There’s no way to sugarcoat it: everything is more expensive than it was five years ago. Prices are rising everywhere (and for everything), and there’s no stop to inflation.
Perhaps the only thing reducing is the amount of stuff you can get for the same money (shrinkflation has become a serious problem!).
We know money is tight, so many of us are now relying on side hustles to get those bills sorted and taxes paid.
On that note, here are some top-paying side hustles you should consider, especially as a woman!
Are you ready to start your very own women-owned business? Read more to get inspired.
1. Offer virtual assistance
Today, the world relies on a work-from-home environment, which is why a side hustle like a virtual assistant (often accompanied by a flexible schedule) can be a perfect opportunity for many female entrepreneurs.
Not to mention the added benefit of networking with industry-relevant folks (like business owners) that it’ll offer.
As a virtual assistant, you can offer your service in various verticals, such as social media management, communication, admin tasks, personal assistance, etc.
Expected Pay: According to Indeed, a virtual assistant in the United States can earn approximately $25/hour.
2. Write for publications about your experiences
You might be surprised that many publications are interested in hearing people-first stories from women in business about their unique experiences, such as how they have managed to navigate XYZ issues in life.
Expected Pay: The pay differs from publication to publication. For example, magazines like Cosmopolitan may pay 90 cents per word, whereas Women’s Travel Writing would pay anywhere between 13 to 35 cents per word.
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3. Turn your passion into profit
Lastly, choose a side hustle that fits your needs, experience, and talent. Turn your passion into a profit by educating others about what you know.
For example, consider the case of Severine Diaz, one of the founders and General Managers of Beaches of Normandy Tours. What began as a small venture driven by a passion for sharing Normandy’s rich history has grown into a successful business under Severine’s dedicated leadership.
Similarly, many event photographers have turned their passion for capturing special moments into profitable side hustles, offering their services for weddings, corporate events, and other special occasions.
Her story exemplifies how a side hustle can evolve into a thriving enterprise, inspiring women entrepreneurs everywhere.
4. Take care of people’s pets
People love their pets; we know that. However, they can’t take care of their pets when they’re off on vacations, unwell, or trying out a new living arrangement.
If you choose to market yourself as a reliable pet sitter, you could potentially earn money while cuddling cute little animals!
For someone to trust you with their pet is a pretty big deal, so they’ll expect you to know the pet’s routine, medications, dietary requirements, etc.
You’d also need to know basic skills like pet CPR, have animal behavioral knowledge, and be open to communicating with pet owners.
Expected Pay: According to Indeed, the average salary of a pet sitter in the U.S. is $15.96/hour.
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5. Teach students
If you have a skill you’re particularly good at (e.g., creative arts, playing a sport, having command over a language, great interpersonal conversational skills, etc.), all of them can eventually:
- Teach students (and the next generation) some awesome skills
- Help you earn money
For example, you could offer tutoring for piano lessons, take virtual classes to teach someone a new language or train a child to swim.
Expected Pay: Your pay will be directly tied to your skill set, talent, and network.
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6. Try your hand at affiliate marketing
If you’re someone with tons of contacts and influence (or if you can create impactful advertising campaigns that get customers to buy a product/service), you could just become an affiliate marketer and a great one at that.
If you’re new to the concept of affiliate marketing, here’s how it works: Companies vet affiliates and provide them with custom links to their product landing pages. If you get a customer for them and have them buy through that link, you immediately earn a commission on that sale.
While there’s tons of bogus information and fake promises online on the massive money affiliates make (sometimes in tens of thousands overnight), it’s still a legitimate side hustle. In fact, more than 80% of brands rely on it.
Expected Pay: Affiliate commission varies between 1-20% of the total sale value.
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7. Become a personal shopper
If you’re someone with a keen eye on fashion and trends, and you feel like you could help someone design a wardrobe that’s attuned to their preference and style, you could have a soaring career as a personal shopper.
This career choice would not only allow you to help others feel more confident in their skin and their clothing choices. It’ll also allow you to network with a diverse clientele, express your creative chops, and maintain a flexible schedule.
Expected Pay: According to Indeed, personal shoppers could make approx. $15.5/hour.
8. Sell your home-cooked goods!
In a busy economy, people hardly have the time to cook a nice and healthy meal for themselves and their families.
That’s where you come in: You could start a subscription-based home-cooked food business that caters to busy people, such as business professionals, out-of-state students, or families that need healthy meals without the hassle of cooking.
To make yourself stand out from the crowd, consider niching your service—e.g., offering vegan food, gluten-free foods, halal/kosher meals, and country-specific food (e.g., an Indian meal delivery service for Indian students).
Expected Pay: Since this would be a business, the profits would depend on the margins you set and your customers. With a full-time commitment, SMEs expect similar business models to earn between $36-47k yearly.
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Learn more about side hustles
While we hope this list was a helpful resource and provided some valuable information about side hustles you could consider as a woman, we also know that one lone page on the internet won’t help you choose your next side hustle.
This is why we wanted to point you to our next best resource: The StartupNation Blog. Here, we have a content pillar dedicated to online information about side hustles.
Dig in and learn more about side hustles through our blog! Now, over to you. It’s time to start your business plan. And who knows, maybe you’re the next Oprah Winfrey or Anne Wojcicki.
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