Do you have a hobby or a unique skill? Would you like some extra KDs? Are you looking for something challenging but rewarding to do? Then you might be the perfect candidate to start a side-hustle. By definition, it is something you do next to your job or while still at university to make some money but also test the waters for your business idea.
Did you know that some of the world’s biggest companies started as passion projects? Apple, Under Armour and Facebook are just some of so many. There are two ways to go about this; do something you want to grow or do something you are already good at. Obviously, the best case would be to choose something that you both enjoy and are skilled at. If you are lost, sit down and make a list of all the things you think you are good at and start from there.
You can offer the world one of two things; products or services. Maybe you are a great baker of cookies or you know how to make artisan soap. These are special things that the majority of us have no idea how to make and would pay for the privilege. Dealing in products means that there might be upfront overhead costs for materials or renting a space to be able to make your goodies.
Additionally, there are other logistics like packaging, storage and shipping that you will need to account for. The good news is that you can always start really small and offer your goods to family and friends first before scaling bigger. It can be a great way to see how a larger public will react to your ideas. You can also decide how much you are initially willing to invest in your venture so you don’t go broke.
Services on the other hand have the benefit of being intangible. There is so much untapped talent in our region, and these talented individuals deserve to monetize their skills and be given an opportunity to grow. Photography, illustration and coding are just some of the many tasks that people often want to outsource to someone else. There are other things too that you can consider like translation, tutoring or transcription.
Just check out any of the many freelance gig websites like PeoplePerHour, Fiver or UpWork and you might be surprised to find that there is someone out there who is looking for your unique skill set. We often think that freelancing is the realm of creatives and artists, but if you browse the sites you will see projects that need accountants, administrative assistants and customer service people. You can even try becoming a beta reader for upcoming books.
Whatever you decide to do, make sure that you schedule time for your on-the-side job so you don’t get too overwhelmed or start slacking on your actual job. The hardest thing is taking the first step and telling people that you are going to be doing this. Don’t let the fear of failure stop you, who knows, you might just be the next Steve Jobs.
If you have been successful at a side hustle, we would love to hear your story. DM us on @bazaargram on Instagram, we might even feature your story. Photo by Ian Schneider on Unsplash.
