Get All Access for $5/mo

The Remote Side Hustle a 43-Year-Old Musician Works on for 1 Hour a Day Earns Nearly $3,000 a Month: 'All From the Comfort of Home' Sam Ziegler wanted to supplement his income as a professional drummer — then his tech skills and desire to help people came together.

By Amanda Breen Edited by Jessica Thomas

Key Takeaways

  • Ziegler's passion and profession is music, but the income isn't always consistent.
  • He considered driving for Uber or Lyft to supplement his income but had safety concerns.
  • A quick search led him to Geeker, and today, he earns up to $90 an hour on the platform.

This Side Hustle Spotlight Q&A features Sam Ziegler, a 43-year-old drummer based out of New York who has a side hustle providing support on Geeker, which offers on-demand help from IT and software experts.

Image Credit: Courtesy of Sam Ziegler

When did you start your side hustle, and where did you find the inspiration for it?

My passion is music, but the gigs, and therefore the income, are not always consistent, so relying on it as a full-time career is not realistic. I started with Geeker in July 2023. I have many years of IT experience and was hoping something like Geeker existed, a remote side hustle where I could apply my skill set to help people solve their computer problems. I was conducting some research on Google and discovered Geeker. My inspiration is my family and the opportunity to help people. Knowing that you make someone else's life easier by solving computer issues is a very fulfilling feeling.

What were some of the first steps you took to get started with the side hustle?

I filled out the registration form to become a Geeker, answered a few technical questions they used to measure and qualify my expertise and then had a Zoom interview. After the interview, I was approved as a Geeker.

Related: TV Shows All Entrepreneurs Should Be Watching

What were some of the biggest challenges you faced during your side hustle journey, and how did you navigate them?

I am now 43 and have been playing music for 28 years. I went to vocational school for computer repair in 1999 and took a job with IDT. While there, I became skilled in telecom and got certified in Cisco networking technology. Around that time, I was splitting time between the Newark office and the IDT offices in Manhattan. Then September 11 happened, and the towers fell close to the building I was commuting to, and I thought, Life is too short. I left IDT to pursue music full-time. I have been playing weddings, bar and bat mitzvahs and concerts and recording music ever since.

Along the way, I have kept my tech skills fresh by taking jobs here and there, but oftentimes, they didn't have the flexibility I needed to keep doing my passion — music-related work. This past summer, I was looking for work as the summer season of busy music gigs was slowing, and I was trying to cobble together something that enabled me to use my tech skills where and when I wanted. I have a family now and had considered driving for Uber and Lyft to bring in some income, but I had some safety concerns and wanted to work from home. I came across Geeker, and it was exactly what I was looking for. I earn between $70-$90 an hour and work as much and as little as I need to, all from the comfort of home. I also get to help people, which I love.

Related: At 23, She Started a Side Hustle for 'Quick Money.' Now the Business Brings in More Than $1 Million a Month — and Boasts Celebrity Fans.

How long did it take you to see consistent monthly revenue? How much does the side hustle bring in on a monthly basis now?

It varies every month because of the nature of what I do, but I average roughly $2,700 a month for about 28 hours of work. In the months that I have more time, I log in to Geeker to take on more, but on the average month, I only work about an hour each day.

What's your favorite part about working on the platform?

Helping people from different parts of the world no matter where they are. The money component is just a small benefit I receive from doing something good for someone else. To me, money is a bonus and is secondary to the main reason I use Geeker for my side hustle.

Related: The Most Unexpectedly Popular Side Hustle of the Decade Has Low Startup Costs and High Markups

What's your advice for others hoping to be successful on Geeker or with any side hustle?

If you have the time, patience, passion to help people and a basic knowledge of how to fix computer problems, you can be on the right path to succeed on Geeker. "Success is about the journey, not the destination" is a life lesson I integrate into everything I do.

Looking for your next side hustle? Subscribe to Entrepreneur+ and get access to the most profitable ways to earn extra cash today.

Side Hustles Ideas & More
Amanda Breen

Entrepreneur Staff

Senior Features Writer

Amanda Breen is a senior features writer at Entrepreneur.com. She is a graduate of Barnard College and received an MFA in writing at Columbia University, where she was a news fellow for the School of the Arts.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Side Hustle

At Age 15, He Used Facebook Marketplace to Start a Side Hustle — Then It Became Something Much Bigger: 'Raised Over $1.6 Million'

Dylan Zajac, now a 21-year-old senior at Babson College, wanted to bridge the digital divide.

Business News

OpenAI Just Released Its Text-to-Video Generator, Sora. Here's How the New AI Could Impact Small Businesses and Creators.

Sora has a variety of use cases for businesses, from social media campaigns to video creation.

Productivity

6 Habits That Help Successful People Maximize Their Time

There aren't enough hours in the day, but these tips will make them feel slightly more productive.

Franchise

McDonald's Announces the Return of the Snack Wrap in 2025 — Here's What to Expect From Its Comeback

The decision comes after years of persistent customer demand for the portable snack, which debuted nearly two decades ago.

Growing a Business

This Cozy Coffee and Garden Shop Has Become a Staple in Its Community By Following 5 Smart Strategies

Maypop is a combination coffee and garden shop where a blend of community building and customer service creates an unforgettable experience.

Side Hustle

'I Just Hustled': She Earned More Than $300,000 Wrapping Gifts Last Year — and It All Started With a Side Hustle

When Michelle Hensley lost her husband to cancer, she needed to figure out how to earn an income for her family.