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Forbes
7 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
How Side Hustles Are Reshaping Work In 2025
By Rieva Lesonsky In today's economy, side hustles are no longer just a means to make ends meet; they represent a transformative shift in our working lives. Side gigs are evolving into substantial, often passion-driven businesses. What once began as weekend freelancing or after-hours crafting now stands as a path to personal freedom, creative fulfillment, and in many cases, long-term financial independence. This shift isn't just about money, but identity and agency as well. People are redefining success on their own terms, choosing gigs that align with their values and lifestyles. From selling handmade goods online to offering niche consulting services, individuals are creating microenterprises that reflect who they are and what they care about. Sites like Etsy, Substack, and Patreon aren't just tech platforms—they're entrepreneurial ecosystems where creativity meets commerce and side hustlers can take root and thrive. Starting and sustaining a side hustle isn't simple. You have to balance the demands of a primary job, personal life, and a growing side business. The dream of turning a side gig into a full-time business is real, but so are the challenges. Still, for many, the ability to build something of their own is worth all the late nights and early mornings. Side hustles aren't a trend. They're the new face of work. A survey from Intuit QuickBooks reveals that 54% of respondents plan to start a business in 2025. But for many, money is the biggest barrier to entrepreneurship—48% say they'd start a business if they had more money. Interestingly, while many side hustles start as passion projects, money seems to be a powerful motivator for those surveyed. Earning more money would make 61% of the respondents 'more satisfied.' And one way they plan to build personal wealth is by starting a side hustle. Even 43% of current business owners plan to start a side hustle to increase their income. To learn more about getting a side hustle off the ground, I talked to Joe Black, director of product management, commerce at Intuit QuickBooks. Rieva Lesonsky: Starting a side hustle has long been a great way to earn extra income, meet savings goals, or pay down debt. What's changed? Joe Black: The side business concept has evolved into a much bigger opportunity. Today, these jobs represent an alternative career path, offering a new outlook on how we work—and, more importantly, how we pursue our passions. According to recent data, rideshare drivers, bloggers, photographers, and virtual assistants are set to be popular side hustles, presenting an exciting opportunity for those with an entrepreneurial mindset to build something of their own while maintaining financial security. And as we navigate through the current economic uncertainty, building financial security through side hustles that can bring in extra income is something that is perhaps more top of mind than ever for many. Lesonsky: Often, entrepreneurs like to jump first and look later. What's the first step to getting started? Black: It can be tempting to jump right into a new side business when inspiration strikes, but you need a clear strategy with any new venture. Begin by defining your goals. Who are you trying to serve? How will you make money? What's your long-term vision? If you're not sure where to start, think about the skills you already have. Whether freelancing, selling a product, or offering a service, choose something that plays to your strengths. The best side gigs are the ones that feel more like a passion project than work. Lesonsky: Do you need a business plan for a side hustle? Black: Yes, it's essential to build a business plan. Outlining the details gives you a tangible road map to follow. Keep in mind that a business plan isn't set in stone—it can be as flexible as you need it to be. The key isn't sticking to a rigid plan but staying committed and adaptable as you grow. After all, it's the day-to-day work and adjustments that keep you moving forward. More from AllBusiness: Lesonsky: As I've already noted, juggling a full-time job and a side hustle is a serious time commitment. The survey shows that 33% of people planning to start a business this year also intend to keep their full-time jobs. How do they do that? Black: If that's your goal, you'll need to know how much time you realistically have and how to manage it effectively. This could mean working evenings, weekends, and the moments between your day job. Organize yourself with time blocking, using tools like Google Calendar or Trello when you need to schedule time for meetings, research, or content creation. But don't forget to pencil in breaks, too. Overworking is a surefire way to burn out. Building rest into your schedule is just as important as the hustle itself. Managing your time effectively means knowing when to step back and recharge so you can keep moving forward. Lesonsky: Once people start working a job and running a side hustle, are there any 'must-do' rules that help the business grow and keep them sane? Black: Yes, I have two. First, keep your business finances separate from your personal finances. Side hustles allow you to be your own boss and work at your own pace while simultaneously benefiting from earning a regular income from your full-time job. The survey shows that this is why 71% of side hustlers surveyed kept their day jobs. And now that you're running a business, you must track the money coming in and out of your business. If your personal and business finances are combined, it's much harder to gauge how your business performs. There are financial tools that automatically separate your business and personal transactions for easy review and organization. With clear financial separation, you'll have an easier time budgeting, preparing for taxes, and understanding where your business stands financially. Lesonsky: And the second? Black: Outsource support where you can. You don't have to do everything yourself, especially as your side hustle grows. Outsourcing is about knowing when to ask for help and identifying areas where you can delegate tasks to free up your time. Whether you need a graphic designer for your website or an accountant to help you maintain your books, platforms like Fiverr and Upwork offer affordable, skilled freelancers who can help with various aspects of your hustle. Lesonsky: Anything else you'd like to add? Black: The potential for a successful side hustle is limitless when fueled by passion and the skills you bring to the table. With the right mindset, now is a perfect time to turn your idea into something more. I'm thinking 2025 is "The Year of the Side Hustle.'
