If you asked me 20 years ago what I thought I’d be doing right now, I would’ve said raising my kids (which I am), traveling (not as much as I thought), and living off my real estate properties (not exactly).
Let’s just say this, I thought my life would be a little softer by now. I definitely didn’t think I’d still be hustling.
But as the saying goes, “If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans.”
Even though I’m hustling a little more than planned, the blessing that comes with age is learning how to hustle smarter.
Over the years, I’ve tried a ton of hustles, even wrote a book about them called Six Figure Side Hustles. What I’ve learned is that you have to evaluate your own circumstances and get real about what’s going to work for you.
Hustling often requires sacrifice, but if you do it right, that sacrifice is only temporary.
💰 Real Estate Investing
One hustle that’s consistently worked for me is real estate investing.
In my book, I talk about several real estate hustles, but the one that’s been most reliable for me is long-term rental properties. I currently own three properties, including my primary home, which is an inherited property.
I bought my first home at 24 in Houston, and when I moved, that became my first rental. Since then, I’ve flipped homes in both Houston and Philadelphia. But with time and experience, I realized rentals are my sweet spot, especially Section 8 rentals.
The goal has always been to build long-term wealth through real estate, and that plan continues in 2026.
Of course, the sacrifice with this hustle came early. I like to buy properties that need a little work and rent them out for the long term, which means I had to be hands-on (or have someone I trusted) to manage renovations and tenant needs.
Even now, regular inspections and the occasional tenant call are part of the deal. But getting that consistent rent check, especially when it’s guaranteed, has been a huge help in rebuilding my finances and paying down debt.
💻 Digital Income
Another hustle that continues to grow for me is digital income.
I’ve sold eBooks, digital templates, and even a few merchandise items online , and now I’m expanding some of my crafting into the digital world.
The biggest sacrifice in this space is upfront time and effort: creating, designing, setting up funnels, and handling the backend. But once it’s live, the beauty is in the automation. You just monitor and market.
I’ll be honest, imposter syndrome has crept in at times, especially with digital products. But in this new season of rebuilding, I’m done doubting myself. I’m claiming everything God has for me.
🎨 Crafting
Crafting started as therapy during one of the hardest points of my divorce. It was something that kept my hands busy and my mind focused when life felt heavy.
The main challenge here is the trial and error, finding what works, what sells, and what you actually enjoy making. I focused mostly on journals, but there’s so much creative potential in the crafting world.
Now that I’m back in the corporate space, I’m figuring out how to fit crafting into my schedule again. I don’t have the time for print-on-demand right now, so my goal is to build inventory before the holidays.
I also plan to explore more digital crafting options to create additional passive income streams.
✏️ Other Hustles
Two other income streams that have helped me (though not featured in my Six Figure Side Hustles book) are adjunct teaching and TikTok Shop creator work.
They may not be six-figure streams on their own, but both have brought in consistent income and opened new opportunities. Once you get into either, it gets easier to maintain.
💡 What I’ve Learned
The biggest key for me, especially as a single mom to a 5-year-old, is building passive income.
People think passive means “money while you sleep”, and yes, sometimes it is. But true passive income still takes work. You have to treat your hustles like real businesses for them to grow into something that can eventually run (almost) on autopilot.
I’ve always been a hustler, but hustling with a 5-year-old hits different. Your time isn’t your own anymore, so every move has to be intentional.
But even with the challenges, I’m grateful. I’m rebuilding my life, my finances, and my peace, one hustle at a time.
What about you?
What side hustles have you tried that actually work? Let’s help each other out — share in the comments!
