Through the years, I’ve tried all kinds of home-based businesses.  Here are some of them:

• Designing and selling blank note cards
• Party decorating
• Creating party invites
• Teaching Writing Workshops
• Teaching Art Workshops
• Selling artwork: cut-paper art and acrylic paintings

Unbeknownst to me, these fall under what is now called SIDE HUSTLES!

An article on Entrepreneur defines a side hustle as “a way to make some extra cash that allows you flexibility to pursue what you’re most interested in. It can also be your true passion – a chance to delve into fashion, travel or whatever it is you care about the most without quitting your day job.”

So you want to start your own home-based side hustle?  Where do you start?

Here are the 4 STEPS that helped me zero in on a side hustle:

1. Brainstorming biz ideas
2. Answering 7 Essential Questions   
3. Narrowing down the list to top three biz ideas
4. Choosing and executing

Step 1: Brainstorming Biz Ideas

The businesses I’ve pursued were ones along the lines of what piqued my interest, and the skills I have.  

If you do not have any business ideas in mind, doing a brain dump of your skills and interests is a good start.  Write them down!

Apart from teaching, what do you love doing?  Are you into cooking or baking?  Perhaps you love taking photos?  Are you into sports?  Or maybe dancing?  

Write down what your interests and hobbies are.  Chances are, if you zero in on one of them to create a side hustle, it will be something that can bring you joy and fulfillment.

Another thing to think about is what do people often ask of or from you? Perhaps some people have asked you about tutoring their children or holding writing workshops?  Maybe someone has asked if you could host a children’s party.  At times, others identify areas where we excel even before we do, so try to recall if that has happened in the past and include those in your list.

After making a list of your hobbies, interests and things others ask of or from you, write down a business or side hustle you can create out of each one.

For instance, I love, love, love paper and making artwork out of paper, so I created the brand paperminties.  At first I was just making and selling cut-paper artwork.  From that initial concept, I went into designing notecards and making party decorations as well.

Step 2: Answering 7 Essential Questions (Tailored to Teachers and Teacher-Moms)

Though there are so many businesses I could have taken on, the ones I listed above, at the start of this post, are what I felt I’d be able to sustain for many reasons.

First,  I played up on my skills.  Next, I narrowed down the biz opportunities to what I love doing or what I wouldn’t mind doing on the side.  I also thought about what would pay off monetarily and what would not require much capital and of course, time away from family.  

To put those in bullet points, these are the things I considered.

7 essential questions when going through your list:

• Do I have the skill set for this business?
• Is it something I would enjoy or be happy doing?
• Does it require a huge capital?
• Will it take too much of my time away from family?
• Is it financially rewarding?

Of course it goes without saying that these side hustles, first and foremost:

• Provide VALUE to others, and
• Are REPUTABLE ways of making an extra living (meaning I would not compromise my principles).

I like acronyms.  To remember those 7 essential questions, the first letters of the key words spell S-E-C-T- F-V-R!  Don’t forget!  😉

Use these 7 questions to guide you as you reflect on what could be a sustainable and worthwhile side hustle.

Step 3 – Narrow down your list to the top 3 businesses that are worth pursuing based on your answers in Step 2.

At this point, you would have already realized that some of the biz ideas you listed are more feasible and sustainable than others.  Highlight your top three.

I cannot emphasize enough, that more than anything, you must always consider how you will provide value to others.  Businesses that thrive on profitability as its main goal are not sustainable in the long term.  Choose one that serves others and gives value to others.  Pat Flynn, a podcaster I follow, advocates this.  

So out with the get-rich-quick scams!  Find meaningful work and more often than not, it becomes a win for you, and a win for those whom you will serve.

Step 4 – Choose one from your top three and execute!!!  

Only you can figure out the side hustle that  best fits you.  Take courage, be brave, plan well and execute.

I wish you the best on your journey to earning extra income.  

I prepared a cheat sheet for you to help you as you take action and take this first step in finding a side hustle!  Visit the free materials page for this free printable.

I would love to hear from you!  Please leave a comment in the comments section below, subscribe to the blog or join our Facebook group!