Passions And Profits: How One Full-time Worker Made $70,000 Through A Side Hustle

Eleven years ago, Bola Sokunbi hit a financial milestone at the age of 27, saving over $100,000 within a span of three years, all while maintaining full-time employment. It wasn't that her salary was high enough to save such a large amount — it was the fact that she relied on various side hustles until one stuck.

Exploring side hustles ranging from selling Avon products to establishing an online bridal accessories store, Sokunbi landed on "Onada Photography," which was founded in her early twenties, emerged as her most profitable and longest-running side hustle, and brought in more than $70,000 in one particular year.

Growing up, Sokunbi often saw her father taking photos of her family, which kindled her interest in photography, she wrote for CNBC's “Make It” vertical.

She turned her passion into a profitable business following a trip to Jamaica for a friend's wedding, where she unexpectedly had to cover for a photographer who had been running late. She said the incident sparked the realization of the monetary potential of her photography skills.

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Sokunbi built a basic website, leveraged Craigslist for advertisement and found referrals through acquaintances. Offering her initial wedding photography services for free, she expanded her portfolio and honed her skills through self-education, eventually establishing her rates between $2,000 and $5,000 per wedding, which were within industry standards.

Sokunbi aimed for a debt-free operation, reinvesting the profits back into Onada Photography after covering business taxes. Her investments in better equipment and better skills eventually earned her accolades and solid reviews, and she diversified her offerings to include lifestyle photo sessions.

The photography business required rigorous balance with her full-time job, she said, which, at times, led to burnout and stress. However, the financial rewards and the satisfaction of being able to overcome the challenges associated with the side hustle outweighed the tribulations, she wrote.

Happy with the outcome of her endeavors, Sokunbi shut down her photography business after the birth of her child. She said she took the proceeds from the sale of her photography equipment and invested back into her retirement savings.

At 38, Sokunbi is now focused on Clever Girl Finance, a platform she founded to provide women with financial education through easily accessible courses.

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