The economy is tight right now, and it’s likely to remain that way for a while. And though more and more people are topping up their income with a side hustle, getting extra funds are not the only reason we’re hustling.
A recent study by the Henley Business School of Africa found that 27% of the people surveyed have a side hustle. South Africans are renowned hustlers and there are as many sharp ideas as there are people making them happen.
So, the gig economy is in full swing, and if you’re lucky enough to hold down a day job, a side hustle can be many things – the way to pursue a passion, a necessary step to make money on the side, or the chance to grow your own business while you have the stability of your main gig.
For many it starts out as a passion project on the side. Whether it’s designing jewellery, making clothes, creating handmade beauty balms, brewing craft beer, running a food truck, baking novelty cakes or making crafts, these after-hour endeavours can rake in some serious cash while allowing you to indulge in the creativity that your day job doesn’t offer.
It’s also a great way to experiment before taking the leap into a fully fledged business. Even if you don’t plan to go fulltime, it will add to your rainy-day fund.
You don’t need to make something to have a side hustle – use what you already have to rake in extra cash. You can rent out a spare room through Airbnb, teach English to students online, offer private tutoring after hours or pick up extra work on platforms like Upwork and Freelancer.
Got mad social skills? Offer your services as a social media manager to small businesses after hours. Know your industry inside out? Create an online course on a platform like Udemy or Skillshare.
Pursuing a side hustle is in the truest spirit of entrepreneurship. If you’re lucky, it could really pay off – Instagram was started as a side hustle.
