The best side hustles for women are selling on Amazon, opening an online store, tutoring and teaching. Here’s what you need to get started.
The 9-to-5 grind isn’t the norm anymore. According to a recent Bankrate survey, almost 40% of adults have a side-hustle, or a job in addition to their full-time gig. That number grows the younger you are: 53% of Gen Zers and 50% of Millennials report having a side-hustle.
On average, a side-hustle can bring in an additional $810 per month. Most respondents say they need the extra income to make ends meet. Side hustles for women range from bookkeeping and freelancing to tutoring and coaching. Explore these side hustles to find which one works best for you. Be open to change and learning new things, as not all side hustles are right for everyone.
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Five awesome side hustles for women
1. Amazon seller
Amazon sellers have access to popular products and resell them on Amazon. If you have your own unique products, you can sell those through an Amazon storefront. Sometimes you can do both reselling and traditional selling. Products can be all over the map — from jewelry and electronics to games, tools, and more.
The money
Most sellers earn at least $1,000 a month and upwards of $25,000, depending on products sold and how much you can put into it.
Pros
- Easy to set up.
- Can sell nearly anything; not limited to a specific industry or product.
- Work as much or as little as you want.
- Can quickly make sales because of Amazon’s massive global reach.
Cons
- Lots of fees (for the individual plan, $0.99 from every item is paid back) plus referral fees, fulfillment fees, and other costs.
- Can be time-consuming and a lot of work early on.
- Face increased returns and product preparation requirements.
2. Open an online store
If Amazon is too cumbersome or you want to explore other options, you can open an online store through Etsy, eBay, or on your own site through Shopify or another e-commerce platform.
The money
How much you earn depends on the type of business you set up, the products you sell, and other factors. In general, many online sellers earn more than $6,000 a month, on average.
Pros
- Less overhead compared to having a physical store.
- Access to potential shoppers from all over, not just near you.
- Easy to manage and scale.
Cons
- Your costs are more than your product, since you’re on the hook for shipping and fulfillment as well as making sure your site is functional and operational.
- Have to pay for storage wherever your goods are kept, even if you don’t have a storefront.
- Security and fraud are a major factor, which could incur additional costs.
3. Tutoring or teaching
Whether you’ve been a teacher before or you’re just knowledgeable about a certain subject, you can share that with others through teaching or tutoring, both online and in-person.
The money
Pay varies widely based on subject matter, if you’re using an agency or marketplace to get clients, and how much you work. The average pay for online tutors is around $20 an hour.
Pros
- Set your own hours, workload, and parameters.
- Pay can increase as you boost hours or workload or if you get extra certifications and degrees.
- Lots of flexibility to do around a full-time job.
Cons
- Can face technical issues, which can hurt the learning process.
- Online learning environment isn’t for everyone and you might need to adjust your curriculum.
4. Mobile notary
A mobile notary is someone who travels to perform notary work, rather than having people come to you to get something notarized. They follow the same rules, regulations, and services as traditional notaries.
The money
At a part-time mobile notary, you can easily earn at least $1,000 a month.
Pros
- Minimal startup and overhead costs.
- Flexible hours that work around your current schedule.
- You get to help people, especially during off-hours and weekends.
Cons
- Increased car maintenance and gas costs.
- Could face getting sued if you make mistakes or missteps.
- Additional costs for marketing services and gaining clients.
5. Virtual assistant
A virtual assistant is an assistant who works remotely for someone else doing administrative tasks and services.
The money
Pay varies a lot based on the industry or niche you specialize in, how many hours you work, and the work you’ll be doing. Most virtual assistants earn an average of $17 an hour.
Pros
- Minimal costs to get started working from home, usually a computer, phone, and reliable internet.
- Can work for many people or companies at once.
- Can scale business to grow from side-hustle to full-time business owner.
Cons
- Learning curve with each new client you take on.
- Might need to market yourself more than normal to get clients.
Other side hustles for women
You don’t have to stick to the ones listed above. Here are a few more:
- Delivery service (Uber, DoorDash, Postmates, and more)
- Bookkeeping
- Proofreading
- Freelancing
- Flip houses
- Mystery shopper
- Transcriptionist
- Sell classes or courses
- Sell a service (makeup, hair, nails, laundry, cleaning)
This list isn’t exhaustive and what works for someone else might not work for you.
Read more: 8 Work From Home Side Hustles You Can Start Right Now
The bottom line
Finding a side hustle that’s a good fit around your schedule and meets your needs might take some trial and error. Don’t be afraid to try a few different side-hustles to find one that works for you.
READ MORE:
- 8 Work-From-Home Side Hustles You Can Start Right Now
- Do A Full-Time Job And A Side-Hustle Work For You?
- What To Know About Paying Taxes On Side-Hustle Income
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