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BEHOLD! Now is the time to build that Side Hustle

BEHOLD! Now is the time to build that Side Hustle

Story by Sancia Campbell

The days of a single source of income are over! If you’re stuck in a perpetual financial bind and wondering how to increase your income — you are skilled or a quick learner, talented or entrepreneurial-minded, behold, now is the time to build that side hustle.

A side hustle by definition is a job that is done on a part-time basis but provides the individual with additional income.According to the financial website, www.thisis.co.uk.com, more than half of the Britons who have side hustles started them in the last 18 months and those with side hustles added an average of £6300 more in income in 2021.

Here in Jamaica, though there are no official statistics, side hustles are also on the rise. Individuals with skills such as creative writing expanded to include copywriting and editing, business and commercial writing, as well as tutoring. Graphic design and social media marketing are also enjoying a boom in income generation as these jobs can be undertaken in downtime after the official workday is complete. Trading has also increased. It isn’t uncommon to encounter the co-worker with a car trunk packed with goods ranging from clothing to personal care items and even cleaning supplies to boot.

BEHOLD! Now is the time to build that Side Hustle

Those who have had buried skills such as hairdressing, interior designing and dreams of becoming YouTube stars have also taken the leap of faith. Pam Mittens, who is a Business Development Trainer by day, became a YouTuber during the pandemic and though her channel has not yet monetised, it’s well on its way.

“I started the YouTube channel firstly as an outlet to share information and knowledge about everyday situations facing the average Jamaican. My first episode surrounded the loss of my mother to the dreaded cancer disease and I was shocked as to how many people could relate to how I was feeling,” she stated.

Since then, she has done an exposé on the top questions that men/ women are afraid to ask each other and what individuals should know before migrating. Zebodie Shepherd, a Digital Marketer by day, took a leap of faith and launched Raine Home Comforts with his partner, a year into the pandemic. Raine Home Comforts is an online store that sells home décor items.

BEHOLD! Now is the time to build that Side Hustle

When we started Raine Home Comforts, the purpose was twofold. We wanted to capitalize on the fact that so many people were home and they wanted to spruce up their spaces. Once we recognized that this could become a legitimate source of income, we went all in and it’s become more of a mainstay, while we still have our day jobs,” he shared.

The possibilities for side hustles are endless and with the new and emerging consumer needs, the door is open for newer sectors to come to the fore.

In the meantime, however, for those who wish to start their side businesses, Yahoo Finance has listed the following among their top 11 for 2022:

  • Dropshipping,
  • Online Course Creator,
  • Online Tutoring,
  • Food & Grocery deliveries.

To read more, please purchase a copy of Buzzz Caribbean Lifestyle Magazine Vol 11 #3 at any supermarket, pharmacy or book store near you.

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