Side hustle ideas from people who actually run them
Real side businesses, described by their owners. Filter by cost, time and how they earn.
- Ideas
- 651 ideas
- Publications
- 14 publications and shows
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- 8 categories
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- Files sold online: templates, printables, ebooks, stock photos, fonts, presets, plugins, recorded courses
- A web app, SaaS, mobile app, browser extension, bot or API that people pay for or that earns from ads
- A blog, niche website, newsletter, YouTube channel, podcast or social account that earns from ads, affiliate links or sponsors
- Making, printing or reselling physical goods, online or in person
- Doing work for clients for a fee: freelance, consulting, done-for-you services, repairs, local services
- Earning from something you own: renting property, rooms, equipment, vehicles, parking, vending machines, domains
- A job board, listings site, directory or marketplace that connects buyers and sellers
- Live tutoring, lessons, workshops, coaching or cohort classes
Matching ideas
About the data16 ideas
- Services and freelancingA large laundromat with a commercial laundry operation and remote management technology, now offered as a franchise.Over $10kIn personThe Koerner Office, 2026
- Services and freelancingAn espresso setup mounted on an electric-assist cargo trike that serves coffee at events without the overhead of a shop. The founder also builds and sells units to other entrepreneurs.Over $10kIn personSide Hustle Nation, 2026
- Services and freelancingAcquiring an existing landscaping company in South Florida instead of starting from scratch. The episode covers rebuilding after losing most of the team and clients, and using simple AI tools to save admin time.Over $10kNear full-timeIn personSide Hustle Nation, 2026
- Services and freelancingRuns a mobile knife sharpening service from a van, charging per inch of blade, mostly at farmers markets.Over $10kIn personHacker News, 2026
- Services and freelancingA local service handles cremation for pets and takes referrals from veterinary clinics. Clinics are the recurring business customers.Over $10kIn personThe Koerner Office, 2025
- Services and freelancingOwns a franchise hair salon that is managed day to day by someone else.Over $10kHands-offIn personHacker News, 2019
- Services and freelancingA physical escape room that parodies startup life, run day-to-day by a manager. Revenue is ticket sales.Over $10kIn personHacker News, 2019
- Services and freelancingRuns a private practice teaching mindfulness and breathwork, guiding self-exploration and providing healing touch and bodywork.Part-timeIn personHacker News, 2019
- Services and freelancingRuns an audio engineering business, mixing and mastering music across many genres for new and experienced artists.Over $10kPart-timeOnlineHacker News, 2019
- Services and freelancingBuys older small houses, renovates them on weekends and holidays, and sells them for a profit. Hires out only specialist work like electrical.Over $10kPart-timeIn personHacker News, 2019
- Services and freelancingWorks as a hypnotist, getting most clients through word of mouth and a website.Hacker News, 2019
- Services and freelancingUses a CNC laser cutter to make items for friends and local schools, for a modest monthly income.A few hours a weekHacker News, 2019
- Services and freelancingHelps organize small music shows and festivals and records local indie bands, mostly for friends and acquaintances.In personHacker News, 2019
- Services and freelancingA retail shop that fixes broken phones for walk-in customers, grown from one location to several. The owner later sold the business.Over $10kIn personTop Founders, 2016
- Services and freelancingBought an existing cleaning company and is running it with a business manager, so it needs little weekly attention.Over $10kHands-offHacker News, 2014
- Services and freelancingAdministers rented servers, handling updates and small fixes for tenants who pay monthly fees after covering hosting costs.Over $10kHands-offOnlineHacker News, 2014