If you’re still side hustling your business and chasing your dreams, this post is for you! I’m so excited to share how to ROCK your side hustle and pursue your dreams while still having a day job (or in school!). I have been part time in my business for the past four years while in college, but I am graduating in one month (crazy, right?!) I’m excited to share some tips and encouragement if you’re still pursuing your business part time that I’ve learned along the way!
Have a goal in mind for your business (in other words, your why). Is your side hustle something you want to KEEP a side or part time hustle, or would you rather take it full time? Is it to provide a sustainable income, or to give your family the vacations you’ve always dreamed of? Having a goal for your business will keep you way more motivated to keep pursuing it, regardless of what that goal is!
Be willing to ask for help. I know this is SO hard! It’s your baby! It’s hard to give up control. When I first started my business, I was in college and KNEW I couldn’t keep up with it all. The first thing I did was hire a photo editor to help me with editing full galleries. She has been a LIFESAVER and has saved me so much stress – and allow me to meet (and beat) every deadline. Since then, I’ve outsourced many other things like Pinterest, Facebook albums, proofreading, blogging, and more to virtual assistants and my sister! Start small and expand upon it as needed. You can even outsource just parts of weddings or sessions to help ease the load!
Use email scheduling. Okay, this one’s more practical, but it was a LIFESAVER when I was part time! If you don’t do this, it will SAVE YOUR LIFE. Not really, but kind of! Chances are, especially if you work a 9-5, you aren’t able to get to your inbox until 6 or 7 o’clock at night. Using a software that allows you to schedule your emails will be a lifesaver and still keep boundaries with your clients. Because they will never get an email from you past 6pm, you can keep boundaries in your communication with them! I use Streak to schedule out my emails, and you can also use Boomerang. Both of these work RIGHT in Gmail for easy scheduling. It’s seriously so simple once it’s set up, you just click the button next to the send button to schedule it out!
Remember that success is not all about money. This goes for anyone, whether you’re full time or still rock your side hustle… but keeping this in mind is ESPECIALLY important if you have a side hustle! You probably aren’t going to be able to do as much as someone who is running their business full time… and that’s okay. It’s alright to take it slow and go at your own pace! Just because someone else is making 6 figures in their first year doesn’t mean you’re a failure if you don’t! They might have the time and hustle to pursue their business full time, and if you can only work on it for 5 hours per week, THAT’S OKAY. Go at your own pace. You’ve got this!
Never give up on your dream. No matter if your dream is to keep it a side hustle or to go full time, keep pursuing what you love and your goal for your side hustle!
No matter where you’re at in your business, I’m cheering for you! You can totally rock your side hustle wherever you’re at in life. Don’t get caught up in comparison and remember that you were uniquely made to serve your clients well. Bring your talents and gifts to the table to go above and beyond for your sweet clients!