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Side Hustle: From Kathmandu to Global Cool
Just graduated and feeling the buzz? Welcome to the league of ambitious wannapreneurs ready to shake things up. If you’ve been toying with a side hustle, believing it’s your ticket to becoming the next big thing from Kathmandu, let’s get you up to speed.
In the era of online gurus and success stories that float around on social media, the idea of starting a side hustle seems like a golden ticket to financial freedom.
However, what many aspiring entrepreneurs don’t realize is that building a side hustle often diverges significantly from their initial expectations.
Let’s break down the misconceptions and lay bare the realities.
Earn Big, Spend Little
Dreaming of raking in rupees ($$$) while chilling on a Pokhara lakeside? We’ve all heard tales of mates making moolah without breaking a sweat. For many, the allure of a side hustle begins with the promise of making quick cash on the side. With stories of people making thousands overnight, who wouldn’t be tempted?
Reality: The Annapurna Ain’t Climbed in a Day! It Takes Time to See Profit.
Before you can relish the fruits, there’s the climb. From ideating to creating, your side hustle might take a bit of muscle (and maybe some momo-and-rara fueled late nights).
More often than not, a side hustle requires a period of investment – both time and money. Whether you’re selling crafts, offering freelance writing, or starting an online course, there’s groundwork to be laid. Market research, building a client base, and refining your product or service can take months, if not years, before you see consistent profit.
Flexible Hours – Work When I Want. Set My Hours, Maybe Post-Dashain?
The dream is to escape the 9-5 grind, right? A side hustle is imagined as something that gives you the freedom to work on your terms. You’re thinking you’ll work a bit here, a bit there, maybe after the big festivals?
Reality: Long Hours, Especially in the Beginning, Welcome to the Real Tihar Marathon
The festive lights of Tihar might be out, but yours will be burning bright. At least initially. Your side hustle will ask for commitment, much like your grandmother asking when you’ll settle down.
While you have the autonomy to choose your hours, the truth is that a side hustle often demands long hours, especially during its infancy. Balancing it with a full-time job means late nights, early mornings, and sacrificed weekends.
Low Investment, High Returns – Spend Some, Earn Loads
You’re thinking a wee bit of investment, maybe less than a trip to Thamel? Many believe that side hustles require minimal investment. After all, it’s just a “side” thing.
Reality: Those Hidden Costs Lurk Like a Yeti – Hidden Costs Everywhere
A surprise here, an unexpected cost there. Your investment might look more like a full-fledged Jatra by the end. Whether it’s marketing costs, platform fees, or investment in tools and materials, costs can quickly add up. Depending on your niche, you might find yourself spending more than you initially anticipated.
It’s My Jam; It’ll Flow Like the Bagmati – I’ll Do What I Love, So It’ll Be Easy
Your passion project should roll smoothly, much like the Narayani river, right? Passion projects are often the seed for side hustles. The belief is that if you’re doing what you love, it won’t feel like work.
Reality: Even the Narayani Has Its Rough Days – Passion Doesn’t Exclude Challenges
Passion is your compass, but the journey still has its rough patches. But hey, doesn’t the monsoon make Kathmandu even more beautiful? Even the most passionate projects come with challenges. There’s administration work, dealing with difficult clients, or navigating market fluctuations. Love for your craft doesn’t negate these challenges; it merely provides motivation to push through.
Furthermore, the marshmallows are hard to ignore, short-term opportunities you are presented with and your unchecked wants with shortened attention span all play against you.
What to do then?
Alright, Sherpa-in-the-making, now let’s talk about how can we take it all:
Understanding the realities doesn’t mean abandoning your side hustle dreams. Instead, it’s about being prepared. Here are some solutions to ensure your side venture stands a solid chance:
Research and Plan, Chart Your Everest: Before you take the leap, map it out. What’s your niche? Who’s your audience? Lay the groundwork. Don’t dive in blindly. Understand your market, your competition, and your audience. Create a business plan, even if it’s a simple one.
Start Small and Scale – Slow and Steady Wins the Doko Race: Start small. Test the waters, refine, then go big. Instead of investing a huge amount upfront, start small. Test your product or service, get feedback, and then scale accordingly.
Manage Time Like It’s Precious Pashmina: Value your time. Plan it, prioritize it. Invest in tools or apps that help you manage your time effectively. Allocate specific hours to your side hustle and stick to them as much as possible.
Seek Mentorship, a Guru: Find someone who’s been there, done that. A local mentor can help you dodge those Kathmandu potholes. Their insights can save you from common pitfalls and guide you through challenges.
Stay Financially Organized – Keep Your Rupees in Row: Keep track of your expenses and income. Consider expense tracking and budgeting for better insights on what goes into the making..
Don’t Forget to Celebrate the Small Wins: Sold your first product? Landed a gig? Treat yourself to some Newa Lahana! The journey is hard, so every win, no matter how small, is worth time celebrating. It keeps the morale high and provides motivation to keep going.
So, my friend, your side hustle journey is like a trek through our beautiful Nepali landscapes – unpredictable, challenging, but oh-so-rewarding. Ready to make your mark?
It may sound that the path to a successful side hustle is paved with challenges, understanding these realities and preparing for them makes the journey manageable.
It’s essential to enter with realistic expectations and a willingness to adapt, learn, and grow.
A side hustle can become a significant source of income and satisfaction but it requires deliberate time investment, commitment and dedication.
What do you think? Let me know in the comments below.
That’s all for today!
– Bhupal
Happy hustling.
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Side Hustle: From Kathmandu to Global Cool
https://bhupalsapkota.com/side-hustle-kathmandu/