5
Micro-Hustles: Building a Side Business with Just 5 Hours a Week
r/Entrepreneur
7/2/2025
SAAS TOOLS
| SaaS | URL | Category | Features/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gumroad | E-commerce Platform | Minimal setup for selling digital products | |
| Ko-fi | E-commerce Platform | Simple setup for creators to sell digital goods | |
| Notion | Productivity Tool | Templates for organization and productivity | |
| ChatGPT | AI Tool | Prompt packs for AI interactions |
USER NEEDS
Pain Points:
- Limited time availability (only 5 hours/week)
- Need for minimal upfront investment
- Avoiding burnout while building a business
- Managing communication overhead as a middleman
Problems to Solve:
- Creating sustainable side businesses with minimal time
- Leveraging emerging trends (AI, remote markets)
- Scaling without proportional increase in workload
- Reducing back-and-forth communication in agency models
Potential Solutions:
- Using AI tools for automation and scaling
- Creating digital products (templates, prompt packs) for passive income
- Establishing efficient processes to minimize manual work
- Acting as a middleman with streamlined workflows
GROWTH FACTORS
Effective Strategies:
- Focusing on micro-hustles with scalability
- Leveraging AI and automation for efficiency
- Starting service-based agencies with low investment
Marketing & Acquisition:
- Selling through platforms like Gumroad/Ko-fi for quick setup
- Targeting niche markets (e.g., AI implementation for businesses)
Monetization & Product:
- Digital downloads (Notion templates, prompt packs) with minimal upkeep
- Low-cost entry models requiring minimal investment
- Hyper-specialized services addressing specific needs
User Engagement:
- Community sharing of experiences and ideas (as seen in Reddit thread)
- Learning from both successes and failures shared by peers