Side Hustling Ep. 18: How to Earn a Living from a Skill or Hobby Possess and Enjoy Doing
Hey guys, Rules for Rebels back with Episode 18 of Side Hustle Thursdays. Today's story isn't some ground breaking idea or new concept. Heck, I typically recommend people new to business or ecommerce don't even try to do something new or ground breaking, see what other people are doing, copy it, and put a bit of your own spin on it.
Today's side hustle is about a guy named Jake. Jake worked in higher education but also enjoyed playing the guitar, he did a bit of performing as well but nothing big, just local bar gigs for beer and a bit of pocket change.
One day Jake decided to offer guitar lessons. He put a bit more time and detail and attention into his ad and a few weeks later landed his first client. Then a few more. Jake's first month he made a couple hundred bucks. A few months in he made $1500 and it continued to grow from there.
Eventually Jake did quit his job. He's doing something he loves and he's only working 20-30 hours per week which gives him more time to spend with his family.
I think many times when we look to start a business we feel like we have to do something completely new and groundbreaking. While new stufff is great and while shaking up an industry is great, your also venturing into unchartered waters meaning it's possible there's no demand for your product or service.
By doing something tried and true, like guitar lessons, there's already a need and an established market, you just need to tap into it.
What skills or knowledge do you have that other people would pay you to teach them?
That makes sense! I always think I have to somehow meet some tech genius who, somehow based on my half-assed-but-secretly genius-idea, creates a brilliant new technology that no one ever thought of before which will revolutionize...blah blah blah. Then I think, "I'll never start a business." But if I get away from that and think about what I know and what I can teach it gets more doable.
I like it! I'm doing merch but also focusing on growing my chess youtube and coaching business. Similar to teaching guitar lessons. It's soo much more enjoyable than working a job. I get to talk about and teach chess! I would like to know your secrets to growing such a large youtube audience. https://www.youtube.com/c/chessdiagnostic
I used to be very into chess but it's been years since I've played. I'll have to checkout your channel and get back into it. I'm a huge fan of playing Dominoes as well but rarely get to play as very few people I know play.