Side hustles can often lead to unexpected transformations, both personally and professionally. I recently received a testimonial from a client that beautifully illustrates this journey:
“Working with Ben was exactly what I needed to gain momentum on my side hustle. I was stuck in a rut, dreaming of independence but not making any real progress.
Ben helped me brainstorm concrete actions, set up an accountability system that actually worked, and shared incredibly insightful resources that kept me inspired. Through our deep conversations, I was able to unlock new levels of creativity and confidence.
The result? I launched my own e-commerce website with four products and started running ads to drive traffic. Ben's supportive and practical approach was essential to my success. I highly recommend him to anyone looking to make their side hustle dreams a reality!”
Of course a note like this is a huge confidence boost for me and feels amazing. Being part of someone’s journey towards independence, financial freedom and autonomy really turns me on.
Thinking about it a little more, quite a few people I know started their own successful ventures as a side hustle first.
There is something to be said for having the financial security of a day-job that affords one the freedom to play around with very little risk. In fact, I am a firm believer that everyone should also have a side hustle. Something to tinker with and learn from.
That’s also how my own business started. I was still at Google and having a stable and successful job there when I found the space in my days to think about what else I’d like to do. I could focus on projects driven purely by my interests, without the pressure of needing to earn money from them. Talking with people about interesting stuff has been something I even enjoyed as a little kid. Later in life that transformed a little towards people’s dreams, aspirations and challenges.
So when I was full-time employed and doing well in my job, I could take evening- and weekend classes for coaching. In fact, I took about a year of training before taking on my first paid customer. That would have been financially impossible if it was my main job at the time.
When I then launched the coaching practice full time early last year, I already had a roster of clients. Even more importantly, a thousand little learnings and insights that come with starting a business.
Many people I know have followed a similar path. Of course there are some who just start out cold and become successful too. No doubt. However that’s most likely a much more stressful way to do things.
Here’s my challenge to you: Start tinkering!
Whether it’s an e-commerce store or a little T-Shirt printing gig, maybe professional photography or making music. You enjoy writing? Write! Take something you already have a natural interest in and make it a side hustle. Not with the goal of making the most money (yet) but just for the sake of experience and play.
Who knows what may be possible with an idea, consistency and a little bit of luck.
<3 Ben