Why We Build Side Hustles: The Real Reasons Women Start (and Stay!) in Direct Sales
Hi, friend! Welcome to the Passports, Profits and Pixie Dust. I’m Lindsay Dollinger — high school Spanish teacher, dog mom, world traveler, and direct seller who empowers women to run their businesses the right way so they can earn the income they deserve, live their dream lives, and travel the world.
Now that we’ve got that out of the way… let’s get into today’s topic. 💛✨
This is inspired by the very first episode of my podcast, and honestly? It’s a conversation I’ve had hundreds of times:
“Why do you have a side hustle?
Why do you need a second income?
Aren’t you already a teacher?”
And to be fair, they’re good questions.
So today’s blog is the deep dive… the reasons so many of us choose to build something outside our full-time jobs — and why it’s one of the most empowering decisions you can make.
1. The Extra Income (Let’s Be Honest — This Helps!)
People love to tell teachers our “jobs are secure.”
(Spoiler: they’re not.)
As a Spanish teacher — aka an elective — I’m often the first position on the chopping block if cuts happen. But even beyond job security, there’s the lifestyle part:
✨ I love traveling.
✨ I love good gym memberships.
✨ I love paying off debt faster.
✨ I love saying yes to experiences.
My side business has paid for:
✔ Travel (lots of travel!)
✔ High-end fitness memberships
✔ My car — WAY ahead of schedule
✔ Everyday life expenses when needed
Your reason might be different — groceries, childcare, student loans, vacations, medical bills — but extra income provides options. And options = freedom.
2. The Community You Don’t Know You’re Missing
This is one of the most unexpected benefits of direct sales and network marketing.
Finding your people as an adult is HARD.
If you’ve ever:
- Moved to a new town
- Worked in a school full of coworkers much older or younger
- Felt isolated from your peers
- Wanted friendships outside your workplace
…then you know what I mean.
Direct sales gave me friendships I didn’t even know I needed.
Women who cheer you on.
Women who understand your goals.
Women who get excited with you about things others might not.
Some of my closest friends came from my business — even the ones I only met online at first.
And one of my favorite examples?
A last-minute group of stylists from my larger team who went to Magic Kingdom together before conference. We spent an entire day laughing, riding rides, taking pictures, and bonding like we’d known each other for years.
Community matters. Connection matters.
And building a side business creates space for both.
3. The Creative Outlet You Didn’t Know You Needed
Teaching is creative — but it’s a specific kind of creativity.
My business lets me express myself differently:
💛 Designing graphics in Canva
💛 Creating fun themed parties
💛 Branding my VIP group
💛 Writing content that inspires women
💛 Running my business like me
Having space to be creative outside of work is therapeutic — and for some women, it’s the first time they’ve had something that’s truly their own.
4. Confidence (Yes… This One Surprised Me Too)
So many women join a direct sales company for confidence without even realizing that’s what they’re craving.
Confidence comes from:
✔ Being recognized
✔ Meeting goals
✔ Being part of a supportive team
✔ Doing hard things and seeing results
✔ Leadership opportunities
✔ Trying something new
✔ Speaking on lives or leading groups
✔ Being stretched and challenged
One stylist on my team joined specifically to build her confidence. And she’s now doing more public-facing things than she ever believed possible.
Confidence grows when you’re surrounded by positive, empowered people — and that’s exactly what the right team provides.
5. Making Money From What You Already Love
The best kind of business?
One where you’d still talk about it even if no one paid you.
If you’re joining a direct sales company, make sure you love:
✔ The product
✔ The company
✔ The leadership
✔ What it represents
✔ The transformation it provides
✔ Who it helps
Because when tough months happen (and they WILL), loving the product and the mission is what keeps you going.
For me?
I love helping women feel beautiful, confident, and part of a community. I love a product that is consumable, unique, affordable, and something people genuinely want.
And if you’re not a product of the product… selling becomes SO much harder.
6. Because Millionaires Have Multiple Streams of Income
One of the first things that changed my entire mindset was learning:
👉 Millionaires have an average of seven streams of income.
Not one.
Not two.
Seven.
Most traditional jobs don’t offer financial scale.
In teaching, I can literally look up the salary schedule and know exactly what I’ll make every year until I retire.
Direct sales and network marketing?
Unlimited. Potential.
You’ll get out what you put in — and for many women, this is the FIRST time they’ve had control over their income.
7. Opportunity, Growth, and Personal Development
Direct sales is one of the few spaces where:
✨ You don’t need a degree
✨ You don’t need permission
✨ You don’t need a perfect résumé
✨ You don’t need 10 years of experience
You need heart.
You need consistency.
You need willingness to learn.
The growth that happens in this industry is unmatched.
Your mindset shifts.
Your belief grows.
Your habits sharpen.
And you get to grow alongside other women doing the same.
So… Why Do YOU Build Your Side Hustle?
I’d love to know.
Whether it’s one of the reasons above or something totally unique…
your “why” is powerful.
Email me at:
📩 [email protected]
Tell me your reason — I may feature some in future content!
**In Case You Missed the List:
Top Reasons People Build a Side Hustle**
✔ Extra income
✔ Travel or lifestyle upgrades
✔ Paying off debt or bills
✔ Community and friendship
✔ A creative outlet
✔ Building confidence
✔ Loving the product
✔ Personal development
✔ Leadership opportunities
✔ A path to multiple streams of income
And let’s be honest — many of us want to be that “seven streams of income” woman someday.
Thank you for reading this first blog in the series. I can’t wait to bring you more stories, interviews, motivation, and strategy to help you build your business the right way.
If you loved this post, share it with a friend or teammate.
Your support means the world. 💛✨