In today’s fast-changing economy, a traditional single job may not always be enough. More and more people are turning to side hustles not just for extra cash, but as potential springboards into full-blown businesses. According to one guide, nearly 36 % of U.S. adults already have a side hustle, and over half of Americans adopted one in the past 12 months. (LLC Attorney)
If you’ve been considering adding a second income stream or exploring a passion project that could actually earn money, here are three side hustle ideas that are worth your time. One of them is the increasingly popular print-on-demand model. The other two also reflect current trends and real viability in 2025.
1. Print-on-Demand (POD) – Customize, Sell & Scale
Let’s start with the hustle you asked to include: the print-on-demand business model. It’s one of the more accessible “product”-side hustles out there and in many ways perfect for testing the water.
Why it’s actually worth starting
The global POD market is projected to grow significantly — one article states that the market hit about US$10 billion in 2024 and is expected to keep growing at ~25 % annually. (Shopify)
Low upfront cost and inventory risk: With POD, you don’t buy large inventory; you only pay once someone places an order. (Network Solutions)
Flexibility: You can start from your computer, upload designs, and have the production/fulfilment handled by a third-party provider. (Hostinger)
Scalable: Once you find a niche and design that resonates, you can add variations and expand your product offering.
How to get started
Choose your niche – Focus on a specific audience (e.g., dog lovers, travel quotes, local sayings, hobby groups). A narrow niche helps you stand out. (Hostinger)
Decide on products & designs – T-shirts, hoodies, mugs, tote bags, phone cases — pick items your niche audience wants and create unique designs. (Printify)
Pick a print-on-demand supplier and platform – Connect services like Printful, Printify or Gelato to your online store or marketplace. (Shopify)
Build your online store – Use a platform (Shopify, WooCommerce, Etsy, etc.). Make sure product listings are well-written, SEO-friendly, and the visuals are attractive. (Printify)
Market and validate – Test your designs, run small ads, check what works. Order sample products to check quality and build trust. (Shopify)
Scale – Once you find what sells, expand your designs, promote through social media, look for upsell opportunities, and refine your brand. (Gelato)
Important considerations & challenges
Profit margins can be modest because each item is produced one-by-one, hence higher cost per unit compared with bulk manufacturing. (TrueProfit)
Market saturation: Because many people start POD, you’ll need to find a clear differentiator (niche + design + branding) to succeed.
Quality and shipping speed: Since fulfilment is outsourced, you must monitor quality, delivery, customer service.
Marketing matters: Good design alone won’t be enough if you don’t reach the right audience.
Why it makes our top 3
Because the barrier to entry is relatively low and the upside (when done well) is tangible. You can start small, with little risk, and grow it into something more substantial. For those looking for flexibility or a creative outlet, POD hits a sweet spot.
2. Freelance/Contract Skill-Based Work (Especially Digital & Online)
While product-side hustles are great, there’s still huge value in service-based hustles — especially if you have a skill you can monetise. With the remote economy expanding and more businesses outsourcing, this space remains rich with opportunity.
Why it’s worth starting now
According to one piece, “digital products, freelancing, delivery driving and tutoring” remain among the best side hustles in 2025. (NerdWallet)
The freelance/contracting economy is large and still growing. For example, one study estimates skilled freelance workers earned about US$1.5 trillion in 2024. (Business Insider)
With the rise of tools like AI and remote platforms, more people can deliver valuable services from home or part-time. Though note: competition is increasing. (Business Insider)
Types of freelance side hustles you might consider
Graphic design, web development, UX/UI, digital marketing
Content creation: copywriting, blogging, social media management
Online tutoring or coaching: language teaching, test prep, niche skills
Virtual assistance, administrative support, bookkeeping
Consulting in your field of expertise (if you have an existing job)
How to make it viable
Pick your skill & focus – Choose something you’re good at, or ready to become good at. Expertise helps.
Find a target market – Identify a type of client who needs what you offer (small businesses, local professionals, specific industries).
Set up your online presence – A simple website or profile, portfolio samples, client testimonials.
Find platforms or clients – Use freelance platforms (Upwork, Fiverr, etc.), network, reach out directly.
Provide value, build reputation – Quality work leads to referrals, repeat business.
Scale or niche down – Once you see a repeatable service with demand, you can specialise or raise your rates.
