You may have started your side hustle as a way to pay off debt. It was an easy way to make some quick cash and extra payments on your student loans. And before you knew it, you were getting more and more clients and projects. Now, you’re hooked! So, is it time to turn your side hustle into a business? Consider these questions before you take the plunge.
American Consumer Credit Counseling wishes you good luck with your side hustle!
How to Turn Your Side Hustle into a Business
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Are you financially ready?
If you’re working on debt management, you definitely should not leave the nine to five for a potentially success business venture. If you have a ton of credit card debt and no savings, it’s probably not a good idea to start your own business at this point. Additionally, you should have an emergency fund of close to six to nine months’ worth of expenses for your own finances, let alone a business nest egg. Take into account that you won’t be making much money starting out, and it might take several years before you start seeing a real profit. You also need to have good credit in case you need a loan or investment to grow your business.
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Do you know how to promote yourself?
Because your side hustle is now a budding business, you need to devote as much time marketing yourself as you do creating your own work. Do you understand the marketing trends in your chosen industry? Are you using social media and the internet to promote your business? Do you feel comfortable promoting yourself? You should try to get publications or online blogs to write about your business. You might also want to hire a social media assistant or intern to help out with your marketing needs. Getting exposure and your name out there is huge!
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Do you know how to run a business?
Make sure you research and understand how to run a business in your chosen field. Don’t fall victim to mistakes that many young companies make that can derail your business. Price your product or service at the right amount. Know how much money your business will cost you. Learn about the trends in your market. And lastly, remember that starting your own small business is always a risk. If you take out a business loan and your company fails, are you prepared for life after bankruptcy?
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Are you getting enough clients?
Before you consider expanding your side hustle into a bigger venture, you need to make sure you’re successful as it stands. If you’re getting enough work, that’s great! Usually, current clients might want you to do more work for them or refer your services/product to other people. If more and more people are requesting your services and you don’t have the time to work on them because of your full time job, it may be time to capitalize on the opportunity. Starting your own business usually means working around the clock and sacrificing your personal time for work, so make your decision carefully.
If you’re struggling to pay off debt, ACCC can help. Schedule a free credit counseling session with us today.
