This transcript was generated from the episode audio and may contain minor errors.
[Music]
Let's define or redefine the purpose of Side Hustle School. I know we've had people listening for years. We also have people kind of stumbling in or discovering the podcast from time to time. And sometimes I get listener questions that make me think, we just need to kind of relook at what the point is, you know? Not the point of life in general, but the point of Side Hustle School.
And it really is in a single sentence to help people make extra money without quitting their job. And if we wanna go a little bit deeper, it's to help them create something, some kind of project that can earn real money. You know, something that truly creates economic empowerment, as I like to say, a product or service that can really change their life in a meaningful way, whether that is to allow them to quit their job or to get out of debt or just to give them more options. So when I say Side Hustle, I'm thinking of a money-making project, right? There are lots of hobbies you can have in life, lots of things you can do that don't have anything to do with money and that's great.
But if you're gonna have a Side Hustle, then it needs to be profitable. And I'm reminded of that sometimes when I get questions from people on tour or at events or by email or for the podcast. And sometimes I think, well, maybe this is just a fun project, you know? And you should do that if you wanna do that, but don't necessarily think of it as your big money-making venture. So today, for example, and that may not be entirely related to today's question or it may be, right?
'Cause you have to decide for yourself. I don't decide for people. But today we're gonna hear from Lila. She's an artist with an eye for beauty. She turns driftwood into unique pieces of art.
And she's trying to explore if these handcrafted treasures can find a home in an online marketplace, which maybe the answer is yes. But if it isn't, then that's okay too. And maybe there's something else you can do. So let's dive into her question. Quick shout out to our sponsor, of course, and then her question.
[Music]
Hello, I'm Lila from Charleston, South Carolina. I started listening to your podcast after a friend who'd successfully launched her side hustle recommended it. Living near Bulls Island and some other beaches, I frequently discover beautiful driftwood that washes up. I've been crafting some into unique art pieces, merging the charm of the sea with an artist's touch. Given the popularity of handcrafted items online, do you believe there's a potential market for such creations?
[Music]
Lila, thank you for the question. It definitely sounds like you're making something beautiful. I love that. I think that's great. My job is to advise on feasibility and profit potential.
And I just want to take the question at face value because Lila's saying like, do I think there's a potential market for such creations? Well, there could be, right? Like, I don't know. But I do think there's a lot of stuff like this that's already for sale. And it's important to remember that handcrafted items like this, they often have a smaller, more specific audience, especially if you don't have a lot of platform in terms of social media followers.
If you haven't built up a community like that from people who want to specifically collect from you, if you're just selling it based on the product, then that may be more of a hobbyist project as opposed to a significant money-making venture. And that's fine, as mentioned, right? There's all kinds of things we do in life. And lots of things don't have to become like a big money-making venture. But I just try to guide people towards projects that can be both enjoyable, where you find validation and meaning in them, and they also are profitable.
That's kind of my perspective, or at least where I come from in thinking about some of these questions and looking at different business ideas. But if you want to try, I mean, then of course Etsy is a perfect platform for that. I mean, we've talked about Etsy many times. It's renowned for unique handcrafted items. It caters to an audience that appreciates artistry and individuality.
I do also think you should build your own website, like a portfolio site, if nothing else, even if it's not an e-commerce site where you're selling it. Just something to kind of demonstrate, as I said, the portfolio and perhaps like an artist statement behind it, a little bit more about you. People always want to know about the artists when they purchase art. So I think that's important, but mostly enjoy the process. It's good to make sales, but it's also important to cherish the artistic journey, the connection with nature, the joy of crafting something unique, all those things that Lila finds in the driftwood art.
So Lila, any other artists out there, I'm always wishing you the best. I want to help however possible. And I just want to encourage all of us to choose our time wisely and with intention so that we have the right balance of sustainability, feasibility, satisfaction, purpose. These are all wonderful values and I think they have to work together ultimately. That's what I think.
Listeners, I always value your opinion as well. If you have questions or feedback, www.sidehustleschool.com/questions. Of course, we've got much more coming out. New episode every single day. It's always completely free.
Thanks for tuning in today. My name's Chris Guillebeau. This is "Side Hustle School." [Music]
From the Onward Project.
