My venture may not have turned out to be big business, but the lessons prepared me for the big things in life

Originally published in print and online by The Straits Times on 6th January 2024.

My experimentation with side hustles began three years ago, in January 2021.

It was in the midst of my undergraduate days as a linguistics and social anthropology student at The University of Edinburgh during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic. My days were predominantly spent indoors, navigating virtual classes, with grocery trips to Sainsbury’s supermarket punctuating my routine.

A number of well-loved joints around Edinburgh were shutting down for good. I saw first-hand family-run bricks-and-mortar businesses struggling to transition to a digital space – many were clueless about starting a social-media business account, much less building an online store and populating content.

It was not just in Edinburgh. A study by Lloyds Bank Business revealed that only 12 per cent of small businesses in the United Kingdom transitioned to digital because of the pandemic. The survey, encompassing 1,518 UK businesses, indicated that nearly half of small and medium-sized enterprises, or SMEs, had yet to make the digital shift. The primary barriers cited for businesses not going digital included a lack of skills and confidence, with 65 per cent of respondents identifying insufficient digital skills as their major challenge.

Those observations, and perhaps the monotony brought by the pandemic, sparked an urge to invest my energy in something purposeful. I came up with a content-focused, Instagram-based venture named The Inkwell Collective.

It involved creating an online presence for SMEs and enhancing their engagement rates through content creation. I also built client leads and improved their social-media strategies by analysing their presence on social-media platforms. All this gave me valuable insights into the challenges faced by local businesses.

I soon discovered that side hustles are opportunities for students to learn so much more and are not just about making a quick profit.

A lesson in every interaction

While stuck in the confines of my apartment, I was interacting with many other talented individuals across the globe, some of whom I remain friends with to this day (thanks to the power of social media). I had the pleasure of linking up with professionals in Web design, marketing and coaching – all from the comfort of my home.

One of the biggest standouts for me was crossing paths with inspiring business owners who had incredible stories behind their causes, and whom I would never have met without this venture. Producing content for businesses I could relate to was truly a fulfilling and rewarding experience.

There was Burcu, a London-based crafts tutor with more than 12 years of experience who first reached out to me for help to create her brand story. We soon bonded over her passion for female empowerment and desire to help children fall in love with art and develop their creative potential and motor skills through craft.

Then there was the meeting with Pelumi – a self-taught, self-made calligrapher – who kick-started her faith-based business selling one-of-a-kind prints and paper goods. It was easy getting behind her business and crafting her messaging as we shared an affinity for inspiring others through creativity and design.

The learning curve in this journey was certainly not smooth.

For instance, building a website from scratch without much tech know-how was a challenge. I had all of three days to enrol myself in a crash course in digital architecture, learn to integrate plug-ins and craft effective landing pages – an accelerated process as I had to catch up with the speed of my venture gaining traction.

On the front end, I faced several disappointments, often having to deal with challenging clients who either failed to acknowledge the gravity of our engagements or neglected payment after receiving their products.

But where there’s passion, there’s often perseverance. I also learnt that professionalism is paramount in business relationships and dealt with setbacks as they came.

There were many important takeaways from this venture, including soft skills such as critical thinking, that I developed beyond the classroom. Starting a solo venture also propelled my personal growth as I grew more confident in my abilities and in communicating with clients.

I often found myself putting my name on the line when facing clients and gained a deeper understanding of fostering a sense of ownership and commitment to delivering quality work.

The experiences and lessons we pick up from side hustles often prove to be invaluable in our professional journeys.

A friend of mine adeptly balanced side gigs with her studies for three consecutive years.

She said she learnt skills that were useful in the workforce. But juggling those gigs and studies gave her a better idea of what she wanted to pursue and prepared her for it.

Another friend – who embarked on all sorts of freelance ventures (political campaigns, public relations and events) immediately after completing his secondary education – told me that his journey taught him grit and resilience, shaping his character and teaching him to persevere in his career.

Gigging it right

According to Deloitte’s 2023 Gen Z and Millennial Survey, 34 per cent of Gen Zs and 32 per cent of millennials in Singapore had opted for additional part- or full-time paying jobs alongside their primary employment to meet financial needs. This marks an increase from reported figures in 2022, when only 17 per cent of millennials indicated such supplementary employment.

Whether it is crafting content, delving into e-commerce ventures or steering food trucks, more individuals are leveraging technology to engage in diverse roles, seeking new skills, additional income and a taste of economic autonomy. Some of the most common side hustles in Singapore for younger students include freelance writing, tutoring, and testing applications.

For some, these hustles can also unexpectedly turn into full-time careers.

That was the case for Mr Quek Siu Rui, co-founder and chief executive of e-commerce platform Carousell, which he launched in 2012 with university friends. Carousell quickly attracted investment offers by 2013 and has since expanded its presence across Asia.

Mr Quek’s entrepreneurial spirit tracks back to his time at Ngee Ann Polytechnic, where he engaged in multiple overseas internships, performing diverse tasks such as assembling chairs for a Taiwanese office chair factory and handling housekeeping duties at an adventure resort in Guilin, China.

A mutual friend – a civil engineering graduate – decided to venture into streetwear during the pandemic and started an online store. Along with his friends, he went on to build a multi-label brand that resonated with their target audience.

They leveraged social-media platforms to showcase their designs, engage with customers and build a community around their brand, Endless Clothing. As the business grew, they took a bold step and opened physical stores in Johor.

As tempting as it might be to follow suit when we come across these success stories, it’s essential to recognise that this path may not be right for everyone and may not always end on a positive note. It’s not a marker of success by any means.

The reality is that nine out of 10 start-ups fail.

Then there is the potential for stress and burnout – especially when your side hustle is coupled with the rigours of education as a student.

It is vital to approach side hustles with a balanced mindset, considering individual capacities and ensuring that the pursuit of personal and professional growth does not come at the expense of one’s mental well-being.

Empowering the community

Beyond the lessons learnt and the money earned, the opportunities I had to help others gave me the most satisfaction.

Besides helping small businesses, I managed to put the skills from my side hustle to good use through volunteerism. I chanced upon an organisation called the UK Federation of Chinese Professionals and joined it at a time when anti-Asian sentiment and hate crimes were at a peak.

Having experienced anti-Asian sentiment myself, I felt compelled to stand in solidarity with and support affected communities.

Over the span of a year, I played a hands-on role in several key initiatives, including script-writing for anti-hate-crime videos, composing impactful advocacy letters addressed to Scotland Yard, managing social-media communications and spearheading community outreach efforts.

This multifaceted engagement was aimed at assisting victims of hate crimes and addressing the needs of those who faced challenges in accessing basic supplies during the pandemic.

Witnessing the tangible impact of our efforts in empowering these communities was both enlightening and gratifying.

I’m reminded of the saying, “We make a living by what we receive, but we make a life by what we give”.

As I look ahead, I can safely say that any future side ventures I embark on will similarly be marked by both purpose and passion.