If you\u2019re thinking about making some extra cash outside your 9-to-5 job, you\u2019re not alone. Nearly 46.5 million people are embracing a side hustle in Canada and the United States.<\/p>\n
In fact, Canadians leading profitable side businesses added $2.5 billion to the country\u2019s economy last year alone. And this side hustling trend isn\u2019t going away. 49% of Americans under 35 had a side hustle in 2019, according to Fortune<\/a>.<\/p>\n While the motivation behind starting a side hustle is often financial need, there are a wealth of possible benefits. It can be a low-cost yet highly rewarding way to boost your income, build new skills, exercise your creativity and grow a network of contacts.<\/p>\n It may seem intimidating to take on a new business venture while you\u2019re still working full-time, but we\u2019re here to assure you that you can make it happen \u2014 it just takes some planning.<\/p>\n Here are seven tips to follow when starting a side hustle, including resources you can tap into to help you on your new business journey.<\/p>\n To get into a new routine, plan when you\u2019re going to work on your business. Setting aside time that\u2019s strictly dedicated to your side hustle will help you settle into a new workflow. That might mean an hour every night or half a day each weekend; choose a schedule that works for you.<\/p>\n \u201cOver 80% of the investment needed to start a side hustle is time,\u201d says Ryan Robinson, content marketing consultant, writer and host of The Side Hustle Project. \u201cIt\u2019s the period you need to acquire (or sharpen) a skill, find and serve clients who will pay for your work.\u201d<\/p>\n To keep you focused, try using the Pomodoro technique: A method for productivity where you work for 25 minutes followed by a five-minute break<\/a>. You can also use time management software like Toggl<\/a> or RescueTime<\/a> to keep you accountable and stay on track.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t be discouraged if you\u2019re struggling to find the motivation to work on your project after your day job or on your weekend break. You might want to start waking up an hour earlier and venturing out to a local coffee shop to get the ball rolling.<\/p>\n Being in a lively environment can stimulate productivity. If you aren\u2019t a morning person, try staying up later in the night to squeeze in the time.<\/p>\n Also consider cutting back on time spent scrolling through your social media feeds, watching YouTube videos, and binging Netflix shows. You\u2019ll gain a couple of extra hours in your day from curbing your online behavior \u2014 trust us.<\/p>\n Remember:<\/strong> Don\u2019t work on your project when you\u2019re at work. We\u2019ll dive into some of the legal considerations when it comes to this later.<\/p>\n The last thing you want is for your new business venture to seem like a chore, becoming something that you feel that you have to do rather than want to do.<\/p>\n While not everyone has the luxury of pursuing a passion project, thinking about an idea that gets you super excited is the perfect starting point for a side hustle. That excitement is what you need to drive you forward.<\/p>\n For example, Ben Francis started his multi-million dollar fitness apparel brand Gymshark from the desire to make things.<\/p>\nTip #1: Commit the time to your business<\/h2>\n
Tip #2: Pursue a passion<\/h2>\n