You have what it takes to start a side gig — and we’re here to help
You might be wondering, “what’s a side gig?” It’s what happens when you combine your hobbies or unique ideas with opportunities to gain experience and earn some money. And the best part about side gigs is that they’re flexible in ways that traditional part-time or full-time work may not be.
You have what it takes to start a side gig. This week, participate in Instagram live sessions, webinars and other activities to learn how to successfully start and operate one yourself.
Why start a side gig?
- Get experience starting a business.
- Pay for tuition.
- Invest your income.
- Follow your passion.
- Balance professional development and school.
- Develop transferable, career-ready skills.
- And more! Participate in all the activities this week to explore the world of side gigs.
How to Start a Side Gig
March 22, 2:30 p.m. – 3:20 p.m. ET
Attend this workshop to learn how to start a side gig in the Hamilton community. Come with questions, leave with an understanding of your options and how to get started and find support along the way.
Tips for Startup Success
March 24, 2022, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. ET (recording available)
Attend this webinar to learn what it takes to create and operate a successful startup. Attend this panel event to learn and get tips from alumni who’ve done it themselves.
Hosted by the Forge
About the presenters
Aman Samra has spent the last seven plus years working in finance, with the majority of those in high growth tech companies. While working in the startup world, Aman was exposed to the principles of building a brand and product and scaling a business. Taking those learnings, he and a couple of friends built their first company called Espresso Claims, which ended up being a failure. He has since built his own tech-based podcast called Generation Hustle, where he interviews some of the top tech founders in North America, runs a non-profit called SAPA that helps South Asian professionals grow their careers and works as a freelance/fractional chief financial officer (CFO) for early-stage companies.
Richard Brownsdon loves helping ambitious entrepreneurs and companies succeed. In 2012, he founded his first company in London, UK, that provided travel and education services related to social entrepreneurship. He moved to Hamilton in 2016 after developing a new Amazon based e-commerce revenue stream for the business, which he sold in 2021. Richard has been working at Hamilton’s Innovation Factory since 2018. When he’s not supporting entrepreneurs, Richard loves spending time with his family.
Learn about the reality of side gigs at these Instagram Lives
March 22–24, 2022
Do you have a hobby or idea that’s made you think, “people could use this” or “I could make some money off of this”? For these McMaster students and alumni, these ideas led to side gigs, where they gained rewarding experience and some extra money.
Learn their stories and how they got started in these sessions hosted by second-year commerce student Arya Dwivedi.
Recordings
- Juan Buitrago, owner of Prep’d Fresh
- Stefanie Furgiuele, owner of Original Genes
- Breanne Poernbacher, owner of Bre’s Beadery
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- Juan Buitrago
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- Stefanie Furgiuele
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- Breanne Poernbacher
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- Arya Dwivedi
Check out last year’s Instagram Lives
LinkedIn Learning
Check out these LinkedIn Learning courses to get helpful tips and explore the world of side gigs. Remember, as a McMaster student, you have free access to LinkedIn Learning. Learn more and get started on the University Technology Services website.
If you don’t have an idea yet:
If you’re about to start your business:
- Finance Essentials for Small Business
- Start a Side Hustle
- Taxes for Small Business
- Building a Small Business Website with WordPress
- Get Ahead in the On-Demand Gig Economy
- Start a Business Online
If you have crafts-specific business ideas:
- Become a Craft Business Owner
- First Five Things You Have to Do to Start a Business as a Creator
- Become a Design Business Owner
The Forge
The Forge is a startup incubator for the McMaster University and Hamilton region that’s open to anyone pursuing scalable companies — or companies you can grow. The Forge leads programs and events, including the Startup Survivor Competition and Business Incubator to inspire and educate you, the community of entrepreneurial-minded students and innovators at McMaster.
Innovation Factory
Innovation Factory is a regional innovation centre for Hamilton that provides workshops, programming, one-on-one mentoring and support and access to funding. Its mission is to help startups commercialize their ideas and small–medium enterprises innovate within their organizations.
Hamilton Business Centre
The Hamilton Business Centre provides information and tools that entrepreneurs need to grow their businesses. Its a one-stop source for business information, guidance and professional advice on starting and leading a successful business.
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