Picture this: me, a few months ago, staring at my bank balance like it was an old, disapproving uncle – barely a peep, and definitely not cheerful. You know that feeling, right? Like you’re attending a family wedding, and your wallet is that one distant relative who never brings a gift, just an awkward, empty silence. I was working the regular 9-to-5, a hamster on a wheel, with a salary that seemed to vanish faster than my plate of pani puri at a Mumbai chaat stall.
My life felt like that scene from a Bollywood movie where the hero is in a dusty village, singing about his dreams while his chachi tries to convince him to settle for a government job. I needed a change, something that would make my bank account do a bhangra instead of a slow, sad waltz. I needed a side hustle – the kind that could make even the most skeptical maasi raise an eyebrow and ask, “Beta, what’s your secret?”
Now, I’m not going to bore you with tales of my grand entrepreneurial ambitions. I’m no Mukesh Ambani in the making (yet!), and I didn’t stumble upon a hidden gold mine in my backyard (though that would have been quite the story for my dadi). My journey began, as most things do, with a mix of desperation and a dash of good old Indian jugaad. My ‘eureka’ moment came not from some guru in a Himalayan cave, but while I was scrolling through Instagram, and my mum was yelling at the TV over a badly played cricket shot.
There, amidst all the perfectly curated selfies, I saw someone offering a service I had always considered a hobby. Something I did in my free time, almost subconsciously. I thought to myself “Arre wah, if they can, so can I”. In India, we call this “chalo, kuch toh karein!” – let’s do something! And that’s exactly what I did.
You see, I have this knack for taking absolutely mundane things and turning them into something… well, let’s just say visually appealing. My friends call me a wizard with everyday objects; my family just says I’m ‘thoda hatke’ (a little different), which is the Indian way of saying you’re a bit of an eccentric, but in a lovable way.
This ‘knack’ was for turning old, forgotten household things – think chipped teacups, mismatched buttons, and dusty trinkets – into unique pieces of art. I could make a broken kettle look like a post-modern masterpiece, or a discarded saree into a trendy cushion cover. You know, that kind of desi upcycling we all admire, but never really get around to doing ourselves.
So, with a little push from my inner voice and a lot of “kya hoga?” (what will happen?) attitude, I decided to turn this hobby into a side hustle. The plan was as simple as my dadi’s recipe for dal tadka: take pictures of my creations, post them online, and see if anyone bites. I started a small Instagram page, named it something catchy, posted pictures of my upcycled masterpieces, and crossed my fingers.
Now, I’m no social media guru, and my first few posts were about as engaging as a lecture on the history of tax laws. I got a few likes from my cousins (mostly out of pity), and my phua’s (aunt’s) dog, who accidentally pawed her phone. But then, something happened. A small local boutique owner stumbled upon my page, and she loved what she saw. She wanted to feature my upcycled pieces in her store.
That’s when my bank account decided to throw a party. I’m talking full-on Bollywood dance number, dhol and all. The boutique owner placed a sizeable order, and suddenly, I found myself upcycling like a woman possessed. I was digging through my grandma’s attic, my neighbours’ discarded belongings, and even my own old clothes, seeing treasure where others saw trash. It was a desi version of Treasure Hunters, and I was the star of the show.
In the next two months, word-of-mouth spread faster than wildfire in a Delhi summer. More orders poured in, and my little side hustle became a mini-empire. I was upcycling, selling, packaging, and shipping, all while juggling my 9-to-5. My life became a hilarious mix of spreadsheets and samosas, client calls and chai breaks. I was busier than a wedding planner during wedding season, but in the best possible way.
And that’s how, in just 60 days, my bank account went from that silent, disapproving uncle to a full-on Bollywood disco, exploding with a cool ₹75,000. It wasn’t just about the money, though; it was about the feeling of creating something with my own two hands, the joy of seeing others appreciate it, and the satisfaction of finally finding a side hustle that actually worked. It was like finally making the perfect cup of tea – a little bit of this, a little bit of that, and a whole lot of heart.
Now, I’m not going to pretend that it was all smooth sailing. There were days when I felt like I was drowning in a sea of mismatched buttons, or when my fingers were so glued together that I could barely hold a cup of chai. But those little mishaps were all part of the fun, and part of the charm. I learned the importance of time management, the need for good lighting when taking pictures, and the art of haggling with wholesale suppliers (you know that’s a national sport in India, right?).
The point of this long, rambling tale, with its share of humour and Indian references, is to say: you don’t need to have a groundbreaking idea to start a successful side hustle. You just need to look around you, find something you enjoy, and be willing to give it a go. You might just be surprised at what happens when you put your heart and effort into something, with the help of a little digital marketing magic. And if this tale of a humble upcycling enthusiast turned accidental entrepreneur makes you think about your own talents, even better.
My experience was the result of a few key elements: I had a skill (upcycling), I found a need (unique home decor), and I embraced the power of digital marketing (primarily, Instagram). That’s what made this simple idea take off. It was the magic formula, and it’s available to anyone, in any industry, anywhere in the world.
And yes, I did use a bit of “secret sauce” to get to where I am. No, I didn’t get my guru to bless my phone; it’s a bit more practical than that. Digital marketing is more than just posting pictures; it’s about strategic engagement, finding your niche audience, and creating content that resonates. It’s also about having the right partner to help you achieve these things. And this is where I come in.
If you’re thinking, “Yaar, this is great, but I have no idea where to start,” then you’re in luck! At abdulvasi.com, I offer expert digital marketing services and business consulting to people, just like me, who want to take their skills to the next level. If I could make ₹75,000 with upcycled stuff, imagine what you could do with your own talent and my experience! I can teach you how to find your niche, build your brand, and connect with customers who are eager to buy what you’re offering. This isn’t about luck; it’s about strategy, planning, and a whole lot of hustle.
Ready to explode your own bank account and find your own profitable side hustle? Then, let’s talk! You can find me at abdulvasi.com, where I’m always ready for a new challenge and where I’m committed to seeing you grow. Let’s work together to turn your passions into profit.
So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get your bank account doing the bhangra!
(And if you happen to have any old teacups you want to donate, I’m all ears!)
