Side Hustle | Fatherhood Factor

It’s now more common than ever to be a stay-at-home dad. In the last 25 years, the number of American fathers caring for children full-time has nearly doubled. For these brave and loving men, a side job or part-time project goes a long way in enhancing self-esteem, bolstering family finances and relieving stress. Whether you’re a motivated father looking to start a side hustle or a mom who wants to help her partner feel more inspired and industrious, our list of flexible, unique and rewarding business ideas is sure to pique some interest.

1. Woodworking

One of a kind wooden gifts are popular online and can even be sold to local brick-and-mortar stores. Guys with a knack for woodworking can easily turn their talent into a side job. If you have the materials and equipment, brainstorm a few items that are simple to make, carry and ship.

Fancy pens, commemorative plaques, and mustache combs are just a few of the many goods bought and sold all over the Internet. Save time upfront by creating a digital boutique on one of the most popular curated product sites. You can always design your own website later.

To make it work with your full-time dad schedule, fashion your pieces while your baby or toddler naps. Visit the post office for shipments when your little one is content and well-fed. Consider freeing your hands by holding them in a carrier. If you need a few days’ lead time, make this clear in your shop’s terms and conditions. It’ll also help to keep product quantities updated.

2. 3D Printing

Thanks to recent developments in additive manufacturing technology and equipment, 3D printers are more affordable than ever. Best of all, you don’t have to be an engineer or machinist to make your own sellable items. All it takes to start 3D printing is a home machine, project blueprints, and materials.

You may need to invest a few hours upfront to learn how to operate your printer. Once you master the basics and decide what you want to print, you can create a few prototypes and set up your online store. Use the same selling premise for woodworking so you can still prioritize your responsibilities as a stay-at-home dad. In no time, you can make a profit on everything from toys and figurines to kitchen essentials and office supplies.

3. Screen Printing

Artistic dads with an imagination and sense of humor will enjoy screen printing. With the help of a printer machine, it’s easy to learn how to put text and graphic designs on clothing. Once you purchase the tool and ink colors of your choice, you’ll be on your way to developing a fairly lucrative side business. In little time, you can create everything from stylish bodysuits for baby to funny dad shirts.

Some entrepreneurs find it helpful to establish a theme for their clothing company, which allows them to focus their graphic ideas and better capture online customers. Consider founding a shop selling infant and toddler clothing with hilarious catchphrases, or market cheeky, matching father and child sets. Know that you’ll need a closet or garage for inventory, like blank garments and boxes of ink. Besides the space requirement, this side job idea is quiet, straightforward and undoubtedly amusing.

4. Industry Consulting

Dads who had a career or area of expertise before having kids should consider online consulting. This field is now more popular than ever, thanks to the digital boom and rise of American entrepreneurship. Nearly every CEO and small business needs some kind of guidance to set their business apart from the competition or make their services better. Consultants use their unique background and knowledge to supply businesspeople with advice and planning on an hourly rate basis.

Depending on experience, stay-at-home fathers can make hundreds of dollars per hour teaching other people skills such as how to create a marketing plan, how to make engineering processes more lean and cost-effective or what type of legal considerations are necessary for a company’s success. Whether you’re a former teacher, chef or lawyer, think about what you know and how you can share it with others. You can advertise your services on search engines and through social media, or find a remote-based, part-time role. As you decide on the right format, make sure you control your schedule. Being able to set your own rates and hours allows you to make good money while putting baby first.

5. Blogging

Parents across the globe are interested in the stay-at-home dad movement. They want to know how fathers structure their days with their kids, what the experience is like and how they find time for themselves. Sharing your thoughts, tips and photos on your very own blog is an excellent way to chronicle your lifestyle and make some extra cash. The key is learning how to monetize the information you put on the Internet.

To be a successful blogger, you’ll need to purchase your own unique web address. You’ll also need to build a blog. Luckily, these tasks are both affordable and intuitive. Website building tools allow you to make an attractive online hub in minutes—and most tools also allow you to get Internet-registered at the same time.

This idea is best for dads who can invest time and energy into their project before making any money. It’s possible to spend several months writing and marketing your blog before you are in a position to turn a profit. Most bloggers bring in money by selling advertising space, which isn’t an option until you have a strong following. Despite the front end work, it’s one of the most fun and flexible side businesses around!

