Having a side business on top of a day job is not easy, but it is becoming more common. Many people have a side business in order to pursue their dreams, supplement their income, or pursue a passion. In fact, in 2017, there were over 44 million Americans with a side hustle. The trend of having a side hustle is expected to continue due to the increase in mobile and freelance work opportunities.
If you are interested in getting involved in the gig industry, you should consider experimenting with one of the side business suggestions we have compiled here. Many of these side hustle ideas can expand into fully-fledged businesses, while others offer convenient and time-saving means to make a substantial amount of money alongside your regular job. Now, let us delve into the details.
Graphic design
When the pandemic started, Alyssa Nguyen, a student at Princeton University, had her summer marketing internship canceled. As a result, she initiated a graphic-design venture targeting businesses owned by women of color without paid employment.
Before starting her business, Nyguyen engaged in graphic design work as a side activity and for recreational purposes. Presently, she has accomplished a staggering $170,000 in revenue.
Glamping business
After experiencing burnout and getting fired, Kenny Young, who used to be a youth pastor for his local church, decided to embark on an RV road trip in California with his wife, who had also left her job at the same church.
The notion ignited the idea of establishing a glamping business, providing outdoor activities in people’s backyards with all the essential amenities needed for a family movie night or a romantic candlelit anniversary dinner.
According to documents reviewed by Insider, Young’s company, Pitched Glamping, generated over $125,000 in revenue in 2020. The company operates in Minnesota and Arizona and has a staff of seven, which includes Young’s wife.
Social media marketing
Lexi Cherizol, who had been employed as a hospital Phlebotomist in Orlando, Florida, found herself among the millions of Americans who became unemployed as a result of the pandemic. However, she viewed this situation as a chance to explore a different profession.
At the beginning of 2021, Pro Luxe Marketing was launched by her, and after she uploaded marketing tips and advice on TikTok, her business began to thrive. In her most well-received video, Cherizol revealed her method of planning 30 days’ worth of content in less than an hour, which has now garnered nearly 32,000 likes.
Resell used clothing and items
If you have been influenced by the Marie Kondo phenomenon, instead of discarding the clothes or items that don’t bring you joy but are still in good condition, consider selling them.
Reselling your old items is a great way to declutter and can potentially be a profitable side business depending on the quantity and quality of your clothes. One of our acquaintances made nearly $19,000 by selling their old designer items on The RealReal (seriously). Additionally, it is simple to sell lightly used clothing, shoes, jewelry, and accessories on various websites such as Depop, ThredUP, Tradesy, and Poshmark.
If you want to sell more than just clothes and accessories, you could think about selling on eBay or becoming an Amazon seller. It does require some effort to open and manage a store on either platform, but as long as you follow their rules, there are no limits to what you can sell. There is even a possibility of being one of the few sellers who earn more than $1 million on Amazon or eBay.
Plant influencer
Christopher Griffin, also known as Plant Kween, dedicates their Instagram account to showcasing 200 plants that reside in their Brooklyn apartment, along with sharing helpful tips on nurturing these greens and providing valuable botanical insights.
In 2016, they created the account with the intention of expanding their knowledge after completing graduate school. Over time, they managed to accumulate nearly 370,000 followers and established collaborations with brands such as Spotify to create curated content.
Declutter and organize people’s homes
After decluttering your own home, progress to decluttering other people’s homes and charging them for your services. Professional organizers are not only tidy individuals but also show empathy, have a pleasant demeanor, and possess good listening skills. Your clients are not merely compensating you to eliminate and arrange their belongings, but they are also relying on you to handle some of their most sentimental possessions.
If this idea of a side business seems interesting to you, you may want to consider enrolling in a professional organization course or certification program, such as those provided by the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals. Once you have established your skills, you can choose to charge within the average range, which may be up to $80 per hour, or a flat fee of $375 for bigger projects.
Independent moving company
JK Moving Services was established by Chuck Kuhn in Fairfax County, Virginia as a one-man, one-truck operation when he was 16 years old. At present, JK Moving Services holds the position of being the largest independently owned trucking company in the United States.
According to Glassdoor, in 2021, the company located in Washington, DC, revealed its intention to employ 100 drivers and increase their annual salaries to $100,000, which is almost twice the national industry average of $56,483.
Website flipper
Chelsea Clarke, the creator of Blogs For Sale, has established a company that turns obscure websites into sought-after online businesses capable of producing an annual revenue of approximately $17,000.
Clarke stated that her startup experienced significant growth in 2020 due to the increased number of individuals seeking online sources of income amid the pandemic. Reviewed documents from Insider confirmed that during that year, she made $127,000 by flipping 13 websites and facilitating the sales of an additional 50 sites.
Rent out your home on Airbnb
If you reside in a region with frequent traffic, a lot of tourists, or suitable for vacations (and you are open to the idea of having strangers stay in your home), becoming an Airbnb host could be a perfect side venture for you.
Firstly, you will need to obtain the necessary permissions from your landlord, co-op board, homeowner’s association, or any other relevant authority, in order to ensure that renting out your property (be it a home, apartment, guest wing, pool house, or houseboat) is permitted without any legal restrictions within your city, county, or municipality. Once you have received clearance, you will then proceed to create an Airbnb host profile and ensure that your home is thoroughly cleaned, organized, and furnished to accommodate guests. Throughout their stay, it is important for you to remain accessible to your guests in case they encounter any issues or have special requests. Additionally, you should be prepared to handle challenging guests from time to time.
Renting your home on platforms like Airbnb may not be the simplest side gig, but it does offer Airbnb hosts the opportunity to earn an average of $924 per month. This can be quite a substantial amount, especially when taking into account the minimal or non-existent overhead expenses associated with it.
Become a tutor
If you are a teacher seeking additional income, a previous teacher wanting to reconnect with pupils, a graduate student with spare time and financial responsibilities, or if you possess exceptional skills in a particular subject and have a high GPA to demonstrate it, tutoring can offer you a gratifying way to earn extra money.
You can decide to establish your own tutoring agency, either aiming to expand and hire additional tutors to become a multi-employee business, or you can explore local tutoring agencies by conducting a quick search online or reaching out to your nearby schools and libraries. Achieving success as a tutor often involves specializing in certain subjects or standardized testing. However, many adults who are no longer in school may not have recently written a thesis paper or taken the SAT, so it is essential to dedicate a few hours every week to refresh your skills and develop lesson plans.
Tutoring can be an extremely profitable side business idea, depending on your qualifications and location. It also has the potential to transition into a full-time career. On average, private tutors can charge up to $85, or up to $80 if they work at an agency or learning center.
