Graphic design, web design, and baking are the top side-hustles that ambitious parents are setting up – while their children are at school, research has found.
Nearly two-thirds of parents (62%) with kids in education feel their skills are not being utilised properly, whether they are in work or a stay-at-home parents.
And the poll of 2,000 mums and dads found that two in five have set up a side hustle during school hours – with photography, childcare, and blogging or writing among the top 10 pursuits.
More than a fifth (22%) have been driven to do so to bring in some extra cash to supplement their household income.
But 14% have simply done it for fun, while 12% saw an opportunity to turn a hobby into a business opportunity.
However, of those who have considered a side business, but are yet to take the leap, nearly half (49%) don’t know where to start – while 37% worry it would fail.
And 40% claim their main barrier to working on a side hustle was lack of time, while a quarter think their childcare priorities would suffer as a result.
Helind Batista de Morais, spokesperson for LG, which commissioned the study after launching its Facebook community, Hustle Hub by LG gram, said: “This research has revealed there’s a real appetite to become “parent-preneurs”, and supplement their household income.
“Whether working part-time, full-time, or running a household, if they haven’t already made moves to create their own business, the ambition is there.
“However, it’s not always easy to know where to start. Having a community to inspire budding parent-preneurs, and having the right equipment, have proven important to make side hustle dreams a reality.”
The study also found that when it comes to promotion, 38% of side hustlers rely on online forums to market themselves to potential customers.
And 37% use social media accounts, while the same number pay for online advertising, and 32% have relied on word of mouth to keep business flowing.
Dr Grace Lordan, labour market skills expert at the London School of Economics, said: “I truly believe there is a side-hustle that can match to the talent and preferences of pretty much everybody.
“The key is to get smart and commercialise what you are innately good at.
“A side-hustle is a great way to diversify the income streams coming into your household.
“If you choose your side-hustle correctly, you get full autonomy over the hours you work – making the side-hustle the perfect option for time-poor parents, or those working full-time elsewhere.”
It also emerged not having the right equipment to keep working on-the-go was an issue to 76% – which could prove a stumbling block to the 51% looking to make their side hustle a full-time profession in the future.
A good working environment, strong internet connectivity, and a quiet space to focus were also identified as top components to a successful side job.
And two-thirds of parents polled, via OnePoll, reckon they’d have grown their supplementary income quicker with the right support.
But four in five (79%) believed they’d be able to improve their side job with more support and advice – or an improvement to their tech equipment.
Helind Batista de Morais, from LG, which has launched the latest in its range of gram laptops, designed to be extra light for those on the go, added: “A great idea and the right skills can get you so far – but the research has shown that having the right technology to hand, as well as support from those in the know, are what can make a business opportunity fly.
“There’s very little doubt having the right tools for the job can ensure it’s done to a better standard – and, as the results show, many are confident they’d grow their income quicker if they had them to hand.
“And by doing so, it can give people the chance to be their own boss, and take charge of their futures by running their own successful businesses.”
TOP 10 PARENTAL SIDE HUSTLES:
- Graphic design
- Web design
- Baking
- Creating and selling your own products
- Delivery services
- Admin/data entry support
- Photography
- Blogging/writing
- Childcare
- Private tutoring
TIPS FROM DR GRACE LORDAN TO GET YOUR SIDE-HUSTLE OFF THE GROUND:
- Clear messaging: Pretty much every person you meet will be time-poor. Get crystal clear in your mind why you are different to other people selling similar goods or services to you. You should have a clear message that can be conveyed in five words or less in print.
- Visibility is key: You will logically choose a side-hustle where you produce quality output. Please do not forget to work on getting visibility for your quality output – otherwise, your genius will never be discovered. Figure out the best way to reach your audience – social media, word of mouth, cold-calling etc. – and get on with letting them know you exist.
- Set realistic goals: Set yourself goals that are within your control, and be consistent in achieving them.
- Learn resilience: Do not be disheartened when you are told no. Learn from each person that declines your service, and use these learnings to improve your offering.
- Be transparent: Make sure to manage your customer’s expectations. Customers will only be disappointed if their expectations fall short of what you deliver.
- Prioritise testimonials: Your side-hustle will take flight only once you have advocates who speak positively about you when you are not around. Nudge potential advocates to action. When you have happy customers, ask them for referrals or a testimonial online.
- Value your community: Store your customers' data using a secure and diligent approach. As you grow, your customers can grow in a community around you. Make sure you provide value to this community, and they will always look for you when they need you.
