Welcome back, Books After Dark lovers—it’s your boy, Mr. Steve! Last time, we covered the trending gigs heating up fast. And if you missed it, trust me—you’ll want to read that one first:
But today?
We’re getting specific: what are the easiest side hustles to start in 2025, and can they actually earn money? Including the hot side hustle we discussed in our previous blog post, bartending.
From bartending to flipping to digital sales gold, let’s break it down.
What Makes a Side Hustle Easy?
Let’s keep it real.
When we say “easy,” we’re talking about:
✅ Low barrier to entry (no expensive gear or long learning curve)
✅ Fast setup (you can start this week)
✅ Real earning potential (not just pennies)
Take Shannon Wadey, a UK mom who started selling digital products from her phone and earned £46,000 (approximately $60,000) in under a year while working around her kids. That’s the kind of quick, camera-ready cash flow a lot of people are after—without needing fancy equipment or years of training.
To hear it from Shannon Wadey herself, watch here.
Based on that criteria, here are 3 of the easiest gigs people are starting in 2025 and what they pay.
Easiest Side Hustles to Start in 2025
#1. Event Bartending
Why It’s Easy:
- No degree needed
- Short online certification in most states (as little as 3 hours)
Startup Cost:
Serving Alcohol offers a state-by-state guide to help you find out exactly what certification you need and where to get it.
Certification on Average:
- $12–$35 online
- Optional: Bar kit ($25–$40)
Earning Potential:
According to Indeed, the average bartender earns about $18–$35 per hour, including tips. During special events, such as private parties, you can easily earn $150–$300 per night.
How to Start:
Search “event bartender” or “freelance bartender” gigs near you on Craigslist, GigSalad, or Thumbtack. For GigSalad and Thumbtack, you will want to join or partner to offer your services.
Want to try bigger platforms? You can also search “event bartender” jobs on Indeed—just filter by geographic area, part-time, or contract roles.
Or offer to bartend private parties through local Facebook groups or neighborhood apps like Nextdoor.
#2. Selling Digital Templates on Etsy or Canva
This is one of the easiest “set it and forget it” side hustles for 2025.
You design once, sell forever.
Examples of What’s Selling:
- Budget planners
- Resume templates
- Social media bundles
- Wedding invitations
Sellers using tools like EtsyHunt to research top-performing digital product shops often report earning $500 to $5,000+ per month, depending on niche and volume.
EtsyHunt offers powerful tools like product research, shop analysis, and keyword tracking—so you can actually see:
✅ What’s selling
✅ How much it’s going for
✅ Which shops are crushing it
If you’re just getting started, this kind of insight can save you time (and money) by pointing you toward products people are already buying.
For example, you might spot that editable wedding templates are outselling planners 3 to 1—that could be your cue to ride the trend instead of guessing in the dark where to start.
Tips to Get Started:
- Use Canva to design templates
- Sell on Etsy (cost: $0.20 per listing)
- Sell on Canva
- To get traffic to your digital products, promote on Pinterest, Instagram, and, yes, even TikTok.
Did you know you can now sell your digital templates directly on Canva through their Creators Program? Canva’s Creators program lets designers submit templates or graphic elements and earn royalties every time someone uses them—no listing fees, no inventory, just pure passive income.
You can learn more about selling digital products and self-publishing with Amazon KDP by watching the video, “I Tried It: Earn $4500 Monthly Selling Blank Notebooks (Amazon KDP).”
#3. Flipping Items on Facebook Marketplace or eBay
This one’s perfect if you’re handy at restoring items to be just as good as new or know a good deal when you see one.
Hot Items to Flip in 2025:
Small furniture (think side tables, bar carts, nightstands, coffee tables, and entryway benches—especially ones you can repaint or re-stain)
Tech accessories (like wireless earbuds, routers, portable speakers, or smartwatches)
Sneakers (especially limited-edition Jordans, Nike Dunks, and Yeezys)
Vintage items (such as retro cameras, vinyl records, typewriters, or collectible toys)
Use eBay’s Sold Listings to estimate prices before buying and flipping.
Some flippers earn an extra $500–$2,000/month, according to The Penny Hoarder.
What's Next?
Want to know which of these side hustles will actually survive a recession—and still pay you?
Let’s break it down.
👉 Click here to read: Side Hustles in 2025—Are They Recession Proof or Not?
And don’t forget—if you want honest, no-fluff reviews of trending money-making ideas, subscribe to the Mr. Steve Official YouTube channel and turn on those notifications.
You can also join the Books After Dark family on Facebook to stay in the loop and see what’s coming next.
And if you’re ready to explore even more money-making opportunities, check out the latest video on the Mr. Steve Official YouTube channel below.
