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If you’re thinking about starting a side hustle in 2026, you’re not alone. But how do people start profitable side hustles; where do you even begin?
With flexible earning platforms, economic uncertainty, and a growing drive for financial independence, more people than ever are exploring new ways to earn extra income this year.
The best part is, starting a side hustle doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right idea and the right tools to stay organized, you can build something that earns — and maybe even more than that.
In this article, we look at the best and most profitable side hustles for 2026 — and why this year’s tech-driven, flexible economy makes it the perfect time to get started with one.
A “Side Hustle”: What It Is and What It Isn’t
A “side hustle” is a supplementary revenue stream that you have outside of your main source of income. Side hustles are usually something that you do on a flexible schedule and on your own terms. These days, side hustles are becoming a normal part of life as people look for extra income to keep up with rising costs while keeping control of their schedule.
What Qualifies a Job as a Side Hustle?
Side hustle is not the same as a part time job. Both will make you extra money, but not in the same way. A part-time job means that you follow a set schedule. For example, working at a retail store every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night is a part-time job.
A side hustle is more flexible. If you sell handmade picture frames online, that’s a side hustle. You decide what you sell, when you work on it, where you sell it, and how far you want to take your business.
It is important to see these differences, because the way you approach a side hustle will determine whether it remains just a few extra dollars a month or something you can transition to make a living off of.
The big differences between a side hustle and a part-time job are:
- Flexible hours. You make your own schedule and choose how much you want to work.
- Ownership. You make all of the decisions and lead how the work is done.
- Room to Grow. A side hustle can start small and turn into a full-time job.
- Personal Interest-based. Many side hustles grow out of hobbies or personal pursuits.
From “Moonlighting” to “Side Hustles”: How Holding Multiple Jobs Has Changed
Working more than one job isn’t new. In 1985, about 5% of Americans (5.2 million people) worked 2 or more jobs. In 2026, that percentage is still about the same. What has changed is the type of “second job” people are taking and the tools they have to do it. Technology has transformed how people earn extra income, and the term “side hustle” has replaced “moonlighting” to describe it.
Forty years ago, an extra job usually meant another part-time shift, since selling online or using gig platforms wasn’t an option. Today, people have more flexibility, better tools, and more opportunities to choose side hustles that fit their lifestyles.
Some of these side hustles are ideal for entrepreneurs who want to grow into full-time business owners, while others are perfect for people looking to earn steady, low-effort income.
In this article we explore both profitable side hustles to turn into a business, as well as side hustles that earn income with minimal effort.
Profitable Side Hustles to Turn into a Full-time Business
Many successful businesses began as small side hustles, and with today’s tools and flexible opportunities, turning one into a full-time business has never been easier. Unlike part-time jobs, side hustles present opportunities to reinvest and grow your own business into a full-time gig. If that’s your goal, a good formula to follow is to start with something that is easy to launch, needed in your local area, built on convenience.
Here are a few examples:
Pet Care
Pet care is one of the easiest side hustles to start, has consistent demand, and plenty of room to grow. Many people start out by walking dogs and pet sitting for neighbors. This will allow you to build trust and a steady list of repeat clients. With low startup costs (walking gear, waste bags, travel costs, marketing), healthy outdoor exercise, and plenty of interaction with furry friends, pet care is a perfect fit for many side hustlers.
If you find pet care is “your thing”, you can then expand into grooming, training, boarding, or even pet daycare service. As your business grows, you can add extra services like pet birthday parties and agility workshops. Because pets are considered family, reliable care is always in demand.
Pros of a Pet Care Side Hustle
- Low startup cost and low overhead
- Flexible schedule and lifestyle fit
- High demand (sometimes in affluent areas owners will pay more for services)
Cons of a Pet Care Side Hustle
- Unpredictability (weather, seasonal demand, cancellations are common)
- Physically demanding and time-intensive
- Liability/insurance risk (you need protections if a pet gets hurt, or a pet hurts you or someone else)
Minimum Startup Costs for Pet Sitting/Dog Walking Side Hustle: $500
Average First Year Net Profits for Pet Sitting/Dog Walking Side Hustle: $13,416 (at a rate of $17/20 per hour)
Party & Wedding Rentals
Event rentals are a popular side hustle because they can grow into a full-time business with steady demand. The advantages include good profits, a large variety of events to serve, and weekend-based work.
You can start renting out smaller items with lower costs and easier transportation, like chairs, tables, or inflatables for kids’ birthday parties. As your business grows you can offer higher-end items like décor, lighting, and sound systems for weddings and corporate events.
