https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 10 Apr 2026 08:09:12 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-a-side-business#post-2816505 Mon, 16 Apr 2018 08:39:14 +0000 josina 2816505@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hellobeeboston: @irene: @Mrs.Someone: Hi fellow designers!<br /> @irene: So cool you illustrated for Weddingbee! (and turned your 'side job' until your main job.)<br /> @Silva: That sounds awesome, I would love something like that! Our in-home daycare usually has dinner ready when I pick the kids up, and I've thought before how nice it would be if she made a to-go dinner for us too, lol.<br /> @DesertDreams88: I can be the same, I get stressed about having to do the work, but still love doing it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-a-side-business#post-2816385 Sun, 15 Apr 2018 06:26:09 +0000 csross217 2816385@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband buys, refinishes, and sells wood stoves in addition to his regular job. It's a pretty lucrative business where we live (Maine) and has been a good source of extra income for us. The only issue is that it's pretty intensive - takes a lot of time finding and refinishing the stoves and the "inventory" takes up a lot of space in our garage and basement! He's been doing it for about 2 years now (started shortly after DD was born). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-a-side-business#post-2816309 Sat, 14 Apr 2018 09:21:38 +0000 BabyTsMom 2816309@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <br /><p><i>This comment has been deleted by the original poster.</i></p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-a-side-business#post-2816278 Fri, 13 Apr 2018 19:53:06 +0000 Mrs.Someone 2816278@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Another graphic designer here! I’ve been freelancing since I graduated from college and made it a full(ish) time gig in 2007. I scaled way back when I had my son in 2014, and mainly work during preschool or nap time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-a-side-business#post-2816041 Thu, 12 Apr 2018 22:35:37 +0000 irene 2816041@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Before kids, my day job was graphic design and on-air motion graphics for TV networks, and my "side business" was illustrating/selling stock illustrations, photographing/selling stock photography, and some side illustration / design jobs (eg. I was the illustrator for Weddingbee a decade ago). </p> <p>After having DS, I couldn't keep up with the demanding nature of the broadcast industry, so my side business has morphed into my main business. I am now a full time illustrator for children's books, gifts, products, home decor, greeting cards, stationery...etc. My "main business" is being a mom :silly: (or vice versa) :grin: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-a-side-business#post-2816031 Thu, 12 Apr 2018 21:18:01 +0000 crazydoglady 2816031@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ajsmommy: Same! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-a-side-business#post-2816025 Thu, 12 Apr 2018 21:00:22 +0000 808love 2816025@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am doing a fellowship for an ed policy organization, became a National Board Certified teacher mentor/support teacher and helped assess some professional development courses. So side hustles but helps be build my skill set as a professional. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-a-side-business#post-2815994 Thu, 12 Apr 2018 17:38:11 +0000 Silva 2815994@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I know someone who does home cooked take-out meals once a week with a focus on local and healthy ingredients. I think she does it twice a week now- you just sign up at the beginning of the week saying you want to pick up, which night, how many people. It works because its kind of a small town, and there aren't a lot of options for take out (basically just pizza or Chinese food).<br /> I think its a pretty good idea! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-a-side-business#post-2815985 Thu, 12 Apr 2018 16:35:49 +0000 DesertDreams88 2815985@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@josina: He doesn't get stress exactly, but he gets tired. But he still truly enjoys it. For example, last Saturday he had a market. He worked 20 hours that week (in addition to a fulltime job) and only got 3 hours of sleep the night before. However he was jazzed the whole day because he did well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-a-side-business#post-2815960 Thu, 12 Apr 2018 14:51:21 +0000 hellobeeboston 2815960@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@josina: I'm also a graphic designer, I keep wanting to pick up side jobs, and I do once in a while, but with a full time job and two kids and a 1+hr commute, I just can't fit it in... i'd love the extra $$ though.... i keep trying to find a job closer to home, it probably won't pay as well and that's when I keep thinking I can pick up some side jobs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-a-side-business#post-2815918 Thu, 12 Apr 2018 13:12:37 +0000 josina 2815918@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@codeitall: That's awesome.<br /> @gingerbebe: So cool! My aunt had done something similar for awhile, she is an amazing cook, and she hosted parties and would help everyone make a few freezer meals for the week. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-a-side-business#post-2815885 Thu, 12 Apr 2018 11:50:15 +0000 Ajsmommy 2815885@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wish ** I had a skill that I could cultivate into a side business!