Key challenges & what to watch
Because of competition and automation (especially with AI tools), you need to differentiate yourself and deliver quality. (Business Insider)
Time management: If you’re doing a full-time job plus side hustle, balancing can be tough.
Pricing: Setting rates that reflect your value, and avoiding low-balling yourself.
Lead generation: A hustle isn’t just about doing work — there’s marketing and business-development effort too.
Why it makes our top 3
Because if you already have a marketable skill, this route can generate income relatively quickly and with very low startup cost. It also gives you flexibility and the potential to scale (or even transition into a full-time venture). In many ways, this is one of the more reliable side hustles for earning something meaningful.
3. Home/Local Services & Physical-World Gigs
While online hustles get much attention, there remains strong demand for services in the physical world. This is especially true for tasks and services that are less likely to be automated or handled remotely. If you prefer in-person work, have access to local networks, or want something outside of a screen, this is a great option.
Why this type of hustle is viable
According to a Medium article, services like pool cleaning, car detailing, dog grooming, power-washing are listed as strong side-hustle ideas because they are less prone to being replaced by AI. (Medium)
Many businesses and homeowners are willing to pay for convenience, expertise or physical labour.
Startup cost can be modest (equipment + marketing) and you can scale locally by referrals, repeat clients, and bundling services.
Flexibility: These services often allow you to set your hours, choose your service area and grow gradually.
Examples of service-based local side hustles
Home cleaning, car detailing, lawn or garden maintenance
Dog walking, pet sitting, dog grooming
Local tutoring (in-person), instrument/music lessons
Mobile car washing, power-washing homes/driveways
Event services: party cleanup, equipment rentals, babysitting coordination
How to get started
Choose the service – Pick something where you have some aptitude or are willing to learn.
Define your market & pricing – Research what people in your area pay for the service and set competitive rates.
Get the gear – Depending on the service you’ll need certain tools and materials (investing smartly).
Advertise locally – Use local social media groups, bulletin boards, flyers, ask friends/neighbours for referrals.
Deliver excellent service – Word of mouth is powerful; repeat clients and referrals are key.
Scale – Add more services, find subcontractors, expand to adjacent neighbourhoods.
Things to note & potential hurdles
Up-front cost might be higher than purely digital hustles (equipment, transportation, supplies).
Time-bound: You may need to physically show up or handle demand spikes during weekends/after hours.
Seasonal demand: Some services fluctuate with seasons (landscaping, power washing).
Liability and insurance: Some services may need insurance or licensing depending on local rules.
Why it makes our top 3
It complements the digital side hustles by focusing on real-world demand. If you prefer hands-on work, live in a community where your service is needed, and want a side hustle you can scale from local roots, this path has strong potential.
Which One Should You Choose (and How to Decide)
Choosing which side hustle is right for you depends on your time, interests, resources, and goals. Here are some questions to guide your decision:
How much time can I commit?
If you only have a few hours a week, a POD store or a freelance digital gig might be more manageable.What skills or tools do I already have?
If you’re comfortable designing, then POD might make sense. If you have a skill (writing, design, tutoring), then freelancing might fit. If you enjoy being physically active, local service work might be appealing.What budget do I have to invest?
Some hustles require tools or supplies (local services). Others can start with very little (digital freelancing, POD).What’s my goal?
Are you aiming for a little extra income to supplement your day job? Or maybe you’re pursuing a longer-term business? The scale of your ambition will influence your choice.What kind of lifestyle do I want?
Do you prefer working from home on your laptop? Or getting out, meeting people, performing tasks locally? Choose a hustle that aligns with your lifestyle.
Final Thoughts
Side hustles aren’t just trendy – they’re increasingly a practical piece of the income puzzle. The three ideas above each bring something different to the table:
Print-on-Demand: Great for creative, online-based product business with low inventory risk.
Freelance/Skill-based Work: Ideal for monetising what you already know, with potential for quick income and growth.
Home/Local Services: Real-world, hands-on hustle that meets tangible local demand and can scale through referrals.
Whatever route you pick, here’s a simple formula: Start small → test what works → improve what resonates → scale what succeeds.
And remember: a side hustle isn’t just about the extra money. It’s about building experience, flexibility, and maybe even a stepping stone to something bigger.
If you like, I can dig deeper into five more side hustles with current data for 2025, and we can compare them by startup cost, time commitment, and expected earnings. Would you like that?