Your side hustle starter kit

Let's elevate your career! Weekly advice to energise and elevate your job search and career - the tips & tricks recruiters don't want you to know.

Starting a side hustle is exciting. It’s the “what if” project that might one day become your full time thing or it might simply be a creative outlet that earns you some extra cash.

But here’s the trap I fell into when I started Recruitment BFF: I spent weeks perfecting the “infrastructure” before I’d even made my first sale. The truth? You don’t need half the tech and admin you think you do.

1. Clarify Your Idea & Audience

Before you make a logo or buy a domain, answer:

What problem am I solving? Be specific. “Design services” is broad. “Affordable brand refreshes for London cafés” is clear.

Who will buy it? Think about your existing network first: colleagues, LinkedIn contacts, friends-of-friends.

What’s my angle? Cheaper, faster, more personalised, choose one or two advantages you can own.

What I learnt: When I first started, I wanted to work with everyone . It wasn’t until I focused on my core audience, London-based marketing, media, and tech companies that things clicked. Broad is safe. Specific gets you noticed.

2. Fit It Around Your Day Job

The biggest reason side hustles fizzle? Burnout.

Block out regular “side hustle hours” for me, it was Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings.

Communicate boundaries with friends/family so they don’t expect you to be available during those hours.

Avoid doing side hustle work during your 9, 5 it risks your main income and your reputation.

My reality check: At first, I said yes to everything and worked every spare hour. After two months, I was fried. Now I have strict time slots, and I protect them like client meetings.

3. Keep the Tools Simple (at first)

Calendar : Google or Outlook (colour-code side hustle vs day job)

Notes : Apple Notes, Google Keep, or Notion (free tier)

Invoicing : PayPal Business, Stripe, or Zoho Invoice (free)

Project tracking : A spreadsheet is fine until it’s not

The trap I fell into: I signed up for three different project management tools in month one. Guess what I actually used? A single tab in Google Sheets.

4. Protect Yourself Legally & Financially

Register as a sole trader if you start earning consistently (quick to do on HMRC’s site)

Consider Professional Indemnity Insurance if you’re offering services or advice

Keep business and personal money separate even if it’s just a free business account with Monzo or Starling

Why this matters: When I opened a business account, I could instantly see how much my side hustle was making (and spending). No more guessing or digging through my personal statements.

5. London Side Hustle Starter Pack

Some local gems I’ve used or recommended:

Co-working day passes : Second Home Spitalfields , WeWork, Fora Borough , Work.Life Camden, great for a change of scene

Networking events : General Assembly , Silicon Drinkabout , Enterprise Nation London

Free business advice : British Library Business & IP Centre , London Growth Hub

Accountants who “get” side hustles : The Accountancy Partnership , Mazuma , or freelancers via The Accountancy Cloud

Final Word

A side hustle isn’t about building the perfect business from day one, it’s about testing an idea, getting paid for it, and seeing where it could go.

Your motto: Start small, start now. The rest you can figure out along the way.

And you always have your BFF (me) to help you define your offering, help you get leads, look at content plans and advise you as you go, no pressure.