NEW research shows four in 10 parents are setting up a side hustle while their kids are at school.
A poll of 2,000 adults with children in education found 62% feel they have skills that aren’t being utilised currently, whether that be at work or as a stay-at-home parent.
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Graphic design, web design and baking were the most common side hustles parents were taking on.
While money was the main motivation for 22%, others created a job on the side for fun (14%), or to turn a hobby into a business opportunity (12%).
However, of those who have considered a side business, but are yet to take the leap, 49% don’t know where to start, while 37% worry it would fail.
While 40% claim their main barrier to working on a side hustle was lack of time, and a quarter think their childcare priorities would suffer as a result.
Helind Batista de Morais, spokesperson for LG, which commissioned the study after launching its Facebook community, Hustle Hub by LG gram, said: “This research has revealed there’s a real appetite to become ‘parent-preneurs’ and supplement their household income.
“Whether working part-time, full-time or running a household, if they haven’t already made moves to create their own business, the ambition is there.
“However, it’s not always easy to know where to start. Having a community, to inspire budding parent-preneurs and having the right equipment have proven important to make side hustle dreams a reality.”
The study also found that when it comes to promotion, 38% of side hustlers rely on online forums to market themselves to potential customers.
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While 37% use social media accounts, the same number pay for online advertising and 32% have relied on word of mouth to keep business flowing.
Dr Grace Lordan, labour market skills expert at the London School of Economics, said: “I truly believe there is a side-hustle that can match to the talent and preferences of pretty much everybody.
“The key is to get smart and commercialise what you are innately good at.
“A side-hustle is a great way to diversify the income streams coming into your household.
“If you choose your side-hustle correctly you get full autonomy over the hours you work.
“This makes the side-hustle the perfect option for time poor parents or those working full-time elsewhere.”
It also emerged not having the right equipment to keep working on the go was an issue to 76%, which could prove a stumbling block to the 51% looking to make their side hustle a full-time profession in the future.
A good working environment, strong internet connectivity and a quiet space to focus were also identified as top components to a successful side job.
And two thirds of parents polled, via OnePoll, reckon they’d have grown their supplementary income quicker with the right support.
But 79% believed they’d be able to improve their side job with more support and advice – or an improvement to their tech equipment.
Helind added: “A great idea and the right skills can get you so far, but the research has shown that having the right technology to hand as well as support from those in the know are what can make a business opportunity fly.
“There’s very little doubt having the right tools for the job can ensure it’s done to a better standard, and as the results show, many are confident they’d grow their income quicker if they had them to hand.
“And by doing so, it can give people the chance to be their own boss and take charge of their futures by running their own successful businesses.”
Top 10 parental side hustles
- Graphic design
- Web design
- Baking
- Creating and selling your own products
- Delivery services
- Admin/ data entry support
- Photography
- Blogging/ writing
- Childcare
- Private tutoring
Tips from Dr Grace Lordan to get your side hustle off the ground
Clear messaging
Pretty much every person you meet will be time poor. Get crystal clear in your mind why you are different to other people selling similar goods or services to you. You should have a clear message that can be conveyed in five words or less in print.
Visibility is key
You will logically choose a side-hustle where you produce quality output. Please do not forget to work on getting visibility for your quality output. Otherwise, your genius will never be discovered. Figure out the best way to reach your audience- social media, word of mouth, cold calling etc. – and get on with letting them know you exist.
Set realistic goals
Set yourself goals that are within your control and be consistent in achieving them.
Learn resilience
Do not be disheartened when you are told no. Learn from each person that declines your service and use these learnings to improve your offering.
Be transparent
Make sure to manage your customer’s expectations. Customers will only be disappointed if their expectations fall short of what you deliver.
Prioritise testimonials
Your side-hustle will take flight only once you have advocates who speak positively about you when you are not around. Nudge potential advocates to action. When you have happy customers ask them for referrals or a testimonial online.
Value your community
Store your customers data using a secure and diligent approach. As you grow, your customers can grow in a community around you. Make sure you provide value to this community, and they will always look for you when they need you.
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This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk
