The Memphis Diaries

Are you currently hearing the call of hustle season? I definitely am and I decided to research a few side hustles for the possibility of adding an extra thing to my schedule. 😉 But seriously, who wouldn’t love an extra couple hundred dollars a month to beef up your savings or fund an upcoming trip?! Below, I’ll break down the startup costs, time requirements, and my personal ranking of four side hustles I looked into. If you have been thinking about starting a side hustle, take this as your sign to just begin!

Why Side Hustles?

Extra cash means more freedom! Trips that used to be daydreams could start to come together and actually get out of the Pinterest board. It is never too late to start something new and bonus points if it also generates income for you! Side hustles can allow you to work smart, not just hard. I’m leaning towards one that blends creativity with personal progression and profit. Here’s my take on four options!

1. Lash Technician

Startup Costs: $500-$2,000

• Certification: $300-$1,500 (Boise courses, 2 days-2 weeks).
• Starter Kit: $200-$500 (Some training courses include the kit).
  • Lashes, glue, tools, and practice materials.
• Salon Space: $100-$500/month (or home set up).
• Salon Set-Up: $200-$500 (lash bed, storage, decor, etc).
  • You can save money and save a few items for until you start to generate income.

Time Requirements:

• Training: 20-40 hrs
• Practicing: 20-50 hrs
  • Practice dummy sets, Model Practice Sets, lash fan perfecting.
• Work: 10-20 hrs/week
  • $200-$700/week ($40-$70/client)
  • 10 hrs ≈ 5 clients & 20 hrs ≈ 10 clients

Rating: 5/5

Honestly, I’m considering this side hustle the most! It has that creativity aspect I’m longing for while still being challenging and engaging. While it does have the highest startup costs, the high earning potential quickly makes up for that factor. Downside: high upfront costs and potential earning cap due to scheduling limits.

2. Virtual Assistant

Startup Costs: $50-$800

• Laptop/phone: $0-$500
• Software: $0-$50/year
• Courses: $50-$250

Time Requirements:

• Set up: 2-5 hours
  • Creating accounts and home/office set up
• Courses: 5-40 hours
• Work: 5-20 hours/week
  • $60-$500/week ($12-$25/hour)

Rating: 4/5

Being a virtual assistant can be a pretty rewarding side hustle. However, some jobs may lack the creativity aspect and could become repetitive. If working from home is your goal, being a virtual assistant may work perfectly for you! All you need is your computer/phone and Internet connection. That could mean scheduling meetings while living in a beach town and surfing in your free time! The flexibility definitely makes up for the possible repetition and it has low start-up requirements.

3. Print-on-Demand Seller

Startup Costs: $50-$400

• Design software: $0-$50
  • Example: Canva Pro
• Platform fees: $0-$20/month
• Marketing: $0-$300
  • Advertisements

Time Requirements:

• Set up: 10-20 hours
  • Set up your accounts and bulk create your designs to save time
• Work: 5-10 hours/week
  • Primarily spent checking on items, marketing products, creating new designs, and tracking trends.
  • $100-$1,000/month ($5-$50/item)

Rating: 4/5

I think this is something everyone could do for extra money. This side hustle can generate passive income, which is cash earned even when you’re not working. You don’t have to be Picasso to create a cute t-shirt design and the start-up requirements are low. Additionally, platforms can allow you to not worry about inventory or shipping products. While this side hustle has decent earning potential, additional marketing may be required to boost sales and it can be slow at first.

4. Etsy Seller (handmade goods)

Startup Costs: $50-$300

• Materials: $30-$200
  • Crafting materials, beads, charms, etc.
• Etsy fees: $1-$20
  • $0.20 listing fee, transactions fees (6.5%), and processing fees (3% + $0.25)
• Tools: $0-$80

Time Requirements:

• Set up: 10-20 hours
  • Setting up account and creating items to list
• Work: 5-10 hours/week
  • Depending on the time it takes to create the item, inventory tracking, product shipments
  • $100-$500/month ($10-$50/item)

Rating: 3/5

While this side hustle is fun and flexible, it does require you to be more hands on. From creating the item and listing to dropping the item off at the post office. You can only sell as many items as you’re able to make, so there is a potential earning cap. If you enjoy crafting and want to make some extra cash from it, this might be perfect for you. However, remember to have fun with it so your hobbies don’t become a chore! The high selling fees and crowded market play a role in why I ranked this hustle the way I did. I think your time may be better spend on other hustles unless you actively create items day-to-day.

My Take

Becoming a lash technician seems like the best option for me. While there are higher startup costs, the earning potential is high and the creative yet social aspect is appealing. Virtual assisting and Print on Demand tie for second, offering flexibility. Etsy selling is cool but slower and requires more time and attention. Pick your favorite and get to work!

What’s your side hustle vibe? Comment or DM me on Instagram (@memphis.crane). I’ll be starting my lash tech journey, so be sure to follow along for the ride.

Talk more soon,

Memphis