A Passion Economy

My first side hustle was working at a toy store.  I was a college student working a full-time summer internship at a large company in the IT department.  However, I worked at a local toy store a few nights a week and on weekends.  I assembled bicycles and stocked the shelves.  I thought it was all about the money – but as I look back, I loved the look on kids’ faces the first time they got to see their new bikes.  They weren’t allowed to ride in the store, but I let it go from time to time.  Yeah, I made a bit of money, but there’s nothing like seeing a child ride their new bike for the first time.

I suspect that many of you who are reading this chose to be a pediatric therapist because of your passion for seeing the look on the children and adults you help when they accomplish a goal.  No goal is too small to celebrate with a smile.  You were paid for your services, but a big part of your compensation was paid in smiles.  Finding ways to combine being paid for your expertise and passion can be a successful side hustle.

Finding Your Niche

Due to COVID, we saw a proliferation or delivery of services virtually, opening many opportunities to take your passion and find a way to start a side hustle.  Growing your practice online has never been easier.  Your knowledge and expertise could not only be used to deliver services locally and face-to-face but could be used statewide, nationally, or even internationally.

Here are a couple of examples:

• Creating pediatric therapy content to supplement products and services currently being used by families of young children. This could include webinars on particular topics, a weekly blog, or a download with activities that can be done at home.
• Offering 1:1 consultations or coaching sessions around a specific topic can help someone maneuver around a particular topic or provide other ways for customers to receive services, e.g., supplementing services provided by schools.

There are many more examples you can explore.  Using what you know to help people, especially supplementing their current parenting support by providing options to provide additional opportunities for their children to get something more.  After all, parents are just trying to give their children every chance they deserve.  Who better than you to provide that chance?

Benefits of a Side Hustle

The benefits of a side hustle go beyond assisting families with their children.  A side hustle can benefit you and your career in many other ways.  Something outside your full-time job allows you to use skills you might not use during your regular position.  Examples include writing meaningful content and creating how-to guides. You can also moderate support groups or lend expertise in areas you have experienced in prior employment.
In addition to sharpening dormant skills, you will experience a different patient than you would not usually be able to lend your expertise to.  You can work with them during your off hours, weekends, or even summer hours to help parents avoid the summer slide.

A side hustle is totally under your purview.  There are no limitations to how you may use your skills to improve the lives of children.  You get to be as creative as you desire and really follow your passion while being compensated for your service.

Getting Started

Starting a side hustle has never been easier or more meaningful.  This year, more than 1 in 3 Americans will enable themselves to follow their passion with a side hustle.  We here at Vitalxchange are just as passionate about our caregiver community.  We give you all the tools you need to set up shop and serve them better.  All you need to do to start following your passion is 10 minutes to set up your virtual storefront.  You will be well on your way to seeing more of those smiles.  It makes all your hard work worth it.