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: Andrea Velazquez
Connect with Andrea: Twitter // LinkedIn
Side Hustle: The Doodled Dictionary
Full-Time Job: I am an Admin Assistant/Acting Creative Resource Manager at an advertising agency.
Tell us about your hustle:
Creating (almost) daily illustrations based off random dictionary words.
What motivated you to start it?
Motivation to start building a design and illustration portfolio.
While building your side hustle, who has helped/supported you the most?
My friends/roommates.
Who is your biggest side hustle role model?
Jessica Hische.
How much time on average do you spend on your side hustle per week?
About 10 hours.
What was the biggest element holding you back from starting and how did you overcome it?
Thinking about it too much. I just stopped thinking and just focused on doing.
What is an example of a time you hit a rough patch? How did you handle the situation?
After about 6 months of non-stop working on my portfolio, I hit a wall and burnt out around May. I decided the best thing for me was to take a break and focus on myself – something I really hadn’t been doing for a really long time. I revisited my priorities, my goals, and allowed my self to not think about working and have some fun. You reboot, refresh, and get back on the horse.
What has been the biggest benefit of having a side project?
It makes me happy to make things that I’m genuinely proud of.
What are your favorite apps/books/productivity hacks?
Toggl – great for tracking time. Aside from the blog, I try to always be working on a design project on the other side. Tracking my time helps me stay productive and make sure each project is getting enough attention.
For someone starting out, what is your biggest piece of advice?
Do it for yourself. And just get started. :)
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 of a successful side project.
Want your side hustle to be featured on our blog? Get in touch!
