The Amateur v Professional
Well, first you need to ask yourself the key question: “Good for whom?”. And the answer to that question depends on another: Are you the “hustler” or the customer? Like most everything else in life, your answer will depend on your point of view. Your perspective. We’ll get into that. But first, let’s start with the basics about a side hustle.
What Is A Side Hustle?
A side hustle is a repeatable income-generating activity that is performed in addition to those that are related to a primary source of income. Side hustles are most often part time in nature and, taken by themselves, are not sufficient to support yourself. In some cases a side hustle is only one of several activities that, taken together, might be sufficient to support an individual and their dependents.
A side hustle can be based on turning a hobby into a moneymaking activity, like pouring and selling candles, creating floral arrangements, sewing, or other craft-based activities. They are often service-based, like house painting, dog-walking, landscaping, or housekeeping. Professionals like accountants and lawyers sometimes pursue their practice on the side, in addition to the work they provide their current employer. Nowadays, many people provide delivery services and driving as side hustles.
Who Needs A Side Hustle?
In this economy, the sad fact is that many people need a side hustle just to survive or try to maintain their standard of living. Side hustles can be a life saver. The “hustlers” may be students. They may be single parents, or they may be taking care of their own elderly parent. They may be saving for a particular purpose, like a vacation, or a car, or to repay a debt, or… the list goes on, but you get the idea. A side hustle is a valuable way to supplement your income without committing to an employer.
Side hustles are famous for providing a measure of independence because they are performed at the time and place of the hustler’s choosing, not that of his or her boss. They are also infamous for a related problem. The very lack of structure, commitment, and oversight that can make side hustles so appealing has a tendency to lead directly to uncoordinated and confused effort – and failure.
6 Keys To A Good Side Hustle
There are an almost endless variety of things that qualify as a side hustle, but some are better and more profitable than others. Some might be great fun or satisfying to perform, but lack an established market. Or be in a hyper-competitive market. Either of those can make it difficult or nearly impossible to sell and bring in any meaningful profit. Some side hustle candidates are easy to perform and have an established market with consistent demand for your product or service. Great, right? Maybe, maybe not. Depends on the price point – and your cost to provide the good or service. Services that require licensure or certification can be extremely profitable but, because of the lengthy and often costly preparation and qualification process, are not good candidates, either.
There are a number of issues to consider before choosing a side hustle, but these six categories are universal to your decision process. The best Side Hustles share some common basic elements. Selecting your side hustle with these in mind will help you to turn your time into money. And that’s what a side hustle is all about, isn’t it?
1. An Established Market With Consistent Demand
Providing novel, original products and services can be very lucrative. The lack of competition means that pricing is entirely dependent on your sales ability – when there is a limited choice, or no choice, of providers the service is generally very profitable. Virgin markets, though, require lengthy lead times and expertise in promotion that are difficult to come by. Creating customers is much more difficult than finding them. It is far easier to jump on a moving train than it is to push it.
2. Low Startup Investment Requirements
Any side hustle will require an upfront investment to get started, even if that investment is only your time and effort: even thoseare valuable and limited. Some side gigs will also demand a financial investment for basic equipment. The best side hustle will allow you to startup on a shoestring and build up over time.
3. No License or Certification Needed
Very rewarding careers are to be found among professions that require detailed and extensive education, lengthy apprenticeship/internship terms, and licensure or professional certification. But those are careers, not side hustles. The best side hustle is one without burdensome preparation or training requirements.
4. Intense Physical Labor
The ideal side hustle will require little to no physical effort, while some of the worst gigs demand very high intensity labor, delivered over extended periods of time.
5. Customer Service Demands
Handling unsatisfied customers is an unpleasant task but is a required part of delivering any product or service. Satisfied customers generate repeat business, and they also tell their friends about you. Unsatisfied customers are a tremendous time-sink; worse yet, they also tell their friends about you. The optimum side hustle is a “one and done”, without needing any post-sale preparation or post-delivery rework or customer handholding.
6. No Accounts Receivable
“Cash On The Barrelhead” is an old phrase meaning that the product or service will be delivered at the time of payment. It is the safest way to do business. Collecting accounts receivable is an unpleasant activity and it chews up a tremendous amount of time. Moreover, uncollected accounts receivable have sunk many enterprises. The best side hustle is the one where you collect your price or fee either beforehand or at the time of delivery.
How Does Power Washing Rank For The Hustler?
If you don’t mind hard physical labor and dealing with unhappy customers, then power washing might be the ideal side hustle for you.
Power washing is a service that is widely understood and valued among the population as a whole. It doesn’t require any “missionary marketing” like an unfamiliar service would. It tends to be somewhat seasonal, but there is business to be had year-round.
The equipment requirements to establish a power washing service are not extensive. In fact, the kit can be rented while the provider gets his feet wet. Nor is a specialized vehicle required, although a motorized means (car or truck) is needed to transport your washer, tools, and cleanser materials.
There are no license or certification requirements in most jurisdictions of the United States. However, thorough knowledge of surfaces to be cleaned, cleansers and soaps, machine settings and applications is an absolute necessity.
More For The Hustler
In terms of intense physical labor, power washing may not be as challenging as, say, coal mining, but it certainly is a physically demanding task, performed over long periods of time. The process entails moving both cleaning equipment and the customer’s furnishings, as well as the repetitive effort of the actual cleaning process. An extension ladder is an essential part of the toolkit, too. All things considered, power washing is a young man’s pursuit.
Power washing customer service demands can be a potential minefield for the novice. Rework and repeat visits for providers just starting out are not uncommon. Absent thorough knowledge and experience, damage to the underlying surface is a common complaint about beginner providers. And damage to the surface can lead to extensive and expensive repairs for the property owner.
Managing accounts receivable tends not to be an issue in the power washing business. Often the engagements will be one-off, without a billing cycle. Also, especially for beginners, there is no need to extend credit to your customers. The total price is usually not intrusive, and the work generally need not be performed prior to payment.
Overall, power washing must be considered a reasonable side hustle for the hustler with top interpersonal skills and good physical endurance. Basic equipment, simple transportation, and a good level of physical fitness are required to get started.
Is Power Washing A Good Side Hustle For The Customer?
Maybe. But probably not. Let’s face it, the process is not complicated. Many young men and some women can meet the physical demands, and there is absolutely no rocket science involved. And frankly, a side hustler might be expected to price below an established provider, potentially saving the property owner some money on the front-end.
So, where’s the risk? It’s in that area of knowledge and experience. Better known as competence.
The wrong setting on the actual power washer can lead to a damaged underlying surface. Yes, even concrete, stone, and masonry. Not to mention various types of siding, roofing, and property hardscapes that do not react well to specific types of cleansers. The potential for staining and even degrading the material itself, or its surface finish, is very real.
All Clean Exteriors is a respected provider of cleaning and property maintenance services throughout Monmouth County and its environs for a good reason:
