Can you afford NOT to have a side hustle?
I know this is a couple weeks old now, but I'm still thinking about this ad Squarespace ran during the Super Bowl.
It's absurdly personal to me, being a mash up of an overly romanticized Irish countryside I want to drink beer in and my every day life, makin' it all real on Squarespace.
But it also resonated with me because I often feel kind of like our dear Barry Keoghan in the ad.
I'm hurling my services (not actual laptops) at people, trying to get them to see that there are other ways of doing things!
Sometimes they look at me with the same confusion of the lady dying her woolens…but usually they go “huh! You think I really need help with all that?!”
Yes. I think you do. Because, no one's professional situation is guaranteed!
No matter how you make money today, tomorrow you may need another option.
Do I really think you need help with:
crafting your personal brand
shaping your services
bringing your best self forward on camera
and more?????
The real question is, can you afford NOT to have a side hustle?
Entrepreneurship can provide additional income sources and decrease reliance on a single job.
And in a fluctuating economy (isn't that putting it diplomatically?) you owe it to yourself and your family to be developing the only professional asset you have some control over, which is you!
For now it's a side hustle or a passion project.
Tomorrow? Primary revenue stream.
Remember, a side hustle isn't just for people who want to quit their jobs.
It's also career insurance in case your job quits you!
CNBC certainly doesn't really need me schilling for them, but given today's topic in this newsletter, it seemed like a disservice not to at least let you know about this very basic introduction to the idea of starting your side hustle.
They charge you $97 but, as of the time of this original email send, there is an modest discount 'cause the course is new.
My general beef is that it makes everything look too easy.
“Just do this then this and badda bing, badda boom, 6 figures!”
🙄 Ya, right.
Also, they don't show anyone over 35. And that's a MAJOR disservice to professionals who are looking to branch out on their own terms at a senior career level. So ignore that part!
Side hustling and setting up your shop is valuable and every age.
If you take the class, I think you are going to get curious, and maybe even excited, and you're going to want to get going.
That's when you give me call!
The 3 Simple Steps to Finding Your Ideal Side Hustle
If you've never considered the idea before, or maybe you have a vague notion but nothing tangible, let's look over some way to get you better equipped to identify the best side hustle opportunities suited to your unique strengths and lifestyle.
1. Analyze Your Schedule and Availability - For real. How much time do you have right now (or could you make right now) to dedicate to a side hustle? Think about current fixed commitments and if you're ok working variable hours. If full time caretaking is part of your life now, will it be in 2 years? You can plan ahead! Then you can start to think about side hustles that align with your current and future availability.
2. Explore Freelance and Gig Platforms - While I would rarely recommend websites like Upwork or Fiverr for anyone needing full time work, I do think browsing the job categories and postings to identify in-demand services and areas where your skills could be valuable. You may be surprised at what people are paying for - and likely, you'll be just as surprised at what people are barely paying. However, there's no problem starting there while you have another job just to get your freelance career going.
3. Reflect on Your Skills and Interests - Now that you have an idea of the time you have available and what people are looking for, make a list of your skills, hobbies, and interests. Consider what you enjoy doing, noting any specific areas where you excel or have received positive feedback. Most importantly, consider what you might start now that could grow.
(When I started 5 years ago I thought I would only be a writer…but things grew and morphed quickly!)
Referrals are the lifeblood of every small business, including mine!
Do you have a friend who is looking to go into business for themselves?
Is your mom looking to take her jewelry making side hustle to the next level?
Does your brother need new professional photos or a portfolio website for a job search?
You can:
Give them my website: www.StefanieSmall.com
Introduce us over email: sjsmall560@gmail.com
Reach out through LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/stefanie-small
THANK YOU!
