Tech & Software Side Hustles
61 episodes track people who turned technical skills into income — app developers, software founders, automation consultants, and tech freelancers. These stories show both the high upside and the real challenges of tech-based side hustles, including the ones that didn't work out.
- Q&A: “What’s the best software to write a non-fiction book?”
What's the best software to write a non-fiction book? We share three tools to make writing easier, plus what to avoid. Side Hustle School Ep. 3314.
- TBT: This Tiny Tool Earns Thousands Every Election Season
Election campaign software tool evolved into niche product licensed by multiple counties. Side Hustle School Ep. 3260.
- TBT: This Tiny Spreadsheet Tool Pays the Rent
Browser-based CSV cleaning tool that earns enough to cover rent through licensing to consultants. Side Hustle School Ep. 3239.
- TBT: Built in a Weekend, Used by Thousands
Chrome extension with 5,000 users built in a weekend generates steady income. Side Hustle School Ep. 3211.
- Q&A: “What KPIs should I track for my software biz?”
Which KPIs actually matter for micro-SaaS? Cut through dashboard paralysis with the three metrics that drive real decisions. Side Hustle School Ep. 3191.
- First $1,000: AI Agency Writes Execs’ LinkedIn Posts
AI agency writes executive LinkedIn posts with ChatGPT—how one freelancer built a subscription model. Side Hustle School Ep. 3103.
- Kiwi Coder Makes Extra $50,000/Year from Digital Paintbrushes
Software engineer creates digital calligraphy brushes earning $50,000/year. Virtual lettering tools for digital artists. Side Hustle School Ep. 3084.
- First $1,000: Marketing Pro Builds GPT Bots—No Code Needed
Custom GPT chatbot service built by marketer with zero coding experience. Landing clients and pricing strategy. Side Hustle School Ep. 3075.
- Q&A: “How can I work fewer hours without losing income?”
How to work fewer hours without losing income: raise rates, outsource tasks, restructure packages. Side Hustle School Ep. 3009.
- First $1,000: This “Crypto Tax Whisperer” Takes On the IRS
Crypto tax accounting practice built from chaotic client trades. How this accountant earned their first $1,000. Side Hustle School Ep. 3005.
- “Pocket Monkey” Tool Sells 500,000 Units
Software engineer's wallet tool sells 500,000 units, earns $50K annually. Side Hustle School Ep. 3000.
- First $1,000: Office Furniture Blog Stands Up for Profits
Ergonomic office furniture blog generates commissions through niche websites and Google AdSense. Side Hustle School Ep. 2921.
- Failure Friday: A Year Spent Writing the Wrong Book
A programmer spent a year writing a 300-page book only to realize it was too generic. What he learned from the failure. Side Hustle School Ep. 2785.
- Q&A: “I need more passive income in my life…”
How a web developer can build passive income streams beyond trading time for money. Side Hustle School Ep. 2724.
- First $1,000: Birdwatching App Flocks to Success
Birdwatching app creator earns first $1,000 through ads and premium features. How a coder turned passion project into revenue. Side Hustle School Ep. 2718.
- Failure Friday: The Mobile App Marketplace Misfire
Mobile app marketplace referral model hits a wall: why App Store earnings proved nearly impossible. Side Hustle School Ep. 2701.
- Q&A: “How can I develop a game for the App Store?”
How to develop and launch an iOS game on the App Store: validation, gameplay, and monetization strategies. Side Hustle School Ep. 2696.
- Failure Friday: The Fitness App Fumble
Why a personal trainer's fitness app failed to capture the energy of in-person classes. Side Hustle School Ep. 2582.
- Failure Friday: Working Remotely from Thailand Is Stressful!
Software engineer's Thailand move backfires: midnight work hours prove unsustainable. Failure Friday on remote work pitfalls. Side Hustle School Ep. 2533.
