She Strengthens

Embracing the Power of Side Hustles

As I sit here on a Saturday night, nose-deep in a book about email marketing sales funnels, I’m reminded of the importance of diversifying my income streams. My recent splurge on a name necklace has me reining in my spending habits, but it’s also got me thinking about the value of side hustles. With a new job on the horizon, I’m excited to share my experiences and insights on how to make the most of your time and energy.

The Reality of Side Hustles

Let’s face it – the Instagram-perfect images of entrepreneurs sipping margaritas on a beach in Ibiza can be misleading. The truth is, building a successful side hustle takes time, effort, and dedication. While there are many resources available to help you get started, it’s essential to have a realistic understanding of what it takes to succeed.

My Journey

In 2015, I made over $21,000 in freelance income on top of my full-time job. It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it. I’m not a superstar consultant charging $150 an hour, but I’ve learned that playing the long game and putting in a few hours of work every few nights can add up to a significant amount over time.

The Factors That Contributed to My Success

Several factors contributed to my success, including:

• Having a job with a reasonable commute, which gave me more free time to focus on my side hustles
• Working for an employer that paid decently and didn’t require obscene hours
• Being motivated by work-related challenges and financial goals
• Having a supportive family and access to resources that allowed me to spend my free time on side hustles
• Having a level of privilege and access that enabled me to pursue opportunities that might not be available to everyone

Breaking Down My Income

Here’s a breakdown of my income from various side hustles:

• $1,500: Three branded content articles for lifestyle brands
• $2,400: 15 educational marketing blogs for a website builder software
• $2,870: 13 B2B blogs and a three-day trip to a trade show in Las Vegas for a boutique content marketing agency
• $4,500: About 120 hours of copywriting, email marketing, and general marketing strategy for a startup in the lifestyle space
• $10,000: Renting out my one-bedroom apartment on AirBnB for 70 nights

Lessons Learned

Through my experiences, I’ve learned the importance of:

• Being realistic about what it takes to succeed
• Acknowledging the privileges and access that have contributed to my success
• Focusing on projects that align with my values and goals
• Continuously learning and improving my skills
• Being transparent and open about my experiences to help others

The Future

As I move forward into 2016, I’m excited to continue pursuing side hustles that bring me joy and fulfillment. I’m working on projects that align with my values, and I’m committed to being transparent about my experiences to help others. If you have any advice, comments, or questions, I’d love to hear from you!