As tuition costs soar higher than your caffeine intake during finals week and rent prices balloon faster than your student loans, college students are discovering a harsh reality: one paycheck is about as useful as a stapler in a swimming pool. Instead of embracing the joys of another part-time gig, many students are donning their entrepreneurial capes and diving into the world of side hustles.
In a town where rent has escalated faster than a squirrel on espresso—up $200 in just a year—side hustles have gone from “cute idea” to “barely keeping your head above water.” Minimum wage is practically a relic, merely a footnote in the economic history of the region. No longer are students able to survive on a single income; they must get creative, possibly while watching TikTok tutorials on how to find pearls in oysters—because, why not?
This entrepreneurial journey has become a rite of passage for students eager to reclaim their time, finances, and artistic vision. From selling handcrafted art to launching a small embroidery empire, these ventures offer life lessons that schools often neglect, like how to balance spreadsheets and sanity. What starts as a hobby can morph into something more meaningful—if you’re not careful, it may just become the next big thing (or at least fund your avocado toast habit).
“Entrepreneurship used to be an exclusive club,” said Arthur Sherwood, the David Cole Director of Entrepreneurship at Western, “but now, even your roommate can start a business from a microwave.” Milla Miller, graduate student and embroidery enthusiast, began her journey wielding a needle instead of a textbook. After picking up her craft from kindergarten and reviving it four years ago, she birthed Miss Milla Miller—a brand that’s basically a walking Pinterest board.
Milla shared, “I got my business license in March 2023. I’ve had odd jobs before, but this time I could actually get paid for my obsession.” Crafting has given her that perfect bridge from passion to practicality—kind of like using a skip-the-line pass for life’s rollercoaster. “It allowed me to be productive while doing something I love, instead of hiding from my responsibilities under a pile of laundry.”
Juggling graduate studies with a rising business is no walk in the park, but the flexibility keeps her sane. Between baking deadlines for school and her brand, she’s become a master of time management, appearing at local markets like a supercharged entrepreneurial ninja. “Even when people can’t buy anything, they stop by and say, ‘You’re doing amazing!’” says Miller. It appears her support network could rival a reality TV show’s fanbase.
While she dreams of long-term growth, Milla is content with her current juggling act, revealing that side hustles are not just a last-resort financial lifeline but a wholesome, DIY opportunity for self-empowerment. In this reality, it’s clear: the hustle is no longer optional. Overwhelmed by financial demands, students are embracing creativity as their new currency—one quirky design at a time.
Meanwhile, Emma Fredlund, pursuing environmental and political science, opted for the woodsy route—literally—by partnering with her stepdad to create custom woodworking projects. “He started it in 2017, and I hopped on board in 2020, initially thinking it was just some trendy hobby,” she said. But soon enough, the neighbors were knocking on her door, wanting to buy pieces that made IKEA look like child’s play. “The money I make is my ‘fun money’—perfect for indulging in overpriced concert tickets. My main gig pays for the essentials, while woodworking funds my inner rockstar.”
Like Milla, Emma found that running a small business shifted her perception of her craft from hobbyist to something resembling a small-scale CEO. Initially, stress piled on like extra toppings on a pizza, but she learned that perfectionism could be the enemy, likening her experience to realizing that folks usually just appreciate the charm of handmade goods rather than dissecting them with a magnifying glass. “When it got too stressful, I had to take a step back and remind myself that I started this for fun,” she quipped.
Milla and Emma’s stories illustrate that side hustles have transcended mere survival; they represent self-reliance, skill enhancement, and a reclaiming of autonomy over work-life balance. In a landscape dominated by economic pressure and relentless hustle culture, their experiences raise a bigger question: why should students have to turn into entrepreneurs simply to afford living where they study? It’s a truth that merits more than a fleeting concern; it demands serious attention. In this world of ‘pick one path and stick to it,’ these side hustles prove that creativity can harmoniously coexist with practicality. They empower students navigating an economy that often leaves them gasping for breath. So whether you’re sewing up thrifted garments or meticulously crafting wooden wonders, today’s student entrepreneurs are not just waiting for opportunity to knock—they’re constructing the entire doorframe. “People may start a business to survive,” said Sherwood, “but many are channeling their inner entrepreneur to build the life they want to live.”
