How I Built My Side Hustle into a Successful Full Time Job

Just like everyone else, Joy always wanted to make some extra cash to supplement her monthly stipend when she was in University. She has now grown her side hustle as a writer to a full-time job. “It has not been an easy journey getting to where I am today”, says Joy Khamisi, who decided to quit her office work to pursue her side hustle.

According to Joy, her first job was not as fulfilling as she had hoped and she decided to take the highway and become her own boss. She didn’t wish to change jobs like many of us do to get away from a job we don’t like only to end up in the same place. Joy opted for something different, something that would make her stand out from the crowd.

Here is what Joy Khamisi has to say about her business.

Where does your writing passion stem from?
My childhood. Every evening, my parents made sure that I read a story from the enormous collection they had bought for me. If I was not reading, I was writing stories. This is how I remember my childhood. Composition and Insha were never a problem as my creativity had been cultivated from a very young age and I enjoyed reading and writing.

When did you realize you were sitting on a gold mine?
During my time at the University, things were tough and I never loved calling home asking for money. I got to learn about online article writing as a side hustle. What interested me the most, was the idea of content generation for blogs and websites, something I’m very passionate about. It’s now four years since I started my side hustle and it has grown to become my main job.

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How have your parents taken this business?
Back when I did it as a side hustle, they never had any problem with it. They even cheered me on. But when I told them I’m planning to quit my “main” job, they could not hear of it, just like how most of our parents would react.

I was able to convince them that it’s a job like any other, only I now get to be my own boss and even employ people. Today, they are my biggest support system. They are always looking out for me, ensuring that I get to rest and that I eat well.

How can you rate your side hustle?
I no longer refer to it as a side hustle, online article writing and digital marketing for me has grown to become my main hustle. I’m able to pay my bills and make some savings at the end of every month.
On average, in a good month, I make more than 100K from content generation and digital marketing. I have two people who work under me, who I hope will soon be able to stand on their own and be their own bosses, and I can take up new people to mentor.

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Can you break down for us what exactly you do?
I have made myself a wide network of sources where I get articles, requests for websites, blogs and social media management gigs for campaigns or daily organization management. I write SEO (search engine optimization) articles for organizations looking to increase their website optimizations when it comes to internet searches. My articles range from official/corporate content to social content on the day to day life.

What skills have helped you grow in this business?
Research skills, being able to research diligently ensures that you write based on facts, current market trends, and the reader’s needs. Another key skill is knowledge of search engine marketing. Most organizations work on website optimization; one needs to be well versed on how to write SEO articles and how to analyze analytics.

Creativity is another key skill, your creativity is your bread and butter in this job, you have to be creative at all times so that you come up with the best content and strategies.

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What challenges do you face in the business?
Tight deadlines. I would say this is my biggest challenge as I work with clients around the world, the difference in time zones get me working round the clock, I don’t differentiate day and night.
Difficult clients are another challenge I face, there are clients who will keep changing the content after every version is done and there are those that will take weeks or even months to pay up.

Future plans?
I plan to go it big before the end of the year, take on more people to mentor and start digital marketing consultancy. I want to see more young people becoming independent and getting to know formal employment is not everything. Joy Khamisi will become a household name in the near future when it comes to digital marketing, watch this space.

Advice to the Kenyan youths?
There are so many opportunities out there that one can tap into and be their own boss. We can’t all fit in the offices, find your passion and pursue it. Digital marketing and article writing do not really require much, this is something you can self-learn and make some serious cash out of it.
Take advantage of the government initiatives such as UWEZO and make a name for yourself in the online business industry. Get a mentor to hold your hand in this jungle as it can get frustrating at times, and make the necessary sacrifices as nothing is easy.

What is your hustle? share with us how your hustle is coming along.

The writer is a Communications Officer at Corporate Staffing Services, a leading Recruitment firm that offers CV Writing, Job Placement & Career Advice.  Email: Elizabeth@corporatestaffing.co.ke