Most of the time, a side hustle is born out of the desire to be your own boss, control your own destiny, and fill a need in the marketplace. Usually in that order. There is nothing wrong with wanting to carve out your own niche. That’s the glory of being an entrepreneur. 

You may have experienced the satisfaction of launching and creating your new business and are seeing consistent results. You may have conquered some big mindset issues and restructured your life to accommodate the challenges and needs of your business. If these things have happened, you are likely more mature and capable than the day you began. You may even be fairly amazed at what you have accomplished. Celebrate that success – it’s a big deal!

First, let’s determine what the next level might be. It might mean reducing your other work commitments by half or eliminating them all together. It could look like selling your business and starting something new. Or anything in between. 

If you are beginning to think it might be time to take your side hustle to a new level, look for these signs:

You are replacing most of your current income

One of the surest signs you are ready to take your side hustle front and center is you are replacing most of your current income. This can be achieved in more than one way. 

• Replacement of direct income- Either replacing you or your spouse’s income can be considered a trigger to take your hustle to the next level

• Reduction of expenses- Sometimes the income generated from your side hustle minus expenses you can reduce in your budget equal savings. Consider what expenses you have that can be eliminated and it may mean you have the green light to take your side hustle to another level.  

You are turning away customers or orders due to time constraints

When you feel it in your bones

Some things aren’t science, they’re an art. Knowing when to take the leap to the next level is often a gut feeling. You know your mindset, your market, your expenses, and your family’s needs better than anyone else. Outside of a limiting mindset, you know deep in your bones when the time is right.  

There comes a point in time with successful side hustles when things need to expand and grow in order to keep moving. Taking the risk to move from the security of your main income source to the exciting and nerve-wracking world of full-time entrepreneurship isn’t for the faint of heart. Ask yourself the important questions and consider the best time to take things to the next level.