A whopping three in five UK adults (61%) either already have, or are considering, a side hustle, according to a new study.
Research indicates people are yearning to live bigger and better, with 43% saying their top reasoning is to earn money for disposable income to spend on luxuries such as holidays, self-care or eating out.
On the other hand, others are simply trying to keep up with the cost of living, with one in three (30%) saying earning extra money for living expenses such as bills and mortgages is a main motivator.
With rising debt, inflation and unemployment, Brits are seeing starting a side-gig as a solution. 4.40 million people in the UK were declared as self-employed as of April 2025, a rise of around 49,000 year-on-year, according to ONS. As self-employment figures continue to grow, it’s clear we’re witnessing a ‘be your own boss’ entrepreneurship boom.
The recent study, conducted by art suppliers Jackson’s Art, delved into how many people are currently earning, or considering a secondary income, the reasons for this, and which ‘side hustles’ are the most popular and lucrative.
What are the most popular side hustles?
The study revealed half of the UK’s top 10 most popular side hustles are rooted in creative skills, such as selling handcrafted goods, photography and prints, highlighting a wealth of untapped talent and artistic flair across the UK.
The 10 Most Popular Side Hustles:
- Reselling clothes (27%)
- Selling handcrafted goods (24%)
- Pet walking / sitting (17%)
- Tutoring (17%)
- Social media / content creation (15%)
- Selling photography (14%)
- Selling artwork or prints (12%)
- DIY services such as cleaning, landscaping or home repairs (11%)
- Graphic Design (10%)
- Drop shipping (8%)
Who are the top hustlers?
Millennials (25 – 34-year-olds) have the highest percentage of active secondary incomes with 37% of that age group pursing an additional job. This group are the most incentivised by money, with 37% saying they do it to earn more disposable income.
Overall, when Brits were asked why they would have a side hustle alongside a full-time job, the top three reasonings were…
- To live bigger and better
Just under half (43%) say their main motivator is to earn extra money for disposable income for luxuries such as holidays, clothes, self-care, eating out, entertainment or experiences.
- To keep up with the rising cost of living
A concern shared by many, almost a third (30%) of adults admit to taking up a side hustle to earn extra money for living expenses such as bills, rent or mortgage.
- To embrace their inner creative
On the other hand, some pursue a side hustle for fun and enjoyment as nearly 1 in 8 (12%) seek out ways to be fun and creative.
“I’ve never liked working in an office or having such a rigid 9-5 schedule”
Gina Flynn, 33, from Manchester shares how she turned her side hustle into a full-time pet portraitist career…
“I was relocating at the time and planned on starting my business as a side hustle, I was going to get a local part-time job. I started an Etsy as it had very low start up fees and at the time I was the only person selling painted jackets like mine, so I thought it would help to have an existing customer base. I found pretty quickly I gained a lot of organic traffic.
“I started in February 2019 and by July 2019 I had already made £4,000, at the time I only had 2 products so that was insane and when I realised, I probably could make this my full-time job. That was one of my best months on Etsy as now my income is split across Etsy, my website and in-person events, I usually earn more August-October than the rest of the year combined as it is the lead up to Christmas.
“I’ve never liked working in an office or having such a rigid 9-5 schedule. I wanted to spend more time with my dogs and be able to do different things every day. I tend to spend the days doing my own thing and I work in the evenings, which I love and I’m much more productive that way round. I’m also now able to volunteer one morning a week at a local dog rescue which I love, it’s my favourite thing each week and I’d never have that opportunity when I was working full-time for an employer.”
To take a look at Gina’s work, please visit: https://giflynndesign.com/
Looking to get started on your own creative side hustle? Evie Hatch, art specialist at Jackson’s Art says…
“Not all side hustles require a big upfront spend. While some creative ventures need materials and equipment, others can begin with what you already have at home. Whether it’s a half-used set of paints, a camera gathering dust, or a cupboard of crafting supplies, look around before you invest. Starting small makes the process more sustainable. Considering what you already have is a good way to narrow down, artistic side hustle options.”
For the full report and tips on how to pursue an artistic side hustle, please visit: https://www.jacksonsart.com/blog/2025/07/09/how-creatives-are-monetising-their-talents-with-side-hustles/