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Russian delegation led by Putin's aide to attend new peace talks in Istanbul
Russia is once again sending the same delegation, led by Vladimir Medinsky, aide to Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, to the next round of peace talks with Ukraine scheduled to take place in Istanbul on 2 June – a delegation previously criticised by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for its low level. Source: Maria Zakharova, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, on air at the state-owned TV channel Rossiya 24, as reported by Suspilne, a Ukrainian public broadcaster Details: Zakharova stated that the composition of the Russian delegation will remain unchanged and will again be headed by Vladimir Medinsky. Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the composition of the Ukrainian delegation would depend on the Russian one. The upcoming round of negotiations may be held in Istanbul on 2 June. This date and location were proposed by Russia, but Ukraine has not officially agreed to it yet. Kyiv is calling on Moscow to send over the proposed "memorandum" on a ceasefire before the talks take place. Background: Zelenskyy said on 29 May that the Russian side had failed to deliver the so-called memorandum to the US, Ukraine or Türkiye, despite earlier promises. On 28 May, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov proposed that the second round of negotiations be held in Istanbul on 2 June. Earlier, Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umierov had handed over a document to Russia outlining Ukraine's position and was awaiting their "memorandum" in response. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Two injured in Russian attacks on Dnipropetrovsk Oblast
Russia has attacked the Nikopol district in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast throughout the day on 29 May, using artillery and drones. Two people have been injured. Source: Serhii Lysak, Head of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration Quote: "The Marhanets, Pokrovske and Chervonohryhorivka hromadas in the Nikopol district have come under Russian attack today. The city of Nilopol sustained the most strikes. Russian forces targeted the area with drones and artillery. [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories – ed.] Two people were injured – a 25-year-old man and a 48-year-old woman." Details: Both of the people who were injured in the attack will receive outpatient treatment. Infrastructure facilities were damaged, including a public utility company, an administrative building, a five-storey apartment block, two houses, a non-operational building, six vehicles and four greenhouses. Russia also attacked the Hrushivka hromada in the Kryvyi Rih district. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Zelenskyy: Russians have not shared their "memorandum" with partners
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on 29 May that the Russian side has not handed over its so-called "memorandum" to the United States, Ukraine or Türkiye, despite earlier promises to do so. Source: Zelenskyy's address on 29 May Quote: "Words don't work with Moscow. Even the so-called 'memorandum' they promised and supposedly spent over a week preparing – no one has seen it yet. It has not been given to Ukraine. It has not been given to our partners. Not even Türkiye, the country that hosted the first meeting, has received the new agenda. Despite promises to the contrary – above all to the United States and President Trump. Another Russian deception." Details: The president added that the Russians are doing everything they can to make the meetings meaningless, which is another reason to strengthen sanctions pressure against them. Background: Earlier, it became known that Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umierov had handed over a document to Russia outlining Ukraine's position and was awaiting their "memorandum" in response. On 23 May, Zelenskyy stated that the fact that Russia had been drafting a so-called "memorandum" on a ceasefire for a week is a mockery of the entire world. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Axios
12 hours ago
- Business
- Axios
How a Steve Madden podcast interview went viral — and paid off
Steve Madden has gone viral for his recent, no-holds-barred interview on "The Cutting Room Floor" podcast — and in the days following, the footwear company's stock price has also gotten a bump. Why it matters: Long-form interviews can be a risky public relations move, but when done right, they can attract new customers and generate business. Catch up quick: Madden sat down with fashion podcaster Recho Omondi to discuss the shoe empire he founded, his time in prison for securities fraud, his penchant for " dupes," the impact President Trump's trade policies could have on the fashion industry and more. Between the lines: For most executives, many of the topics Madden covered would be off-limits. However, Madden's unfiltered approach paid off by spotlighting his personal brand and offering insight into how the business runs. The interview is "a case study in how brands should just be themselves," Omondi said in a TikTok video. "They should just own everything, flaws and all, all their blemishes. So often, brands are so scared. You can't have a single real conversation with anybody from their brand." She called the Madden interview "refreshing" and an example of how important it is for brands to have personalities. Yes, but: The interview, which is behind a paywalled Patreon account, had a chance to go viral because Omondi offers video clips she posts across social. The interview clips have garnered about 24.6 million views on TikTok and thousands of views on YouTube as of Tuesday, with Gen Z podcast listeners flocking to watch them. A recent Edison Research report found 76% of Gen Z listeners say they discover podcasts through clips on social media. More than 600 media stories have been written about Steve Madden since the interview first dropped on May 21, per Muck Rack data, which likely caught the attention of an even broader consumer base. The big picture: Podcasts have become a preferred channel for executives and politicians to reach and appeal to specific audiences. During the 2024 presidential election, Kamala Harris joined " Call Her Daddy" and " All the Smoke," while Trump joined Joe Rogan, Lex Friedman and Theo Von. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg followed a similar playbook to Trump, while Elon Musk has also hit the same podcast circuit. Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings and Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi have each joined " Masters of Scale," while Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Citigroup CEO Jane Fraser and SAP CEO Christian Klein recently appeared on "In Good Company." What they're saying: " Steve Madden's interview shows how podcasts have become the proving ground for public figures," says Andrew Vontz, founder of One Real Voice, a podcast coaching consultancy. "Talking-point robots are headed for the scrapyard. Madden clearly thought deeply about these topics and didn't duck and cover — he owned his story, and that's exactly what broke through."
