Millennials make the most of side hustles

Millennials are determined to break the paycheck-to-paycheck living cycle, or so it seems, since many are crafting unique side gigs for additional income and are considered the “side hustle generation,” according to Bankrate.

Side hustles, or any extra source of income outside of a regular job, are gaining popularity regardless of age. A 2018 Bankrate survey found that nearly 4 in 10 Americans have one. But millennials are drawn to side hustles more than other generations — almost 50% of millennials rely on a side hustle to make ends meet, according to Bankrate.

Sara Ponce was looking for a way to channel her creativity when she founded Pretty and Petite, a clothing brand dedicated to empowering petite women.

The 23-year-old Oxford, Conn., native is an associate analyst for Moody’s Corp. in New York, but her passion lies in helping others, Ponce says. At under 5 feet tall, she recalls hating her body growing up due to her inability to find clothes that fit. That inspired her to not only help other women find petite clothing in all styles, but, more importantly, love their body regardless of the size, she says.

“Short women grow up with a lot of people associating them with child-like characteristics and downplaying them because of their height. So I want my brand to have a bold impact on women and help them feel important or ‘big’ in their own terms.”

While Pretty and Petite first started as an Instagram blog offering petite styling tips and clothing reviews, Ponce’s fan base soon requested a clothing line. With no fashion experience or background, Ponce found herself tasked with self-learning everything from clothing measurements to marketing.

And instead of waiting for experience to magically knock on their doors, millennials are known for seeking out opportunities — whether it’s internships, fellowships or side hustles that can help them gain required exposure.

“I have so many degrees and everyone just assumes that I can easily find a fulltime job, but for the past summer I’ve applied to over 300 jobs,” said Castella Copeland, a UConn graduate and part-time educational leadership doctoral student at the

University of Hartford.

The 24-year-old from Windsor, Conn., creates a full-time income through six side hustles that simultaneously build her resume. Copeland is a substitute teacher, an adjunct professor at Western Connecticut State University, a grant writer for the town of Vernon, a cheerleading coach at Windsor High School and an ice skating instructor in West Hartford and Simsbury, Conn.

“One job only pays $28 an hour, while another one pays $13 and the other pays $17,” Copeland said. “All my side gigs don’t pay enough so I end up stacking them to make a living.”

While her schedule may get hectic, she says time management and organization are key — and are key skills in any work environment.

“Many people look at me like, ‘You’re a professor? You’re only 24!’ Well yeah, I’m trying to get as many opportunities and (as much) education as possible,” she said. “If you want me to coach, I’ll coach. If you want me to teach from one of my many majors, I can do that, too. Anything to not only make money, but also get that experience.”