10 Myths about starting a side hustle you should stop believing
Side hustles are not supposed to be side hustles…or if anything, side hustles for us single moms should resemble more like a continual state of inner peace, and sustainability as we raise our kids.
At least this is what I think.
But really....
Most people automatically think side hustles are like this shabby thing you do on the side, like it’s the adult version of the lemonade stand. You make a bit of dosh, learn something new, then pack it away for the next sibling, or in our case the next idea.
Or...
Your join in on the the school mum chat, acting as if your side hustle is just a small thing—nothing worth noticing or mentioning. Meanwhile, in the back of your mind, you're running through your single-mum budget template, wondering how on earth it's all going to come together!
I think this is never-ending-story-type sad! Because if your intention is to do anything with your time, side hustle or not, we get to decide how successful and meaningful (or not) our side hustles can be. And why should we care what others think??
Are we here to do meaningful work or just go through the motions?
I believe in being intentional and making sure your cup is full—and a side hustle should be just that!
If you're considering starting one, I want to give you the confidence to go for it. A side hustle can be your creative playground, your passion project, and even a stepping stone to financial freedom.
SO...
Here's my true thoughts and myths about side hustles and some resources for building your confidence and getting started:)
1. Side hustles are all about making money.
Side hustles can be anything! If you want to knit socks because you love keeping people’s feet warm and it provides an outlet for your craft and creativity, then let it start like that! Money often comes from what we love to do. If you’re knitting socks, people might realize the value in warm feet, and all of a sudden, your side hustle has become a mini business! Ideas are never fixed, creativity is not fixed, and money grows as you begin to plant the seeds. 🙂
Hustler tip:
Think the long game. We inevitably will live the next 20 years working, raising children trying to be great humans, why not embark on a journey of doing what you love as seeing where it goes?
Resources I recommend:
Book - The Soul of Money
Podcast - Jay Shetty On Purpose - 27 October - 8 Proven Ways to Get Out of a Creative Block and Find Your Flow.
Side hustles can be anything! If you want to knit socks because you love keeping people’s feet warm and it provides an outlet for your craft and creativity, then let it start like that! Money often comes from what we love to do. If you’re knitting socks, people might realize the value in warm feet, and all of a sudden, your side hustle has become a mini business! Ideas are never fixed, creativity is not fixed, and money grows as you begin to plant the seeds. 🙂
Hustler tip:
Think the long game. We inevitably will live the next 20 years working, raising children trying to be great humans, why not embark on a journey of doing what you love as seeing where it goes?
Resources I recommend:
Book - The Soul of Money
Podcast - Jay Shetty On Purpose - 27 October - 8 Proven Ways to Get Out of a Creative Block and Find Your Flow.
2. Side hustles will make quick money.
Unless you are one of the lucky ones who find a gap in the market and get in early—like Bitcoin when it was in its infancy or TikTok when people first knew they could just show three dance moves and get paid for views or kombucha when people were like what the?? It will take some time, effort, strategy, and commitment. But what doesn’t these days? The gratification of effort and focus will pay off dividends over the long term if you get your ideas right vs. chasing quick money.
Hustler Tip:
Ask yourself this question - Would I rather plant the long-term seeds of passion, creativity, and income or would I rather create short-term income solutions?
Resources I recommend:
The Goal Digger Podcast - episode 822 Smart money moves to turn your side hustle into a six figure business.
Unless you are one of the lucky ones who find a gap in the market and get in early—like Bitcoin when it was in its infancy or TikTok when people first knew they could just show three dance moves and get paid for views or kombucha when people were like what the?? It will take some time, effort, strategy, and commitment. But what doesn’t these days? The gratification of effort and focus will pay off dividends over the long term if you get your ideas right vs. chasing quick money.
Hustler Tip:
Ask yourself this question - Would I rather plant the long-term seeds of passion, creativity, and income or would I rather create short-term income solutions?
Resources I recommend:
The Goal Digger Podcast - episode 822 Smart money moves to turn your side hustle into a six figure business.
