Side businesses aren’t just for entrepreneurs, dreamers, or people with fancy business degrees. They’re for anyone who’s ever wondered “what if?”
Maybe you’re already running something—relief work through your LLC, rental properties, an online store, weekend photography. I’ve always been in awe of all the different ways people make money. Where there’s a need, there’s a business waiting to be built.
I know this firsthand. Over the years, I’ve run a rental property side business, launched a mobile veterinary service for large animals, and built an ecommerce company from scratch. These weren’t just side hustles—they were my real-world MBA.
And I’ve seen plenty of vet techs turn pet sitting or dog walking into lucrative side gigs—proof that you don’t need a big idea or a fancy title to get started.
Or maybe you’ve been sitting on an idea for so long it’s practically growing cobwebs.
Either way, this one’s for you.
“Chase the vision, not the money; the money will end up following you.” – Tony Hsieh, Zappos CEO
For Those Already Running Something
You know the magic, don’t you? That feeling when you build something from nothing. When you land a client, collect that first rent check, or see your idea actually work in the real world.
But let’s be honest—some days you wonder if it’s worth it. You’re tired. You’re juggling too much. Someone just asked you (again) when you’re going to “do this full-time,” as if that’s the only valid endpoint.
Here’s what I want you to hear: you’re not just building a business. You’re building something way more valuable.
When I ran MT Global Ecommerce for 15 years alongside my veterinary career, I thought I was just reselling products on eBay, Amazon, and Poshmark. Turns out, I was getting a business education that traditional veterinary practice management could never teach me. Scalability. Online marketplaces. Logistics. Customer behavior. It opened my eyes to how business really works outside the bubble of my profession.
Every single one of those lessons showed up later when I moved into academic leadership and hospital operations. And here’s the thing—different side businesses teach you different things. My e-commerce business taught me marketplace dynamics, inventory systems, and how to scale. My mobile livestock practice taught me pricing, cash flow, client relationships, and the realities of running a clinic on the road. My rental property business taught me negotiation, tenant management, and the realities of passive income.
And don’t forget the practical wins. The extra income funding your kid’s college. The tax write-offs on expenses you’re already paying—phone, home office, internet, vehicle. (If you’re not taking advantage of these deductions, call your accountant tomorrow. That’s found money just sitting there.)
The freedom to build something entirely yours.
So keep going. And ignore anyone who makes you feel like it needs to be bigger or different than it is. Your side business can stay exactly what it is—a side business. There’s no rule that says it has to consume your entire identity.
For Those Who’ve Been Thinking About It
You don’t need a perfect plan, a ton of money, or even a revolutionary idea.
You just need to start.
“You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.” – Zig Ziglar
When I graduated vet school and moved back to West Virginia, I took a small animal associate job because there weren’t any large animal positions available. But I wanted to work with cattle and small ruminants. So I started Veterinary Livestock Services—a mobile practice I ran nights and weekends out of my truck.
Could I have quit and gone all-in? Sure. But I’m not that brave.
Instead, I started small. And here’s what made it brilliant: because I had my main income from the clinic, the stakes were low. I could make mistakes when they were cheap. Test pricing. Figure out cash flow. Learn about client relationships—all while my mortgage was covered. It was like business school, except I was getting paid to learn instead of paying tuition.
I built my client base gradually. And when I was ready to open my brick-and-mortar practice, all those clients came with me. More importantly, I brought all those hard-won business lessons too.
That’s your path. Set up a simple LLC. Start with one client a month. List something for sale online. Whatever it is, start absurdly small and see what happens.
The experience alone is worth it. You’ll learn more than you imagined. You’ll discover new strengths, new passions, new possibilities you didn’t even know existed.
What Really Matters
Side businesses are about more than just money—though let’s be real, the money’s nice.
They’re about having work you actually choose. Even when your side business gets challenging, it hits different because it’s yours. Maybe you love the variety of relief work. Maybe you enjoy restoring old furniture and selling it. Maybe managing a laundromat gives you a completely different mental challenge than your day job.
They’re your low-risk laboratory. Want to test if something could become your main thing? A side business lets you experiment without betting your livelihood. If it works, amazing. If it doesn’t, you still have your regular paycheck.
They give you permission to keep it fun. Your side business doesn’t have to take over your life. It can stay small. It can be a profitable hobby that throws off some extra cash. I ran my e-commerce business for 15 years before eventually winding it down when my career got too busy. And I don’t regret a single minute.
So What Are You Waiting For?
If you’re already in the game: Keep going. You’re doing something most people only dream about. Enjoy what it gives you.
If you’re still thinking about it: Take the first step. Today. Register your sole prop. List that first item online. Make that first service call.
Worst case? You learn something valuable and have stories to tell.
Best case? You build something that changes everything.
The question isn’t whether side businesses are worth it. They absolutely are.
The question is: what are you going to build?