6. Driving

Ride sharing and delivery services have created plenty of part-time driving jobs. Since most companies allow you to work whenever you want, it’s easy to scale up when the kids have activities and take a break when it’s impossible to get out. This business idea requires a well-maintained car big enough for transporting a few passengers. A family car such as an SUV allows you to make even more money by accommodating more riders.

Unlike some of the other side jobs above, you’ll need a sitter for the children. Try driving on the weekends or in the evening when the demand is high. This way, you can reap the highest profits while sharing your at-home responsibilities with your partner or a trusted friend.

7. Metalworking

Perhaps the most niche idea on the list, metalwork is not for the inexperienced—or faint of heart. However, making and selling specialty goods such as knives, re-creations of historic weapons or custom jewelry allows you to make up to hundreds of dollars on a single project.

At a minimum, you’ll need a private workspace, a forge and metal materials. If you don’t already know the craft, you’ll also need a significant amount of lead time to get started. Metalworking is a potentially lifelong hobby, but it’s also dangerous. If you choose this idea, only work on your projects when your little ones are napping or out of the house.

Being a Successful Entrepreneur and Dad

Thanks to today’s digital workplace and entrepreneur economy, making extra money while being a stay-at-home dad is easier than ever. By taking some time while your baby or toddler naps to decide what business idea will work best, you can begin planning a schedule that benefits your family. Besides, a lucrative side hobby also allows you to be creative and have some time for yourself. As you embark on this new journey, remember that there’s nothing better for your children than to see their father happy, inspired and ready to take on the day!

Do you have a couple of hours to spare every day that you’re wasting sitting around doing nothing? Are you always struggling to make ends meet and would love some extra cash to buy and do the things you love? You don’t have to resort to Walter White’s tactics in Breaking Bad. There are ways to earn money without investing thousands of dollars and four years to get a college degree. Here are 5 ways to make a quick buck without breaking the law.

Drive

Uber is a ride-sharing app with a whopping 40 million riders every month in more than 500 cities around the world. Uber pays its drivers an average of $1.5-2 billion a month after taking its cut. So, there’s obviously money to be made. All you need is a smartphone, a four-door passenger vehicle that has passed state inspections, proof of insurance, and a clean driving record. You’ll also have to pass a criminal background check. Remember though, if you’re in a crash, Uber drivers are not protected by workers’ compensation laws.

Write

If you love to write and have a way with words, the Kindle store on Amazon allows you to self-publish e-books. All you need are your fingers, a computer, and the Internet. Share your message with the world and make money in the bargain. For e-books priced $9.99 and under you’ll earn 70 percent of the sale. Now all you have to do is address a common problem, bundle information together, and present it in an easy-to-understand format. If you get good reviews from your first few readers, your e-book will rank higher in results and you’ll have a source of passive income for many years.

Sell

You’ll be surprised how much stuff you have lying around the house that you don’t need or use. That old iPhone 5 could be worth a hundred bucks. Bought a guitar and never got around to learning? Clothes collecting dust in your closet? Turn them into cash by selling online. Books, toys, furniture, sporting gear, antiques – they are all hidden sources of income in your home.

Act

Have you always harbored a secret desire to see yourself on screen? Sign up to become an extra on TV shows and movies. The good news is you don’t have to look like a supermodel or be Hollywood thin or even have any acting experience. Extras come in all shapes and sizes. It’s important, however, to sign up with a professional casting agency and not get taken for a ride by some fly-by-night operator. What do movie set extras earn? A free lunch and up to $12.50 an hour.

Make

The trick is to leverage your hobbies into a source of income. Love horses? Become a horse exerciser at the local stables. Love crafts or woodwork? Start selling what you make online. Love food and know how to cook it? Offer cooking classes in your neighborhood. Play the guitar? Offer to teach for a fee. Rather than spending time worrying about money, be proactive and pick up whatever odd jobs you can. If you don’t have any special skills, babysitting and dog walking are easy money – you get to sit around watching TV or get your daily dose of exercise.

7 Business Ideas for Stay-at-Home Dads