Nate Frindall, a 19-year-old entrepreneur, has taken the side hustle to the next level. He moonlights as everyone’s favorite web-slinger, Spiderman! Frindall styles a bespoke costume. He spends most of his evenings and weekends performing, which not only continues to inspire his work but provides him with a supplemental income. His story illustrates a trend among younger people who are choosing flexible work options in place of regular nine-to-five jobs.
Frindall purchased a professional-grade Spiderman costume, which has proven a huge asset to his lucrative side hustle. This passion project has stoked his interest in creating performance art. It similarly unlocks new opportunities for profit-producing endeavors, such as music production and live performances. Frindall stated, “I don’t have much interest in getting a nine-to-five,” highlighting his desire for freedom in his work life.
The popularity of side hustles is hardly exclusive to Frindall. Amy Baldwin, a 38-year-old mother of three. She’s taken on a lot of different side hustles, like selling clothes online, taking paid surveys, and mystery shopping. Baldwin started her side hustles after developing them to fund a family vacation. She did want to have the flexibility to attend to both work and family commitments. By sharing every step of the way on social media, she’s built a tight-knit community that keeps her entrepreneurial journey just as thrilling.
Baldwin shared her struggles, stating, “I’ve definitely overburdened myself at points and had a little cry.” She emphasized the necessity of side hustles in her life, saying, “We were both working full time just to survive. That just didn’t seem right.” As she puts it, for her these businesses enable her to care for her kids in ways she comes to believe would not have been possible otherwise.
Social scientist Dr. Matthew Cole notes how this latest cost of living crisis has pushed countless people into hustling. They’re not doing it because they’re so passionate about their communities and drawing TIFs—they’re using it like a coping mechanism. He noted that many Americans are being forced to seek out other means of income to keep up with growing costs.
As Frindall prepares to take his Spiderman enterprise to the next level, he’s going to be hiring a host of new impersonators. This ambition is emblematic of the macro reality of people pursuing multiple income streams. Jugging experts caution that the practice of holding multiple positions usually results in working more hours and burning out. Workers usually end up toiling much more than they intended. They fall on personal unpaid promotional work and lose time with family and friends.
Amber is another side hustler who sought a change of pace and excitement through hustling. While side gigs can provide opportunities for additional income and personal fulfillment, they can blur the line between work and leisure, impacting mental health and overall well-being.