A 27-year-old woman has revealed how she turned her lockdown hobby into a successful side hustle, making £21k within just two years of starting.
Searches for “side hustle ideas” across the world reached an all-time high in January 2023, while in the UK, searches have increased by 130% since last year (Source: Google Trends). Clearly, Brits are looking for inspiration on how to make a bit of extra cash.
It can be challenging to know where to begin if you want to start a side hustle. Many of us started a new hobby during lockdown; those crafty skills you perfected in the pandemic could now make you some extra money.
To inspire those looking to earn some extra income, CashLady.com have partnered with Elizabeth Norman, aged 27 from York, who turned a lockdown hobby into a successful side hustle.
“I turned my lockdown hobby into a side hustle and have made £21,000 in the first two years. I never expected to make so much so quickly, and it’s been a massive help in paying for the cost of my wedding this October. Plus, I’ve learnt so many great skills as a result which has allowed me to create my own ‘Save the Date’ and place name cards, which has saved us hundreds!”
Elizabeth is the founder of Sea & Bee, a small business making and selling handmade, natural bath bombs and eco-friendly cosmetics. She has shared her story to inspire others, with tips for anyone looking to start up their own side hustle.
How did your side hustle begin?
“Shortly after Christmas, two years ago, I was suffering from the January blues. It was during the pandemic so there was very little to do, and I found myself getting obsessed with baths. I was using a lot of bath products, and, after a quick Google, I realised that I could make some myself or at least give it a good go. After all, we were in lockdown, and I needed a weekend activity.
“After I realised how quickly and easily I could make the products, I created an Etsy page. ‘Etsy girls’ (a term I find complimentary as 83% of sellers are female) ensure that the end product looks and, in my case, smells amazing to the recipient. I wanted to be a part of that community.
“I initially uploaded a couple of affordable letterbox gifts starting from £6 and I remember calling my Grandma in the first few weeks when I had more than one order in a day!”
How did you go about setting the business up?
“After just a few months, I had taken over a bedroom in our house, installed shelving units and organised a packing and production space. This was perfect to begin with, as we didn’t expect to get busy quickly, but once we started getting a higher volume of orders, space was a problem. We then spent around £4,000 creating a space in the garage which was purpose-built for our needs.
“I can make 200 bath bombs in an hour (more if I’m feeling energetic!). I ensure we have stock ready-made as we often get wholesale orders we have to keep on top of. My partner helps out, but we both work full-time and are apprentice learners, so ensuring bath bombs are ready-made guarantees quick dispatch.”
How is the side hustle going today?
“Since starting the business in January 2021, we have made £21,000, which is crazy to think about! Now we have a website, our following on social media is growing, and we have even received an order of 400 bath bombs from one customer!
“December and January were quieter than we’d have hoped, as a lot of small businesses found, but February was a great month for us. We were up 12% on revenue compared to last year, and it certainly feels like the hard work is paying off.
“My fiancée (who helps out with the business) and I are both working full-time and undertaking apprenticeships, so it can be hard to put as much time into the business as we’d like. We know that if we put more time into Sea & Bee, we would naturally generate more revenue, but I remind myself that this is a side hustle, and I’ve earnt more than I could have hoped for when I first set up my Etsy store!”
What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced?
“The postal strikes in December, and this Christmas in general, were the biggest challenges I have faced. I had just invested heavily in upgrading our production and packing space; whilst this was necessary, I really banked on having a busy Christmas but sadly this was not the case this year. Orders and revenue tanked, big time. We had some really cold weather so people are rightly focused on how much gas and electricity are costing, meaning most people could no longer afford to ‘shop small’.
“It did feel demoralising after such an amazing first year, but everyone is dealing with the cost of living crisis, and it wasn’t just my business which was impacted. Even though it wasn’t what I hoped, I used the time to focus on what I wanted to achieve in 2023: new product ideas, objectives, and vision.”
What advice do you have for others looking to set up a side hustle?
“If you want to set up a side hustle, be mindful of the return on investment (ROI). Try to choose an idea that you don’t have to invest a lot of money in to get it up and running – if you have goods or a skill that can be used, this is a fantastic place to start because there is no initial investment needed.
“Don’t forget to budget for your time; ensure this is factored into your price and if you are using your own equipment, such as gardening tools, factor in the cost of depreciation. Finally, go for it! The only thing standing in your way is yourself and the sooner you start, the sooner you could be earning money!”
Commenting on Elizabeth’s story, personal finance expert at CashLady.com, Dan Whittaker, said:
“Elizabeth’s story is a great testament to the fact that if you’re looking to earn some extra cash, a side hustle is a fantastic way to do so. Not only is it a great way to make money from skills and hobbies that you already have, but in most cases, you can do it from the comfort of your own home, and can commit as much or little time as you want.”
CashLady.com has partnered with Elizabeth to inspire and advise Brits looking to earn some extra money through a side hustle during the cost of living crisis.
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