Have you ever considered starting a side hustle as a safety net? The South African employment market is tough, and even if you have a job, you might need extra income to build the future you want and enjoy a comfortable retirement. Many businesses are also facing an uncertain future in a volatile global economy, so a side-hustle could be a lifeline.

While you’re employed, it will give you another income stream to help you maintain your lifestyle and build your wealth. If disaster strikes and you suddenly find yourself without a job, side-hustle income can help tide you over until you’re employed again. If you’ve developed a solid foundation and a broad customer base, retrenchment might even give you the opportunity to turn your side-hustle into a full-time business.

6 side hustles that require little or no money to start

Fortunately, there are several side hustles that need little or no start-up capital. You may have to put in more personal effort – entrepreneurs call it ‘sweat equity’ – but if you start a side hustle that relies on sales to provide your funding, you can establish a core business and open a business bank account. Once your operations and turnover are running smoothly, you might consider expanding with a business loan.

Here’s a list of some side hustles in which success depends more on your hard work and expertise than your ability to borrow money.

1. Dog walking and pet sitting

If you’re an animal lover and you have a bit of spare time on your hands (especially if you work from home), you could start a business offering pet sitting and dog walking. You’ll take dogs out for their daily exercise and look after all the pets in a home when their owners are away.

All you’ll need is time, patience, a love for animals, and a way to advertise your services to potential clients in your neighbourhood (social media and messaging chat groups can be very helpful). You can spend your free time at your local dog park, getting in some steps, taking in the fresh air, and making some extra cash.

2. Deliveries

Many delivery services now employ part-time or full-time drivers. All you need is your own vehicle and a cellphone, and you can start making extra cash by picking up and delivering items. It's also a great way to explore your surroundings and spend the day out of the house. Plus, you can set your own schedule and work as much or as little as you want, so it’s a flexible option that can fit into your other commitments.

3. Monetising your social media

If you have a large social media following, you could consider monetising your account by advertising for different brands. Micro-influencers are on the rise, and many have even quit their full-time jobs to pursue full-time influencing.

The trick here is to figure out who your market is and to advertise only for brands that you truly believe in – followers will quickly lose trust in your recommendations if you endorse any product that comes your way just because you’re getting paid to. You must find the balance between advertising something you truly enjoy using, and selling your support to the highest bidder.

4. Tutoring

Is there a subject or skill that you excel at, that you're ready to share with someone else? Tutoring – whether it’s face-to-face or online – can be a rewarding side hustle. You’re not only uplifting someone else, but you’re also helping yourself grow. You never know whether you’ve mastered your specialist subject until you have to teach it to someone else, and tutoring can lead you towards a fuller understanding and reveal insights that you never had before.

There’s a huge range of topics that people want to learn about. Depending on your skills, you can tutor subjects like English or maths, or teach anything from playing a musical instrument, DIY and home decor, sewing and clothes-making, to specialised health and fitness disciplines like yoga, Pilates, calisthenics, or Tai Chi.

5. Taxi services

If you have a car, you can register to drive for e-hailing companies – or better yet, start your own personal driving service. Many people are hesitant to jump into a car with a total stranger, so ask your friends and family to refer you to their networks if they know anyone who regularly needs a personal driver.

You could even offer personalised services like airport pickups or grocery runs to attract more clients. Build a reputation for reliability and safety to help grow your business. It’s a good idea to invest in a dashcam – they're affordable and will help keep you safer.

6. Start an online thrift store

You do need a bit of money to start this side hustle – but only to buy stock, which you should be able to get at rock-bottom prices. You can then sell it for a decent profit through your online store, on social media, or from a stall at local markets. If you have a good eye for finding quality used items, explore your local charity shops to find vintage or classic goods that you think others would love. If you're lucky, you may find designer pieces that can bring in good money.

You can even start at home – go through your cupboards and ask friends and family if they have any unwanted goods that you could sell. You might get a few start-up items for free. With a little DIY, you can restore old clothes, furniture, accessories, and home decor so that they fetch a better price. It’s a sustainable way to reuse and recycle, while earning extra income.

If you have a good idea for starting a business backed by a strong business case, you can apply for a business loan. We can also suggest some ways to strengthen your business loan application.

If you want to know more about turning your side hustle into a thriving business, speak to a member of the Nedbank Small Business Services Team.