Side Hustle Spotlight #48

Read more to find out how you can start this profitable side hustle today plus tips and tricks to make starting a business easier

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 Welcome Back To Side Hustle Weekly!

I’m excited to share with you another great side hustle you can start today! Today we will be discussing how you can start a graphic design business.

Today’s Edition of Real Estate is brought to you by Seven Point Sunday - Written by New York Times best seller, teaching you how to generate passive income.

Before We Get Started Here’s Your News Recap:

CBO Projects Slower U.S. Economic Growth Over Next 30 Years

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects that the U.S. economy will grow more slowly over the next 30 years due to weak population growth and increased government spending. By 2055, publicly held debt is expected to reach 156% of GDP. Lower birth rates and a heavy dependence on immigration will also significantly impact economic growth, with the U.S. population starting to shrink in 2033 without continued immigration. ​

Goldman Sachs Raises Recession Probability Amid Tariff Concerns

As "Liberation Day" approaches on April 2, President Trump is set to announce significant tariff increases. Goldman Sachs predicts a 15-percentage-point rise in U.S. tariffs this year, reflecting a more aggressive approach to "reciprocal" tariffs. This shift has increased the likelihood of a recession, with Goldman Sachs economists raising the probability to 35% due to slowing growth, declining business confidence, and anticipated economic policies. The bank forecasts three Federal Reserve rate cuts as a form of economic "insurance" similar to the approach taken in 2019. Additionally, tariffs are projected to increase inflation by 0.5 percentage points. ​

Luxury Sector Faces Challenges Amid Potential U.S. Recession

The luxury sector is facing potential challenges due to a possible recession in the U.S., a critical market for high-end goods. This economic downturn is characterized by declining GDP, rising unemployment, and weakening consumer spending. Key indicators include low consumer confidence and minimal retail sales growth. Affluent consumers are shifting their spending habits towards accessible luxury, prompting luxury brands to reevaluate their strategies, focusing on digital innovation, personalization, and direct-to-consumer sales. The trend towards experiential luxury is growing, requiring brands to invest in creating unique consumer experiences. ​

Samsung Electronics Appoints Interim Head for Consumer Division

Samsung Electronics has appointed Roh Tae-moon as acting head of its consumer and smartphone business following the death of his predecessor, Han Jong-Hee. Roh, who has led Samsung's mobile division since 2020, will now oversee the TV, home appliance, and smartphone businesses within the DX division. ​

U.S. Corporate Profits Rebound, But Uncertainty Looms

U.S. corporate profits surged in the fourth quarter, rising by $204.7 billion. However, uncertainty looms as businesses navigate potential tariff impacts and economic policy shifts. Investors are closely monitoring these developments for their potential effects on market stability and growth prospects. ​

UK Struggles with Trade Deal Amid U.S. Tariff Threats

The UK government is struggling to negotiate a trade deal with the U.S. amidst concerns of impending tariffs under President Trump. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds acknowledged the challenges, especially after Trump's recent announcement of a 25% global tariff on car imports, which affects the UK's £7.6 billion car export market to the U.S. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer emphasized avoiding a trade war and called for collaborative efforts with the industry.

Conflicting U.S. Business Policies Sow Economic Uncertainty

In the first few weeks of his presidency, Donald Trump's policy changes have created significant economic uncertainty. His proposed tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China have disrupted markets and business planning. The imposition of tariffs has led to responses like price adjustments and seeking alternative suppliers, though businesses remain cautious due to the unpredictability of further changes. Furthermore, Trump's immigration policies have caused disturbances in labor-dependent sectors, such as agriculture and small businesses, impacting workforce availability and consumer behavior.

Subscribe to our neighbor newsletter Early Bird Stock Market News to stay up to date on all things investing to start making money in the stock market.

Note: You Don’t Need To Be Creative

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If you're creative or not, love visual storytelling or not, and want to turn your passion into profit, starting a graphic design business could be your perfect hustle. With businesses, influencers, and content creators needing logos, flyers, branding kits, and social media content more than ever, the demand for talented designers is sky-high.

The best part? You can start your business with minimal investment, from home, and scale it to $5K–$15K+ per month with the right systems in place.

This guide will walk you through step-by-step how to launch, run, and grow a profitable graphic design business from scratch—even if you're starting solo.

Step 1: Pick Your Graphic Design Niche

The first step to standing out in a crowded market is choosing a specific niche.

  • Logo & Brand Design – For startups and small businesses.

  • Social Media Design – Instagram posts, carousels, YouTube thumbnails.

  • Print Design – Flyers, brochures, business cards.

  • Web & UI Design – Website mockups, landing pages, app designs.

  • Product & Packaging Design – For eCommerce and physical products.

🎯 Pro Tip: Pick a niche based on your strengths and market demand. You’ll attract better clients and be able to charge more.

Step 2: Learn the Tools of the Trade

You don’t need a design degree, but you do need the right skills and software.

🛠️ Must-Know Tools for Graphic Designers:

  • Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) – Industry standard.

  • Canva Pro – Perfect for quick social media designs.

  • Figma – Great for UI/UX and collaborative design work.

  • Procreate (iPad) – Excellent for hand-drawn illustrations and logos.

📚 Learn from platforms like Skillshare, YouTube, Coursera, or Udemy to master design basics and stay sharp.

Step 3: Set Up Your Business Foundations

Before pitching to clients, you need to look professional and have your backend ready.

📝 Business Essentials:

  • Register Your Business – Set up an LLC or sole proprietorship.

  • Create a Portfolio Website – Use Wix, Webflow, or Squarespace.

