Everyone is familiar with the teenage dream: shopping for new, trendy clothes every weekend with your friends, scream-singing out of your car windows, even attending Coachella. What do all of these things have in common? They all cost money. Why spend hours getting burned by french fry grease, faking a smile and wearing a hairnet when you could be doing something you actually enjoy — something like a side hustle. The Tologs below decided to take this innovative, entrepreneurial and creative path by starting their own businesses to make some extra money.

Ella Cures Nails (@ella.cures.nails on Instagram)

These beautifully designed gel press-on nails are the hand-painted creations of Ella Venne ‘22.

What’s your side hustle?

I sell custom, handmade press-on nails on Instagram.

What inspired you to start your side hustle?

At first, it was just a hobby because I really enjoy doing my own nails. Slowly, people started noticing and asking if I sold them. I made the Instagram, and it kind of took off from there.

Can you walk me through how you run your side hustle?

Someone will DM me on my business account, and they’ll send me a Pinterest design or design idea they have. Then I’ll sketch out a design, and after that they’ll pay me. I have stands to set the fake nails on, and I hand paint them. Orders are shipped within 10 days.

Gems with a Twist (@gems.with.a.twist on Instagram):

Sophomore Nairi Keshishian does it all — rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets and more. She has had her business for about a year now.

What’s your side hustle?

I have a business called Gems with a Twist. I sell jewelry, mainly rings and earrings. I also do beadwork, so I sell necklaces and bracelets as well.

What inspired you to start your side hustle?

Seeing different jewelry on TikTok and YouTube made me think, “I wanna try that myself.”

Can you walk me through how you run your side hustle?

I have people [who are] interested DM me on my business Instagram, then I ask them what they want, what colors they want and how much they want. Normally in two to three days, I’ll ship orders out.

Bead by Bead (@bead.by.bead on Instagram): 

Lina Urquiza 22’s side hustle began as a joke, but now she’s made almost $400.

What’s your side hustle?

I have a jewelry-making business. During summer school this year, people started buying my rings.

What inspired you to start your side hustle?

I picked up the hobby in quarantine just for fun. I started making stuff and wearing it to school. People were like, ”That’s so cute, do you sell that?” and I was like, “No, should I?”

Can you walk me through the process of how you run your side hustle?

A lot of customers are people from FSH, so it’s easy to get orders to them. If not, I mail orders to customers. People DM me on Instagram to order, and we work out the specifics there.