Thinking about starting something on the side? Check out FindSpark’s latest side hustle, Sidehustle.me, for all the tips and tricks you need to pull off a successful side project.
Featured Side Hustler: Trista Kempa
Connect with Trista: Twitter // Instagram // LinkedIn
Side Hustle: Brooklyn Regal
Full-Time Job: I run operations for Managed by Q (.com), a new type of office cleaning and management service that is controlled via an iPad that’s installed for free in your office. I manage the onboarding process for new customers and their experience using our products.
Tell us about your hustle:
My side hustle is a dual money maker and hobby. Though, quite honestly, I’ve lost more money than I’ve made ;). I enjoy spending free time building and making, which led me to sell my creations through Brooklyn Regal. Whether its a painting, a troll planter, a dinosaur planter or a unique antique, I’ve found joy in sharing my hobby with the world!
What motivated you to start it?
After creating a few dinoplanters for myself, I received excellent feedback. I decided to start a low-key store on storenvy.com, where it allowed me to list items for free and sell them without a hastle.
While building your side hustle, who has helped/supported you the most?
I received the most support from my boyfriend, Joseph. He and I share an apartment, and throughout this process, I’ve cluttered our living space with dirt, sand, dinosaurs and trolls and he hasn’t had anything negative to say. He supports my passion and hobby fully and I’m definitely lucky – there have been many a times where our apartment is a wreck.
Who is your biggest side hustle role model?
I love Amy Poehler because she works on 10,000 things at once. The unique fact about Amy is that she doesn’t create projects, companies, TV shows or anything else strictly because she’s a comedian. Instead, she creates out of passion. For example, http://amysmartgirls.com is an awesome website (and hopefully movement!) to empower young women to be themselves and be awesome. It has next to nothing to do with her comedy career, and everything to do with what she’s passionate about. GO AMY!
How much time on average do you spend on your side hustle per week?
On average, I spend about 1 hour per week on my hustle. I could spend up to 10 hours per week, depending on how serious I want to get about making money. However, I find that while making money is fun, working on something I’m passionate and excited about is more fun. The last thing I want to do is burn out to make a few extra dollars each month.
What was the biggest element holding you back from starting and how did you overcome it?
The hardest part about starting was where I would host my site and if I needed to become an LLC. I decided to dive right in and I certainly sing the praises of Storenvy for that. They’ve helped me achieve much with little work.
What is an example of a time you hit a rough patch? How did you handle the situation?
I wouldn’t say it was a rough patch, but one of the difficult situations I face is shipping my products long distances. Because I plant succulents in homemade planters, I struggle with finding shipping solutions that are both safe and prevent damage. Specifically, I had to ship a few plants to New Zealand the other day. It was exciting and stressful, as I wanted my shipments to survive, but figured out a way to make it work.
What has been the biggest benefit of having a side project?
There have been SEVERAL benefits, but I think my most favorite is how much positive feedback I receive from friends, colleagues, and people i dont know. It has been only recently that I’ve decided to make the website a feature on my linkedin and resume, and in doing that, I’ve really opened the door to conversation about the real me — not just the work me.
What are your favorite apps/books/productivity hacks?
My favorite thing ever is Amazon prime. It’s not “cheap” exactly, but it allows me to get everything I need, very quickly, shipped directly to my apartment!
For someone starting out, what is your biggest piece of advice?
The hardest part is starting. Once you’ve made the decision to do it, spend a weekend diving in. Once you do, the rest is a lot easier. If you’re not sure if it’s going to work or you’re going to succeed, you need to let it go! There’s a chance it wont — and that’s okay! You won’t know until you try, and it’s worth taking the shot. Plus, hopefully you’ll have fun and learn a ton in the process. What could be better than that?
Want your side hustle to be featured on our blog? Get in touch!
