Why we're starting a side hustle

 

A photo of Andy and I receiving our Walx Training (the walking group we're working with to start our own business)

Before we begin this blog I want to start by answering the question 'what is a side hustle?'. A side hustle is essentially an additional job or activity that you do outside of your normal job. Andy works at a university, I work as a debt advisor, our main jobs are already quite demanding, so why have we started side hustles?

1. To try new things that we enjoy 

Andy has always wanted his own business and we also love hiking and being outdoors, so when an opportunity to run a walking business came up we grabbed it with both hands! I love writing and have been contemplating writing a blog for years, so I thought 'why not?'. Side hustles are a great way to do something that you enjoy that you may not be able to do full time (just yet).

2. We want freedom 

Andy and I are privileged to have jobs that we do enjoy, but having to 9-5 job can make you feel restricted and that your time isn't your own. Our hope is that in the future we will be our own bosses and be able to decide what hours we work. You have to start somewhere, most business owners don't become full time owners overnight. We are aware it could take years to make enough money from our side hustles to fund our lifestyle. But knowing we have something that is ours that we can fit around our schedule is very exciting.

3. We want to start something that helps people

We don't want a business for the sake of only making more money. Our walking business will help people become healthy, get them outdoors and will build community, that is our number one drive. The 'Life with Helen Johnson' blog will hopefully encourage people and provide useful advice. As a debt advisor I already have a job that makes a big difference to people's lives, but that's just one area of my life. We want to help people using every skill we have, in every opportunity we have. You need a drive behind starting a business, you need a why, and for Andy and I helping people is our why.

4. We don't want to get trapped in living a boring life

Please hear me when I say that working a 9-5 job and having a quiet social life doesn't mean life has to be boring. Personally for Andy and I life was starting to become a little boring, we were getting into unhealthy routines. We did our day jobs, came home and chilled in front of the TV and occasionally saw friends and family. As a newly married couple in what should be the prime of our lives, we thought "is this it?". We wanted to escape the trap of boredom and for us that meant using our time to do something new and exciting. 

5. Let's be honest - we want to earn more money

In my third point I did say that our heart behind our businesses is helping people and that is still our number one drive, but I'd be lying if I said some of the drive wasn't making money. Andy and I are hoping in a couple years time we will be able to start our own family and all you parents out there will know how much that can cost. One of the reasons we're starting our businesses before having children is so firstly we will have an established business, but also because we will hopefully have some extra money coming in to support our growing family. Should money be your driving motivation to start a business? No, but can it be one of your motivations? 100% yes. 

Should you start a side hustle?

There are so many side hustles out there, I think most people could find something they could do that suits them and their lifestyle. But there are some things to think about before starting:

- is there something in your life that you care about enough to give your spare time and effort?

It is going to take your evenings, your weekends to get your business up and running. It's going to take a long time before you start to make any money, so you need to make sure it's something you enjoy doing.

- are you comfortable if this doesn't make any money for several months, maybe even years?

If you need money fast then starting a business isn't your best bet, going to get a second job to supplement your current job is probably the best thing to do. For some people a side hustle could be uber driving, working behind a bar etc. But for many side hustles it can take a while before you see any money, and you need to be okay with that.

- do you have the capacity to add the side hustle you're interested in to our life?

Every side hustle is different, this blog doesn't take hours and hours of my week, but our walking business does. You need to figure out what you have capacity for. If you are a stay at home mum then starting a side hustle that means you're out of the house isn't probably the best thing to do, but a side hustle that takes a few hours a week and can be done from home might work for you. Have a think about what you have capacity to do. 

- is it something you have the patience to keep pushing and pursuing for years?

I mentioned above that it will take a while before earning any money. It also could take a while for people to get onboard with your business. Andy and I are aware that our walking business may only attract 2 members at the start, it could take months before it grows at all. So you need to make sure you have the excitement for the side hustle and the patience to keep going!

Next Blog: Why I'm thankful for my heart condition