Let’s face it, we live in the age of the side hustle. We’re lucky in the fact it is easier than ever to make a bit of money on the side which can either be just something you do to top up your income, or something you choose to eventually make your full-time job. Whether you want to start a side hustle to make more money or to try a new career, there are a whole myriad of things you can do that can combine your passion and also top up your finances. Keep on reading to find out more and get inspired.
Photo by Kampus Production
What is a side hustle?
Put simply, a side hustle is a business you do that is alongside your main job. It’s designed to top up your income and bring in some extra money but not to be a full-time career. Some people do find that after doing their side hustle for a certain amount of time they’re making enough money and enjoying it enough that they want to have it as their main job and earn enough to do it full-time.
What are some tips for a successful side hustle?
There are many things you can do to make your side hustle as effective and successful as possible. This includes:
Do something you enjoy and genuinely believe in – When you have a side hustle, you need to do something you enjoy otherwise it will just fizzle out. Think of your strengths, and what you love, and try to make a side hustle from this.
Be prepared to put in the work – Just because you’re doing something on the side doesn’t mean it isn’t difficult! Be prepared to put in the work and soon you will be able to reap the rewards.
Have a budget in mind – Starting up a side hustle isn’t necessarily free. To avoid it becoming an issue, have a budget in mind that you can stick to and plan with. This way you won’t lose too much or be blindsided by unexpected costs.
Plan plan plan! – As with anything in life, you need to be prepared to plan! The more prepared you are prior to starting, the better it will do. Have a plan in mind for how you will execute your side hustle and what you’re going to do to make it a success.
How do you know if you can take a side hustle full-time?
When you’ve been doing a side hustle for a while, you might think it’s time to take it full-time. While this can be feasible, you need to ensure you don’t make any rash decisions and think it through. Some of the main things to consider include:
How much you are earning – Are you earning enough to support your lifestyle and take over the wages you currently take home at the moment?
How sustainable it is that you’ll continue to earn this much – Are you earning an amount because of a trend or a sudden burst of sales? Or is it sustainable? Will you be able to continually earn this amount and more in the future?
Whether you really want to do it full time – While this is fun as a side hustle, is it something you want to do full time? Do you love it that much? Or will it get tedious?
Whether you want to be self-employed – Being self-employed isn’t for everyone. While it might seem fun having flexibility and being your own boss, there are many stresses that come with this and it isn’t as fun and free as it might seem initially.
How you can scale up your business – Scaling up your business is another thing for you to consider. Have you made the maximum you can from what you’re doing? Or are there ways you can make your business bigger?
What are some top side hustle business ideas to try in 2025?
There are a myriad of side hustle ideas you can try in 2025 that are great for bringing in a bit of extra cash. Below we have put together some that you can try depending on what your skills are and what you’re looking to give a go in your spare time.
Selling home-made products
If you are someone that’s crafty and enjoys getting creative, why not turn this into your side hustle this year? There are a myriad of ways you can do this and you can turn something you love into a profitable form of income. You could sell homemade products to customers, such as candles, notebooks, frames, artwork, and more. If you are selling small items, or perhaps a set of items, you should look into custom mailer boxes. Presentation of what you sell can make a real difference and this will be a fantastic way to get the word out, show your branding off, and also impress your customers with your products and the way they are presented. You could add other things in here too, such as a hand-written note or some confetti as well as a business card with your details and social media handles to hopefully drum up further business.
Being a photographer
If you have an eye for capturing details and know how to use a camera, why not consider becoming a photographer on the side? There is always a strong demand for photographers and you can turn this passion into a money-making idea in no time at all. Consider what sort of photography is your strong suit and make sure you have enough experience for a strong portfolio before going out there and charging people. If you decide to do things such as events or weddings, remember the moments will only happen once so you need to be prepared to capture the magical shots such as the first kiss or walking down the aisle – no reshoots allowed!
Teach online services
If you are highly skilled in an area such as maths, English, marketing, or art, you could consider teaching pupils online. Online tutoring has become increasingly popular, with more people than ever looking to improve their skills digitally. You can easily sign up to teach with a number of different sites – just check what some of their criteria are as you might need certain qualifications or certificates to prove your credibility. There is good money to be made here and it’s easy to fit it around your schedule.
Test apps from your home devices
With such a rise in technology usage, it’s no surprise that people need app testers to see what the reception is to their creations. Being an app tester means you need to try out people’s apps, answering questions, and finding any potential bugs or issues before it’s released to the public or if the brand is looking to make it better. You can get paid differing amounts depending on the complexity of the app and how quick the turnaround might need to be.
These are just a few side hustle business ideas that you can try in 2025 to give you the edge. Whether you’re looking to tap into your entrepreneurial edge or just have a go at making a bit of extra cash for something that’s happening in your life, this is sure to help. What are some top tips you have for side hustle businesses? Let us know in the comments below, we’d love to hear from you.