Side Hustles
So You’re Thinking About a Side Hustle?
If you’ve ever found yourself googling “can I make money from home” at midnight with a head full of ideas and zero energy; welcome, you’re in the right place.
Side hustles are more than just trendy buzzwords. For a lot of us, they’re the bridge between financial pressure and creative freedom. But starting one? It can feel overwhelming. Where do you begin? What if you mess it up? What if no one buys a thing?
Here’s what I wish someone had told me at the start.
1. You don’t need a business plan, but you do need a reason
Not everything has to be mapped out in a spreadsheet. But ask yourself why you want to start. Do you want to bring in extra cash? Scratch a creative itch? Build something of your own?
Knowing your why helps you make better decisions when the “should I keep doing this?” days hit.
2. Start scrappy
Don’t wait until everything’s perfect. Start with what you have. Use your phone. Use free tools. Use leftover packaging. The fancy branding and website can come later.
Getting started is the hard part; don’t overcomplicate it.
3. You’re allowed to learn in public
Don’t be afraid to show up online while you’re still figuring it out. Share behind-the-scenes. Talk about the process. Be honest when things don’t go as planned.
People aren’t expecting perfection. They’re drawn to the real story behind the product.
4. Keep it sustainable
Side hustles are supposed to support your life, not take it over. If you’re losing sleep and sanity, scale back. It’s okay to say no to custom orders, or to close your books for a bit when life gets busy.
This thing needs to work for you, not just your customers.
5. Don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle
Scrolling through perfectly branded small biz accounts can be inspiring. . . or completely demoralising. You don’t know how long they’ve been at it, what they outsource, or how burnt out they are behind the scenes.
Focus on your progress. Celebrate the small wins. You’re building something real, even if it doesn’t look “big” just yet.
6. It doesn’t have to turn into a full-time job
Some side hustles stay side hustles and that’s totally valid. You don’t have to scale, hire a team, or quit your job. If it brings you joy, extra money, or a creative outlet? It’s working.