10 Fun Side Hustles To Replace That Crappy Second Job
When many of us think of a side hustle or second job, we cringe at the usual options that might either be out of our comfort zone or totally outside our passions. The motivations for even pursuing a side hustle or job can often center on money and getting it by any means necessary---especially if the need for extra cash is immediate.
It's OK to bite the bullet, make sacrifices, and take on a side gig just to reach a financial goal, get out of debt, or upgrade your life, but why not work smarter versus harder? A good way to do this is to monetize what you're passionate about or good at and finding creative ways to do so.
Let me help you out sis. Here are 10 cool and fun side hustles where you can do just that:
1. Virtual Assistance
As black women, we are the highest growing population of entrepreneurs. Knowing that, you might guess that there is always a need for someone to come in and totally enhance the work life and organizational operations of a busy power woman somewhere around the world. The great thing about being a virtual assistant is that you can do it from practically anywhere, set your own hours, and work with who you want to. If you've got great project management skills, are good with technology, or have great experience as an assistant, this might be a great option for you.
2. Admissions Coordinating
So many parents are bogged down with simply making sure their children are safe, well-fed, and not about to ruin their lives that when it's time for college prep, things can get a bit overwhelming. You can step in---and actually charge a fee---to organize college tours, set up schedules to meet with admissions counselors, and assist with applying for financial aid. You can also help with researching scholarships, special programs, and finding program fits. If you're an administrative geek who loves being part of helping students reach their higher ed dreams---and helping take the burden off parents---this is a perfect side gig for you.
3. Event Planning
This is highly lucrative these days, especially when working with corporations and brands, and if you're savvy with organizing and coordinating all the moving parts of great ones, this is a sweet spot. Many event planners will agree that it's not all fun and games, but you can enjoy a good party more often than not.
If you love making key moments of people's lives the most memorable, this is the side gig of your dreams.
4. Mobile Beauty Service
More and more people are buying into mobile beauty services, from manicures and hair grooming, to waxing and Botox. Providing these might require specialized licensing, training, certifications and even insurance, but it's worthwhile if this is something you love doing. You'll also have the flexibility to make your own hours, choose who you service, and leave that booth fee behind. It's a good way to tap into your creative side if you find yourself happy but in a primary job that doesn't require that much.
5. Freelance Entertainment or Event Hosting
Knowing how to work a room, run a show, or make people laugh are actually money-making, marketable skills. Organizations and professionals oftentimes hire personalities to take their events up a notch, host fundraisers or lead receptions, and you can definitely take a Saturday or two out of the month to make a few hundred---maybe even a few thousand---extra dollars doing just that. If you have gift of gab, are known as a person who can give a great speech or tell a good joke, or you're just good a schmoozing, start using that to your advantage to make a few extra coins.
6. Wedding Officiating
In some cases, can get ordination for this online and get to marrying folk the same week. It's that easy. Just do your research for the state where you want to start officiating, and be sure you're in love with love. Once you figure out your style and get a good buzz going in terms of the service you offer, you might become that go-to person for different types or vibes of weddings. You can create a niche doing this, and again, you make your own hours and choose the couples you'll be legally bonding together in marital bliss.
7. Fashion or Shoot Styling
Are mood boards your thing? Do you love putting together a great look or vibe? Are you familiar with lighting, angles, fits, and aesthetics? This might be a match made in heaven for you. Making someone's vision come to life for a website, special event, social media platform, or publication is a unique skill set that is in demand.
This side gig also affords you the opportunity to meet new people, travel, and be active, especially if your first job is more stoic and stationary.
8. Interior Decorating
This can go beyond putting together the look for a new homebuyer. Realtors, theater owners, church leaders, and entrepreneurs often hire interior decorators to conceptualize spaces, shop for pieces, or stage rooms for marketing or selling purposes. Get creative and think outside the box if you're looking to take this on because, again, the need is there.
9. Travel Concierge Services
International travel has increased among our sister circles, and many of us look for experiences outside of the norm. If you find yourself always being the one in the group to know about some special concert, new adventure or locale, or just a super-planner, why not charge for use of those skills? Taking the stress out of planning the next big girls trip is something many professionals and entrepreneurs will pay someone top dollar to do.
10. Freelance Editing and Writing
Obviously, I'm a bit biased on this, but if you have expertise in a certain field, are great at putting words together that actually drive change and make sense, or you're an awesome grammarian, put those skills to use by taking on freelance projects. Sites like Upwork are your best friends, and businesses and orgs are always looking for someone to provide or tweak content. This also provides you the access and opportunity to attend events, travel and meet people you may not have previously had the chance to.
