By Amanda Wegner
Sunday, Monday and Tuesday in my schedule. During these hours, I focus on my latest side hustle, Future Forward Essays, which offers editing services for college admission and scholarship essays.
Schedules like mine are becoming more common. According to Bankrate, one in four people has a side hustle, which is a part-time job or business that someone takes on in addition to their regular employment. It might be for extra income, a creative pursuit or a step toward becoming an entrepreneur.
No matter what the primary motivation is, if you’re thinking about the side-hustle life, three local women who are balancing a regular job with a side gig share insights on key factors and challenges to consider.
PRICE YOUR WORTH
Setting the right price for your goods or services is crucial to making your side hustle profitable.
To start, Shelby Moyer, a watercolor artist and owner of My Little Heart (and BRAVA contributor), recommends accounting for all of your time, material costs and other expenses to help determine the price of your goods or services.
“There are so many hidden costs to selling art, so [I] factor all that in,” says Moyer. “And don’t be afraid to adjust your prices up or down.”
Additionally, research the market to determine what others are charging for similar services.
“Consider what you have to offer — your experience, quality and uniqueness,” says Sherry Etes, who started Moonrise Photography by Sherry two years ago. “Price yourself within the market range, a bit lower if you’re just starting out. [And] if you offer something that sets you apart, you can charge more. Stay flexible and adjust as you learn your place in the market.”
BALANCE YOUR INVESTMENT OF TIME
By definition, a side hustle is in addition to a regular job — and all the other demands on your time. Balancing these responsibilities and carving out time for your venture are essential for success.
Leah Hauck-Mills, owner of H&M PR, an independent public relations firm, blocks her schedule to make time for her side hustle.
“Friday is side-hustle day. I use the day to fill the buckets I need to grow my business organically. I try to utilize free services through Google to help me time-block tasks required to move my hustle forward.”
Moyer has implemented systems to streamline her work processes. For instance, she uses an “assembly line” style of work to embellish, sticker and package her prints. She also has a system in place for setting up at art markets.
“Everything gets packed up the same way each time, so I know where everything is, and it’s faster to get my booth set up,” says Moyer.
DON’T GO IT ALONE
Building a side hustle is not uncharted territory, and networking, as Etes and Hauck-Mills suggest, can help grow your business and build relationships.
“Find someone who’s already doing it and reach out to connect. It’s a misnomer to think you shouldn’t network with your competitors, but you need to,” says Hauck-Mills. “It’s unlikely you are going to do exactly the same thing, and it’s healthy to have some competition to keep the fire going. Plus, you can use your competition as a referral where your skills, offerings or services don’t overlap.”
JUST GET STARTED
Perfection is the enemy of progress, so don’t wait to kick-start your own entrepreneurial venture.
“This isn’t a practice life,” says Etes.
“Don’t wait until things are perfect because they never will be. Just do it and enjoy the ride!”
Adds Moyer: “You’ll evolve, learn and grow. Don’t wait for perfection to start.”