Some of the most popular and profitable party and wedding rentals include:
Rental Type | Description | Difficulty |
Party Supplies | tables, chairs, linens, and decore; popular for weddings, but applicable for all event types | Easy |
Bounce Houses & Inflatables | delivery and setup of inflatables, mainly for kid’s parties.Includes bounces, slides, obstacle courses, and games. | Easy |
Yard Games | oversized versions of board games like Jenga or Chess, as well as backyard games like cornhole | Easy |
Tents | delivery and setup of tent coverings ranging in complexity and size. | Moderate |
Concessions | popcorn machines, snow cones, and more food/drink-related equipment; typically paired with kernels,syrups, and required ingredients for an up-charge | Moderate |
The biggest challenges are scheduling and inventory tracking, but with the right tools to manage those, scaling your side hustle becomes a lot easier.
Thinking of getting into event rentals? Check out our cloud-based software used by small businesses to manage party and event rentals; with special startup pricing for new businesses.
Pros of a Party Rental Side Hustle
- High demand, especially on weekends (perfect for balancing a 9-5 job)
- Strong profit margins
- Great upsell opportunities
Cons of a Party Rental Side Hustle
- Physical demanding and time-intensive
- Maintenance, cleaning, and wear and tear of equipment
- Liability and insurance requirements
- Weather dependence & seasonality
- Storage and transportation
Minimum Startup Costs for Party Rental Side Hustle: $3,000
Average First Year Net Profits for Party Rental Side Hustle: $15,000 (based on predictions by ProfitableVenture)
Fitness Competition Rentals
CrossFit-style fitness competitions have exploded in popularity over the past two decades, creating a new niche for side hustlers. These events require specialized equipment including barbells, kettlebells, gymnastics bars, and timing systems.
Because this gear is expensive and the delivery, setup, and breakdown can be complex, event organizers often prefer to rent instead of buy. That makes fitness competition rentals a strong opportunity, especially since competitions are held consistently throughout the year.
While startup costs are high, the equipment has a long shelf life and can be rented out many times, which leads to a strong return on investment. With effective management of bookings, inventory, and logistics, this side hustle has excellent money-making potential.
Pros of a Fitness Competition Rental Side Hustle
- High demand (especially in warmer weather)
- Premium pricing
- Minimal competitors
- Cross-selling opportunities (sound systems, tents, lighting, etc.)
Cons of a Fitness Competition Rental Side Hustle
- Heavy, labor-intensive transport and setup
- Liability risk
- High upfront costs
- Higher stress than other rental types (low margin for error)
- High risk of equipment damage
Minimum Startup Costs for Fitness Competition Rental Side Hustle: $10,000
Average First Year Net Profits for Fitness Competition Rental Side Hustle: $15,000 (pricing estimates by 5kevents.org and accuchiptiming)
Profitable Side Hustles with Low Effort
Of course, not every side hustle has to become a full-time business and involve walking dogs, setting up events, or making deliveries. There are some side hustles that generate income in the background with little day-to-day work.
The following passive side hustles involve renting out equipment and letting the assets earn for you:
Podcast/Music Recording Equipment Rentals
The popularity of podcast media and home music recording has rapidly grown in popularity since the 2010s. There is now a big market for people who want access to professional recording equipment but don’t want to pay an arm and a leg for it.
Renting out items like headphones, microphones, mixers, and portable recording equipment is a great way to tap into this market. You can allow beginners to test out equipment before buying and give hobbyists the ability to create high-quality content at a much lower cost.
This type of rental business can launch offering just a few in-demand items and expand into a full-service recording studio. The key will be maintaining gear in excellent condition and streamlining scheduling, but if done correctly, this side hustle has a huge upside.
Pros of a Podcast/Music Recording Equipment Rental Side Hustle
- High margins
- Strong, repeat business (high demand from local business like churches, venues, and small studios)
- Long shelf life of inventory
- Strong re-selling market for dated gear & unused parts
Cons of a Podcast/Music Recording Equipment Rental Side Hustle
- High upfront costs
- High theft/damage risk
- Technical obsolescence (you’ll need to refresh digital inventory every few years)
- Customer support requirements
Minimum Startup Costs for Podcast/Music Recording Equipment Rental Side Hustle: $15,000
Average First Year Net Profits for a Podcast/Music Recording Equipment Rental Side Hustle: $5,000 (based on estimates derived from BPlan.ai)
Adventure and Recreation Rentals
Outdoor activities have grown in popularity in recent years, making this a strong opportunity to rent out gear that people don’t want to buy or find the space to store. Kayaks, paddle boards, fishing rods, beach chairs, umbrellas, and binoculars are all popular rental items that help people enjoy the outdoors.
An outdoor recreation side hustle can start out renting simple equipment like this but can then grow into packages for camping trips, fishing outings, and beach vacations.
Because this side hustle will be offering multiple items and multiple rentals over the same day or weekend, coordinating scheduling and tracking inventory is essential. If managed correctly, this seasonal side hustle can bring in steady income.
