The Top 10 Side Hustles for 2025 - Side Hustle Nation

      Side Hustle Nation is committed to enhancing your personal profitability. To achieve this, we frequently collaborate with companies that align with that mission. If you register or buy through one of our partner links, we might receive compensation—at no additional cost to you. Learn more. The end of the year is near, signaling a moment to reflect on the standout side hustles—the ones that sparked conversations, the ones I was thrilled to share, and those that made me think, “Wow, I need to pause what I'm doing and try that.” A good episode, for me, is one where I conclude the call feeling exactly that way. I endeavor to maintain some discipline as shiny object syndrome is real, but when something truly catches my attention, I know it will be a successful episode. Therefore, I've compiled my top 10 for the year, listed in chronological order. New listeners can find episode numbers to explore the ones that pique their interest. Long-time listeners can see if their favorites are included. (Here’s the Spotify playlist for easy access: Best Side Hustles of the Year 2025.)

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      1. Vending Machines

      Kicking off 2025’s best side hustles is Anthony Kolodziej’s vending machine venture featured in Episode 662, which has become one of the most remarkable scaling stories we've shared this year. In just 16 months, Anthony's vending business in the Chicago area skyrocketed from zero to over $50k per month, and by year’s end, he was surpassing $100k monthly. This man is moving a significant amount of snacks and beverages! Interestingly, those in the industry prefer not to refer to them as "vending machines" any longer. You know how AI is revolutionizing everything? They’re now dubbed “AI smart markets.” Nevertheless, the core concept remains the same: secure the right locations, purchase products in bulk, and sell them at a profit. The greater the volume, the better.

      What makes Anthony’s story particularly notable? Throughout the episode, he is remarkably candid about his profit margins, mistakes, and the large sums of debt he accrued while financing the machines, effectively getting them for free since the sales covered the debt payment and then some. His secret? Outstanding customer service and responsiveness that outshine traditional operators. “When I enter a meeting, I say, ‘Hey, I’m local. You can call me and I’ll respond immediately.’” He sends proposals within 24 hours, sets transparent expectations for restocking schedules, and introduces modern cashless technology to places still using outdated coin-operated machines. We even did a follow-up with Anthony later in the year (Episode 703), where he shared the moment he woke up to show his wife: “We literally made $25 while we slept.” This moment of gratitude and excitement led them to ponder, “What if we had 10 of these machines? What if we had 100?” Interested in more? Check out Mike Hoffmann’s Vendingpreneur training program and book a strategy call today.

      2. Printables

      This is certainly a more conventional side hustle, one that can be entirely conducted online — Cody Berman’s printables business, showcased in Episode 665. Cody has been in the printables game for years, but what makes his story stand out is his response to skeptics online declaring, “It’s too saturated now” and “Good luck starting that business today.” Cody’s reply? “Challenge accepted.” He opened a brand-new Etsy shop with no sales history or outside traffic and demonstrated that it still works — achieving $1k per month in just 4 months.

      What types of products can you sell? Consider:

      - Thank you cards

      - Budget templates

      - Chore charts

      - Meal planners

      - Intake forms

      - Packing lists

      - Trip planners

      - Invitations

      - Trivia games

      - Checklists

      Cody’s advice for starting out: “If you’re already a side hustler, examine what you have and what you’re currently utilizing.” His keyword research method involves creating a comprehensive list (over 250 ideas) and then using tools like eRank and Everbee to address two crucial questions: Is there search demand? Is there competition? Target low-volume search terms with minimal competition. If he manages to make 10 sales a month for a $5 product, that equates to $50/month in passive income. Accumulate an array of these “mini digital assets,” and it turns into a substantial operation. Create them once and sell them repeatedly. To explore further, check out Cody’s E-Printables Side Hustle Course.

      3. User Generated Content (UGC)

      This isn’t about being an influencer with a massive following. Rather, it