How to make extra money and retain your regular job

With various factors driving up the cost of living, many people have found it difficult to depend on the monthly pay cheque from employment to cater for their needs and wants.

As a result, part-time businesses — commonly referred to as side hustles — have become a common phenomenon among the working class.

And for many, these businesses serve as the first step and an efficient way to transit into fulltime personal enterprise, since development is gradual and eventually demands full commitment of one’s time and resources.

Many people aspire to build strong businesses that can support their livelihoods.

However, the mindset of “all or nothing” has led many people to shy away from dropping their regular end-month salary to concentrate on building their own business.

But the following enterprising young people have found an easier way to do it.

They have proved that nurturing your small business in your spare time helps it to eventually grow and mature into a fulltime engagement.

In the meantime, it will provide that much needed extra money.

Eric Kariuki

The 23-year-old is a Third Year computer science student at the Istanbul Technical University in Turkey.

Through a government programme, he got a scholarship for his undergraduate degree.

Having spent his first year in college learning Turkish, he has now mastered the basics of the language and can write and speak it.

Mr Kariuki attended primary and secondary education in Kenya, so he has a good command of English.

When he is not attending lectures, he exploits his knowledge of English and Turkish to provide translation services at business conferences and school forums.

“The best time is during summer when school breaks for the long holidays. During this time, I do all sorts of things, including providing African entertainment in tourist hotels. The returns are handsome,” he says.

Depending on the contractor, he can make up to Sh17,000 on a good day interpreting or translating from one language to the other. This has become his main means of survival and helps to cater for his needs on campus.

His family organised a funds drive to raise money for his air ticket. This has motivated him to search for profitable activities in Turkey, besides attending school.

“Life is expensive out there, but I knew I had to survive. This meant that I get something that can earn enough money,” said Mr Kariuki, who is currently in Kenya on holiday.