Pros of an Adventure and Recreation Rental Side Hustle
- Growing market
- Good ROI
- More fun and simple to market (experiences sell themselves)
Cons of an Adventure and Recreation Rental Side Hustle
- Seasonal and weather-dependent
- Storage and transport of heavy items (things like kayaks, bikes, and small vehicles)
- Liability and safety
- Location dependency (there may not be enough interest in low-traffic areas of the country)
Minimum Startup Costs for Adventure and Recreation Rental Side Hustle: $10,000 (depending on equipment and gear)
Average First Year Net Profits for Adventure and Recreation Rental Side Hustle: $5,000 (based on estimates derived from Financial Model Excel)
Vending Machine Rentals
Vending machines are a classic passive income side hustle that is still a good option in 2026. Once your machines are set up, they can generate money around the clock with very little ongoing work. The demand for convenient, on-the-go snacks and drinks hasn’t declined, and modern machines can even accept mobile payments and send inventory alerts, making management easier than ever.
Many people begin with one or two machines placed in high-traffic areas such as office buildings, schools, or apartment complexes. Then it’s just a matter of keeping them stocked and maintained — which isn’t an everyday responsibility.
Like other equipment-based side hustles, vending machines let your assets earn income for you. With smart placement and light management, a vending machine can quietly earn income in the background without demanding much of your time.
Pros of a Vending Machine Rental Side Hustle
- Passive income
- Highly scalable (just add more machines)
- No marketing required
Cons of a Vending Machine Rental Side Hustle
- Cannot be successful without good locations
- Not completely passive (refilling, cleaning, repairs)
- Risk of vandalism and theft
Minimum Startup Costs for Vending Machine Rental Side Hustle: $6,000 (starting with 2 machines at $3,000 per machine)
Average First Year Net Profits for Vending Machine Rental Side Hustle: $4,000 (using the Vending Machine Calculator)
Do I Need a Business License for a Side Hustle?
Needing a business license for a side hustle depends on the type of side hustle you will be running and how much you want to grow it.
If you will be selling handmade crafts on Etsy or dog sitting, you probably won’t need a business license to get started since these are low-liability, small scale hustles.
On the other hand, if your side hustle will involve risk of injury or damage, like in food/drink-based hustles, advanced pet care, or renting equipment, then you will have to make sure your business is in legal compliance to operate. Since these are higher transaction, higher-liability businesses, then you typically will need licenses, permits, and insurance to run them.
Keep in mind that the licenses, permits, and insurance required may vary based on the city, county, and state you operate in.
Building a Party Rental Side Hustle? Try ERS Software
There are countless profitable side hustles that you can start based on your schedule, preferences, and goals. These are just a few of the options available in 2026.
But, if you want to turn your side hustle into something more than “extra cash” then what’s important is not what you choose, but how you choose to run it.
For example, if want to start a business involving renting party equipment, tracking inventory, and setting up events, you’ll need the right tools to stay organized — especially when you want to scale it.
That’s where rental software comes in. Rental software makes it easy to manage bookings, avoid scheduling conflicts, and accept online payments so you can focus on growing your side hustle into a full-time business, or keeping your passive income gig low-effort.
Our ERS Launch package includes powerful features designed to help party rental businesses get started and small businesses grow and manage operations efficiently, such as:
- Online booking
- Inventory management
- Integrated payments
- Automated customer messaging
- Website templates
- Performance tracking dashboard
- Financial reports
- Built-in marketing tools
If you’re ready to make extra money in 2026 and want a side hustle that you can scale, or one that just earns simple, steady, and low-effort income, the best time to start is today.
Considering party and event rentals as your side hustle? Reach out to our team today at Event Rental Systems, and we’ll walk you through your options, helping you take the first step toward building something fun and profitable.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Money Can I Make With a Side Hustle?
Between $4,000 and $25,000 in the first year based on the side hustles listed in this article. But actual results will vary depending on the hustle, your strategy, and how much effort you put into growing it. With smart planning and use of the right resources, profitable side hustles can bring in 6-figure incomes. That’s the big advantage of side hustles over part-time jobs: you’re in control of how far you want to take your business.
Can a Side Hustle Really Turn Into a Full-Time Business?
Absolutely. There are several examples of successful businesses that started out as side hustles including:
- Party rentals
- Tutoring and online teaching
- Photography
- Tool and equipment rentals
- Catering services
The key to successfully building your side hustle into a full-time business is choosing something that is in-demand, starting small, reinvesting profits, and using the right tools to manage growth.
Do I Need Special Skills to Start a Profitable Side Hustle?
Not always. Yes, some side hustles like online teaching or music lessons will require previous experience, but there are plenty of profitable side hustles that don’t require a degree or special training to get started including:
- Car detailing
- Dumpster rentals
- Party equipment rentals
- Vending machine rentals
- Adventure gear rentals
