Why I Say YES To The Side Hustle 

“A side hustle is a way to make some extra cash that allows you flexibility to pursue what you’re most interested in. It can also be your true passion – a chance to delve into fashion, travel or whatever it is you care about the most without quitting your day job.” – Entrepreneur.com

I’m a busy body. A hobbyist. A finance nerd. A girl who is always into something else. I’ve catered on the side, managed my own blog, contributed to other blogs, house remodeled, attempted to cook all the recipes on my Pinterest recipe board, and so on. It wasn’t until I opened an Etsy shop, though, selling digital invitations, designs and art, that I actually started making a profit off of my free time. It became passion work, a good challenge and good side income. Eventually I added on marketing freelance work, and I’ve even dabbled in art consignment. I can’t devote as much time to it these days as in the past (hello, motherhood), and I’ve thought about making it all go away at times, but I know I’d ultimately fill the void with something else distracting.

If you are debating a side hustle of your own, here are a few reasons why I say “YES, do it!”

• Bonus income. I say bonus because, side hustle money doesn’t necessarily cover the bills. Full time job – bills. Side hustle = bonus income. Side hustles in my house pay for remodeling projects, vacations and even helped us with the down payment on our house. For you, it may be fun money, shopping money, whatever it is you see fit. If you’re looking to achieve specific financial goals, may I ask, “Have you thought about a side hustle?”
• Profitable hobbies. If you just can’t step away from your hobbies (ahem, self), see if there is a way to convert them into a side hustle, and nail two birds with one stone. Love making jewelry for fun? Can’t get yourself away from DIY house projects? Find yourself buying and promoting tons of MLM products? Love writing for your blog? Might as well make some money while doing so.
• Passion projects. When you’re side hustling, you kind of get to do whatever you want, especially if you aren’t relying on the income full-time. I paint and create wood art. I found – because I tried – that trying to turn that into a business model ruined my love for it. So now I simply make and sell for fun, separate from work and stress and not for the bottom line, and get to love it all the same.
• It’s YOURS. You make the rules as you go. Need “overtime”? Hustle a little extra. Over it? Quit. You can do whatever you want, whenever you want, as often as you want, for whatever reasons you want. I personally use my side hustle as a creative outlet and a source of side income. Others use it as an outlet in general – to have something completely of their own, separate from the requirements of life.

The thing about a side hustle is that you don’t need crazy ninja business skills to do it, just some motivation, drive and willingness to work a little extra. If that’s you, here are some ideas:

• Services for others (through a third party). Drive for Lyft or Uber, deliver with Favor, shop with Instacart, style with Stitch Fix, teach through Skillshare…
• Services for others (on your own). Babysitting, dog walking, house cleaning, painting, handyman work, photography, wedding and event coordination…
• Sell your stuff. Unique handmade items, vintage items, jewelry, designs, clothing, crafts, collectibles, furniture… through Shopify, Etsy, Poshmark, Craigslist, Zazzle, Facebook Marketplace…
• Freelance and contract gigs. Marketing, copywriting, video editing, design, data entry, transcription, coding, social media, accounting… Look at Rev.com, 99Designs, Fivver, Upwork, TaskRabbit…
• Independent sales. Sell products you love – Rodan and Fields, Young Living, Mary Kay, Monat, Plexus, Younique, Discovery Toys, LuLaRoe…

There are so many options that I can’t even begin to scratch the surface. Basically, find something you’re good at and that’s easy and doable for you. Be smart about it.

So yeah, I love my side hustle. Maybe you will too!