Many young people are told that attending university is the key to financial success, but in today’s world, a degree alone isn’t enough to guarantee a high-paying job. While some degrees offer great career paths, the idea that simply attending college will lead to wealth is one of the biggest myths still being pushed by schools and parents.
In a recent YouTube video, a successful entrepreneur breaks down seven powerful side hustles that students—and anyone, really—can start to earn money and build financial freedom. These aren’t just the usual “sell on Etsy” or “do surveys” ideas—these are real, proven side hustles that people are using right now to make serious money.
If you want to build wealth, start a side hustle early. Many millionaires didn’t become rich because of a degree; they did it through entrepreneurship and investing. Here are seven high-potential side hustles you can start today.
1. Faceless Short-Form Content
💰 Potential Income: Up to $500,000/month
⏳ Learning Time: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
💵 Startup Cost: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
🎯 Ease of Making $1,000/month: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
What is it?
Creating short-form content (TikToks, YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels) without showing your face. People like Daniel Bitten earn hundreds of thousands per month by repurposing content in creative ways—adding voiceovers, unique edits, and music to make viral clips.
Why It Works:
Social media platforms are in a war for attention. YouTube, Instagram, and Snapchat are paying creators heavily to keep users engaged. The key to success? Understanding human psychology—hook viewers in the first few seconds and keep them watching.
✅ Getting Started:
- Watch short videos daily and analyze what makes you stop scrolling
- Use free apps like CapCut or InShot for editing
- Post consistently and improve your hooks
2. Investing (Index Funds & Stocks)
💰 Potential Income: Long-term wealth growth
⏳ Learning Time: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
💵 Startup Cost: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
🎯 Ease of Making $1,000/month: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5, but long-term potential)
What is it?
Most people don’t think of investing as a side hustle, but it’s one of the most powerful ways to build wealth. The S&P 500 has averaged 11% returns per year over the last decade.
How It Works:
If you invest $200/month for 40 years, you could have $1.2 million. But you don’t have to wait that long—you can combine investing with side hustles to speed up wealth-building.
✅ Getting Started:
- Use apps like Robinhood, Webull, or Trading 212
- Invest in index funds like the S&P 500 (Vanguard VOO, VTSAX)
- Automate your investments and let compound interest work for you
3. Discord Server Building
💰 Potential Income: $1,000–$115,000/month
⏳ Learning Time: ★★☆☆☆ (2.5/5)
💵 Startup Cost: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
🎯 Ease of Making $1,000/month: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
What is it?
Discord isn’t just for gamers—it’s now a business tool. Many companies and influencers need well-managed servers for their communities, but they don’t know how to set them up.
Example:
Chris Peters, a 19-year-old entrepreneur, makes over $100,000 per month setting up and managing Discord servers for businesses.
✅ Getting Started:
- Learn by joining active Discord communities
- Offer to set up servers for free to build experience
- Charge businesses a monthly fee for server management
4. Online Coaching
💰 Potential Income: $5,000–$100,000/month
⏳ Learning Time: ★★☆☆☆ (2/5)
💵 Startup Cost: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
🎯 Ease of Making $1,000/month: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
What is it?
People pay for convenience and expertise. Whether it’s fitness coaching, marketing coaching, or personal development, people are willing to pay to learn directly from an expert.
Example:
Jack Jefferson quit his $70,000-a-year job in London because his fitness coaching side hustle was making $7,000 per month—and now he has total freedom.
✅ Getting Started:
- Identify a skill you have (fitness, business, social media, etc.)
- Start offering one-on-one coaching via Zoom or Google Meet
- Create personalized programs for each client
5. AI-Generated Animation & Artwork
💰 Potential Income: $5,000–$10,000/month
⏳ Learning Time: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
💵 Startup Cost: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
🎯 Ease of Making $1,000/month: ★★☆☆☆ (2/5)
What is it?
With AI tools like MidJourney and ChatGPT, creators can make stunning animations and illustrations without advanced skills. Businesses pay thousands for animated content.
Example:
Mercy, an AI animator, earns $8,000–$10,000/month creating animations for YouTubers.
✅ Getting Started:
- Learn AI tools like MidJourney & RunwayML
- Offer custom AI artwork for influencers and businesses
- Market your services on Upwork, Fiverr, and Twitter
6. Reselling Luxury Items
💰 Potential Income: $1,000–$1M+/month
⏳ Learning Time: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
💵 Startup Cost: ★★★☆☆ (3.5/5)
🎯 Ease of Making $1,000/month: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
What is it?
The luxury resale market is booming, worth over $39 billion annually. Items like Louis Vuitton, Dior, and Rolex watches hold their value, making reselling a profitable business.
Example:
Ben Gallagher turned his luxury resale side hustle into a $77 million business and even got investment from Steven Bartlett on Dragon’s Den.
✅ Getting Started:
- Learn how to spot authentic designer items
- Buy & resell on eBay, Poshmark, or Instagram
- Use social media (TikTok, Instagram) to grow your brand
7. Online Writing (Copywriting & Blogging)
💰 Potential Income: $5,000–$50,000+/month
⏳ Learning Time: ★★★★★ (5/5)
💵 Startup Cost: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
🎯 Ease of Making $1,000/month: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
What is it?
Every business needs high-converting words for ads, websites, sales pages, and emails. That’s where copywriters come in.
Example:
Adam, a freelance copywriter, makes $10,000+/month writing blog posts, social media content, and scripts.
✅ Getting Started:
- Learn copywriting from free resources like YouTube & Copyblogger
- Offer your services on Fiverr, Upwork, or Twitter
- Specialize in sales pages, TikTok scripts, or email marketing
Final Thoughts: Take Control of Your Financial Future
The world is changing—degrees alone don’t guarantee success anymore. If you want to build wealth and freedom, you need to start a side hustle.
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