Weekly Side Hustle Ideas Roundup #2

Author

Knute Fosso
July 06, 2023

Editor’s Note

Howdy Dads, Happy Friday.

I hope your 4th was filled with sizzling grills, high-flying fireworks, quality time with the family, and perhaps a side-hustle epiphany during your food coma.

Before we delve into the meaty part of our newsletter, I have an exciting announcement that's hotter than a fresh barbecue you forgot to turn off all night (may or may not have done this before myself).

Duffle of Dough is secretly launching a community called THE DEN.

THE DEN is your virtual man-cave - minus the vintage beer posters and that neon sign you got from the local bar (or whatever else you might fancy in your man cave). Instead, it's filled with personalized advice, help, support, and more to fuel your side-hustle journey.

Our goal? To provide you a platform to share experiences, seek advice, and grow together in our quests for that extra dough.

And here's the cherry on the top - the first 50 brave explorers to join THE DEN will enjoy a completely free membership!

Here's your invite to the party → LINK.

NOTE: It's completely up to you if you want to join, but if you think you might want to later, you might want to join now to make sure you have a spot.

Alright, now that we've lit the fuse, let's stand back and watch this week's side-hustle ideas explode into solid opportunities that just might be a fit for you.

Idea #1: Laser Engraving Wooden Dog Signs

HustleScore: 71 - 85 (DoE)

TL;DR: Create and sell custom laser-engraved wooden dog signs. These signs can range from pet memorial plaques to humorous dog-themed quotes to personalized pet name signs.

Pros:

  1. Unique product offering that appeals to the strong emotional bond between pet owners and their pets.

  2. The ability to customize products allows for a higher profit margin.

  3. Flexibility to work from your home and set your own schedule.

Cons:

  1. Requires initial investment in a laser engraver and materials.

  2. Some technical skills and creativity required.

  3. Market can be saturated in some sub-niches, distinguishing yourself starting out may be tricky.

Where to Start:

Invest in a quality laser engraver and practice your skills on scrap wood before offering your services. Create a portfolio of your work and start marketing your products on social media, at local craft fairs, online giveaways, or on platforms like Etsy.

How to Scale:

Once you’ve established a good customer base, consider expanding your product line or offering bulk discounts for pet boutiques or other retailers. You could also explore partnerships with pet influencers or bloggers to gain more exposure.

The Big Opportunity:

With pet ownership on the rise and a trend toward personalization, this is a great time to offer customized pet products. The ability to create a unique, sentimental, and quality product could set you apart from the competition.

Quick Dough: $25-$100 per sign, depending on size and complexity.

Long Term Dough Potential: $30k/mo.

Idea #2: Drone Photography/Surveying

HustleScore: 68 - 81 (DoE)

TL;DR: Provide aerial photography and surveying services using a drone. This service is increasingly in demand for everything from real estate photography to land surveying, event coverage, and more.

Pros:

  1. Broad market demand across multiple industries.

  2. Ability to charge a premium for a unique service.

  3. Potential for exciting and varied work.

Cons:

  1. Requires initial investment in a high-quality drone and camera.

  2. Must comply with local regulations and obtain necessary certifications or licenses.

  3. Market can be competitive in some areas.

Where to Start:

Research throughougly before you jump in. This will not be as simple as purchasing a rig at Best Buy or Amazon and slapping a few posts out there on Facebook. You’ll want to understand the full implications of the certifications you’ll need, tests required to pass, knowledge of flight zones, and basic knowledge of photography and/or videography.

Once you’ve scoped out the requirements throughly understand what will be required of you, Invest in a high-quality drone and camera, and take the time to become proficient at flying and photographing. Gain the necessary certifications and advertise your services for free or little cost to real estate agents, event planners, and land surveyors, build relationships, and build your portfolio of work to add to your social media and website.

How to Scale:

As you establish a reputation for quality work, consider hiring additional drone operators, creating an apprentice program, or expanding your services to include video editing or 3D mapping. Partnering with local businesses or industries that require regular aerial photography or surveying could also provide a consistent stream of work.

The Big Opportunity:

With advancements in drone technology and an increasing recognition of the value of aerial photography and surveying, there's significant potential in this industry. Plus, the ability to offer a unique perspective can set you apart in industries like real estate, where standing out is key.

Quick Dough: $150-$500 per job, depending on complexity and industry.

Long Term Dough Potential: $10-15k/mo.

Idea #3: Fishing Guide

HustleScore: 59-80 (DoE)

TL;DR: Operate a fishing charter service or serve as a fishing guide. This could involve offering guided fishing trips or tours, helping clients learn fishing techniques, or even providing all the necessary equipment for a great day on the water.

Pros:

  1. Allows you to turn a hobby into a lucrative side hustle.

  2. Potential to meet a lot of people and create enjoyable experiences for them, making this very fulfilling.

  3. The unique and experiential nature of the service can command a premium price.

Cons:

  1. Requires initial investment in fishing equipment and potentially a suitable boat.

  2. Requires knowledge of local fishing spots, species, and regulations.

  3. Dependent on season and weather conditions, and client demand.

  4. Low flexibility, not for those who may have commitments.

  5. Safety, regulations, and insurance overhead and learning curve.

Where to Start:

Personally, this one will take some time, so if you don’t already have a lot of experience or local knowledge, it may not be the fastest path to a profitable venture by any means. To start, ensure you have the necessary fishing equipment and knowledge. Then, gain any required certifications or licenses, and familiarize yourself with local fishing regulations. Setup a basic website, Facebook page, and Instagram profile with your contact info and begin to let others know in local community groups. Keep a lookout for feedback and learn what your tourists love most about your service, what demographic you primarily service, and double down on that.

How to Scale:

Once you’ve established a solid customer base and reputation, consider expanding your services or hiring additional guides. You might offer group tours, multi-day trips, or even branch out into other water-based activities. Collaborating with local hotels or tourist attractions could also provide a consistent stream of clients. Once your social media picks up a little bit of notoriety, you can begin to host giveaways that offer free fishing excursions can host giveaways. This will boost your awareness, and build your name brand for time to come.

The Big Opportunity:

As more people look for unique experiences and ways to connect with nature, guided fishing tours can offer a lucrative opportunity. Additionally, your ability to teach and guide can help clients have a more successful and enjoyable time on the water, making your service even more valuable.

Quick Dough: $200-$500 depending on the length of the trip, equipment, and scarcity of local knowledge you can provide.

Long Term Dough Potential: $20k/mo.

That’s all for this week, Dads.

We’re excited to see where your journey takes you. If you’re inclined to do so, don't hesitate to share your progress, questions, or any other entrepreneurial adventures in our new community: THE DEN - we’re all here to support and learn from each other.

Until next week, stay curious, keep hustling, and remember that even small steps forward are steps in the right direction.

Happy hustling!

Knute Fosso

Fellow dad of 2, Side Hustler, and Editor at Duffle of Dough.

P.S. If you're considering joining THE DEN, don't forget to snag your free membership (50 spots left) while it's still available → LINK.

P.P.S. If you've got a side-hustle idea that you'd love to see featured in an upcoming newsletter, send it our way! We're always looking for new inspiration to share.

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