"The good news is that it's never been easier to start a side hustle. Luckily, we live in an era when a stable internet connection and a couple of hundred bucks are all it takes to start your own business. Yet, while side hustles are increasingly seen as a viable path to financial stability - especially given the power of AI - success is far from guaranteed."
"Michael Satterlee, a teenager from Clifton Park, New York, is an aspirational case. He started his e-commerce company, Cruise Cup, from his childhood home with only about $500. His products are all 3D printed, and his top seller - which went viral on Instagram in 2025 - is a can holder that fits two standard 12-ouncers. All he needed to get started was a $300 3D printer and a Shopify account that he maintains for $30 a month."
""Most of the tools you need are free," Satterlee told Business Insider. "Social media is free. You can get hundreds of millions of views without paying for distribution." But the low barrier to entry that benefited Satterlee also means stiffer competition. According to a 2025 SurveyMonkey study that sampled 3,573 full-time workers in the US, 37% of respondents have a side hustle, while another 35% are considering pursuing one. Younger workers are pivoting to side gigs harder than any generation, flooding the market."
Stable internet access, inexpensive tools, and affordable platforms make launching a side business accessible with minimal upfront capital. Social media and free online tools enable rapid reach and occasional viral success, as in the case of a teen who launched a 3D-printed product line with about $500 and a $300 printer. Surveys from 2025 show substantial side-hustle participation and interest across the workforce, with especially high uptake among younger workers. Despite AI and digital tools lowering barriers, intense competition and market saturation make building a durable, lasting business challenging for many new entrants.
Read at Business Insider
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