- TBT: SAAS Sales Audits Earn $5,000/Month Part-Time
Australian earns $5,000/month auditing sales processes on LinkedIn. Side Hustle School Ep. 2434.
- Q&A: “I HATE making sales calls…”
How to sell without sales calls: advice for introverted software consultants. Side Hustle School Ep. 2415.
- Failure Friday: “Once I knew I had ADHD, everything made more sense…”
How ADHD diagnosis transformed a programmer's struggle with procrastination and motivation. Side Hustle School Ep. 2407.
- Q&A: “I’m ready to make an app! Uh, what should it be?”
How to find your first app idea as a software developer. Strategies for identifying a viable side hustle concept. Side Hustle School Ep. 2397.
- Q&A: “Should I build a website for my freelance coding hustle?”
Website strategy for freelance coders: do you need one, and how to build it effectively. Side Hustle School Ep. 2381.
- Q&A: “How can I make eco-friendly surfboard wax??”
How to make eco-friendly surfboard wax from natural ingredients. Sourcing materials and selling to local shops. Side Hustle School Ep. 2318.
- Q&A: “I’m building a grocery-shopping app…”
Funding a grocery app as a first-time entrepreneur. Investor pitching and bootstrapping strategies. Side Hustle School Ep. 2306.
- First $1,000: Software Engineer Crafts Balloon Sculptures
Software engineer in St. Paul turns balloon sculpture side hustle into $1,000. Creative stress relief meets profitable craft. Side Hustle School Ep. 2277.
- Q&A: “How do I choose a legal structure for my side hustle?”
Legal structure for your side hustle: sole proprietorship, LLC, or S-corp? A web developer from Miami seeks guidance. Side Hustle School Ep. 2261.
- TBT: “I put in long hours and worked hard to deliver quality work…”
Web developer transitions from corporate job to Upwork freelancing, earning nearly as much in two years. Side Hustle School Ep. 2217.
- Q&A: “Can I make and sell Notion templates?”
Make and sell Notion templates for $2800/month. How to build a template business on Notion's platform or your own site. Side Hustle School Ep. 2138.
- Intelligence Officer Cracks Code with 7-Figure Course
Former intelligence officer earns $31,000 teaching 2,500 women WordPress web development from her RV. Side Hustle School Ep. 1921.
- Q&A: Should I sell guides for software application training?
Should you sell software training guides? Learn what works for Microsoft Word, Google Docs e-books and tutorials. Side Hustle School Ep. 1859.
- New App Designer Jumps Into No-Code Development
How a designer earns $6,000/month building no-code apps in Switzerland. Created 10+ apps in one year with Bravo Studio. Side Hustle School Ep. 1823.
- Q&A: Does it matter which email list software I choose?
Email list software choice: does it matter for your growing side hustle? Learn what actually impacts success. Side Hustle School Ep. 1642.
- Customer Service Agent Becomes CBD Affiliate
CBD product reviews site built by customer service agent after ten years of affiliate marketing experiments. Side Hustle School Ep. 1564.
- Software Engineer Publishes Technical Writing Guide
Software engineer writes technical writing guide, makes $20,000 in first week on Hacker News. Side Hustle School Ep. 1534.
- Q&A: What’s the best software to write a nonfiction book?
Best software tools to write a nonfiction book. Three practical recommendations to help you finish your manuscript. Side Hustle School Ep. 1484.
- Q&A: How to convert non-paying students into customers?
Converting free software development students into paying apprentices. Freemium model strategies for teaching side hustles. Side Hustle School Ep. 1371.
- Q&A: Do I have to sell as a SAAS?
Pricing online services: Do you have to use the SAAS subscription model, or are there alternatives? Side Hustle School Ep. 1369.
- TBT: These iPad Paintbrushes Never Run Dry
iPad lettering brushes earn $50,000/year for New Zealand artist. 300,000 followers and counting. Side Hustle School Ep. 1314.
- River Guide Submits Side Hustle Job Application
Job application software built by a river guide in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Solving hiring process problems. Side Hustle School Ep. 1263.