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-a-side-business#post-2815881 Thu, 12 Apr 2018 11:24:50 +0000 gingerbebe 2815881@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't do it anymore, but I ran a personal chef business for about 5 years on nights and weekends. Basically, the client and I would set a menu over e-mail, I would send a grocery list (or I would do the shopping for a slightly higher rate), and then I would come cook the meals fresh in their homes, package them up for the fridge, do the dishes, and leave. Some clients wanted a hot meal prepared that night for dinner and maybe 1 more meal to reheat during the week. Some clients wanted 3-4 meals half prepped to cook each night themselves (for example, I'd do all the sides and sauces and they'd have to bake the fish). Some wanted completely cooked dinners to reheat plus some lunch salads prepped. This was in the age before meal kit services and I was living in the Washington DC metro area where everyone worked crazy hours, so it was a fairly brisk business. I was working as a congressional staffer making not too much money, so it was a great side hustle. I also baked basic homemade birthday cakes for a while.</p> <p>I stopped doing it once I moved away from DC. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-a-side-business#post-2815876 Thu, 12 Apr 2018 11:14:42 +0000 codeitall 2815876@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>She doesn't sell on etsy, she has her own website with pricing and a form they fill out with all the details of what they want. She's been featured on a few wedding planning sites and really that's all she's needed. I'm a little jealous since it is almost on autopilot for her now and it is not a lot of effort, but it did take her a lot of time to build up her reputation and a good set of templates to work from. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-a-side-business#post-2815823 Thu, 12 Apr 2018 08:06:09 +0000 josina 2815823@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DesertDreams88: Wow, that sounds really cool! Does he get stressed during those busy months too, or still love it? Its hard to balance it all out.<br /> @codeitall: Does she sell on etsy? I had always thought about doing something like that but just haven't looked into it any further, and yes, free time with two littles, not much of it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-a-side-business#post-2815800 Wed, 11 Apr 2018 23:01:39 +0000 DesertDreams88 2815800@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband restores / finishes vintage maps for hanging on walls. He is on Instagram at michaelsmaps, I think. He sells them at 2 local stores and does outdoor craft markets every other month or so. His monthly hours range from 15-40 hours. I do not like the busy months and whenever they happen I pressure him to back down bc he runs himself ragged. It is a hobby that turned into a side job and it definitely helps with $$. AZ teachers are on the verge of striking, and we are both teachers, so we will need the income. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-a-side-business#post-2815792 Wed, 11 Apr 2018 22:12:16 +0000 codeitall 2815792@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My sister-in-law has a sweet design business tailored for weddings. She started a few years ago and once she built out the templates, she's able to quickly create the final design. She makes a pretty nice profit and I wish I had her design skills ;)</p> <p>For a little while I did freelance web development on the side. But that's really petered out now that I have two young kids. I liked the extra spending money though, so I'm taking a look at upwork for some smaller efficient things I can do with my skillset. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-a-side-business#post-2815594 Wed, 11 Apr 2018 09:15:11 +0000 josina 2815594@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've been doing graphic design on the side since college, mainly through work colleagues, or past clients from past jobs. I've worked with a realtor from Florida for almost 10 years now designing postcards/ads usually once a month. I also have a client in Australia (so cool) that I hooked up with through 99designs.com.<br /> I do other design jobs for friends/family or friends of friends, wedding invitations and grad postcards.</p> <p>I recently started doing photography as well, just through people who have seen my photos and asked. I'm getting more and more requests though so am afraid I'll get too 'busy' with it, although I LOVE doing it. </p> <p>Its tough to have the 8-5 job and then come home and work more when I should be spending time with my family. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-a-side-business#post-2815592 Wed, 11 Apr 2018 09:12:37 +0000 josina 2815592@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Double post. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-a-side-business#post-2815591 Wed, 11 Apr 2018 09:09:21 +0000 josina 2815591@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just curious as to what others do 'on the side' to make extra income, either because you need the extra $, or because you love to do it.</p> <p>What do you do?<br /> How long / How did you start? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wah-spouse-expectations-and-boundaries#post-2270392 Sat, 22 Aug 2015 13:01:57 +0000 Applesandbananas 2270392@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hang in there @3gems1fish!</p> <p>We struggle with household balance sometimes and I try to streamline where I can. I buy paper plates and plastic cups to cut down on dishes, I buy easy to prepare meals for at least a couple of nights (we try to eat healthfully but some nights, having a quick option is a lifesaver). Little things like that add up and help me juggle things better! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wah-spouse-expectations-and-boundaries#post-2270387 Sat, 22 Aug 2015 12:43:35 +0000 3gems1fish 2270387@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jetsa: Thank you for checking in. Better-ish for now. I expressed my frustrations and his first reaction was that if I didn't feel like I had enough time we should hire a nanny. I let him know in no uncertain terms that this solution made zero financial sense, didn't actually solve the problem, and made me further believe that he didn't want to ever be a parent in the first place.<br /> Dinner is still a huge issue. On a few days he ate at the same time as us, but not the same food, and not at the table. He ate standing up at the counter, pacing, back and forth between there and the living room, while he ate.