Calling all amateur antiquers!
In case you haven’t noticed, we’re big fans of starting a side hustle at any stage of life, whether you’re immersed in your career or enjoying full-time retirement. After all, there’s extra money to be made from activities you’re probably already doing and enjoying. Plus, doing a little work on the side of your full-time job isn’t uncommon: Nearly half of Americans report having a side hustle, and half of those people spend less than 10 hours a week on it. That’s probably roughly the amount of time you spend refreshing Facebook or bingeing Netflix, so we can happily report that earning a little extra cash doesn’t necessarily require a huge sacrifice. In fact, the flexibility that comes with side gigs is what makes them desirable in the first place.
Think you don’t have marketable hobbies? Before you get ahead of yourself, remember to keep it simple. For instance, Whitney McMorris, the owner of Ista Bake Studio in Durham, NC, started with cookies.
“After a few years of baking for fun and posting on Facebook and Instagram, a family friend asked if she could hire me to make cookies for an event,” McMorris tells Katie Couric Media. “That kicked things off for me. I started baking for other family and friends, then started offering specific designs for holidays.”
McMorris advises you to “go for it” when monetizing a hobby. The payoff extends beyond extra cash to making meaningful connections, expressing creativity, and learning new skills. We’ve rounded up 10 hobbies that can make money. Whether you’re seeking post-retirement joy or burning off a little extra steam after your nine-to-five, we’re sure you’ll find a spark of inspiration.
10 Hobbies That Make Money
Baking
If you’re the go-to friend for hand-piped cookies and your family can’t wait to see what you’ve made for the Thanksgiving dessert table, this one’s for you.
“When I look back at the first cookie designs I sold, I can’t believe people paid for them,” McMorris says. “But over many years of practice, I’ve improved my quality of work and increased my pricing because of that.”
Feel like there are enough cupcake businesses in your town? Don’t be discouraged if the market is saturated with your specific product: “You’ll find your consumer niche and repeat customers,” McMorris promises. Maybe you cater to kids or have a theme you can lean into, like florals or fun flavors. Whatever the angle, you’ll find a way to make it unique.
The best thing about McMorris’ baking business is using her creativity to bring in a little extra money. With a full-time office job, creating and growing her skill set is a fun, confidence-boosting bonus she cultivates on the side. Oh, and another perk? Since baking isn’t her full-time job, she’s able to decide when she wants to work or take breaks during busy seasons of life.
Crafts
If you can’t wait to get home to continue your cross-stitch project, or if you spend Saturdays at Hobby Lobby, consider expanding your crafting. But by expansion, we don’t mean investing in warehouse space or a manufacturing factory. You can take the first step and gauge interest by setting up a table at your local farmers market.
When Allie Piwonka and Addie Vermillion started repurposing bottles and cans to make scented candles, they knew they were onto something. The duo founded Carolina Beer Candles in 2018 after receiving overwhelming feedback from photos they posted of their projects on Instagram.
“At first, we just sold to our friends and family and then gained a following,” Piwonka says. “Eventually we created an LLC, a website, started selling wholesale, and doing craft markets.”
Piwonka likes the hands-on, customer-facing, and sociable aspects of the gig. Her advice is to “think bigger than your initial idea and create a name that can encapsulate many different ideas or products. Although you might start with one thing, it will evolve into different variations.”
Photography
Got an eye for the perfect shot? There are so many different paths you can take if you want to unleash your inner photographer. You can hire yourself out to capture life’s big moments, like weddings, birthdays, and graduations (and you’ll likely get a free slice of cake while you’re at it). You can also consider collaboration: Taking photos of other entrepreneurs for their websites can be a fun way to expand your repertoire and meet like-minded business owners.
The first step is to create a website with a portfolio of your work. Fair warning: You may have to offer some free photo shoots before you can start charging. Still, the free services will pay off since your portfolio is the most valuable way to sell your skills.
Fitness classes
If you’re on the spin bike at the crack of dawn or crave restorative yoga classes at night, consider becoming a certified trainer or teacher. Teacher training can be a meaningful learning experience, and teaching at a studio or gym leads to new connections. As an added bonus, you’ll also deepen your own practice.
Art
So many of us intuitively return to the hobbies that brought us joy as kids. If you loved art when you were younger, sign up for an art class and see how it feels. People are always looking for custom art: Pet portraits are increasingly popular, someone always needs a custom wedding invitation, and who doesn’t love a personalized painting of their first home? Develop your style, build a portfolio, and watch the magic of your childhood art years return.
Social media
If you’re savvy with social media, small businesses are always looking for help managing their platforms. Start by chatting with business owners near you — whether it’s the yoga studio, coffee shop, or clothing boutique. Ask them who manages their social media and offer ideas on how they can improve their dated, dusty Instagram accounts by hiring you.
Antiquing
Let’s be honest: Most of us are guilty of treating shopping as a hobby. Turns out, it can be a lucrative one. Many antique markets are organized by independent stalls run by individuals. You rent the stall from the store and sell your unique finds.
Writing
A.I.-buzz aside, high-quality writing abilities will always be desirable. CEOs hire ghostwriters, companies hire content writers, and most publications look for freelancers to write stories. Websites like Upwork offer writing opportunities of all types for any amount of time: hourly, short-term, and long-term.
Pet care
In case you haven’t noticed, pet ownership has significantly grown and the pet industry is booming. If nothing brings you more joy than seeing the world through an animal’s eyes, you should seriously consider working with pets on the side. Convenient apps like Rover and Wag connect you with animal owners looking for quality care. If you’re a pet lover, it’s a dream come true: make money while walking, feeding, or caring for animals.
Cooking
If you dream of working the line in a loud kitchen, there are ways to make that happen without going to culinary school. Apps like Gigpro allow you to work one-time shifts at restaurants so that you can try your hand at that dinner special. If it turns out you romanticized the whole idea, you aren’t locked into any kind of contract. If you love it, well, kitchens are always hiring.
