Why Everyone You Know Has a Side Hustle (And What They're Not Telling You)
Does it feel like everyone has a side hustle these days?
From friends selling products on Etsy to colleagues launching creator businesses, I’m constantly intrigued by what people are doing outside of their main jobs — and medicine is no exception. Whether it’s medical aesthetics or online education, my peers are finding new ways to upskill, diversify, and build out portfolio careers.
But here’s the twist: this isn’t just about making extra cash. The data says it’s about autonomy.
The Rise of the Side Hustle — What the Numbers Say
Research by Enterprise Nation found that 47% of UK adults are considering starting a business or side hustle in 2025 — up dramatically from just 12% in 2024.
Generationally, the trend is even stronger amongst millennials and even more so amongst Gen Z.
What’s driving this? It’s a mix of push and pull factors. On one hand
Real wages are stagnating
Living costs are climbing
Below-inflation pay rises are eroding trust in traditional employment
But it’s not all about financial pressure. A significant proportion of people cite creative fulfilment and the desire to monetise something they already enjoy as their main motivator.
In other words, many aren’t just side hustling for survival — they’re doing it for freedom, purpose, and control.
This is interesting in context of what the catalyst is that makes people actually take action. What I have seen anecdotally, time and time again, is that often challenge is the catalyst…or even the forcing function for what will become a positive career change. This is very interesting in context of people living with long term ill health and disability - some of whom describe a push away from traditional employment alongside a pull towards flexibility and autonomy that makes them pursue this path. One example of this was shared recently at the launch of The Health Foundation’s Final Report of the Commission for Healthier Working Lives.
The Work and Health Downsides of the Hustle- What People Don’t Talk about
Side hustles come with opportunity — but also cost. One of the biggest challenges can be boundaries. People pursue side hustles for autonomy, including flexibility. Yet, working conditions can go out the window when it comes to side hustles. It’s easy to overwork, on top of another full time role, and there is no guarantee of return on investment. Side hustles often exist in the most precarious space of all: self-driven, unpaid, and unprotected.
People can end up pouring time and energy into ventures that drain rather than energise…cost rather than monetise. And while the idea of freedom is enticing, the reality can lead to burnout if not managed carefully.
Not Just Money: The Intangible Upsides
That said, it’s not all about income.
Side hustles can deliver a range of non-financial gains:
New skills
Broader networks
Increased confidence
A sense of ownership over career path
In fact, some of the most successful career pivots I’ve seen began as small experiments outside of working hours, in some cases, projects that never generated income but became the route to something that did.
What This Tells Us About the Future of Work
The rise of side hustles is a fascinating trend — especially when viewed alongside the UK’s rising rates of economic inactivity due to ill health, and broader stagnation in economic growth.
The data suggests the population still wants to work — but on its own terms… which for some, means outside traditional employment. The appetite for side hustles is a sign that people are seeking more flexibility, creativity, and autonomy in how they contribute to the economy.
Lara’s take
The proportion of the population considering starting a business or side hustle is staggering. Almost 50% of adults in the UK! This stands in contrast to the data on stagnant growth and movement towards economic inactivity. Harnessing this entrepreneurial energy could be a game changer for the UK economy. Spending more time in the US, I’ve seen firsthand how policy context matters. Innovation isn’t purely organic — it can be cultivated. And we need more of that here.
What would truly give the UK an edge over other economies? Equipping people to manage the balance between work and health when side hustling. It’s not just about supporting the individual at the start, making sure they manage their resources so they can sustainably build up their project to something that pays— it’s about laying the foundation for future, more sustainable businesses and employment.
Are you side hustling? What pushed or pulled you into it? What are your takeaways? Contact me if you have a story to share!
50% is a massive number and an interesting trend for sure. I wonder how large that number has to go to be fully "accepted." And once accepted, what are the implications of literally everyone doing something outside of a full time gig.