Service Businesses

Many freelancers in Side Hustle Nation eventually grow their business into an agency that no longer ties their time to their income. What that looks like in practice is often bringing in other team members to deliver the work.

The business ideas and case studies featured in these archives are generally a little “bigger” than a traditional freelance business, even if the actual work offered is the same.

What separates a service business from a freelance business is a matter of scale. No longer are your hours directly tied to your income, and you may not even be directly responsible for doing the work; that’s what your team is for.

Online Drop Servicing: Building a $10k/mo Niche Productized Service Agency

October 14, 2021

Where there’s pain, there might also be profit…

That was the case for today’s guest, Pete Mockaitis. Pete was seeing some traction with his podcast, the HowToBeAwesomeAtYourJob Podcast, but was struggling to keep up all the off-air tasks — the show notes, the editing, the social media.

For Pete Mockaitis, that pain turned into AwesomePros.co, a niche drop-servicing company that he co-founded with Brian Kearny and is now doing $10k a month in recurring revenue.

How to Start a Pressure Washing Business: $3000 a Month Part-Time

May 18, 2021May 13, 2021

Starting a pressure washing business may be a great seasonal side hustle opportunity.

These types of blue collar businesses tend to have low startup costs and you may already have the skills and equipment you need to get started.

How This Couple Started a 6-Figure Cleaning Business on the Side

October 18, 2021April 1, 2021

Anthony and Jhanilka Hartzog erased $114k of debt in 23 months.

The couple were making good money at their day jobs, but realized there’s only so much you can cut from your budget.

That’s when they turned to the income side of the equation and started a ton of different side hustles.

How to Start a Charcuterie Board Business: $100k in Sales in 9 Months

March 4, 2021

Last May, Monisha Misra reluctantly accepted her first customer. Nine months later, she’d eclipsed $100k in total sales — all on the side from her day job.

BoardsByMo.com is a charcuterie board prep company, and the early success and attention in that arena has spun off other revenue streams including virtual live charcuterie board building classes.

10 Reasons to Buy a Laundromat Business as Your Next Side Hustle

February 25, 2021

Are laundromats “the ultimate side hustle,” like my guest Jordan Berry described?

These simple, local, cash-flowing businesses have been around forever, but surprisingly this is the first time discussing them in detail on the show.

Built to Sell: Design a Business to Run Without You

October 18, 2021February 4, 2021

Service businesses can get a bad rap.

After all, there are still clients to deal with, there’s actual labor involved in fulfillment, they’re just not as glamorous as other more “passive” income models.

But you should know that more side hustle show guests started with a service-based business model than any other.

How to Start a Hot Tub Rental Business: Zero to $1000s per Month

October 19, 2021January 21, 2021

You’ve heard of Hot Tub Time Machine, but how does Hot Tub Cash Machine sound?

That’s effectively the business model this week’s guest Steve Nadramia of LIHotTubRentals.com has.

Steve is a high school history and economics teacher in New York, and a listener of the show.

How to Start a Trucking Company: $1000 a Week Passive Cash Flow?

December 31, 2020December 10, 2020

Ever thought about buying a semi truck and renting it out?

Yeah, me neither, until I came across Ericka.

Apparently there’s big money to be made in trucking, but like any other side hustle, there’s some strategy, risk, and nuance to the business.

27 Blue Collar Business Ideas: $20-100/hour Starting Today

June 4, 2021December 2, 2020

If you’ve been searching the Internet for different businesses to start, chances are you’ve found thousands of ways to make money online.

But there may be an equal or greater opportunity to make money right in your own hometown with a good old-fashioned “blue collar” business idea.

How to Start a Mobile Detailing Business: Zero to $6k a Month

May 13, 2021October 22, 2020

Josh Belk is a full-time college student, he works full-time in web design, and in what little spare time, he’s started a $6,000 a month mobile detailing business with his younger brother.

This idea came about when Josh connected the dots between obsession and opportunity.

On the obsession side, Josh would always see his brother out in the driveway cleaning his car.

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