3. Side hustles cost a lot of money to start.
You can start a side hustle for nothing, or you could also start a side hustle and outlay a bucket load. There are many ways to start on a skeleton budget. It’s more important that you understand your market, ideas and strategy and have commitment, vs how much you outlay.
Hustler Tip:
Brainstorm your favorite ideas and rank them by startup cost. Which ideas feel more aligned and doable?
Resources I recommend :
Check out my blog post - 20 Low-Cost Side Hustle Ideas for Moms...coming soon!
You can start a side hustle for nothing, or you could also start a side hustle and outlay a bucket load. There are many ways to start on a skeleton budget. It’s more important that you understand your market, ideas and strategy and have commitment, vs how much you outlay.
Hustler Tip:
Brainstorm your favorite ideas and rank them by startup cost. Which ideas feel more aligned and doable?
Resources I recommend :
Check out my blog post - 20 Low-Cost Side Hustle Ideas for Moms...coming soon!
4. Side hustles are hard and over saturated. I’ll never make that $1,000 per month.
There’s a saying: Where focus goes, energy flows. When we truly commit to anything, of course, it’s possible. (Even better if you’re in alignment!) If you’ve thought about it, then it’s possible! The biggest gap between you and that $1,000 per month is your commitment to deciding how that will happen.
Hustler Tip:
Avoid shiny object syndrome. Instead, ask your-self, what small step will I commit to today? Focus on that.
Resources I recommend:
Book: Living a Committed Life by Lynne Twist
There’s a saying: Where focus goes, energy flows. When we truly commit to anything, of course, it’s possible. (Even better if you’re in alignment!) If you’ve thought about it, then it’s possible! The biggest gap between you and that $1,000 per month is your commitment to deciding how that will happen.
Hustler Tip:
Avoid shiny object syndrome. Instead, ask your-self, what small step will I commit to today? Focus on that.
Resources I recommend:
Book: Living a Committed Life by Lynne Twist
5. Side hustles are for tech gurus, I don’t know anything about tech.
Getting someone to help you with design, marketing, website creation, content, and templates has never been easier and more affordable. You can find help on Fiverr, Udemy, and Upwork, or even learn yourself on YouTube!
Hustler Tip:
Check reviews and look for discounts when paying for services online. Ask questions, shop around for the best price, and be clear about exactly what you need to have completed, and try to see if you can figure it out yourself before you commit to paying for help.
Resources I recommend:
Udemy, Fiverr, Upwork, and YouTube tutorials, niche blogs, free courses and podcasts.
Getting someone to help you with design, marketing, website creation, content, and templates has never been easier and more affordable. You can find help on Fiverr, Udemy, and Upwork, or even learn yourself on YouTube!
Hustler Tip:
Check reviews and look for discounts when paying for services online. Ask questions, shop around for the best price, and be clear about exactly what you need to have completed, and try to see if you can figure it out yourself before you commit to paying for help.
Resources I recommend:
Udemy, Fiverr, Upwork, and YouTube tutorials, niche blogs, free courses and podcasts.
6. I have to be creative and super entrepreneurial to start a side hustle.
We’re never going to have every skill in the book, but the point of a side hustle is to start where you are and build on your skills from there.
Hustler Tip:
List your top three passions/skills/ideas. Go to Google and look for people in your niche. See what they are doing and get inspired!
Resources I recommend:
Jay Shetty On Purpose Podcast
We’re never going to have every skill in the book, but the point of a side hustle is to start where you are and build on your skills from there.
Hustler Tip:
List your top three passions/skills/ideas. Go to Google and look for people in your niche. See what they are doing and get inspired!
Resources I recommend:
Jay Shetty On Purpose Podcast
7. Side hustles are outdated and part of hustle culture.
Define what success and a side hustle mean to you—emotionally, mentally, and physically—and expand on that. If you have a passion for gardening and want to start a blog and possible make an income, that surely does not mean you'd need to be up until 2am working until you drop.
