5 Side Hustle Opportunities to Test the Entrepreneurial Waters

When it comes to the reasons for wanting to make some extra money, there are as many explanations as there are moonlighting opportunities. Maybe you’re fed up with your credit card bills and want to become debt-free as soon as possible. Perhaps your kid needs braces, your dog just had surgery or you want to get a head start on holiday shopping. Or, maybe you have a keen entrepreneurial spirit that yearns to get away from the 9-to-5 work world so you can open your own company.

Indeed, having one or several side hustles will let you see if you enjoy being your own boss. But whatever your reason in wanting to earn some extra moola, there are countless ways you can start testing the entrepreneurial waters and earn some extra, much-needed cash. In fact, you might want to check out the following ideas:

Become a Direct Seller

A great way to bring in some extra money is by becoming a direct seller for a reputable, established company. The hours are typically very flexible, and you can take on as little or much work as you desire. One terrific example is Amway, which helps its independent business owners supplement their income, while also achieving their goal of owning their own company.

If you’re concerned about working for Amway because you’ve heard rumors that it involves a pyramid scheme, nothing can be further from the truth. In fact, the company’s independent business owners don’t make a commission by bringing more people into the fold; instead, they, along with the nearly 1 in 6 U.S. households involved in direct selling, make money from the sale of Amway products.

Turn Your Skills into Cash

Another terrific way to earn some extra money is to find people willing to pay you for your skills. For example, if you love doing calligraphy, you may find steady work addressing wedding invitations and baby announcements. Likewise, if people are constantly remarking on some of your amazing photos, consider starting a part-time, freelance photography business.

This way, your friends and family can sing your praises in the hopes of earning more wedding, birthday or family photo session opportunities. You might also want to use the power of social media to get the word out about your new side hustle and ask friends and family to spread the news.

Build Websites on the Side

As ThePennyHoarder.com notes, those with an inherent knack in knowing the ins and outs of WordPress and coding may enjoy helping bloggers build their websites. See if local coffee shops and other mom-and-pop stores will allow you to post a flier about your new side hustle in an effort to advertise — and hopefully gain — more business.

Not sure where else to advertise yourself and which businesses would benefit from your services? Some potential clients may include houses of worship, daycare centers, local cafes and coffee shops.

Consider Driving for Lyft or Uber

If you have a newer model car and enjoy driving and meeting new people, a part time gig with Lyft and/or Uber may be ideal. Plus, you can choose when and where you want to work as a driver for these ride-sharing services. You can even coordinate your hours to coincide with your commute to and from work, or on the weekends when you’re already out and about.

Decide to Teach or Tutor Part Time

If you’ve been tickling the ivories since you were a young child, you might want to consider teaching youngsters and teens alike how to play the piano. More often than not, these types of lessons are scheduled in the early evening or on weekends, so it’s usually fairly effortless to teach and work around your day-to-day job. Other ideas include being a math or science tutor to elementary or middle school kids, or teaching English to non-native speakers who have just moved into the community.