If you have dreams that are bigger than your current paycheck, then it’s time to think about getting a side gig. A side gig is part-time work that you take on voluntarily to generate a secondary income, and in many cases, these opportunities can turn into your primary income source as well. The hardest thing about a side gig/side hustle is finding the motivation to work after you’ve spend eight hours or more at your full-time job. That’s why it’s so important to find something that you’re passionate about — the more you care about your gig’s mission, the less it feels like work. As we are always looking for opportunities for people to live a less complicated life, the side gig concept provides an income opportunity to those who may be living off-grid, or to those who simply want to eschew the traditional work-a-day life for something more fulfilling and independent. Passion for a side gig that is not only lucrative, but also offers an income from eco-friendly activities is a great concept, and we highlight some of those ideas here.
Starting such an undertaking gives you the opportunity to flex your entrepreneurial muscles. People often choose a side hustle that allows them to work on their own time, so they have to be incredibly organized when it comes to scheduling. Many of these types of income generating opportunities also pay workers on contract, so a fair bit of financial organization is required. When working on contract, be mindful to save about 30 percent of your profits to ensure you are covered for future tax obligations, and keep a clear record of all business-related expenses so that you can use these for future deductions.
E-Commerce and Dropshipping
A great way to make extra money from home is with an e-commerce store. While setting up an e-commerce site and operations is relatively time-consuming in the beginning, once things are set up in place, you’ll be making money while at your day job. Your goal is to earn more than you spend every day, so avoid wasting money on unnecessary marketing and instead focus on community engagement via social media and great customer service. These things garner more brand loyalty and cost nothing to you but time. To streamline operations, consider dropshipping for fulfillments. When your store runs on dropshipping and a product is bought from your site, you then transfer the order to your supplier, who will ship it directly to the consumer.
An Eco-Friendly E-Commerce Idea
If you are looking for great product ideas for your e-commerce ambitions, consider the growing need for reusable products. Our reliance on disposable plastics has lead to a significant ecological issue. According to National Geographic, out of the 8.3 billion metric tons of plastics that have been produced only in the past six decades, 6.3 billion metric tons is still around as plastic waste. Most of that plastic waste is never recycled and 8 million metric tons end up in the ocean every year. Most of this is from one-use items like plastic bags and bottles. One way we can make things better is by making reusable options more available for consumers. That’s where your e-commerce store comes into play.
Reusable items are some of the most popular niche products in e-commerce. The market for these products is just now gaining steam, so the majority of your work is simply getting your brand out there and capturing customers who are already interested in what you’re selling. Best of all, you can feel good about your business venture knowing you are selling something that helps people act more sustainably and responsibly for the good of the planet.
Some great zero waste products you could stock:
●Reusable water bottles and to-go cups
●Canvas or vinyl grocery totes
●Rechargeable electric lighters
●Solid bath products (soap, shampoo, deodorant, etc.)
●Safety razors
●Reusable feminine products
●Bamboo toothbrushes
●Plastic-free takeout containers
●Reusable wax paper
●Bamboo and stainless steel straws
If you have big dreams and your nine-to-five job can’t fund them, putting the extra effort into a side gig can get you there. Starting an e-commerce store takes a lot of work initially, but with dropshipping streamlining your operations, you can end up making money every day with a minimal time investment. If you’re looking for a product to sell that you can feel good about but is also on the rise in popularity, look into the reusable market. People more than ever want products that help reduce their disposable plastic consumption — your brand could be the one they turn to when they’re ready to buy.
For some other great articles on innovative side gig and money making ideas, check out our in-depth article on How to Make Money Living Off Grid, and learn more about some great income generating ideas. Also be sure to check out all of our articles on Power Systems and the various inspirations that we’ve highlighted at TAG Level.
Let us know your thoughts, as we love to hear from you!! Be sure to Join Us to get future updates and other great inspirations and ideas from TAG Level.
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