The Side Hustle

 

Having a Job is great but at times it just does not cut the bill, and that's where the Side Hustle comes in. A Side Hustle is any activity that brings in extra cash to support your daily life. There is a biblical text that speaks about how everyone should have a Side Hustle. Ecclesiastes 11:6-10 "Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well." Here is a local version "8-5 is your day Job, after work you Hustle".

A Side Hustle is not an aimless pursuit of cash, but it is an intentional action you do in exchange for money. With each day we are given 24 hours to make something out of, you don't get an extra 5 nor do I. What can you do after hours or on the weekends that can bring in cash flow? Everyone can do something, away with the thinking that you can't do anything. Those limiting beliefs about yourself are stopping you from financial independence.

Short of ideas? Here is a list of some Side Hustles you can start with little to no cash.

Product based

• Sell eggs
• Sell bale clothing or shoes
• Sell perfume
• Sell mobile phones or accessories
• Sell cookies
• Sell decorative plants
• Sell earrings or necklaces

Services based

• Update computer hardware/software
• Do photography
• Create logos/graphics/videos
• Babysit
• Take people's dogs for a walk
• Give body massages
• Do manicures and pedicures
• Do lashes
• Drive Yango / inDrive
• Plate hair
• Build apps

If you are good at programming or IT-related stuff, you can create a poster and paste it at University campuses letting them know you offer assistance in Programming or IT. Trust me, those 1st-year students will run to you as their messiah. Some of you spend hours counselling people's relationships over the phone. It is time you start charging them for your valuable advice. I mean it is your time, brain, experience, and energy going into this, better cash in real fast.

Respect the Hustle

There is a famous statement "Job is Job" by Meisie Willemse from the Namibian movie #LandoftheBrave. I say "Hustle is Hustle" and money does not discriminate its source. Pick n Pay does not care whether your money comes from selling braai plates or from forex. They just accept your payment as legal tender and give the goods. Don't get caught up in finding a Side Hustle that is cool or popular. Rather think about what you can do and what the people (market) need. You don't even have to enjoy your Side Hustle, aim at providing quality products or services and cash in from day 1.

If I want to sell eggs, I don't need to love doing it, I just need to get the eggs to my customers, and make my zak. Simple! No matter how small or uncool, don't be ashamed of your Hustle. I know of people who hold high-profile jobs yet sell bale clothes on the side. Your Side Hustle is your Side Hustle, no shame in that.

Dont Compare

Remember that your Side Hustle is different from my Side Hustle and that's perfectly normal. What I do is not what you can or want to do, pick your area and run with it. You are different and uniquely positioned to reach customers I will never be able to reach.

It's your Zak

After you have made that mula, it's only fair that you chop it nice nice. Do your hair and nails my gal, boss go chills with the big boys.

What are some of the things that you could cover with your Side Hustle every month?

• Aweh
• Hair & nails
• Taxi/juice
• Savings
• Chillouts

For those of you who are churchgoers, I'm certain the Lord will be happy when you give offerings from your Side Hustle.

These items seem minimal, but add up the cost and your Side Hustle will be lifting about 2k from your shoulders each month. If you don't have a Side Hustle yet, it is time you grow up and do what adults do, Start Your Side Hustle.