By skyforbes 
According to Business Research Insights, side hustles are practically a love language for working folks these days, like peanut butter and jelly. Back in 2024, the gig economy was valued at a whopping $556.7 billion, and by 2032, it’s projected to hit $1,847 billion. That’s not just a trend—it’s a movement (source).
The pandemic turned side hustles from a casual hobby to a necessity as people faced job shortages, hiring freezes, and layoffs. Speaking from personal experience, my side hustles have done everything from helping cover bills to funding those spontaneous nights out with my girls. The beauty of having a reliable side hustle is that it doesn’t just bring in extra cash—it builds skills and opens doors you didn’t even know existed.
Let’s dive into the five side hustles that worked for me, a young millennial balancing work from home, and see how you can get started too. And trust me, these aren’t just copy-paste lists from the internet; I’ve actually lived these.
Side Hustles You Can Do At Home
1. Virtual Assistant
Back when I was in college, my very first side hustle was being a virtual assistant. I signed up on platforms like Fiverr and Upwork, offering services to small businesses. From managing email inboxes to scheduling social media posts and designing content, I did it all. Fresh-eyed and bushy-tailed (as my grandma says), I was ready to take on everything. But here’s a word of advice from me to past Bryanna: specialize in one thing and master it. I made around $300–$400 monthly doing this, but when I focused, the potential grew.
The costs to start Virtual Assisting:
You can start virtual assisting for free. There are platforms like Fiverr and Upwork that do not cost to start building a profile. However, if you’re serious about the art of Virtual Assisting, you’ll find that courses and pro tools (like Canva Pro or Adobe Creative Suite) are great additions to your start up costs. When I started out, I utilized Youtube University and used all the free courses I could find on services that I wanted to offer. I gained a lot of experience through working with clients, but if I was starting a virtual assisting business as a side hustle I would invest in a course in the basics–especially to fine tune a process so the tasks don’t become cumbersome.
2. Social Media Management
My experience as a virtual assistant naturally led me into social media management, where I earned even more. I specialized in creating graphics, writing captions, and conducting hashtag research for Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. This side hustle can be lucrative, pulling in $1,750–$3,000 a month if you build up a good client base. And let me tell you, small businesses need this! But beware: burnout is real, so pace yourself if you consider freelancing a service like SM management.
The costs to start Social Media Management:
Similar to virtual assisting, social media management can be free to start. You will be most likely using your client’s accounts for social media scheduling tools and content planners. There is also a free version of Canva that you can use to get started. Nonetheless, I would recommend investing in courses (both paid and free) in the particular social media platforms that you would like to manage. And I always recommend Canva Pro because the creative possibilities are a lot greater, hence better content creation for your clients. You can also utilize platforms like Fiverr and Upwork to get started.
3. Selling My Crafts on Shopify
I’ve always been into making handcrafted beauty and skincare products like lotions and soaps. Opening a Shopify store turned this passion into a profitable side hustle, bringing in $1,200–$3,500 monthly. But fair warning: this hustle requires some serious effort. Creating, labeling, packing, and shipping every product is no joke. If you love it, though, it can be incredibly rewarding and might even grow into a full-fledged business.
The costs to start Selling Crafts
First, the basic monthly cost for a Shopify website is around $29. Then there are fees that come with registering your business with the state (I’m in Maryland, and it was required for my business), the costs of materials, the time it makes the items, marketing, shipping, and the list goes on! I landed on skincare as my focus, and the start up costs as well as costs to maintain the business are high. If you sell something with a lower overhead, your experience could be different!
Side Hustles You Can Do Outside
4. Instacart/Shipt
When COVID-19 hit and the world went on pause, I turned to Instacart and Shipt to make some extra money. Out of all the delivery services, I preferred these over UberEats or DoorDash because grocery shopping was just more enjoyable to me. Plus, grocery stores were usually less chaotic than restaurant pick-ups, and I liked the challenge of finding everything on a customer’s list.
During the height of the pandemic, I could make up to $1,000 a month. Nowadays, the earnings are closer to $300–$600 a month doing 10-12 orders for 4 days a week, but it’s still decent for side money. One downside is that it can be hard on your car with all the driving, and all that lifting and carrying can do a number on your body—think sore knees and back pain. But the quick payouts and generous tips make it worthwhile, especially when you need cash fast.
The costs affiliated with Instacart/Shipt
Number one, you will need a car. With all of the driving around, expect to spend a good portion of your earnings on gas and tire maintenance. When I initially signed up for both Instacart and Shipt, I remember receiving a welcome packet that included a tshirt. But you only get one shirt! If you would like more shirts and sweatshirts with the respective company’s logo on it to keep a “uniform”, that will come out of your pocket.
5. Dog Walking
I originally signed up for Rover, but I never got any clients through the app. Luckily, my sister has a dog-walking business, and she let me tag along on a few jobs. Although I didn’t make much—about $50 at most—I can say that walking dogs is a peaceful side hustle if you love animals and want to get some steps in. Just be prepared for unexpected surprises, like overly excited dogs who suddenly bolt after a squirrel.
The costs affilitate with Dog Walking
Although I did try out dog walking to the best of my ability, I only made $50. So I of course had to reach out to my sister to dive deep into the costs of this side hustle. My sister started her side hustle through Rover and Wag. Most of her clients now request her for boarding or house sitting, but when she initially started it was mainly dog walks. According to her, the same issues with the cost of gas and wear and tear on your tires occur. She also mentioned that she frequently buys treats, doggy [poop] bags, and has had to invest in food and water bowls, crates, and kennels. For me, this side hustle felt like a lot to consider keeping, but for an animal lover like my sister, she truly loves it!
Tips for Balancing a Side Hustle with a Full-Time Job
Let me tell you, balancing a side hustle with a full-time job is a juggling act that takes some finesse. The key? Mastering your time management and being intentional with your efforts. It’s not enough to just set time aside for your side hustle—you need to know exactly what you’re using that time for. One of my favorite tools is a trusty Daily Task Planner, where I jot down my tasks, assign priority levels, and physically check off what’s done. It might sound old-school, but there’s something about putting pen to paper that helps me stay focused and productive.
Beyond just the hustle, keeping open communication with your friends and partner is essential for your mental health and relationships. I make it a point to let my people know when I’m deep in hustle mode and may need to miss a dinner or a brunch. That way, when I do pop out for a catch-up, there’s no confusion, and everyone’s on the same page.
What I’m Currently Doing for Side Hustles
1. Ads Management Right now, I’m all about building my client list for ads management, specializing in Meta (Facebook and Instagram) and Google Ads. I’ve got one client in the bag, and I’m excited to see where this journey takes me in 2025. Stay tuned!
2. Digital-Only Ecommerce Yes, I hopped on the “Sell Your Printables on Etsy and Shopify” bandwagon, and so far, I’m enjoying the ride. I offer digital planners and calendars designed to keep you productive and action-oriented. Curious? Check them out and see if they help boost your hustle!
3. Blogging Blogging and I have had an on-again, off-again relationship, but this time, I’m all in. I’m building up BryActive with intention, ready to share my passions for health, wealth, and beauty in a way that resonates with young, ambitious women.
