I revisited an article from last year to see how it held up. The writer encouraged people to start a side hustle, something that seems natural for young people to investigate.

Main point: “These days, an increasing number of Americans can see themselves starting ventures of their own. Young people are particularly interested: 50% percent of Gen Z aspire to become entrepreneurs or start their own businesses, according to a report from Samsung and Morning Consult.”

More about it:

• “…one side hustle isn’t necessarily equivalent to the next in terms of the investment of time and money — or the potential return.”
• “…if you really want it, you need to put in the work.”
• “Slow and steady wins the race.”
• “…just start.”

Is the article relevant today? The topic continues to be relevant to young people and those who advise them about calling and career. 

The principles still hold:

• Find a problem people will pay to solve
• Start lean as a side hustle
• Build toward scalability and income over time

Takeaways for young people and those who advise them about calling and career:

• Align your hustle with real problems and your strengths.
  • Choose ideas grounded in need, not just passion or trendiness.
  • Validate concepts early—talk to potential users or customers before investing time or money.
  • Leverage your unique strengths and interests for sustainable advantage.
• Start small, run lean, scale smart.
  • Treat your side hustle like a test — start with minimal investment, iterative feedback, and pre‑orders or early sales to gauge demand.
  • Use tools and automation to limit overhead—in time and cash.
  • As you grow, plan for scaling: build processes, bring in help, and invest strategically.
• Cultivate resilience and define success on your own terms.
  • Expect setbacks, pivots, and imperfect starts.
  • The entrepreneurs who eventually succeed often aren’t the most brilliant—they are the most persistent.
  • Build “cockroach mode” resilience and the ability to pivot when needed.
  • At the same time, success isn’t just financial—it’s often about autonomy, meaning, and purpose that fit your values and lifestyle.

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