Reasons to Start Your Own Side Hustle

Megan Moves/YouTube

Before graduating from college, my boyfriend started his own reselling business. He had started this as a hobby in high school and picked it back up before graduating. Throughout the week and even on weekends, he would run to the outlets or thrift shops to buy inventory and flip the items on platforms such as eBay. He would come back at the end of the day with a wide variety of items, anything from mugs, clothes, stuffed animals, you name it. I had no idea what he was doing or why. I didn’t understand it at first, so I began to ask him questions about this new idea he was exposing me to. He described I to me as his “side hustle.”

Before we get any further into this post, I think it's important to establish what a side hustle is, and why you should have one. A definition online describes it as “a job you have in addition to a full-time job.” In my opinion, it can act as a job, but doesn’t have to be characterized as one. A side hustle is a great way to bring in additional or supplemental profits to your income stream.

After becoming acquainted with this idea, I started taking advantage of the idea myself. While I didn’t go to stores to source inventory, I looked to my own closet instead. Growing up in a household of three sisters presented A LOT of options to sell. My sisters and I took part in multiple fads growing up, and a majority of these items were in our basement left untouched for years. I found the abundance of Vera Bradley and Coach bags we acquired, clothes, and most importantly, the SHOES. I began listing these items on the platforms Poshmark and Mercari. If you are interested in getting started on these apps, check out the links below! These platforms are a great place for selling clothing, electronics, and household items. While I quickly realized reselling wasn’t for me, I turned to something new.

Considering the times we are currently in, there is no better time than now to start a side hustle. To me, it is ideal if you can turn a hobby into your hustle. If you are an artist, finding a way to use Etsy to create a store to sell your items is the best-case scenario! Since some of us may be cleaning out closets during this time, it would be a great opportunity to create a Poshmark, Mercari, or eBay account to sell items you no longer have any use for. Depending on how you feel about going out in public, signing up as an Instacart Shopper can be a great way to bring in extra cash while providing a service to those who can’t risk going to the store.

Say you are trying to save up for an item or achieve a financial goal. Finding a way to turn your hobbies into your hustles can add an extra income stream to get you there. How can you get started? My best advice is to make a list of your passions and hobbies and think about how you can in turn provide a skill or service to others. Get creative and think outside the box!

-Megan

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