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ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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It was early spring 2023 when Joey Bada$ pulled up for a chat with us on love and relationships courtesy of our Dana Blair-hosted "xoMan Live." There, he clarified that though we felt the sizzling chemistry between him and singer/actress Serayah radiating off our screens in the music video for his single, "Show Me" and rumors were swirling of a possible romance, that they were just friends.
"We got a pretty cool friendship, and I think she’s gorgeous. I think she’s talented," Joey shared with xoNecole at the time. He would later dead the rumors even further by announcing his relationship status, "I'm single." But he'd leave the door open for the possibility of a thing, adding, "Things could happen."
Joey Badass Clarifies His Relationship With SerayahYouTube
Since then, things have indeed been happening between Joey and Serayah, who was previously romantically linked to Jacob Latimore, as their "just friends" status has seemingly blossomed into something more. The love they imitated in the name of art proves to be much more beautiful in real life. "I’m staying ready, so I don’t gotta get ready if that makes sense, you know what I mean," he shared in our interview about feeling "ready" for a relationship. "I don’t want to say that it’s anything I’m looking for, like I understand the way the law of attraction works."
These days, the look of love is undeniable and we are here for this couple showcasing their deep affinity for one another out loud whenever possible. Keep reading for a brief timeline of the love between Serayah McNeill and Joey Bada$$.
June 2023: Joey Bada$$ Flies Serayah Out for an Epic Birthday Trip
In what is regarded as their first hard launch as a couple, Joey took to Instagram to share a compilation of short videos they took while boo'd up on a birthday trip for Serayah's 28th in a tropical paradise. After previous denials of a romance, the Raising Kanan actor confirmed their relationship by captioning the post, "happy birthday my love."
A little over a week later, Serayah dropped her own version of a hard launch in a series of photos on IG showcasing some BTS moments of her and Joey.
August 2023: Joey Bada$$ Shouts Out Serayah For National GF Day
We stan! Joey took National Girlfriend Day as an opportunity to show love for Serayah, sharing on Instagram Story a series of never-before-seen photos and videos of some of the couple doing and enjoying life together.
January 2024: Serayah and Joey Celebrate His Birthday In St. Lucia
Birthday trips seem to be a welcomed tradition for this couple as they spent Joey's 29th birthday in paradise where they effectively brought the sand to the beach. "Celebrating you is something I'll always love to do," Serayah captioned her Instagram post to Joey and their tropical escape. Joey left in a comment of appreciation, "Aquemini," it read in a nod to the Outkast album, as well as the couple's sun signs.
September 2023: Joey and Serayah Pop Out at New York Fashion Week
Shareif Ziyadat/Getty Images
From New York Fashion Week to international trips to Tokyo for Joey's shows, September 2023 proved to be a booked and busy month for the Flutter vocalist and the "Passports & Suitcases" artist. Joey shared a carousel of highlights of street-style moments in their matching outfits for the fashion event with the caption, "NYFW FESTIVITIES."
Serayah posted some Tokyo memories to her IG that didn't skimp on the Black love, writing, "tokyo was a dream."
February 2024: Serayah and Joey Take Fashion Week
This year, Serayah gave a BTS look at her time during February's New York Fashion Week, and of course, boyfriend Joey Bada$$ was there to show love and support.
February 2024: Serayah Teases The Arrival of New Heat with Throwbacks Of Her and Joey
What better way to announce the debut of your latest EP of R&B-meets-rap influences than to drop archives of your own relationship mirroring those same influences? ARCHIVES is out now.
March 2024: Serayah McNeill and Joey Bada$$ Attend ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood
Monica Schipper/Getty Images
Serayah was a vision in gold as she graced the red carpet of the 2024 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards Ceremony arm in arm with rapper beau Joey Bada$$. In February, Joey professed his forever love for Black women in "A Love Letter To Black Women," in partnership with Bumble. The "Fallin'" rapper began in the video, "I don’t think I tell you this enough, but you are so sacred to me."
"Just know you got my heart. The only one I’m coming home to. See, I been in my heart and mind, trying to find the right woman and they say that love is blind, but you looking right to me," later adding, "Please never forget how truly blessed you are. I’ll cater to your visions and be there while I’m growing your purpose. Real love is our language. And a Black woman is a blessing in my life."
March 2024: Joey Bada$$ Responds to Viral Video of Him and Serayah Arguing
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
In March, a viral video of the couple arguing and Serayah crying made rounds all over the internet and sparked speculation that Joey and Serayah had broken up. To squash the rumors, Joey assured inquiring minds that everything is good over here by posting a series of photos of the two of them loved up and enjoying a night out on the town, captioning it, "People all in our business they don’t even know the facts, they don’t see the shit we witness only what the cameras catch."
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Featured image by Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for ESSENCE