715: The 10 Best Side Hustles of the Year - The Side Hustle Show Recap

Podcast: The Side Hustle Show

Published: 2025-12-29

Duration: 1 hr 2 min

Guests: Cody Berman, Megan Collier, Garrett Brown

Summary

This episode reviews the top 10 side hustles of the year, showcasing innovative business models ranging from AI smart vending machines to UGC content creation, offering listeners actionable insights into successful side hustle strategies.

What Happened

Anthony's vending machine business, featured in Episode 662, transformed into an AI smart market, generating over $100,000 a month. He underscores the importance of customer service and clear communication with property managers for success. Cody Berman's Etsy shop, highlighted in Episode 665, achieved $1,000 monthly sales in just four months by focusing on low-competition niches through strategic keyword research.

User-generated content (UGC) emerged as a lucrative side hustle, with creators earning hundreds per video. Megan Collier shares her strategy of landing UGC deals via Instagram DMs and cold emails. This demonstrates the potential of social media as a business tool.

Tim Karstensen's mobile phone party business exemplifies creative entrepreneurship. By securing deposits before events, he financed necessary equipment, illustrating a smart approach to managing startup costs. Chris Gray's Bald Buck BBQ Seasoning business leveraged white labeling and influencer marketing to achieve $300,000 in annual sales.

Garrett Brown's glamping business follows a strategic location model - 60 minutes from a major city, 30 from a regional attraction, and 10 from civilization. This approach, combined with strong social media presence, drove most bookings directly, bypassing platforms like Airbnb.

ShareTown's reverse logistics service offers a low-overhead side hustle by partnering with local reps to manage bulky item returns. This model requires minimal audience building, focusing on operational efficiency. Informational directories, as noted by Frey Chu, resist AI disruption by targeting niches with high search volume and low competition.

Facebook's content monetization program is another highlight, with creators like Jeff Rose earning about $1,000 daily by posting frequently. Cheyenne's use of old radio shows for homemaking advice grew her email list to 30,000 subscribers, showcasing the value of content repurposing and targeted marketing strategies.

Key Insights