Why Most Side Hustles Fail (and What to Do Instead)

The WFH team
Jun 11
4 min read

Updated: Jun 16

Most people who start a side hustle are full of excitement for the first few weeks. They design a logo, maybe open an Etsy shop, maybe even post about it once or twice on Instagram. And then… silence. Life takes over, energy runs out, and the dream quietly fades.

Side hustles are not as easy as most make them to be. They take a decent amount of effort and consistency.

According to a 2023 report by Bankrate, only 1 in 3 side hustlers earn more than $500/month.

25% of side hustlers give up in the first 90 days.
The vast majority (nearly 60%) report feeling burnt out from juggling their 9–5, family, and side hustle goals.

So Why Do Most Side Hustles Fail?

1. People Don’t Commit to One Idea

Most side hustlers hop from one thing to the next, chasing trends. Etsy store today, faceless Instagram account tomorrow, AI prompts the day after,, digital planner next week. It feels productive, but it creates chaos. Being busy does not equate success. Real momentum only comes when you commit to one path and stick with it long enough to see results.

2. They’re Not Consistent

Posting once, creating a product once, showing up once—isn’t enough. The creators who succeed are the ones who show up even when they feel invisible. They have a posting schedule and the stick to it. They are consistent. Consistency builds trust. Trust builds an audience that will willingly buy from you.

3. They Burn Out Trying to Do Too Much

Between a 9–5, kids, laundry, and mental overload, there’s only so much time. So when side hustlers are trying to blog, post daily, design products, run ads, and email their list all at once, they burn out. It’s just not sustainable. Can you relate?

4. They Build a Side Hustle That Feels Like Another Job

If your side hustle exhausts you more than it excites you, it won’t last. Most people quickly forget the reason for the hustle is to gain financial freedom. The side hustle now gets so busy it takes over their life and no longer feels worth it, especially at the beginning stages when there is no return on investment.

So What Actually Works: What side hustles are sustainable?

If you want your side hustle to work long term, you don’t need more hustle. You need a simple system that keeps going even when life gets messy.

Here’s what that looks like:

1. Commit to One Product, One Platform, One Problem

Stop trying to build an empire overnight. Stop trying to speak to everyone. Instead:

Choose 1 digital product you can make quickly (think: planner, checklist, guide) or a service you can offer to solve a problem
Sell it through 1 platform like Etsy, FIiverr, Gumroad, or Stan Store
Nail exactly who your target audience is, busy moms, working class women, students, new moms etc, and speak to only this target audience. Because when you try to speak to everyone, no one will listen.

2. Launch Simply, Then Keep Showing Up

Most people launch once… then disappear. Big mistake.

Instead:

Post about your product almost every day

Use UGC (user-generated content) whenever you can. If you don't have customer videos yet, show yourself using your own planner, chart, or template. Stock photos are nice, but your audience connects with reality.

3. Stay Consistent, Not Complicated

You don’t need 20 new ideas a week. Just 3 things:

A weekly post that teaches something helpful
A demo of how your product works or is used
A relatable story

Let your message marinate. People need to see it over and over before they buy.

4. Build On Your Initial Offer (Don’t Start from Scratch Again)

Once your first product or service is live and you’re consistently showing up,the next step isn’t to start from scratch again, it’s to expand from what’s already working.

Think of your first offer—whether it’s a digital product or a simple service—as the foundation. From there, create a mini ecosystem of related offers that solve the next small problem for the same audience. This keeps your energy focused, your customers happy, and your growth sustainable.

If your first product is a meal planner for busy moms, build on it with:

A matching grocery list printable
A dinner routine checklist
A content bundle with 10 easy meal ideas

If your first service is setting up Instagram pages for mompreneurs, you could offer:

A ready-to-use caption bank
A mini Canva template pack for Reels
A monthly “refresh session” to update bios and link trees

Or maybe you sell a budget tracker for students—follow up with:

A digital savings challenge
A low-cost printable bundle for school organization
A freelance pitch checklist for students looking to earn more

The Model That Keeps It All Together

If you’re overwhelmed by all the “do this, post that, be everywhere” advice, take a breath. You just need this:

Commit. Launch. Repeat.

That’s it.

Not perfect. Not viral. Just consistent.

And if you need a simple, mom-friendly roadmap to actually make this happen, I created the Minimalist Side Hustle for you. It’s not just another “how to sell online” book; it’s a realistic, low-pressure approach that helps you build income around nap time, work hours, or your peace.

Grab the Minimalist Side Hustle (Mom Edition) here(Includes product ideas, launch steps, and how to repurpose one offer into content for weeks)