Why side hustles are now big business for these Sydneysiders

From hiring out designer clothes to renting unused space, these Sydneysiders have come up with the ultimate side hustles — and you can too.

Sisters Anna Sharifai and Rosa Fayad are paying for their children to go to private schools, earning thousands of dollars by renting out their clothes. One dress alone, the Zimmermann Prima, has been rented out about 70 times and made Anna more than $12,000.

“It’s been insane. I’ve had people begging to hire it as it sold out instantly,” the Baulkham Hills 39-year-old said.

“When my sister Rosa and I had our children, we didn’t want to go back to a traditional full- time office role so we were looking at opportunities that allowed us to build a business of our own while also raising the four children we have between us.

“It was one day we were standing in Rosa’s kitchen that the concept of ‘The Designer Hire Spot’ was born – we had a few designer dresses between us, and that was it.

“That’s when we reached out to The Volte to start listing our items on their platform as we had hired through them ourselves prior to starting our business.”

Sisters Rosa Fayad and Anna Sharifai created a business renting out designer dresses and handbags.

Rosa, 32, said once they saw the potential, they decided to expand and purchase one designer handbag – which has now turned into more than 30 bags, plus earrings and belts.

“It really is easy – and we are doing something we love while being able to work together and raise our children from home with no limitations,” she said.

The pair make about $3000 a week from The Volte alone. That doesn’t include their income from their Baulkham Hills showroom.

“The extra money has been life changing for both of us,” Anna said.

“It has allowed us to grow our multiple businesses even further while also contributing to putting our children through private school, annual international travels and has allowed us to raise our children the way we want to.

“The additional income has also meant we are not tied down to a traditional 9 to 5 job.

“The side hustle has been the best thing we ever did.

“We didn’t really own a designer item ourselves prior to starting, but now we have over 200 designer dresses, handbags, earrings and belts.

“It’s been a wild ride and we can’t wait to see how much further we can grow together with The Volte.”

MY SHED IS MAKING ME $5400 A YEAR

When Covid hit, David ­Ramirez had his hours as a warehouse supervisor ­reduced, so needed some extra money.

The Collaroy 34-year-old discovered a site called Spacer and started using it to rent out his shed, which now makes him an extra $450 a month.

“I’ve got a garage, so don’t really need the shed, and a friend told me about Spacer, where you can literally rent out your extra space. I thought I’d give it a go,” he said.

“It was booked within a week of listing it and has been booked solid ever since.

David Ramirez is renting out his shed to make extra cash.

“I rent it out to a local tradie who is currently overseas – he stores all his tools and larger equipment in there, and other things like his lawnmower and surfboards.

“It’s probably the easiest side hustle there is.

“I cut my renters a key so they can come and go as they please, and I don’t have to worry about it.”

While the extra income was a “Godsend” during Covid, he’s now using the surplus funds to help save for a house deposit.

“I’m even thinking about clearing the stuff in my garage into the spare room so I can list that as available for storage or parking too,” he said.

“I think having a side hustle, or passive form of income, is a no-brainer if you can do one. With something like this, I don’t have to think about it or carry out any maintenance – it’s hassle-free and, let’s face it, everyone can do with extra money, especially when we don’t know where inflation is going to end.”

AIRTASKER MADE ME MORE THAN MY FULL-TIME JOB

Mirna Hana was working full-time at an accounting firm but always dreamed of being her own boss, so gave Airtasker a go. The Edmondson Park 26-year-old listed herself as an accountant on the site, and has increased her income.

“I really wanted to do my own thing on the side, and then the dream was to be my own boss and work for myself,” she said.

“My husband made a joke to try Airtasker, but I actually did, and now not only have I successfully started my own accounting business and acquired new clients, but I have also increased my income.

“Every week is different regarding money, depending on how many tasks you do and how complex they are.

“Sometimes it’s helping small businesses or sole traders set up a Xero account, or individuals doing an annual tax return, or sometimes a tax return that’s accumulated over four years.

“From what I have seen working on Airtasker though, the task price across the platform for an accounting-related task can be around $250.

Mirna Hana is earning more on Airtasker than she was working as a full-time accountant.

“I have personally found it really easy to use, and quick to sign up and bid for jobs.

“It’s proven to be a great tool to meet and work with new clients, and the customer profiles, rating, and reviews system gives me confidence in who I am working with, makes me feel a real sense of purpose, while also helping me to build my own credibility.”

The extra cash is used to cover everyday life expenses, whether that’s groceries and general household costs, or keeping up with the financial demands of her social life now that events are back in full swing.

“Being an accountant, I have always been cognisant of my finances and keeping across interest rates and cost of living, more so than the average Aussie,” she said.

“So all it means for me is that I am even more aware of it now and I’m glad I’ve been keeping on top of it all.

“There is a lot of work available at the moment in many industries, not just accounting and finance, so my advice is to just put yourself out there.

“I mainly do accounting jobs on Airtasker and I can pick from remote tasks, or I can complete the tasks in person, but there are so many tasks waiting to be done … so there is a lot of money to be made doing the things you love.”

MY CAR SPACE FUNDS MY LIFESTYLE

Mosman 32-year-old Sarah Harding works in financial services but has a few side hustles, including renting out her car space on Parkhound, which puts an extra $190 in her wallet every month.

This comes as parking costs soar across Sydney. Mosman Council recently came under fire for hiking beachside parking meter fees by up to 75 per cent.

Financial advisor Sarah Harding rents out her car spot for $190 a month on Parkhound to make extra cash. Picture: Tim Hunter

In fact, people trying to find parking spots at six foreshore areas, including Balmoral and Taronga Zoo, now costs motorists up to $40 per day.

“Parkhound is super-easy, it takes care of itself and I have a long-term renter,” she said.

“I use it for lifestyle expenses – a hard few years due to Covid meant I needed to find more ways to make more money.”

MY DRESSES WILL BUY ME A CAR

Brookvale 30-year-old Lola Marins can make an extra $2000 a month renting out her dresses on fashion site, The Volte. The retail manager started listing her clothes about 18 months ago, and the extra cash couldn’t have cone at a better time.

“I started doing it because I love fashion and have lots of clothes – but you can only wear one outfit at a time,” she says.

Renting out her dresses will help Lola Marins buy a car.

“My wardrobe was heaving with clothes and I figured, instead of selling the designer dresses and only getting one sale out of them, it made more sense to hire them out and get paid multiple times for them.”

She says the most popular dresses tend to be brands like Zimmermann, Aje and Alemais, and she’s using the money to fund her studies and save for a car.

“I’ve almost got enough money for one so then it will become my travel fund as I want to go to Brazil to visit my family soon, as I haven’t seen them for two years,” she says.

“It really has helped me through the last year as Covid affected my studies and work.

“I was training to a veterinary nurse and had jobs around that, but it was all halted during the pandemic, so being able to make money coming in from clothes I already own was gratefully received.

“I think if you’re wanting to start a side hustle, it’s important to do your research and choose something that works around your current job so that it’s manageable.

“I also love fashion and have an eye for what will be a hit.

“I also take great care with my clothes. I dry clean them after each hire and, if anything needs repairing, I do it right away so it’s ready to go when someone wants to hire an outfit.”

Originally published as Why side hustles are now big business for these Sydneysiders