Over the years, I have listened to different people who boast about quitting their jobs to kick-start their businesses. I applaud their courage taking that decision. However, I strongly believe that many people (if not most) should stick with their everyday employment when they start another business—at least for a while. 

Regardless of whether I was studying or working full-time, I’ve always had a side hustle on the go. In school, I was selling clothes, and I write for Bloggers. Fiverr was also my friend. Today, I work for an organisation in Lagos, I blog, and also write part-time. None of these side hustles interferes with my studies or my work. 

I have identified a few side hustles that you can start today without quitting your job. 

1. Consultant:
You might not need to look far for ideas to start a new business, your current job might hold the key. If you can find work as a consultant, you can leverage your current position and associated expertise into a separate business.

“One of the quickest ways to start a business while working is by offering consultations,” said Michelle Ngome of MichelleNgome.com and the podcast Networking With Michelle. 

She further explained that “anyone who has three to five years of experience has expertise in a specific area. Offering consultations is low overhead and allows someone to make quick money if they’re good at what they do.

2. Private Tutor
The skills and knowledge that make you a valuable asset at work can also be valuable to others, why not share and earn? Your side hustle in 2020 can just be passing along the wisdom you’ve picked up at work in the form of tutorials. If you are a qualified Accountant, for instance, you can start an ICAN tutorial centre. There’s also a constant need for private tutors everywhere there are children.

3. Caterer
A lot of people have a passion for food, I have a colleague at work who cook real good. I keep telling her about taking weekends orders. But, you know, for her, the stress comes to heart before the money. I constantly tell her that as a caterer who also has an office job, you can limit yourself to jobs that fit around your 8-to-5 work schedule while still getting a chance to cook professionally. You could throw a dinner party to let your MD at work and his friends know you’re in the business. Think Big!

4. Personal Trainer
If you are passionate about keeping fit, you might be able to turn that into a lucrative side gig. Your passion for fitness could be part of why you’re right to help others get into better shape. Be sure to get properly certified before taking on clients. You can have clients close to your workplace or around your neighbourhood.

5. Bartend or Ushering Jobs on Weekends and Nights
Working as a bartender or an usher can be an ideal job to fit around full-time work elsewhere, especially if you can negotiate your shifts to fall primarily on Friday and Saturday nights.

6. Blogging
No matter how time-consuming your work is, creating a blog and making money with it is very possible. It’s not a get rich quick ordeal, but if you do it right, you will surely make money. Blogging is a potential profession where knowledge about virtually anything can be leveraged into an online audience. Whether you’re writing for an audience who are interested in professional tips or posting about events, books or sharing tutorials, your blog could potentially become your next big thing. If you do not have the strength and time to run a blog full time, you can make some extra money by writing for other blogs and news platforms such as Opera News.

7. Volunteer
Of course, if money’s not the thing motivating you to seek out a side business, don’t overlook volunteering. You can feel good about putting work into making your community a better place. And who knows, it might result in contacts that could ultimately result in new career opportunities.

 Akinpelumi, Akinboye