Whether out of passion or frustration, the pandemic has seen more people than ever get serious about their side hustle. In fact, according to recent figures from the U.S. Census Bureau, there was a 53% increase in new business filings in 2021 compared to 2019.
However, whether it’s interior design or decorative cakemaking, wedding photography or dog walking, how do you go about turning your side hustle into a real, viable business? Here are five steps to take in order to make the transition as smooth and successful as possible.
1. Set up the proper legal form of ownership.
Remaining a sole proprietorship might mean less admin in the short term, but it also creates a lot more risk in the long term! That’s because any credit, legal or liability risk falls on the individual owner. However, by giving yourself the shield of legal ownership, you’ll ensure the buck stops with your business rather than with you.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Be a smarter, better informed investor.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Being an official legal entity also gives you more credibility with lenders when it comes to borrowing money or raising capital. You can consult with Score, the nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors or with a local attorney to select the right form of ownership for you and your business.
2. Write a business plan.
When you’re running a business responsible for most, if not all, of your income, having a clear strategy is vital, which is where writing a business plan comes in. Doing so will help you identify your vision for the company, decide what differentiates you from competitors and figure out how much you need to earn to produce enough cash to not just survive, but thrive from your side hustle.
If you’re not sure how to go about writing a business plan, don’t worry! There are loads of great resources and advice out there, including from the U.S. Small Business Administration.
3. Plan to hire.
As a side hustler, you’re the accountant, the receptionist, the salesperson, the marketer and more. But becoming a business means deciding when you can afford to bring in extra support to cope with (hopefully!) rising demands on your time. Say your goal is to make a six-figure income every year. If the average full-time working year is 1,900 hours, that means you’re aiming for every hour you work to be worth around $50 to $55 ($100,000 divided by 1,900 hours).
Anytime you perform a function with a typical hourly rate below that – for example, administrative tasks like processing the mail or answering the phones, which tend to pay around $10 to $15 per hour – you’re reducing your ability to earn your desired $50 to $55. In which case, hiring someone to do it instead makes sense, both financially and to help you avoid burning out trying to do everything.
4. Let go to grow.
As you seek to grow, it’s important you have the bandwidth to focus on the elements of the business you’re uniquely good at while letting go of the rest. If you’re a cakemaker, for example, you’re far more valuable meeting customers and creating products than you are sending invoices or responding to emails.
A good rule of thumb is if someone can perform a task at least 70% or 80% as well as you, delegate it. That might be via a part- or full-time hire or through one of the country’s many small-business incubators. These provide expert support on everything from accounting and legal services to HR and capital investment. Along with benefiting from additional expertise, letting go of some operational tasks will mean your time is spent working on the business rather than in it.
5. Equip yourself for big contracts.
Most side hustles start with stuff like selling to friends of friends, posting your products on Pinterest or making one-off sales at farmers’ markets. But as your business expands, you may wish to go after bigger contracts with larger customers. This means you’ll need to establish certain infrastructure to ensure they’re comfortable working with you. Set up proper cybersecurity and data protection, for example, and arm yourself with property-casualty insurance, too. That way, if something goes wrong or gets damaged while you’re working for them, everyone knows you have the necessary protection in place.
Along with the steps above, there’s perhaps one other key consideration for anyone planning to move from part-time side hustler to full-time entrepreneur: Go into it with your eyes open. Running a business is hard, multifaceted work. And usually it comes with the added pressure of needing to make enough money to support you and your family.
Yet, at the same time, picture this: Every day you go to work, you’re doing something you’re good at. Something you feel passionate about. Something that’s truly yours. If you’re ready to accept the ups and downs and put in the time and energy required to make it a success, turning your side hustle into a business may well be the most rewarding decision you ever make.
-
I claimed Social Security six months ago at 62, but my checks are too small. What are my options?We asked financial experts for advice.
-
This Is How Much You'll Have to Pay to Share Streaming ServicesIt now costs more to share streaming services with family members who don't live with the account holder. Here's what Netflix, Amazon, Hulu and Disney+ charge.
-
Five Retirement Planning Traps You Can't Afford to Fall Into, From a Wealth AdviserTo help ensure you reach your savings goals and enjoy financial security in your golden years, be aware of these common pitfalls. The key is to be proactive, informed and flexible.
-
Your 401(k) Can Now Include Alternative Assets, But Should It? A Financial Adviser Weighs InMany employer-sponsored plans offer limited investment options, which can stunt growth. But participants considering alternatives might need some sound advice to get the most from their accounts.
-
Will Taxes Shred Your 401(k) or IRA During Your Retirement? It's Very LikelyConventional wisdom dictates that you save in a 401(k) now and pay taxes later, but turning that rule on its head could leave you far better off. A financial planner explains why.
-
More Retirees Are Renting: Should You? A Financial Adviser Weighs InIn some ways, renting is cheaper, more flexible and easier, but unless you understand the implications for your taxes and health costs, it might not be for you.
-
I'm a Real Estate Investing Pro: This 1031 Exchange Strategy Can Triple Your Cash FlowSavvy investors can use 1031 exchanges to unlock value by moving capital across markets in a play called geographic arbitrage. These tax implications can make or break the strategy.
-
I'm an Insurance Pro: Everyone Needs to Prepare for Earthquakes, Even if You Don't Live Near a Fault LineHere are my tips for what to do before, during and after an earthquake. The more prepared you are, the more you'll be able to keep your wits about you if it happens.
-
Where There's a Will, There's a Way Your Assets Will Be Distributed as You WishYour will is the backbone of a strong, adaptable estate plan that ensures what you leave behind goes to your selected beneficiaries. Without a will, state laws determine who gets your assets.
-
I'm a Financial Adviser: This Is What You're Really Losing if You Cut Back on Your 401(k) ContributionsMissing out on the benefits of the employer match and compounding growth could force you to work longer and lower your standard of living in retirement. Here are some alternative options.
