Most Americans are Working Side Jobs for This Surprising Reason
It’s the age of the gig economy American workers are turning towards side gigs to supplement their income in the age of automation and rising expenses. A study showed that the gig economy has increased 27 per cent more than the traditional job market over the past two decades. In today’s age of technology, companies like Uber, Etsy and Airbnb have made it easier to land a side gig and make some more money on the side.
Growing Gig Economy
According to a study by Hartford, the number of Americans with a side hustle has grown to 57 million in 2018. The insurance company recently surveyed over 4,000 American adults, of which 1,033 admitted to having a side business. A majority of the survey participants work full-time jobs apart from their side business, and say that it only takes 10 hours or less per week to manage the side gig.
But probably the most interesting thing about these side hustlers was that a majority of them said that earning more money was their main motivation behind getting a second job. Almost two-thirds of them admitted to facing some sort of a financial pressure which led them to joining the gig economy.
This shows that very few people are starting a side gig to pursue their passion or with the intention of escaping the rat race. Side Hustle Nation founder, Nick Loper, says that it makes sense why money, instead of passion is the driving force behind people’s decision to participate in the gig economy.
Choosing the Right Business Idea
Loper first created his business as a way to make money but then it eventually turned into a passion and now he is teaching others how they can find a way to make side income. Loper says that it is rare that someone is actually born with true passion for doing something. Telling someone to follow their passion isn’t the best advice because, one, they may not know what they’re passionate about, and two, even if they do have a passion, there may not be a market around it.
They are plenty of reasons why you shouldn’t start a business due to emotional reasons. Doing something you love and failing at it can make the experience less enjoyable, and you’ll almost certainly find yourself struggling to monetize your business in its initial stages. Of course, that is not to say that you choose a business idea that you have absolutely no interest or expertise in.
In 2004, Loper first created his own price comparison website, which was his first online side hustle. Although he didn’t have much passion in the project, he did have some interest in e-commerce and knew that it was a growing industry that could make him a lot of money in the future.
Money or Passion?
It is not a wise decision to base your business model purely on passion. Conversely, doing something purely for monetary gains isn’t necessarily going to give you quick results either. Loper says that doing business just for the money can quickly make you disappointed if you don’t see the returns you expected.
Loper advises future business owner to choose side gigs that are a fun way to spend their spare time, but also keep an open mind that the business might not be a success. Most people aren’t doing much about starting a business because they think they need to a have a completely unique idea in order to succeed. But the truth is that most successful businesses take ideas from others but execute it in their own unique way.
Even Google, which is the biggest search engine in the world, didn’t invent anything new when it first jumped into the tech scene. Think of all the Italian restaurants in your city that offer the same products, more or less, but are still able to make profits. This shows that when there is demand for a certain product or service, there is room for several similar businesses to coexist.
More in Advisor
-
`
Streaming Giant Netflix Faces Yet Another Challenge
In the ever-evolving landscape of streaming entertainment, Netflix, once the unchallenged king of digital content, now faces a complex puzzle beyond...
December 1, 2023 -
`
Signs You Should Quit Your Current Job & Move On
You Don’t Feel Comfortable at Work Imagine spending the majority of your waking hours in a place where you feel uneasy,...
November 20, 2023 -
`
How to Adjust and Renew Your Portfolio
Investing in the financial world is like navigating an ever-changing landscape—constantly evolving, always shifting. The key to staying on track? Regularly...
November 18, 2023 -
`
Dr. Dre’s Divorce With Nicole Young: A Closer Look
When the beats of old-school hip-hop start bumping, Dr. Dre’s name reverberates in fans’ minds worldwide. Born as Andre Young, this...
November 12, 2023 -
`
Why Branded Content Is the Best Way to Connect With Your Audience
Have you ever found yourself deep in a compelling article or engrossed in a video series, only to later discover that...
November 5, 2023 -
`
Why the Gender Pay Gap Could Be Getting Worse | New Research Findings
At a time when women are making significant strides in various professional arenas, a new report throws light on a trend...
October 28, 2023 -
`
What Is a Bull Market and How Can Investors Benefit From One?
In finance, the term “bull market” is frequently used to describe a period of optimism, rising asset prices, and investor confidence....
October 19, 2023 -
`
A-List Power Couples Where the Women Make More Money
In an era of shifting gender roles and evolving definitions of success, it’s increasingly common to find celebrity couples where the...
October 15, 2023 -
`
Massive Price Cuts: Tesla Only Witnesses ‘Modest’ Sales Gain in China
Cutting Down Prices, But Not Cutting the Mustard? Summer 2023 brought with it a promise of sunshine and relaxation. For Tesla...
October 8, 2023
You must be logged in to post a comment Login