  • Design a Logo and Brand for Yourself – You ARE your first client!

  • Set Up Payment Systems – Use Stripe, PayPal, or Wave to accept payments.

  • Use Contracts – Tools like HelloSign or Bonsai help protect you and the client.

📌 Pro Tip: Your portfolio doesn’t need dozens of samples—just 5–10 great pieces that showcase your style and value.

Step 4: Land Your First Clients

It’s time to make your first $$$. Use a mix of organic outreach and platform leverage to build your client base.

👥 Where to Find Clients:

  • Freelance Platforms – Upwork, Fiverr, 99Designs, Freelancer.

  • Social Media – Post content on Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, and LinkedIn.

  • Cold Outreach – DM startups or email local businesses with value-driven offers.

  • Networking Groups – Join Facebook groups, Slack communities, or local entrepreneur meetups.

💬 Pitch example:
“Hey [name], I love what your brand is doing! I’m a graphic designer who helps businesses like yours stand out with clean, scroll-stopping visuals. Would you be open to a free mockup or quick audit of your branding?”

Step 5: Price Your Services Smartly

Avoid charging pennies just to “get started.” Your time and skill are valuable.

💰 Graphic Design Pricing Models:

  • Hourly Rate: $25–$100/hr (depending on experience).

  • Project-Based: $100–$1,500+ (logo, full branding, website mockup).

  • Monthly Retainers: $500–$3,000/month (great for social media clients or agencies).

📌 Tip: Create 2–3 packages (Basic, Pro, Premium) to make purchasing simple for clients.

Step 6: Deliver Quality Work & Build Referrals

Once you land clients, overdeliver. Quick responses, meeting deadlines, and excellent visuals will get you repeat business and referrals.

Ask happy clients for:

  • Testimonials for your site/social proof

  • Referrals (offer a discount or bonus for each new lead)

  • Case Studies to attract more of your ideal clients

Step 7: Scale Your Business

Once you have consistent clients, it’s time to grow beyond just trading time for money.

📈 How to Scale Your Graphic Design Business:

  • Hire Junior Designers – Delegate smaller tasks and focus on strategy or big clients.

  • Offer Templates or Digital Products – Sell Canva templates, logos, or brand kits.

  • Launch a Course or Mentorship Program – Teach others how to design or freelance.

  • Partner with Agencies – Offer white-label design services.

Estimated Monthly Income Potential

Here’s what a graphic design business can realistically earn:

💼 Beginner (Part-Time):
➡ 5 clients @ $300 each = $1,500/month

💼 Freelancer (Full-Time):
➡ 10 clients @ $500 each = $5,000/month

💼 Agency Model:
➡ 5 recurring clients @ $1,500/month = $7,500/month+
➡ Plus product sales, digital templates, etc. = $10K+/month

Pros and Cons of a Graphic Design Business

✅ Pros:

  • Low startup costs

  • High demand across industries

  • Work from anywhere

  • Scalable through products or a team

  • Creative freedom and fun projects

❌ Cons:

  • Can be time-consuming when starting

  • Revisions can drag projects out

  • High competition—requires strong branding

  • Clients with unclear vision can be challenging

Requirements to Get Started

✔ Laptop or Desktop with good specs
✔ Design software (Adobe, Canva Pro, etc.)
✔ Reliable internet connection
✔ Payment processing system (PayPal, Stripe)
✔ Online portfolio or website
✔ Contract templates

Optional Tools & Products to Maximize Results

🖥️ iMac or MacBook Pro – Smooth performance for heavy design tasks
🎨 Wacom Tablet or iPad Pro with Procreate – For illustration-based designs
📦 Envato Elements / Creative Market Subscription – Access to premium design assets
📁 Google Workspace or Notion – Project & client management
📈 Bonsai or HoneyBook – For client proposals, contracts, and automation

Summary: How to Start a Graphic Design Business

  1. Pick a niche and learn the tools

  2. Set up your brand, site, and payment systems

  3. Land clients through social media, freelance sites, and outreach

  4. Price your services to reflect your value

  5. Deliver excellent work and collect referrals

  6. Scale with a team, retainers, and digital products

🎨 With creativity, consistency, and the right systems, your design skills can turn into a six-figure business. Start today and watch your ideas come to life—visually and financially. 💰✨

Want to be the most intelligent person in every room you go in?

Knowledge start with what and who you know. To help you out a bit here are a few newsletters the Side Hustle Weekly team reads to stay ahead of the curve:

How Brands Win - Do you own a business or want to start one? Learn exactly how to grow and build a successful business. - I’m In!→

The Ai Report - Ai is becoming a bigger and bigger part of our society and getting ahead with it is your best bet to become successful, learn how you can utilize it. - Show me→

BeanWealth - If you live in the United States and you want to skyrocket your wealth to the moon, well, now’s your chance. - Take a look→

That’s A Wrap

I hope you enjoyed today’s post and if you have any questions about the post, upcoming posts, how to advertise, or anything else, feel free to reply.

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See you next time with another money-making post, helping you boost your income!

Disclaimer

Disclaimer: This newsletter is for informational and educational purposes only and reflects the opinions of its editors and contributors. The content provided, including but not limited to real estate tips, stock market insights, business marketing strategies, and startup advice, is shared for general guidance and does not constitute financial, investment, real estate, legal, or business advice. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information provided. Past performance is not indicative of future results. All investment, real estate, and business decisions involve inherent risks, and readers are encouraged to perform their own due diligence and consult with qualified professionals before taking any action. This newsletter does not establish a fiduciary, advisory, or professional relationship between the publishers and readers.

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