“Me in 1993, 7 months pregnant, hustling. This hustle turned into my first retail storefront,”
Put Some Respect on the Side Hustle
For 13 years, I have been co-founding and leading a makerspace, and in that time, I have seen firsthand how side hustles are the backbone of entrepreneurship. The side hustle is nothing new—it has been around since the beginning of time. We’ve all done it in some form, whether it was selling lemonade as a kid, babysitting, fixing cars, baking, teaching a second language, or walking dogs. Side hustles are the lifeblood of our economy, quietly fueling financial stability and independence for millions of people.
The Unspoken Champion of Our Economy
Think about the mom hosting weekend garage sales to sell her children’s outgrown clothes or the dad giving piano lessons after work. These everyday hustles may seem small, but they add up—contributing not only to individual households but also to the larger economy.
With the rise of the internet and social media, the game has changed. What was once a small neighborhood side gig can now reach customers worldwide. Millions of people have scaled their side hustles into thriving businesses, some becoming full-fledged brands operating at local, national, and even international levels. The side hustle is no longer just a way to make extra cash—it’s a launchpad for entrepreneurship and innovation.
Side Hustles Are a Necessity, Not Just a Passion
For many, a side hustle isn’t just about chasing a dream; it’s about survival. It’s about making rent, paying the bills, affording medical care, or putting food on the table. Most side hustlers also have full-time jobs, which says a lot about the financial strain people face today.
The reality is, wages alone don’t always provide enough to live comfortably. Side hustles bridge that gap, offering people a way to sustain themselves and their families. They provide flexibility, independence, and the potential for long-term financial security.
Why Don’t Side Hustles Get the Respect They Deserve?
Despite their impact, side hustles often exist in a grey area. They aren’t always seen as “real” businesses, even though they contribute significantly to the economy. Side hustlers don’t always have access to small business loans, grants, or business development programs because they aren’t yet considered formal businesses.
I know this firsthand. I started out with side hustles as a young girl babysitting. As a mom trying to make ends meet, I baked bread, made handmade scrubs, cleaned houses, and even delivered food to seniors. The list goes on. And yet, because I wasn’t a “legitimate” business, I sometimes felt small—like what I was doing wasn’t as important as a traditional job or a registered company.
But that’s the problem. Side hustles are important. They are economic engines that empower people, build skills, and create financial opportunities. They deserve more recognition, resources, and respect.
How Can We Support Side Hustlers?
If we truly want to build a more sustainable and prosperous economy, we need to start acknowledging the power of side hustles and creating pathways for success. Here’s how:
- Recognize Their Value: Employers, policymakers, and financial institutions need to see side hustles for what they are—real economic contributors. We should be celebrating side hustlers, not treating them as a footnote.
- Make Business Education Accessible: Many people with side hustles want to grow but don’t know where to start. Free or affordable business workshops on financial literacy, marketing, and business registration could help more people transition from side hustlers to full-fledged entrepreneurs.
- Bridge the Gap Between Informal and Formal Business: How do we create smoother pathways for side hustlers to legitimize and scale their businesses? Simplified registration processes, micro-loans, and mentorship programs could make all the difference.
- Support and Buy From Side Hustlers: The next time you need a product or service, consider supporting someone’s side hustle instead of a big corporation. Share their business with your network. Small acts of support can go a long way.
The Future of Side Hustles
The world is changing, and more people than ever are turning to side hustles to take control of their financial futures. These businesses may start small, but they have the potential to grow into powerful economic drivers.
So the next time you see someone grinding on their side hustle, show them some respect. Whether they’re selling handmade goods, teaching a skill, driving for a delivery service, or running an online shop, they are doing what it takes to create a better life for themselves—and that’s something worth celebrating.
If you have a side hustle, what’s your next step? How can you take it further? And if you don’t have one yet, maybe it’s time to start.
Let’s put some respect on the side hustle.
– Gina Lujan