Jan. 6, 2026

178: Top 10 Side Hustles To Start In 2026

This episode explores side hustles to start in 2026, drawn from real conversations with people building income in different ways. The list includes simple starts, scalable digital plays, and more complex businesses that solve real problems.

Show Notes

You can catch it on video too:

Most “top 10 side hustle” lists recycle the same ideas with very little context. This episode takes a different approach.

These 10 side hustles are drawn from real conversations with guests who are actually doing the work. Some are simple and inexpensive to start. Others require more capital or coordination. None are ranked, because the right side hustle depends on your situation and circumstances.

The list includes mystery shopping, selling at farmers markets, printables, online courses, virtual assistant work, AI workflow consulting, fundraising, direct mail postcards, high-ticket dropshipping, and luxury restroom trailers.

The focus is on what’s working heading into 2026, what often flies under the radar, and how people are building income without chasing hype.

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Need a little (and sometimes big) push to start and stay focused to grow your side hustle? Dive into my online Masterclass: How To Turn Your Thoughts Into Wanted Things.

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Choosing Side Hustles to Start in 2026 That Actually Fit

The hardest part of choosing a side hustle is not finding ideas. It is deciding which ones are actually worth paying attention to.

Instead of trying to rank opportunities from best to worst, this list is meant to show contrast. Different starting points. Different levels of effort. Different kinds of commitment. Each of these side hustles works, but they work for different reasons and for different people.

Before walking through the list, it is worth explaining how these made the cut. Every side hustle here met at least most of the same criteria. There is real, paying demand. There is a clear way money changes hands. It can be started or grown without quitting your job. And it has held up in the real world, based on conversations with people actually doing the work. Some are inexpensive to start. Others require more capital. What matters is that the tradeoffs are clear.

Mystery Shopping

Mystery shopping sits at the lowest barrier end of the spectrum. It does not require inventory, special skills, or startup costs. Businesses still pay for real customer experience feedback, and that demand has not gone away. This is a practical option if you want to test earning outside of a job without committing to building a business right away.

Selling at Farmers Markets

Selling at farmers markets is hands-on and very real world. It is relatively inexpensive to start and gives immediate feedback. You know quickly what people will buy, what they will not, and whether you enjoy interacting directly with customers. For some people, this stays a small but steady income stream. For others, it becomes the foundation for something much bigger.

Printables

Printables move the conversation into digital leverage. This model works when it is built around what people are already searching for and when competition is understood upfront. The appeal here is that you create something once and refine it over time. The work is front loaded, but the income is not tied to showing up in person.

Virtual Assistant Work

Virtual assistant work is often misunderstood. It is not about starting over or learning something entirely new. It is about switching lanes and applying skills you already have in a different way. Organization, communication, coordination, and follow through all translate well here. This is a flexible option that fits around an existing schedule.

Postcards and Direct Mail

Direct mail stands out because it runs counter to how most marketing is done today. As people become more skeptical of what they see online, physical mail can cut through in a different way. This side hustle is built on local, face-to-face relationships. You are selling directly to business owners and decision makers, not running ads behind a screen. It works best for someone comfortable having conversations, building trust, and staying visible in their community.

Fundraising Support

Fundraising is one of the most overlooked opportunities on the list. Nonprofits and community organizations need cash flow just as much as businesses do, but many lack structure around how they raise it. This side hustle works especially well when it is tied to causes you already care about. Shared mission makes conversations easier and trust builds faster.

High Ticket Dropshipping

High ticket dropshipping introduces asset thinking. Instead of focusing only on monthly income, this model focuses on building something that can eventually be sold. It requires more strategy and patience than lower barrier options, but it creates leverage. For people thinking long term, this shift in mindset can be significant.

Online Courses

Online courses are often dismissed because of the belief that you need to be a top expert. In reality, many people prefer learning from someone who is only a few steps ahead. Courses work best when they focus on one specific outcome and are built around lived experience, not theory.

AI Workflow Consulting for Small Business

AI workflow consulting is less about technology and more about systems. Small businesses are overwhelmed and want their existing tools to work better together. This side hustle rewards people who notice inefficiencies and can simplify processes. It often starts with one small improvement and grows from there, with pricing tied to outcomes rather than hours.

Luxury Restroom Trailers

Luxury restroom trailers close out the list because they represent a very different kind of opportunity. This is more capital intensive and operationally complex than most of the other options. It requires planning, logistics, and coordination. In return, it solves a universal problem and serves a wide range of use cases. This is not quick or easy, but it can grow into a serious business.

Fit Is the Through Line

What connects all of these side hustles to start in 2026 is not hype or novelty. It is fit.

Fit with your time. Fit with your skills. Fit with how much responsibility you want to take on right now. Some of these ideas are easy to test. Others demand commitment. Neither approach is better. They are simply different.

The goal is not to pick the most impressive option. The goal is to choose something you will actually follow through on. When a side hustle fits your life, it is easier to start, easier to improve, and far more likely to grow into something meaningful over time.

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Here are links to all the conversations mentioned:

140: How to Make $200–$500/Day as a Mystery Shopper

https://www.sidehustlehero.com/How-to-Make-200-500-a-Day-as-a-Mystery-Shopper/

159: Popcorn Profits: Making a Living in Just One Day a Week

https://www.sidehustlehero.com/Popcorn-Profits-Makes-a-Living-in-One-Day-a-Week/

176: How to Build a Profitable Business From Day One

https://www.sidehustlehero.com/how-to-build-a-profitable-business-from-day-one/

161: From Idea to $100K: How to Sell Printables on Etsy & Shopify

https://www.sidehustlehero.com/how-to-sell-printables-etsy-shopify-100k/

155: How to Start as a Virtual Assistant

https://www.sidehustlehero.com/how-to-start-as-a-virtual-assistant/