Welcome to the comedy-rich world of side hustles, introduced courtesy of Ben Hawes, a multifaceted wonder based in the concrete jungle known as New York City. You’d think he was a jack-of-all-trades, but then again, aren’t we all these days? Let’s dive into his saga, which is as nail-biting as finding an empty Starbucks in Manhattan.
Picture this: a fresh-faced 22-year-old arrives in New York with dreams of security, not unlike someone planning a trip to a volcano to witness “safety” in action. Ben was inspired by his parents’ corporate careers, which somehow managed to sound thrilling enough to compare to a roller coaster ride. So, armed with ambition, he hopped on the ClassPass train—a company that was “growing,” probably just like the pizza slices he was consuming.
Fast forward five years: Ben was ready to conquer the world—or at least a corner of it—when the pandemic swooped in like an unwanted cameo in a rom-com. The CFO boasted about being “recession-proof,” which is like claiming your cat is waterproof. Spoiler alert: when gyms shut down, many employees, including our hero, got the boot. Unemployment followed, arriving like a bad date that overstayed its welcome.
What’s a jobless soul to do? Ben channeled his inner socialite and whipped up a job-hunting network that swelled to around 250 members. Yes, he created a Slack channel and a blog, the modern-day combination of a coffee shop and a therapist’s couch. But wait! There’s more! He eventually launched a merch store, effectively creating a new revenue stream. Who knew gap year nostalgia could lead to shirts and hats?
Amidst his newfound entrepreneurial spirit, Ben started a photo booth biz—Rent My Booth. With flashy backgrounds and props, he made parties fun again, proving that joy can be rented at an hourly rate. However, since money doesn’t grow on trees (unless you’re an environmentalist selling carbon credits), he secured another corporate gig. After three years, the lay-off fairy graced him with her presence again, and voilà! A true calling was born.
Now, Ben juggles various small businesses like a clown at a carnival. He’s doling out smiles from his photo booth and strumming his guitar in comedy clubs across New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco—because why not spread laughter when you can also spread thinly-veiled existential dread? With just ten photo booth gigs a month, he’s on the brink of replacing that corporate salary, minus any cushy benefits or HR to scold him about his lunch break.
Friends began noting Ben’s perpetual busyness, and in a moment of clarity—or maybe just caffeine-induced intuition—one suggested he coach others in building their side hustles. Enter “How to Start”: a book on Amazon that teaches you how to find and launch your side projects. It’s like “The Little Engine That Could”—if the little engine was caffeinated and also slightly sarcastic.
Coaching isn’t Ben’s area of expertise; he’s more of a creative launch consultant. He helps people bring their ideas to life with the pep of a cheerleader whose pom-poms are made of internet memes. However, for those of you considering life as a digital entrepreneur, Ben has some sage wisdom wrapped in sarcasm: optimism is essential, and so is an unwavering commitment because your weekend might just become a myth—like unicorns and being on time.
Authenticity? Oh, you bet your bottom dollar. If you’re half-hearted about your side hustle, you might as well serve lukewarm tea at a five-star restaurant. Don’t fall for the romance of overnight success; it’s more like a long, drawn-out soap opera—lots of drama, and the only thing guaranteed is that a lot of people will complain about it.
So, after reading all of this, you might be pondering whether the entrepreneurial path is right for you. Remember, both freelancing and traditional work can be hard; it’s a matter of which hot mess you prefer to navigate. Channel your inner warrior, and with a sprinkle of humor, dive into that chaotic pool of side hustles. Just keep in mind: if Ben can make a living by combining laughter with business, what’s stopping you from making money off your cat videos?
