Side Mahi: Turn What You Do Into What You Love

I don’t love the term ‘side hustle’, because of some of the negative connotations around the word hustle. Hustle makes it seem as though it will require a lot of effort, and be overly profit and sales orientated. On the other hand, I sure do love making a living through mahi that is meaningful and enjoyable. So, for the purposes of this article, I’m going to refer to side hustle as ‘side mahi’.

Side mahi is a part-time business you can start alongside your other mahi to earn extra income, pursue something you enjoy and gain new skills. An example of a side mahi is Awa Wahine, which began as an online blog when I was doing my postgraduate studies at University. After finishing my studies, I continued to build Awa Wahine for two years while working two part-time jobs; eventually dropped one and then both to work on Awa Wahine projects alongside freelance and contract mahi.

What’s great about a side mahi is it can be anything that you want. I mean who would’ve thought you could make a printed magazine to privilege the voices of wāhine and in particular wāhine Māori? Whether you want to create handmade crafts, offer services or sell products online or even in-store, the possibilities are endless. In this article, I’ll talk about Awa Wahine and we’ll explore the benefits of a side mahi, kōrero about finding the right idea and look at some practical tips for launching and growing your side mahi.

Why Start Your Own Side Mahi?

I spent a lot of my free time working on Awa Wahine in the beginning, as I was interested in providing a space for wāhine to share their stories and experiences. The blog grew as we received writings from wāhine around Aotearoa and then I decided to offer creativity workshops as well. Awa Wahine was successful in securing funding for workshops that we ran in person and online. Eventually, though, I realised that organising workshops was a lot of work and there are other government-funded organisations already in that space.

At an Awa Wahine writing group, an idea was formed by some wāhine Māori in attendance of compiling a collection of writings on the atua wāhine through Awa Wahine. This idea became the first-ever Awa Wahine self-published pukapuka. The Atua Wāhine Collection brought together the creative musings of wāhine Māori on the atua wāhine and involved wāhine Māori creators from across Aotearoa and Ahitereiria.

The best thing about Awa Wahine is having the privilege to be able to work on projects that are meaningful to me like the Atua Wāhine Collection. This is just one of the many benefits of a side mahi. Let’s have a look at a few:

1. Earn Extra Pūtea: One of the most significant benefits of a side mahi is it can help you earn extra income to support you and your whānau.

2. Making Mahi Enjoyable: A side mahi gives you the opportunity to turn something you enjoy into a venture that pays the bills. If you love photography, for example, you can start a side mahi as a freelance photographer.

3. Gain New Skills: A side mahi can help you gain new skills that you can use in other areas of your life including your full-time job. For example, if you work in marketing, starting a side mahi as a copywriter can help you improve your writing skills.

4. Improve Job Security: A side mahi can provide you with additional job security, especially if your full-time job is in a volatile industry. If you have a side mahi that's profitable, you'll have an additional source of income to fall back on in case of a job loss.

5. Fulfilment: Doing something you love outside of your full-time job can add a sense of fulfilment that may be missing.

Finding the Right Idea

The first step to starting a side mahi is to find the right idea. Here are a few tips for generating ideas:

1. Start with your skills and interests: Your side mahi should be something you enjoy doing and are good at. Take an inventory of your skills and interests to identify potential ideas.

2. Research the market demand: Look for gaps in the market that you can fill with your skills and expertise. Research the competition and identify ways to differentiate your business.

3. Solve a problem: Look for problems people face and identify solutions. For example, if you're good at organising, you can start a side mahi as a professional organizer.

4. Consider seasonal opportunities: Consider seasonal opportunities you can take advantage of. For example, if you're good at baking, you can start a side mahi selling holiday cookies.

5. Combine skills: Consider how to combine your skills to create a unique offering. For example, if you're good at marketing and graphic design, you can start a side mahi creating marketing materials for small businesses.

Building Your Mahi While Working a Full-Time Job

Balancing a side mahi with a full-time job can be challenging, but it's possible with the right mindset and approach. Here are a few tips for building your side mahi while working a full-time job:

1. Time management: One of the most critical factors in balancing a side mahi with a full-time job is time management. Set realistic goals and schedule specific times each week to work on your side mahi.

2. Prioritize self-care: It's essential to prioritize self-care to prevent burnout.

3. Create a workspace: Designate a specific workspace for your side mahi to help you stay organized and focused. This space can be a corner of your home or a separate office.

4. Leverage your network: Use your existing network to find clients and promote your side mahi. This can include friends, family, and colleagues.

5. Automate tasks: Automate tasks whenever possible to save time and increase efficiency. This can include using scheduling software, automating invoices, and using social media scheduling tools.

6. Set boundaries: It's essential to set boundaries to prevent your side mahi from taking over your life. Set clear work hours and avoid working on your side mahi during your full-time job.

Launching Your Side Mahi

Once you've identified your side mahi idea and established a routine for working on it, it's time to launch your side mahi. Here are a few steps to get started:

1. Register your business: Depending on your side mahi, you may need to register your business. Check with your local government to see what requirements exist.

2. Create a website: A website is essential for promoting your side mahi and attracting clients. You can create a website easily using platforms like Wix or Squarespace.

3. Develop a marketing plan: Identify the channels you'll use to promote your side mahi. This can include social media, paid advertising, and word-of-mouth marketing.

4. Start small: Don't try to do too much too soon. Start with a few clients and gradually expand your services as you gain more experience.

Growing Your Side Mahi

Once your side mahi is up and running, it's time to focus on growth. Here are a few strategies for growing your side mahi:

1. Expand your services: Identify new services you can offer clients or markets you can target.

2. Network: Attend industry events and connect with other professionals in your field. This can help you gain new clients and partnerships.

3. Improve customer service: Provide excellent customer service to your clients to build a positive reputation and gain referrals.

4. Use social media: Leverage social media to promote your side mahi and build your brand. Share your work and interact with your audience to build a loyal following.

5. Consider going full-time: If your side mahi is growing and profitable, consider making it a full-time business.

Starting a side mahi can be a fulfilling and profitable way to pursue your passion and earn extra income. By following the tips in this article, you can identify the right idea for your side mahi, build and launch it while working a full-time job, and grow it into a successful business. Remember to stay focused, stay organized, and prioritize self-care to prevent burnout. With dedication and hard work, your side mahi can become a profitable and fulfilling venture.

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