Hustler Tip:
Choose long-term passion/enjoyable startups vs. grinding for quick income.
Resources I recommend:
Book - Zig Zag - The Surprising Path to Greater Creativity
Define what success and a side hustle mean to you—emotionally, mentally, and physically—and expand on that. If you have a passion for gardening and want to start a blog and possible make an income, that surely does not mean you'd need to be up until 2am working until you drop.
Hustler Tip:
Choose long-term passion/enjoyable startups vs. grinding for quick income.
Resources I recommend:
Book - Zig Zag - The Surprising Path to Greater Creativity
8. My side hustle should be the perfect foolproof idea so it doesn’t fail. Ideas evolve!
Perfectionism can keep you from starting....I've listened to that many podcasts where people say time and again... 'I never started when my ideas were perfect...they evolved as I leaned into more of what I learned, took action and realised more deeply what I wanted to do with my life.'
Hustler Tip:
Perfectionism and doubt will hold you back if you let it...instead get curious about why...and usually it's because were just afraid to start and what we make things mean.
Resources I recommend:
The Goal Digger Podcast, Marie Forleo Podcast, Jay Shetty Podcast
Perfectionism can keep you from starting....I've listened to that many podcasts where people say time and again... 'I never started when my ideas were perfect...they evolved as I leaned into more of what I learned, took action and realised more deeply what I wanted to do with my life.'
Hustler Tip:
Perfectionism and doubt will hold you back if you let it...instead get curious about why...and usually it's because were just afraid to start and what we make things mean.
Resources I recommend:
The Goal Digger Podcast, Marie Forleo Podcast, Jay Shetty Podcast
9. I fear my side hustle won’t work and people will think I’m nuts.
If you weren’t afraid of your new side hustle idea, I’d say rethink it! Fear is there to teach us to adapt and grow..
and...
The truth is, every successful business, no matter how big or small, started with someone who dared to try. Doubt is normal, but it shouldn’t dictate your choices. Instead of focusing on what others might think, remind yourself why you started—whether it’s financial freedom, flexibility, or simply pursuing something you love. The people who matter will support you, and those who don’t? Their opinions won’t pay your bills.
Hustler Tip:
Get acquainted with fear and failing—it’s part of the journey.
Resources I recommend:
Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway (Book)
If you weren’t afraid of your new side hustle idea, I’d say rethink it! Fear is there to teach us to adapt and grow..
and...
The truth is, every successful business, no matter how big or small, started with someone who dared to try. Doubt is normal, but it shouldn’t dictate your choices. Instead of focusing on what others might think, remind yourself why you started—whether it’s financial freedom, flexibility, or simply pursuing something you love. The people who matter will support you, and those who don’t? Their opinions won’t pay your bills.
Hustler Tip:
Get acquainted with fear and failing—it’s part of the journey.
Resources I recommend:
Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway (Book)
10. Side hustles require an inordinate amount of time.
The problem isn’t just the time itself—it’s the mental load of constantly thinking about the next task, the next sale, or the next opportunity to grow. When you're already juggling parenting, work, and home life, the last thing you need is a side hustle that feels like a second full-time job. The key is to be strategic: choosing side hustles that align with your lifestyle, automate where possible, and set boundaries to protect your well-being.
Hustler Tip:
Don’t over commit when you start. Consistent weekly action is better than a five-hour learning marathon followed by
months of inaction.
Resources I recommend:
Book - The four hour work week - Tim Ferriss
The problem isn’t just the time itself—it’s the mental load of constantly thinking about the next task, the next sale, or the next opportunity to grow. When you're already juggling parenting, work, and home life, the last thing you need is a side hustle that feels like a second full-time job. The key is to be strategic: choosing side hustles that align with your lifestyle, automate where possible, and set boundaries to protect your well-being.
Hustler Tip:
Don’t over commit when you start. Consistent weekly action is better than a five-hour learning marathon followed by
months of inaction.
Resources I recommend:
Book - The four hour work week - Tim Ferriss