<br /> I asked him how he could be more available at night and he said he couldn't predict it since two of his big clients are on the west coast and on west coast time, (he does web content, digital media marketing, and social media for several businesses). We are on the east coast, so our evening time is still solidly their business day. One of the clients is also in the gaming industry so those hours run even later. This is frustrating and I really don't know how to fix it.<br /> On waking up, he has gotten up earlier but still will not let me sleep in while he gets up with our daughter. Because it is "hard" and "you're better at getting up than I am." While this is true, it still doesn't make it right.<br /> A work in progress. We'll see what happens with a new school year approaching. And again, thank you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wah-spouse-expectations-and-boundaries#post-2270373 Sat, 22 Aug 2015 12:24:54 +0000 jetsa 2270373@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@3gems1fish: how's it going? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wah-spouse-expectations-and-boundaries#post-2265632 Mon, 17 Aug 2015 23:27:11 +0000 gingerbebe 2265632@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@3gems1fish: Hugs lady. I'm really sorry you are dealing with this. I also wanted to add that the basement renovation needs to come second to his family responsibilities and he needs to hire a helper or contract some of the work out if its preventing him from pulling his weight around the house. The renovations need to come AFTER he lets you sleep in and does some kind of family activity with you and LO. If he can't spare those 4-5 hours on the weekend, he needs to reprioritize and reschedule things to make it work! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wah-spouse-expectations-and-boundaries#post-2265582 Mon, 17 Aug 2015 20:55:33 +0000 3gems1fish 2265582@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gingerbebe: Yes - what you've said, that is what I want! Especially the part about interacting with both parents at the same time - my husband is of the opinion that if one of us is with her (usually me), the other one doesn't need to be. Thank you for this! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wah-spouse-expectations-and-boundaries#post-2265427 Mon, 17 Aug 2015 18:12:21 +0000 Bao 2265427@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband also has a recording studio here at home and before when there was no "schedule" it was not good for us. We had to set a schedule so that things were fair on both ends. Maybe that's something he's going to have to do to be more productive and help you stay sane. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wah-spouse-expectations-and-boundaries#post-2265417 Mon, 17 Aug 2015 17:49:21 +0000 ms.line 2265417@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gingerbebe: Bam, yes, this! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wah-spouse-expectations-and-boundaries#post-2265300 Mon, 17 Aug 2015 15:37:59 +0000 LuLu Mom 2265300@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with PP where parenting needs to be 50/50. It sounds to me like your husband is relying on you to do 100% of the childcare while you work a fulltime job as well, I don't know how you handle that. He needs to try to set more of a 'set" schedule. I understand occasionally where he might hve to work late for a deadline, but he needs to have tasks. he should eat dinner as a family and help out with bedtime. He should nto be eating lunch at 4&gt;30 knowing you will be eating dinner ina couple hours, that's strange to me. </p> <p>Weekends...wake his butt up! :) He needs to get up and help, that's your family time together, he's a parent, there should be no sleeping until 10 anymore unless sick in my opinion. I think for your sanity you need to lay down the law. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wah-spouse-expectations-and-boundaries#post-2265292 Mon, 17 Aug 2015 15:27:31 +0000 gingerbebe 2265292@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>While I have no idea what your husband does (which would really affect how his daily schedule works), my husband works from home most of the time and he's definitely in the mix at home. Here's how we co-labor with the kiddo:</p> <p>1. We all get up in the morning at the same time - 730am. Seven days a week. DH gets DS in the morning, changes his diaper, and sets him up in his high chair while I make DS' breakfast and formula. </p> <p>2. DH gives DS his bath every night at 630pm unless he's trapped in traffic or something. </p> <p>3. They have one activity they do together every day. For DH, he prefers to take DS for a stroller walk and swing at the park. Whatever it is, they leave me alone for a minute to decompress.</p> <p>4. DS has set household chores he's in charge of. Dishes, emptying the diaper genie, and taking out the garbage. He also does most of the laundry since he's around to throw a load in.</p> <p>Frankly, I think not having time for your family defeats the purpose of having your own business. I would definitely tell him to wake up with your LO on the weekends at least one day and give him certain household tasks that he can be in charge of. I think if he takes a nap in the afternoon and gets behind on his work, that's on him. Meaning, he needs to do it later at night once your kid is asleep. My husband routinely is working in his office until 11pm at night but that's because he handles all the family stuff first. As for food, while I don't have a husband who complains about what I cook, if he was a picky eater I would still expect him to sit with us while we ate our dinner. He can sit there and have a glass of water for all I care, but he should spend time with you guys as a family and your child should interact with both parents together for at least part of the day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wah-spouse-expectations-and-boundaries#post-2265263 Mon, 17 Aug 2015 14:54:52 +0000 3gems1fish 2265263@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: That's a good idea to camp out elsewhere when there's confirmed pending snow. Thanks for that suggestion! </p>