Is Your Side Hustle Really Working? Here’s How to Tell

As your side hustle gains traction, it’s essential to pay attention to the numbers that matter most. Tracking your progress isn’t just about seeing what customers do; it’s about taking decisive action based on what you learn.

Take Tim Aton’s story. As a high school sophomore, he wanted to land a programming job at a digital agency. Knowing he needed to make an impression, he skipped the usual Word document and designed a visually striking résumé in Photoshop. He didn’t get the job—he was only fifteen, after all—but the agency owner was so impressed that he became a mentor to Tim.

Years later in college, Tim remembered that experience when he needed some extra cash. He wondered if other people would pay for a custom résumé service. Instead of limiting himself to his campus, he took the idea online, creating a listing on Fiverr with a simple offer: “I will create a stunning custom résumé for $5.” An order came in that same day. After he delivered the work and got a glowing review, the orders started pouring in. Soon, he was handling more than eight a day. This was a great looking to make some money.

While $5 per order doesn't sound like much, Tim was smart. He used Fiverr’s built-in upgrades and cross-sells to his advantage, tripling his average sale to $15. Still, it wasn’t life-changing money, and his time was limited by his classes. He was essentially as a student. When his schedule got too packed, he paused the gig. But he couldn't shake the feeling he was onto something. The demand was clearly there, but he knew spending all his time on custom orders for small fees wasn't the answer. There had to be a better way.

Tim spent a summer exploring options. He tried listing his service on another site to escape Fiverr’s low-price environment, but the results were disappointing. He even built his own website, but that didn't take off either. Finally, a year after his first order, he had a breakthrough. He didn't want to be a freelance designer grinding out one résumé at a time. He wanted to sell a product.

He launched a new venture, Foundry Resumes, with sixteen unique templates. Creating them was a ton of work upfront, but once they were done, his job was over. Customers could buy a template and personalize it themselves. By shifting from custom work to a template, he transitioned his model to a product-based one, creating a more opportunity. He listed the templates on a design marketplace called Creative Market for $11 each. Just like before, sales started coming in immediately. This time, however, he didn't have to do any work to fulfill the orders. Instead of a stressful inbox, he saw money regularly appearing in his bank account. Within months, this new was earning him over $450 a month in .

Measure Your Original Idea: Is It Working?

Ask most entrepreneurs how things are going, and you'll likely hear, “Oh, it’s fine.” But a business is never just “fine”—it’s either growing or it’s not. In the early days, you have to answer the question, “Is it working?” with brutal honesty.

When you evaluate your progress, there are really only three possible outcomes:

1. Your results are blowing past your initial estimates. You're thrilled with the momentum and eager to see where it goes.
2. You had a great idea, but it just didn’t connect with customers. Instead of a flood of sales, you’re hearing crickets.
3. This is the most common outcome. Your hustle is making some money, and you see potential, but it’s not a runaway success yet. Maybe early interest suggests that with a few tweaks, sales will improve. Or perhaps you've made some cash but realized the project isn't the right fit for you.

Most new ventures land in this third category. Profitable ideas often need refinement before they take off. Knowing what to do next is what separates a short-lived gig from a sustainable . The key is looking at your metrics.

Track What Matters, Ignore What Doesn’t

You don’t need to track hundreds of data points like Amazon. For most projects, you just need a handle on a few key numbers to understand the health of your . Think of it like your personal finances or your health. You generally know how much is in your checking account and how you’re feeling physically. Your hustle should be the same.

Focus on these three areas:

• Your income minus your expenses.
• The number of new leads, customers, or clients.
• How many hours you're spending to start and run the project.

It’s fine to look at things like website traffic, but be careful not to get obsessed with data that doesn’t directly impact your profit or growth.

If at First You Don’t Succeed, Adjust

Tim could have continued his custom résumé service. It was a viable hustle, but he knew it wasn't a good long-term plan. He was in that “sort of working” territory. When he looked at his key metrics—especially the time spent on each low-priced order—he realized the model wasn't sustainable. He still believed in the problem he was solving, but he needed to change the solution.

• Offer custom, visually appealing résumés on demand.
• Sell a series of résumé templates that customers can customize themselves.

This new approach allowed Tim to serve more people and reclaim his time, all while earning . It was a huge win that turned his project from a time-consuming task into an automated asset. The transition from to owning a product was a game-changer.

As you review your own results, you have a decision to make: abandon the idea, or stay the course and adjust. If you choose to continue, your goal is to improve the project to make more money, take less time, or become more sustainable. Remember, a side hustle should make money. Social media followers are great, but they can’t be deposited in the bank. If you're going to , expect it to deliver the results you want—or be ready to choose a different one.