Side Hustles in the News: Trending Stories of July 1–15, 2025

The AllBusiness.com Team
Fri, 18 Jul 2025 15:28:38 +0000
Side-hustles, Side-hustle, Side-hustle-news, News, Side-job, Side-job-ideas, Side-jobs, Side-gig, Side-hustle-tips, Side-hustles-in-the-news

July 1-July 15, 2025

As the traditional 9-to-5 model continues evolving, side hustles are becoming a central part of modern work life—especially now, as shifting economic pressures and technological opportunities have fueled a surge in creative income channels. From leveraging AI and skills-markets to navigating shifting tax rules and developing lifestyle businesses, people are reshaping the landscape of work on their terms, as demonstrated in these eight news stories.

These stories showcase how side hustles have grown beyond mere ways to earn a little cash: they're pathways to personal growth, identity, autonomy, and economic resilience. For readers considering launching a side venture—or ready to scale one—these entries deliver sharp insights on structure, growth potential, and balancing purpose with profitability. Collectively, this curated snapshot offers strategy, inspiration, and real-world lessons for thriving in today’s gig economy.

1. Side Hustle Taxes 2025: Avoid Surprise IRS Bills

Forbes

Published: July 14, 2025

Summary: Forbes Advisor’s timely guide tackles a critical barrier to side hustle success: taxes. As income flows in from gigs—be it rideshare, AI consulting, or Etsy storefronts—many freelancers discover IRS obligations they weren’t prepared for. The article provides practical steps to avoid unwelcome surprises on tax day, such as estimating quarterly tax payments, maintaining meticulous records of income and deductible expenses, and setting aside 15–20% of earnings for federal and state obligations.

It delves into qualified deductions—home office utility bills, internet, mileage, marketing costs—and introduces tools like QuickBooks Self‑Employed or FreshBooks. Additionally, it explains when to consider hiring a tax specialist, particularly for those making >$20k annually through side income. The article reframes taxation as a proactive business mechanism rather than a burden—helping hustlers budget, invest in growth, and avoid penalties before they become existential threats to scaling.

By confronting this “ugly but essential” side of gig work, Forbes provides clarity and confidence—crucial tools for anyone generating meaningful supplemental income.

Read article here

2. I host group trips for solo travelers as a side hustle. It helps me fund my own travel and make friends from all over.

Business Insider

Published: July 12, 2025

Summary: Meredith Pierce, a marketing professional from Atlanta, organizes group trips—primarily for solo female travelers—to destinations like Iceland, South Africa, and Colombia. Since starting in 2024, her trips (12–20 people, 5–10 days) have been priced between $900 and $1,600, excluding airfare. Her motivation stems from a love of travel and connection rather than profit; she treats it as a fulfilling hobby, not a full-time business. Upcoming destinations like Egypt, India, Maldives, and Antarctica (for 2027) reflect her ambition to create memorable experiences. Pierce builds community and funds her own ad ventures through this hustle, combining her marketing skills with a passion for travel and fostering meaningful friendships across continents.

Read article here

3. Americans Are Side‑Hustling Like We’re in a Recession

Wall Street Journal

Published: July 1, 2025

Summary: The WSJ reports a sharp spike in side-hustle activity: over 5.5% of Americans now juggle two jobs—levels seen during recessionary periods like the early 2000s. These aren’t hobbyists—they’re individuals seeking financial stability amid persistent inflation and housing cost pressures.

WSJ profiles real jugglers: an early-childhood educator booking interior-cleaning gigs on weekends; a nanny moonlighting as an online personal trainer; and a retail worker delivering late-night groceries. These dual roles often require juggling schedules, systems, and physical exhaustion—but for many, the financial buffer and professional autonomy are worth the cost.

The piece also delves into corporate response: some employers introduce side-hustle-friendly policies; others clamp down on schedules and nondisclosure agreements. Educational institutions are launching career resources that address gig economy realities—financial planning, time management, and burnout prevention.

WSJ frames this trend as an economic lifeline—but with tensions: how to balance demands, maintain quality of life, and evolve beyond just “working harder.”

