A side hustle pre pandemic was almost like the modern-day puppy or new handbag. Cute and joyous for sure, but not essential. Now, with the uncertainty of our world increasing every day and unemployment rising, it’s become an essential way to diversify your income and skill set. You never know when you will need it.
I’ve been in business for seven years, but my entrepreneurial love affair began when I was 24 and started my first side hustle. Having “a bit on the side” not only upped my earning potential and energised me when I was feeling frustrated with my day job, but it taught me a new set of skills I would be able to capitalise on later in life. The success of this side hustle led me to found my creative agency, Dream & Do, where I branded start-ups.
The side hustles did not stop there. Three years into Dream & Do, I started an online gifting business Little Succers, where we sold succulents instead of flowers, because flowers die. Since 2017, Little Succers has grown from a side hustle to a main hustle and significant source of income. As my agency becomes under threat as marketing budgets decline, I can feel okay knowing that Little Succers is growing and can support me and my family.
Here are my tips to start a side hustle, who knows, one day it could be your main hustle like my Little Succers.
Find a niche market and niche customer
Solve one problem for one type of person, it’s that simple. My tagline is “Because Flowers Die” and it is clear why the business exists – as an alternative to sending flowers. Within that, I stumbled into a large niche of plant loving millennials but my focus remains on undercutting the flower market with a more sustainable, valuable option.
Keep the risk small and frame your own reason for starting
Don’t quit your job or invest your life savings. Look at this side hustle as an experience or a creative hobby for learning and you will take the pressure off. Only spend what you would spend on a car and limit yourself to that. People will reason to spend $5k on a car or get a 70k loan, so that’s how I would view the investment on trying a new venture.
Choose one marketing channel and be consistent
There are endless marketing opportunities and channels that it can be overwhelming. All the channels have merit, but you will likely be a one-person band so pick one channel, always be on and always be consistent. I chose Instagram and have grown to 31k followers in three years. It is the only thing I have been consistent with daily and I have grown a six-figure business from Instagram alone.
Innovate as you go
“Build Your Own Terrarium Bar” was an event concept was an answer to not being able to sell terrariums online without them ending up looking like a hot mess. This idea ended up more than doubling my business. Realise that how you start is more than likely not where you will end up, listen and learn as you go.
DIY digital marketing
If you can sell 10 things online, you can sell 100. But you will only scale with digital marketing. Once you are selling online, there will be many sharks asking for your money to grow your business. I suggest investing a lot of time and energy learning about digital marketing. These skills will be fundamental in whatever business you endeavor in the future.
Tara Shelton, Creative Director, Dream & Do and Founder, Little Succers
