From Traveller to Thriver: My Journey from Side Hustles to Success

Growing up in an Irish Traveller background was a challenging yet incredibly formative experience. My mother, a working single mother, had to juggle the responsibilities of raising three children on a modest income while my 'old man' was frequently away, either traveling or in prison. Money was always tight, but it was instilled in me to find ways to contribute and support my family. The worst thing in Traveller culture was considered to be a 'dosser'—someone who relies on others for everything. This mindset pushed me to start my first profitable side hustle as a young girl.

My First Profitable Side Hustle: Pirated DVDs

When I was just 13, I would often carry a sports duffle bag filled with pirated porn DVDs to school instead of my regular school bag. At that time, DVD players were a new and exciting technology in the UK, and with their arrival, DVD-based pr0n became the latest craze among school children. The kids whose parents had a DVD player became the most popular kids overnight, as they could purchase or trade these DVDs.

Through my father's connections, I was introduced to an Ashkenazi Jewish man with an adult store in Soho who was pirating and wholesaling porn DVDs. I would sell these DVDs at school, charging ￡10 each or three for ￡20. Within a week, I was clearing upwards of ￡1,000, and as the demand increased, I was making as much as ￡2,000 a week by the time I started reselling them to other students.

This hustle was the perfect timing as DVDs were popular and before the rise of internet pr0n, which would have burst the DVD bubble. My early experience taught me the importance of finding a unique niche and leveraging a temporary demand.

Adventures in Non-Traditional Business Ventures

One of my other non-traditional business ventures was writing lesbian erotica for several publications in the Netherlands. My experience with writing and creating engaging content allowed me to develop a unique skill set. This venture not only provided me with income but also helped me to explore my creativity and understand the nuances of writing for different markets.

Sneaker Reselling: My First Big Success

Another significant side hustle that catapulted me into the world of reselling was sneaker reselling. In 2014, sneakers and their resale value were at a peak. I began by searching out thrift stores, Nike Outlets, and other sources for sneakers that had a good profit margin, such as Jordan shoes. Within my first month of selling on platforms like Offerup, GOAT, and eBay, I made a tidy profit of around ￡600. This success laid the foundation for future ventures and taught me the importance of market research and efficient inventory management.

Each of these side hustles taught me valuable lessons about the importance of perseverance, identifying trends, and adapting to the market. Whether it was through the creative world of writing or the physical market of reselling, I learned to stay adaptable and find ways to contribute to my family and support myself.

Looking back, I am grateful for those early experiences. They not only helped me to earn money but also provided me with the skills and resilience to build a successful career in the future.