and entertainment industry. I own and run a bounce house/waterslide rental company and a photo booth rental company. Several years ago we rented a bounce house for my daughter's birthday. The kids had a blast, they were worn out by the end of the party, and it was a stress-free event. I decided to start a bounce house rental company as there were plenty of families with children in our community and not a lot of market competition. Also, I created my niche to focus on unique, high-quality bounce house units that were not offered locally. After my bounce house business took off, I started a photo booth business to cater to larger events like weddings, corporate parties, and special occasions. Both companies provide a substantial amount of money for my family and deliver the flexibility I need to work around our family's busy schedules. Furthermore, my kids love our products and we often utilize them for birthday parties, foundation events, and summer fun. I write extensively on how to launch a photo booth business on my blog suzannemichell.com