- Software Tester Tunes Pianos for Harmonious Hustle
Piano tuning service started by software tester after local tuner ghosted him. Low startup costs, high demand. Side Hustle School Ep. 1191.
- Programmer Automates Profit With Birthday Reminders
Birthday reminder browser extension that generates recurring subscription revenue. Side Hustle School Ep. 1162.
- Software Engineer Scavenges For Profits
Photo scavenger hunt business built by software engineer. Live-action hunts that get groups exploring the real world. Side Hustle School Ep. 1087.
- Cigar Subscription Box Delivers Smoking Returns
Premium cigar subscription box service built by a software engineer. Monthly deliveries targeting enthusiast smokers. Side Hustle School Ep. 934.
- Software Engineer Sells 64,000 “Anne of Green Gables” eBooks
Software engineer earns six figures selling 64,000 public domain eBooks. Side Hustle School Ep. 906.
- Engineer Parses His Way To 2x Income
Software engineer launches SaaS side hustle after 25 failed attempts, eventually doubling his day job income. Side Hustle School Ep. 754.
- Distracted Coach Creates Accountability Software
How an executive coach built Focusmate, virtual coworking software earning $700/month through accountability partnerships. Side Hustle School Ep. 751.
- Developer Earns $37,000 from Day Trading Tool
Software developer builds day trading tool earning $37,000. Helps traders beat the odds with efficient trading software. Side Hustle School Ep. 487.
- Gmail Tool Generates $1 Million a Year
Web developer's Gmail extension generates $1M/year recurring revenue. GMass helps businesses send mass emails at scale. Side Hustle School Ep. 478.
- Kiwi Coder Makes Extra $50,000/Year from Virtual Paintbrushes
Software developer in New Zealand creates digital lettering brushes for Procreate. Apple noticed her work. Side Hustle School Ep. 457.
- Engineer Reprograms Herself, Finds Confidence to Start Over
Software engineer earns $1000/month teaching web development through an online coding course. Side Hustle School Ep. 445.
- Engineer Invents Bestselling Pocket Tool After Getting Locked Out
Software engineer invents pocket tool after lockout, sells 500,000 units. Crowdfunding validated the market. Side Hustle School Ep. 345.
- Airbus Developer Sets Goal to Start 5 Hustles at Once
Web developer aims to build 5 side hustles earning $2,000/month each. His first two projects: Resume Beacon and JungleFlip. Side Hustle School Ep. 335.
- Indian Personal Finance Blogger Rings Up $4,000/Month
How Pardeep Goyal earns $4,000/month with CashOverflow, a personal finance blog for Indian readers. Side Hustle School Ep. 167.
- Diamond in the Rough: Engagement Ring Hunt Turns Into Hustle
Diamond affiliate website guides shoppers to the sparkliest stones using depth and angle calculations. Side Hustle School Ep. 150.
- Hip Hop Glitter Pendants Sell $60,000 on Instagram
How a web developer and artist built $40,000 in sales with hip hop glitter pendants on Instagram. Lisa Loeb wore one. Side Hustle School Ep. 138.
- Australian Hacker Creates Passive Income Anatomy Course
How a web developer built an anatomy course that earns $800/month in passive income. YouTube traffic was the breakthrough. Side Hustle School Ep. 137.
- Tour Guide Sells Astronomy Books to Tourists
British software engineer becomes tour guide in the Canary Islands, writes astronomy guidebook for tourists. Side Hustle School Ep. 38.
- Hospital Database Programmer Outsources His Skills
Hospital employee earns $125/hour teaching Microsoft Access to healthcare professionals. Uses Wyzant tutoring platform. Side Hustle School Ep. 29.
- 40,000 People Use This Web Developer’s Side Hustle Every Day
How a San Francisco developer built a commute app earning $7,500/month, used by 40,000 people daily. Side Hustle School Ep. 12.