The Most Creative Side Hustles We Learned About in 2023 Here are some of our favorite side hustle stories that we reported on last year.
By Mark Klekas Edited by Mark Klekas
There was no shortage of side hustle ideas in 2023. As more and more Americans feel the economic pressure to earn extra money on the side, they have become more clever about how they do it. Here are some of our favorite and most unique side hustles we learned about in 2023:
1. Getting paid to answer the Internet's questions
Being knowledgeable on a specific topic could earn you an average of $2,000 to $7,000 monthly, according to this one company that helps connect experts with people who have questions. Retirees quickly took advantage of this side hustle as they have more life experience and time to share what they know with others.
Jennifer Sheffer, a New-England-based appraisals expert who's been answering questions on the platform since 2012, is one of those major earners. She was working as an online antique dealer when the 2008 recession struck, driving down the value of antiques and leaving her in search of an alternative income stream.
Back in April, Sheffer said she earns $10,000-$20,000 per month depending on how many questions she answers, though she typically works from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. most days. The flexible schedule allows her to attend antique auctions and maintain a happy work-life balance, she says, adding that "the great thing about the work is that JustAnswer treats the experts equally, whether they work a lot or just here and there."
2. $80K per year from cats drinking more water
This retired couple in Fort Jones, California just wanted their cats to drink more water. While solving this dilemma, they created a side hustle that brings in nearly $80,000 a year. And although this side hustle isn't exactly replicable, the couple shared their playbook for others to follow.
If you think about a domain you know a lot about, and a product you've noticed a need for, then you're already thinking like them. Here, the retired couple offers their best tips to successfully invent, market, and sell a product from home in your spare time.
3. College hobby grows into a deal with Sony
Ethan "Haze" Hayes, 22, picked up the hobby in college — then turned it into a full-time career. Haze, who had a musical background, took up beat-making as a hobby after being inspired by YouTube videos. This pastime evolved into a profitable side hustle and eventually blossomed into a full-fledged music career during his college years.
He could have dropped out of college to pursue his career but decided to complete his degree in entrepreneurship.
4. Nearly $100K annually from a little-used part of their house
Portland, Oregon-based healthcare worker Stuart Doty found his side hustle in December of 2020 after his wife told him that someone at work was talking about renting out their pool for extra cash. Doty was immediately intrigued — and started doing his research.
They found an online marketplace that allowed them to share their pool with others — and make a pretty good amount every week. Doty also listed the couple's tennis court along with the pool, charging $80 per hour on weekends with a 30% discount during the week.
"I entered my [indoor] pool's info quickly and arbitrarily named it the Mad Men Pool," he told Entrepreneur. "We didn't really even have a chance to think about it for too long before the bookings started rolling in."
5. Turning boredom into cash
Chanda Torrey said she hated shopping for other people and that it stressed her out. She realized many people felt similarly, so she created a website that helped others find the perfect gift for their loved ones. After gaining traction on social media, she learned how to monetize her website through a handful of simple sets that now make her up to $3,000 per week. She currently has products from well over 300 different websites.
Her success didn't happen overnight, but Torrey says the time she spent learning and educating herself on how to build, market, and monetize the website was more than worth it. "My favorite part of my job is that I get to search the internet for fun, unique gifts," she says. "I get so excited when I find something new that I didn't know existed!"
6. Six figures from digital downloads
When one middle school teacher needed to make some extra income, she started a remote side hustle with no physical products and incredibly low overhead. Now she brings in six figures each month and offers courses teaching others how to do the same.
Lisa Fink decided to try designing some printable games for kids that teachers could incorporate into their lesson plans, or that parents could download and print off for rainy days. Ultimately, Fink says, since she left her teaching job, she's thrilled that she can still play a part in kids' education — while making a much better living.
7. Her 'junk' side hustle soared to $10,000 in monthly sales
With only $2,000 to start up her business, Maddy Clements was inspired by the craft of making old things new and the desire to fight fast fashion. Within just three months of its launch, sales soared from just $500 to $10,000. The 29-year-old "always had an obsession with fashion" and an eye for entrepreneurship.
"Where some may see an ugly old top at Goodwill, I see potential," Clements tells Entrepreneur. "While studying fashion design in school, I often thrifted old clothing and textiles to use for my projects instead of buying new fabric to save money. I started enjoying the process of taking something old and drab and figuring out ways to make it new and exciting."
