In my series of articles on side hustles and learning how to grow them, I break down an individual hustle for people who want to augment their income but need some additional information. The overview will include the fundamentals of the hustle, how to get into it, and a breakdown of my GROWTH metrics. Not every hustle covered will be ideal for you, but it may help you find out more information before you take the dive. I’ve covered a list of lucrative side hustles and how to turn your side hustle into a full-time endeavor. If you want an additional push, take my 30 day side hustle challenge now!
What Does A Side Hustle Involving Cooking And Baking Look Like?
There are a lot of lucrative side hustles you can do that involve cooking or baking. You can make a blog or YouTube channel where you create and review recipes. You can also sell goods you cook or bake. Of course, if you make your own baked goods, then that can be more of a time sink and require more upfront costs. So we’ll assume, if it’s a side hustle, that you’re working as a reviewer or a small-time seller. Opening up your own bakery or restaurant could be lucrative, but that requires a massive investment.
Who Can Get Started?
Most people can get started with this, since it doesn’t require an insane amount of money. However, it does require a bit of knowledge, so if you’re a complete novice baker or cook – I wouldn’t recommend it. Take your time, research and enjoy recipes, and if you want to do this later then that’s great. Once you’ve established some knowledge and the fundamental skills, it’s probably safe to go ahead and dive in. Of course, you’ll never be completely ready, so don’t fall into the trap of waiting forever. Get those fundamentals down and then get started with the side hustle as soon as you know you want to do it.
Why Should Anyone Even Bother With A Side Hustle Like This?
The simple answer? If you love cooking or baking, learning about it, the details and utility of different ingredients, and everything else that comes with it – then a side hustle involving cooking or baking could be for you. It has a decent potential payout, but it’s not something you should do unless you have a genuine interest in it. Likewise, if you are reviewing with a blog or on a YouTube channel, you should also be interested in writing or creating video content!
When Is A Good Time To Start?
As soon as you’re ready enough to start is the ideal time to start. I know that sounds a little silly, but that’s all there is to it. If you know you’re interested in cooking or baking and want to do something in the industry, then go ahead and get your start now. Delaying will do you no good.
Where Is The Ideal Location For Cooking And Baking Side Hustles?
This is an interesting one. If you sell online or do your reviews online, then I’d say you’re fine and can start mostly anywhere. However, if you’re selling locally then there may be a few restrictions. Check your local laws and see if there are strict regulations with food sales or shipment. You may have to deal with extra legal hurdles to get started, so you’ll need to do your due diligence. Hopefully you live in a state with relatively lax laws, but it varies wildly.
GROWTH
Next up, we’re going over the GROWTH metrics behind cooking and baking side hustles. These include gains, ROI, obtainability, workability, time required, and general health. These aren’t the only things you should consider, as there are many specifics to your personal situation I can’t account for. However, this will go over the common truths that come with baking and cooking and what you can expect from that.
Gains
First up is gains, or the potential income you can get out of this. Depending on what exactly you do, you can make some substantial profit here. In the case of reviews, the potential income could replace your day job – eventually. However, that would likely take a very long time (by which I mean it could take years). Additionally, I’m not in the food industry, so I can’t speak for affiliate partnerships or revenue from ads. What I know about it is that it can produce solid revenue that is very competitive – it’s a good niche. It will take a long time, but it definitely has the potential to provide for a household.
In the case of selling your own baked goods, well that’s a different story. That’s a bit more difficult to start, but the sky is the limit. Additionally, you could leverage that until you’re able to open your own bakery! If that’s your goal, starting with online sales could be the route for you. Of course, there is an argument to be made that reviews and discussing it online can help you get an “in” with the industry as well.
ROI
I’d say the ROI is very strong. For blogging or YouTube, the initial cost is almost negligible, and the potential payout is good – even if it will take a while to see it. The biggest upfront cost there is just the time you’ll sink in. If you like doing it though, then it shouldn’t be an issue!
Sales can be a bit different. It probably isn’t a massive upfront cost, but it’s more than starting a YouTube channel. You’ll have to pay for some inventory (you may be able to wait to do that until you have revenue coming in, depending on the exact situation). On top of that, there will probably be some legal fees at some point. All-in-all you should be able to produce a good ROI in theory, but the upfront cost may be a bit more intimidating. This is especially the case for bakeries or restaurants.
Obtainability
This category is more about how realistic these side hustles are. In other words, how easy is it for you to achieve? For blogging, YouTube, and selling, I’d give all of them an average or slightly above average take. YouTube and blogging both take a lot of effort and time. Eventually you can be successful, but most people will quit before then. When it comes to sales, you’ll have to be good with the marketing aspect, and not everyone is suited for that. For a physical storefront, location is key.
Workability
Workability, in other words flexibility, will get my stamp of approval. In all aspects the flexibility is pretty top notch. A lot, or most of it, can be done remotely. Additionally, you can do it at odd hours. Sales sometimes can require a little bit of extra work, but if you’re scheduling time to do it daily, then you should be able to stay up to date on orders and fulfillment. In other words, these side hustles can be fit into a schedule where you’re already working a full-time job or you have several obligations. Your own bakery or restaurant will, of course, be far less flexible and more time intensive.
Time Required
Sales will require the most time, but I don’t think the overall amount of time required from any of these side hustles is extreme. Rather, scheduling out time to work on it daily – or almost daily – will be the hardest part. It doesn’t take a lot of time, generally, but it will take consistent effort to become successful.
Health
I see no issues with the health of this side hustle. It may decrease in popularity when times are tough and people are tight on money. Fortunately, there will always be a decent market for it and when times are good there will be extra potential money to be had.
These side hustles may also help you break into the industry. If you have dreams of a major career as a baker or chef – or starting your own business or brand – then this could be something that helps on the path to that.
Positives
- There is always a market for it.
- ROI is great.
- The side hustles are quite flexible and can fit into most schedules.
- There is the potential to replace your day job.
- You can break into a bigger job or business as a baker or chef this way.
- Everyone will love you because of your amazing skills!
Negatives
- You will have to work hard for a long time to see results.
- A lot of people are in this space, so you’ll need something unique to yourself to stand out. Quality speaks volumes, in this case.
- You need to have basic experience and the fundamentals before diving in.
- A lot of your friends will constantly ask for your food and baked goods – for free or at a discount.
Conclusion
Hopefully this had everything you needed to decide if getting into a cooking or baking side hustle is for you. If you have tips of your own, let us know in the comments.
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