💼 How to Start a Side Hustle

Without Losing Your Mind (or Your Manicure)

By: Kali Kay 

from the pages of the — Dirty30Diaries

Let’s Dig In…

Let’s be real:

The cost of living in a metropolitan area is basically a full-time job in itself. Rent? Astronomical. Coffee? $10 for oat milk and a whisper of espresso. And don’t even get me started on the “optional” Hot Yoga membership that somehow feels like a moral obligation. So what’s a working woman to do when her 9-to-5 barely covers her 5-to-9 lifestyle?

Enter: the side hustle.

Whether you’re trying to pay off student loans, save for a solo trip to Bali, or just want to stop crying every time your credit card statement arrives, starting a side hustle is the glow-up your bank account deserves. But before you dive headfirst into Etsy shops and affiliate links, let’s talk strategy—because you’re not just any woman. You’re a smart, sassy, city-dwelling powerhouse, and you deserve a hustle that works as hard as you do.

💅 Step 1: Know Your Why (and Make It Juicy)

Before you start selling homemade candles or offering virtual assistant services to tech bros named Brad or Chad, ask yourself: Why am I doing this?

• Is it financial freedom?

• Is it creative expression?

• Is it revenge on your ex who said you “lacked ambition”?

  
  

Whatever it is, make it personal. Your “why” is what keeps you going when your Wi-Fi crashes mid-client call or your first product review is from someone named “Karen” who thinks your lip balm smells like sadness.

Pro Tip: Write your “why” on a sticky note and slap it on your mirror. Motivation looks better in lipstick.

🧠 Step 2: Inventory Your Skills (Yes, Even the Weird Ones)

You don’t need an MBA or a ring light to start a side hustle. You just need to know what you’re good at—and trust me, you’re good at more than you think.

Ask yourself:

• What do people always ask me for help with?

• What do I do better than my coworkers (without even trying)?

• What weird skill do I have that could be monetized?

  
  

Examples:

• You organize your closet like it’s a museum exhibit? Offer virtual decluttering sessions.

• You write emails that make people laugh and click? Hello, freelance copywriting.

• You can make a killer spreadsheet and color-code it like a rainbow? Virtual assistant life is calling.

  
  

Dirty Truth: If you’ve ever planned a bachelorette party with 12 women, 3 dietary restrictions, and one passive-aggressive bridesmaid—you already have project management skills.

💻 Step 3: Choose Your Hustle (Swipe Right on the Right One)

Not all side hustles are created equal. Some are sexy on paper but toxic in practice (looking at you, MLMs). Others are low-key but high-reward. Here’s a breakdown:

Hustle Type	Pros	Cons
Freelancing	Flexible, skill-based, scalable	Requires self-promotion
E-commerce	Creative, passive income potential	Inventory, shipping, customer drama
Digital Products	No inventory, scalable	Takes time to build audience
Service-Based	High demand, personal connection	Time-intensive, location-based
Content Creation	Fun, expressive, brand-building	Slow monetization, algorithm drama

Sassy Tip: If it feels like a bad Tinder date—confusing, draining, and full of empty promises—it’s not the right hustle.

🛠️ Step 4: Build Your Toolkit (Without Breaking the Bank)

You don’t need a $2,000 laptop and a neon-lit home office to start. You need:

• A reliable device (laptop, tablet, or phone)

• A free website or portfolio (Wix, Canva, or even a spicy LinkedIn)

• A payment method (Venmo, PayPal, Zelle—whatever makes you feel rich)

• A scheduling tool (Google Calendar or Notion, because chaos isn’t cute)

  
  

Bonus Tools for Boss Babes:

• Canva: For making everything look like you hired a designer

• Grammarly: Because typos are so 2009

• Trello or Asana: For organizing your empire like a queen

🧾 Step 5: Set Your Rates (And Don’t Apologize for Them)

Here’s the tea: undercharging is a form of self-sabotage. You are not a clearance rack. You are a luxury item.

When setting your rates:

• Research what others in your niche charge

• Factor in your time, expertise, and sass tax

• Don’t be afraid to say, “My rate is $X”—and then shut up

  
  

Dirty30Diaries Rule: If you wouldn’t accept that rate from a man who wears flip-flops to meetings, don’t accept it from anyone.

📣 Step 6: Market Yourself Like Beyoncé (But on a Budget)

You don’t need a PR team—you need confidence and consistency.

Ways to market your hustle:

• Post on social media (Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn—pick your poison)

• Join local Facebook groups or community boards

• Ask friends to share your services (bribery via coffee works)

• Create content that shows your personality and value

  
  

Smart Tip: People buy from people they like. Be likable. Be helpful. Be you—but louder.

🧘‍♀️ Step 7: Balance Hustle and Sanity (Because Burnout Isn’t Chic)

You’re building a business, not a breakdown. Schedule rest like you schedule meetings.

• Set boundaries (no client calls after wine o’clock)

• Take breaks (stretch, scream into a pillow, hydrate)

• Celebrate wins (even the tiny ones—like sending your first invoice)

  
  

Sassy Reminder: You can be ambitious and still binge-watch reality TV. Duality is powerful.

💳 Step 8: Track Your Money (So You Don’t Accidentally Commit Tax Fraud)

Money in = exciting. Money out = necessary. Taxes = terrifying but manageable.

Use tools like:

• QuickBooks Self-Employed

• Wave Accounting

• A spreadsheet with more tabs than your browser

  
  

Track:

• Income

• Expenses

• Mileage (if you travel for work)

• Receipts (yes, even the $3 coffee you bought for a client meeting)

  
  

Dirty Tip: Open a separate bank account for your hustle. It makes you feel legit and keeps your Sephora purchases out of your business expenses.

💬 Final Thoughts: You’ve Got This, Babe

Starting a side hustle isn’t just about money—it’s about power. It’s about reclaiming your time, your talents, and your future. It’s about proving to yourself (and maybe your ex) that you’re capable of building something amazing.

So go ahead—launch that Etsy shop, pitch that client, post that TikTok. You’re not just hustling. You’re thriving.

And if anyone doubts you? Just smile, sip your dirty soda, and say, “Watch me.”

Stay dirty, stay driven, and stay fabulous. 

— Until Next Time, Kali Kay

Follow more: @Dirty30Diaries