In today’s fast-paced world, juggling a full-time job, personal life, and side hustles has become the norm. A recent article in Direct Sales News discussed the rise of side hustles and people’s preferences in different countries, highlighting e-commerce as the top choice for the UK. However, I thought the article didn’t explore our market in detail, focusing instead on the modern North American hustler.
Intrigued, I did some digging to find recent UK stats. I discovered a comprehensive national survey commissioned by Finder and conducted by Censuswide, which offered a wider spectrum of analysis than the biased direct sales viewpoint. Their fact-checked analysis revealed some fascinating insights:
- In 2024, nearly half of Brits (43%) rely on a side hustle to supplement their income.
- There’s a gender divide, with 49% of men and 37% of women involved in these additional income-generating activities.
These statistics underscore a clear message: convenience is key in the world of side hustles.
Ecommerce: The Flexible Solution
Selling products via ecommerce platforms offers the flexibility and ease that traditional side gigs simply can’t match. Whether it’s selling handmade crafts, vintage clothing, tech gadgets, or organic supplements, ecommerce allows individuals to manage their side business around their primary job and life commitments.
The appeal of ecommerce is clear:
- Location independence: It can be managed from the comfort of one’s home, often outside of regular working hours.
- Flexibility: Unlike gig economy jobs such as driving for Uber or delivering food, ecommerce doesn’t require specific hours or locations.
- Accessibility: Many ecommerce businesses can be run from a smartphone.
- Higher earning potential: While the average income from gig economy side hustles is around £207 per week, leveraged ecommerce offers greater financial rewards.
The Motivation Behind Side Hustles
Despite the potential for burnout and stress, which causes some workers to leave their side gigs, the allure of making extra cash during the cost of living crisis continues to drive people to seek new opportunities. In the UK, the promise of additional earnings is a powerful motivator, with side hustlers citing extra income as their primary reason for starting their endeavours.
Personal Experience in Ecommerce
Over the past couple of decades, I’ve explored various ecommerce models:
- eBay and Etsy selling
- Amazon’s FBA program
- Affiliate marketing (both high-ticket courses and low-ticket marketing tools)
- MLM recruitment and product-focused direct sales
My current portfolio includes affiliate marketing products (both digital and physical) and direct sales with a hybrid franchised model. While each of these approaches can generate significant income, especially when scaling affiliate businesses with paid ads, I find the addition of leveraged income to be the most attractive aspect of my current business model.
Conclusion
E-commerce isn’t just a trend—it’s a lifeline for those seeking to balance their dreams with their daily realities. It offers the convenience to fit around busy lives and the potential for significant earnings, especially with franchised hybrid business models that bring leverage to the table.
If you’re interested in exploring a similar path, the company I’m aligned with might be a good fit for you. Feel free to reach out through my self-serve contact form, and let’s connect to see if it’s the right opportunity for you.
