2025 is the year of the side hustle

In the United States, a new scenario seems to be emerging within the labor market, which, according to forecasts, will carve out an increasingly larger space: the side-hustle. This practice involves supplementing one's main job with secondary activities to increase earnings. Engaging in boosting income and improving personal well-being appears to be one of this year’s main entrepreneurial trends, at least according to the report from Intuit QuickBooks, Entrepreneurship in 2025. Given these data, it is therefore not surprising to see, for example, a Taco Bell manager taking extra shifts at KFC. One of the main reasons driving people to seek additional employment is the sharp increase in prices in recent years, which has led many employees to face financial difficulties. Side-hustles prove to be a valuable resource, helping those in need of additional income sources to make ends meet. The workday extends well beyond the standard eight hours: some work up to 12 hours a day or more. Maintaining such a pace can be a challenge for many, but it is not solely a struggle. In some cases, a side-hustle can become an unexpected opportunity, one that changes lives: hobbies pursued occasionally, such as selling knitted items, can turn into real businesses if they achieve the right level of consumer success. In this case, it is no longer a side activity or a hobby but a full-fledged job that could even replace the primary occupation.

In Entrepreneurship in 2025, despite many respondents stating they were “fairly satisfied” with their job situation, 61% of consumers said that earning more money would increase their satisfaction. The primary goal is to grow their wealth through secondary or side activities, with some entrepreneurial-minded individuals expressing intentions to start new businesses in 2025. However, despite these ambitions, few seem willing to give up their employee status, as they are not ready to sacrifice the stability that a regular income provides.

A secure income, healthcare benefits, and pension security appear to be fundamental concerns for consumers, making additional activities at most a surplus. However, the current American job market seems to offer employees a wide range of opportunities, which is also why the percentage of workers with multiple jobs continues to grow. «It’s a pro-cyclical dynamic: the number of people with multiple jobs increases during periods of economic growth» said Dean Baker, senior economist at the Center for Economic and Policy Research, in the Washington Post. Another favorable situation is the rise of remote work: smart working provides greater flexibility, allowing people to better manage their time and engage in multiple activities. Additionally, gig economy apps, such as Uber, enable people to take on additional work easily through on-demand job opportunities. In this context, many pursue a second job to follow their passions, whether selling artworks or engaging in babysitting.

Turning to side-hustles can provide many consumers with greater financial stability, but one must also consider the other side of the coin. Factors such as high inflation and the cost of living quickly erode household incomes, making it increasingly difficult to live on a single salary. These challenges often force employees to accept extra work but at the expense of their physical and mental health, as reported by some interviewees in the report. Overloaded with responsibilities, one respondent stated that they sleep only four hours a night, while another mentioned rarely seeing their children. In this perspective, it is no surprise that workers with multiple jobs are often the most vulnerable, such as women, who frequently have to balance childcare with two jobs, and ethnic minorities. However, economic constraints also affect entrepreneurs, who seek alternative solutions such as finding new suppliers for products and materials, raising product and service prices, and diversifying their income sources. Nevertheless, in Entrepreneurship in 2025, 72% plan to invest or expand their business, with particular attention to the e-commerce and online sales sector. In short, side-hustles are becoming increasingly prevalent during these times of uncertainty, raising the question of how much more space they will take in the American labor market.