Side Dish: Up Your Income Creating Gigs You Enjoy

Suffice it to say very few people in this country do one 9 to 5 job. Most everyone has a side gig, hustle, dip into entrepreneurship, or just a practical way to fill the economic gaps with rising prices and stagnating salaries. And the threat that AI may eliminate some or all of what they do for income makes the appeal of side hustles real.

Women are doing more of this, (more in younger generations) out of desire, necessity or boredom, and often generating less income than men. The gender pay gap applies to side hustles as well. So do you always get more when you’re doing more?

“Women are doing more #sidegigs out of desire, necessity or boredom, and often generating less #income than men receive for the same gig. #entrepreneurs #gigeconomy”

The payoff may be the pursuit of side jobs they truly enjoy.

Read more in Take The Lead on side gigs

New Citizens Bank research shows, “Two-thirds of adults under 34 have pursued an entrepreneurial venture, including nearly a quarter doing work outside their primary job,” according to Axios.

“New @CitizensBank research shows: 2/3 adults under 34 have pursued an entrepreneurial venture, including nearly 1/4 doing work outside their primary job. #sidehustle #economy #worktrends ”

In addition to the extra money, they are doing mini jobs on the side to pursue careers where they need to learn more to go full-time, want to be creative, oir are simply afraid to leave the job they have. That’s a practice called “job hugging,” where you stay where you no longer want to be because of the practical difficulty of getting hired in a momentously difficult job market.

Read more in Take The Lead on finding your passion

This is becoming more common than ever.  MyPerfectResume’s new 2026 State of Secondary Income Report, shows that 72% “rely on at least one secondary source of income, up again from last year. What began as a stopgap during peak inflation has solidified into a routine part of working life. More than seven in 10 workers believe secondary income will become even more common in the year ahead.” Biz Journals reports.

“2026 Report @MyPerfectResume: 72% of workers “rely on at least one secondary source of income. 7 in 10 workers believe #secondaryincome will become even more common.#sidegig #worklife #income #jobtrends”

With the gender inequity of pay in full bloom, as both men and women participate in two or more jobs at once, women are paid less. So they do even more.

Read more in Take The Lead on gig economy

“Nearly two-thirds of women said their secondary income accounts for less than 10% of their total earnings, compared with just more than half of men. Men also are more likely to pursue higher-earning revenue streams such as freelance or gig contracting and investments, creating a wider gap in how lucrative those side efforts can become,” Biz Journals reports.

While that is predictable in a gender pay gap economy, many more women than men report their physical and mental health is impacted by working multiple jobs. “Only 23% of women describe their workload as very sustainable compared with about 35% of men,” Biz Journals reports.

In her 2018 book, The Ultimate Side Hustle Book: 450 Moneymaking Ideas for the Gig Economy,  author Elana Varon writes, “Everyone has saleable skills. Whatever your reason for starting a side hustle, setting goals will help you to choose the best work to fit your skills, your location and your time—and maximize your earnings.”

“Author @ElanaVaron writes in The Ultimate Side Hustle Book: “Whatever your reason for starting a #sidehustle, setting #goals will help you to choose the best work to fit your skills, your location and your time—and maximize your earnings.” #gigeconomy ”

Online platforms aimed at gig work can be helpful. Be realistic about the time you have on evenings, weekends, or days off to pursue the side gig, Varon writes. Build a schedule and take into account the demand for your work, if it is seasonal, or constant?

Read more in Take The Lead on entrpreneurship

Side hustles can range from dog walking, coaching clients, running workshops or webinars, editing book projects, tailoring, data research, delivery of food or products, ghost writing, and so much more. The Guardian reports that “57% of gen Z Americans have a side hustle, according to recent Harris Poll research, compared with 21% among boomers.”

It could be safer when considering a major career shift, to dabble part-time in the field you want to transition into, without risking losing your full-time income and benefits. And shrinking these side gigs into “micro-side hustles” can expose you to many different kinds of work, systems and communities.

Read more in Take The Lead on global freelancing

“There is no substitute for preparation. The more complex things are, the simpler you need to make them,”  says Gloria Feldt, co-founder and president of Take The Lead.

“There is no substitute for preparation. The more complex things are, the simpler you need to make them,”  says Gloria Feldt, co-founder and president @Takeleadwomen ”

“Many entrepreneurs start with micro-side hustles and gradually evolve into side stacking once they see what works,” according to Forbes. “A small paid newsletter becomes a speaking platform. Occasional consulting becomes a coaching practice. What begins as supplemental income can grow into a diversified professional ecosystem.”

“According to a recent study by Bankrate, nearly one in four Americans have a side hustle to earn extra income each month,” Upworthy reports.

In today’s job market, security doesn’t come from just one paycheck anymore. It comes from having income options like micro-side hustles. These multiple income streams buffer financial stress and burnout risk. Building small, reliable income streams is less about hustle culture and more about financial adaptability.

“These multiple #income streams buffer #financial stress and #burnout risk. Building small, reliable income streams is less about hustle culture and more about financial adaptability. #worktrends @takeleadwomen”

Read more in Take The Lead on job trends

Multiple side-gigs is called “side stacking, according to Forbes, and “micro-side hustles” are another new trend this year.

Entrepreneur magazine reports the good and bad news of side hustles for WOC. “While side hustles have had a powerful positive impact on Black women, they’ve also had their drawbacks. The median net worth of Black households increased by 60% between 2019 and 2022, and other promising trends were found in Latino, Asian and immigrant communities partially because of side hustles. Building wealth has become even more accessible for Black women than in previous decades. But with the toll taken on mental health and the stress of not acquiring the capital necessary to scale, not everyone has been able to thrive in their side hustle. The rise of Black woman-owned businesses is only increasing. However, the more we can pay Black women a fair wage in their pursuits, the better our economy and communities will be.”

“Median net worth of #Black households increased 60% 2019- 2022, and other promising trends were found in Latino, Asian and immigrant communities partially because of #sidehustles.” @Entrepreneur”

Whether you occasionally double or triple dip for your income or your entire life is a potpourri of small jobs, creating the best combination to fuel your creativity, income and satisfaction is key. Will they all pay off? Maybe. But do pursue what you enjoy the most that keeps your income at the best level you need to make the best of every day.