3261
6 min 21 sec

Q&A: “Is my struggling side hustle worth saving?”

A listener wants to know if a slow start is normal, or a warning sign that another business might be better. We’ll set a simple 90-day experiment to decide whether to double down, redesign, or walk away.

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What It's About

Is a slow-starting side hustle a normal lull or a sign to pivot?

Notes from Chris

Episode 3261
Not every side hustle explodes. Many take a year to stabilize. But eight months of nightly effort for only six hundred dollars is a signal that something—pricing, product, marketing, or audience—isn’t working. The goal isn’t to defend the project or kill it out of fear; it’s to run a structured test so emotion (yours or your spouse’s) doesn’t make the decision.

A slow start isn’t failure; it’s information. The real issue here isn’t just profit—it’s what matters most to the creator: creative satisfaction, extra income, or a path to replacing a job. Her spouse’s concern is valid, but this decision is hers. The goal is to clarify why she’s doing it, then run a focused experiment so the answer doesn’t come from emotion or pressure.

"I’ve been crafting for a while, and I spend nights knitting quirky pet sweaters and selling them on Etsy. After eight months on the marketplace I’ve netted about $600 total, and my spouse says the time might be better spent on freelance work that pays immediately. Part of me thinks every business needs a slow burn; another part worries I’m ignoring solid feedback. How do you tell the difference between healthy persistence and stubborn denial—especially when the person questioning you is someone you trust?"

Listen to today's episode to learn more...

 
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Inspiration is good; inspiration combined with action is better. Now get back to work!

Yours in the revolution,

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To infinity and beyond,

Chris Guillebeau