Read the full article

4. Turn Free Time Into Income With These Side Hustle Courses for Just $25

Entrepreneur

Published: July 16, 2025

Summary: This article highlights a limited-time offer for a collection of e-courses, bundled at $24.99 (down from $140), designed to help aspiring side‑hustlers build revenue streams across various platforms. Covering topics like e‑commerce, social media, rideshare driving, and Airbnb hosting, these courses promise step‑by‑step guidance for turning spare hours into extra income. The piece emphasizes affordability, claiming the bundle delivers seven expert-led modules that teach practical tactics—from setting up an online storefront and mastering Instagram marketing to optimizing property listings and managing gig driving efficiently. Aimed at beginners and those stuck in the ideation stage, the bundle offers flexible, bite‑sized learning with lifetime access. It positions itself as a budget-friendly primer for quickly onboarding new side-hustle initiatives and scaling existing ones—ideal for anyone wanting structured training without committing to expensive programs.

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5. Obvious Side Hustle: From $300k Monthly to $20M+ in 2025

Entrepreneur

Published: July 10, 2025

Summary: A vegetable-burger brand called Actual Veggies, launched as a small side hustle in 2021, has scaled to $300,000 monthly revenue and is now projected to surpass $20 million in 2025. Founders Jason and Hailey Rosenbaum (and Alex) saw a market gap, formulated plant-based patties, and launched with a simple yet powerful pitch: healthy, accessible veggie burgers. The article features a Q&A detailing how their side project—started from home—leveraged market research, social media outreach, and direct-to-store partnerships to move into national grocery chains. They emphasized consistent branding, clear messaging, and alignment with emerging consumer trends around plant-based diets. Their journey highlights how a side hustle with passion, insight, and scalable demand can evolve into a major CPG business while remaining rooted in modest beginnings.

Read article here

6. The Ultimate Guide to Side Hustles

AllBusiness.com

Published: June 9, 2025, trending in July

Summary: This guide from AllBusiness provides enduring value. It presents side hustles as “flexible, creative, and profitable pathways,” citing research that many gig ventures pull in $500–$5,000/month. The article outlines a universal launcher’s blueprint: dedicate 5–10 hours weekly, start with skill-aligned ideas (writing, pet care, e-commerce), and validate before scaling. It emphasizes the freedom of multiple income streams, budget diversification, and leveraging hobby skills for cash. It underscores skill growth—time management, customer service, marketing—and encourages treating gigs as opportunities to learn and grow professionally.

The guide is rich with actionable advice: timeline structures, focus prioritization, platform recommendations (Upwork, Etsy, Rover), and long-term strategy hints. For July hustlers feeding off summer trends, it’s a primer that complements current-season guides, reaffirming time-tested hustle wisdom through easy-to-follow steps.

Read article here

7. How I Went From Side Hustle to 7 Figures Using These 4 AI Tools (No Tech Skills Needed)

Entrepreneur

Published: July 12, 2025

Summary: Ben Angel breaks down how he turned an AI-assisted side hustle into a seven-figure revenue stream without advanced tech know-how. Focusing on four accessible AI tools, he shows how to automate content creation, improve customer onboarding, boost social media efficiency, and personalize email campaigns—all while minimizing manual workload. The article offers guidance for non-technical entrepreneurs eager to scale quickly through integrated AI workflows. Along the way, Ben shares case studies, ROI comparisons, and time-savings metrics. The key takeaway? Smart use of everyday AI—rather than complex models—can dramatically increase output, free up time, and amplify impact, turning a weekend project into a thriving income generator.

Read article here

8. 9 Side Hustles You Can Start This Weekend To Make $2,000/Month

Forbes

Published: June 6, 2025 (trending in July)

Summary: Forbes showcases nine side hustles that individuals can launch over a weekend to reach up to $2,000/month in supplemental income. The list includes e-commerce reselling, freelance writing, virtual assistance, tutoring, social media consulting, print-on-demand, pet-sitting, rideshare driving, and house flipping coordination. Each idea comes with setup steps, initial investment levels (mostly under $500), and potential monthly earnings. The article emphasizes speed-to-market—validating clients quickly, minimal upfront capital, and scaling via repeat business.

Read article here
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