Side Hustle is an ongoing series about how Greater Clevelanders, as part-time entrepreneurs, are making ends meet and following their passions. We’ve featured everyone from a baker who uses her profits to help human trafficking survivors to an accidental entrepreneur connecting more people of color with nature and Cleveland’s own Line Dance King. All carry a special devotion to that thing they do on the side.
Olivera Perkins, Signal Cleveland’s economics reporter, would love to hear about your side hustle. Share your story below for consideration.
Most Recent Side Hustle Features
Mikael Ellis works four jobs focused on the LGBTQ+ community: Side Hustle
As a gay man, Mikael Ellis has purposely decided to work at businesses that either primarily cater to LGBTQ+ patrons or have a large clientele from this community. Working at businesses serving queer people of various generations allows him to reflect on how he belongs to a bridge generation of LGBTQ+ rights.
Hear from bartender Mikael Ellis: Side Hustle (video)
Hi, I’m Mikael Ellis and I’m a bartender in Cleveland Ohio. I just started bartending within the last five years mostly to have a social life. And it turned out that I gained a community in that.
Vince Robinson leaves insurance job behind for love of music, arts: Side Hustle
On a recent rainy Sunday evening, many of the storefronts on Larchmere Boulevard, near Shaker Square, are closed. They’ll awaken with the start of the workweek. But Larchmere Arts, a performance and cultural venue, is alive. The door opens and sound vibrates out onto the street of shops, restaurants and other small businesses.
Side Hustle: Lakewood couple creates vegan ‘beef’ jerky called ‘Pleather’
As an homage to the leathery meat snack, Melissa and Matt Trahan sell three flavors they say mimic the taste, struggle and satisfaction of eating the real thing.
Side Hustle: Robert Johnson, Jr., The Line Dance King
Robert Johnson’s reputation and expertise attract hundreds of people weekly to his classes to learn dance steps and have fun.
Side Hustle: Rita Ballenger, owner of Abolition Bakery
The part-time bakery is her Side Hustle, which is connected to a larger mission. She donates a portion of the profits to organizations that support human trafficking survivors.
Side Hustle: Kimberly Woodford, Journey On Yonder
Kimberly Woodford didn’t set out to become an entrepreneur when she started Journey On Yonder in 2018.
Share your side hustle with the Signal Cleveland
Olivera Perkins, Signal Cleveland’s economics reporter, will review your story. Please fill out this form: