For tree care professionals, side hustles can help cover a dip in income during the slow winter months.
Slow Season Side Hustles Firewood, mulch, and snow removal are just some of the ways tree care professionals make extra cash during the winter months. By Millicent Skiles
Starting a side hustle isn’t easy. It takes careful planning, market research, and good customer service skills. It also re- quires having a creative eye for oppor- tunity, which is essential for giving you an edge over the competition. GETTING STARTED Like any venture, following a basic business plan will walk you through the paces of learning about customers, observing the competition, managing expenses, and identifying sustainable marketing methods. Here are some other tips to get started. Market Analysis What is your service and how will it provide value to customers? What need is it fulfilling, and how is it different from others? Knowing this will give you a realistic lay of the land and allow you to identify opportunities that you can take advantage of.
For many, the slower winter months are a good time to go on vacation and catch up on some rest. For others, it’s a chance to put some serious work into their side hustles. Defined as work done in addition to a primary job for the purpose of making extra money, side hustling is having a moment. About 39% of Americans have a side hustle and make an average of $810 a month from it, according to a Bankrate comparison survey . For tree care professionals, side hustles can help cover a dip in income during the slow winter months. They can also provide an opportunity to develop new skills or test the waters before fully committing to a new business. Firewood processing, mulch, and snow removal are the most common side hustles for tree care profession- als. But there are other opportunities that don’t require as much space, equipment, or effort.
Starting a side hustle isn’t easy. It takes careful planning, market research, and good customer service skills.
36 | ArborTIMES Winter 2024
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