
There really is something magical about a new year.
You’re brimming with positivity and a ‘can do’ attitude. And I believe these are two powerful traits that can propel you those first few weeks of the year.
This becomes more powerful if one of your goals is to increase your income and grow your wealth in 2025.
If you are ready to start off the year exploring ways to boost your finances, then I have some good news for you.
Did you know that you can create, start, and run a business over the course of a weekend?
Yes, 48 hours are enough to explore and start many business ideas.
If you’re still trying to figure what’s next, and not yet ready to take the leap in changing your career or setting up a fully-fledged business, you can consider these ideas for things you can do on the side, that will generate much-needed income for you.
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Table of Contents
- Five reasons to consider a side or small business.
- Ten Side Hustles you start in one weekend
- 2. Explore Freelance Opportunities
- 3. Make and sell baked goods.
- 4. Try Photography
- 5. Create Worksheets.
- 6. Create a mini course.
- 7. Offer an Errand service
- 8. Offer Catering Services
- 9. Try Graphic design
- 10. Try Blogging
- Don’t procrastinate, start exploring opportunities today.
Five reasons to consider a side or small business.
- You learn better time management as you juggle this business and your current job.
- It’s a quick and simple way to explore new opportunities without quitting your current job or project. You get to figure out if a business is the next step in your career journey.
- You get to earn money to supplement your income and improve your finances. A definite win-win
- You connect with a new market or clientele.
- It helps you grow and fine tune your skills and talents. Depending on what you choose, it gives you an opportunity to develop your current skills or learn new skills.

Ten Side Hustles you start in one weekend
- Write an eBook
Did you know that you can outline, write, and publish and e-book all in one weekend? This author talks about how to do this.
When it comes to creating e-books, the most important thing is the idea you want to share. The best part is that e-books don’t have to be long but should be meaningful. It is okay to focus on one to two core ideas.
Is this something you’ve ever considered?
You can choose a topic you’re knowledgeable about. You don’t have to be an expert, but you should know enough to transmit value.
2. Explore Freelance Opportunities
Freelancers are always in demand. Imagine waking up in the morning, pulling up your laptop and making money in the first few hours of the day. That’s what freelance and remote work can do for you.
Freelance sites like Fiverr, Upwork, and 99designs and so many others have a plethora of job and freelance opportunities from virtual assistant opportunities, writing gigs, design opportunities and others.
You can sign up with different ones and explore their boards to see what they have to offer. You could get 1-2 in 48hours.
3. Make and sell baked goods.
Do you have a sweet tooth and a deft hand at making pastries? This killer combo can come in handy in the world of baking.
I have a friend who loved brownies, he started off just making it for himself and friends, soon enough, people started ordering batches (they were that good – rich, moist, and oh so delicious).
4. Try Photography
Do you have an eye for imagery? Are you looking for opportunities to capture special moments? Well, you can also be paid for these.
If you have an active social media account where you post your images, you can use that as an opportunity to pitch to your followers.
Better yet, you can craft a short marketing message and share with your contacts, you never know who may need a photographer.
Remember to offer bonuses or discounts, depend on what will work with your audience.
Ideas could be adding extra shorts, sending a physical album etc. Test your market and see what works.
5. Create Worksheets.
Worksheets are an easy and great way to earn more, though they may require some simple design skills and the time to create it. Since you have a whole weekend, I think you can spend the first day figuring out the best options you can offer.
For instance, since it’s the beginning of the year, you can offer people things like budgeting worksheets, fitness, or healthy living worksheets or even life organisation worksheet.
These three usually do well in a new year. To design, you could sign up to Canva, they have many amazing templates you can use.

6. Create a mini course.
A mini course is usually a program that your clients can complete within a short time. This could be in terms of hours or days.
If you’ve never created a mini course, you can start by creating a short email course.
This could be a 3-day, 5-day or 7-day course around an idea or concept.
What you need to do:
- Decide on what the course will be about.
- Sign up with an email marketing provider like Kit, Mailerlite or Mailchimp
- Create and set out your course in a daily sequence.
- Publish to your contacts or on social media.
7. Offer an Errand service
For some people, weekends are the time they rest after a busy and stressful week and the last thing they would want to do on a Saturday morning is go grocery shopping or pick up/drop off their dry-cleaning. Such people would likely be open to errand services.
This is something you can pitch to your friends and people you know. And the more niche or high value service you can offer, the better.
I once offered to get fresh fruits and veggies from a fruit market that was quite a distance for my friends. They were willing to pay, because they would be getting the fruits at a considerable discount to the prices in our area.
8. Offer Catering Services
Are you a secret chef, cooking up a storm when you need to?
Then offering a catering service over the weekend is a no-brainer.
This is even better if you can cook uncommon but lovely meals. You can use your contact list and social media to check the level of interest.
Be sure to highlight your unique selling point, beyond the fact that they know you.
9. Try Graphic design
Graphic design has always been a great and in-demand tech skill. Of course, with many design platforms it may seem like people don’t really really need professional help anymore.
Here’s the thing, graphic design is more of a premium option as the average Karen will likely not need a graphic designer, but it is a skill you can easily earn a lot from, especially if you have more time to explore available opportunities.
10. Try Blogging
The last and one of my favourites is blogging.
I have been blogging in one way or another for almost 10years and it’s been such a joy. Yes, I do know that it may take a little more time to start earning from your blog, but you can set up your blog in a weekend.
If this is something you’re interested in, then here’s a resource to check out.
Don’t procrastinate, start exploring opportunities today.
There is always the temptation after reading a post like this to promise yourself you will act, but then go on to other things.
Let today be a little different. Take action immediately.
This may be creating your own list of things you can try to earn money on the side.
These are some great side hustles!
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