This 79-Year-Old Retiree's Side Hustle Earns $4,000 a Month: 'I Work as Much or as Little as I Desire' Dan Weiss saw an article about a side hustle in the local newspaper — then decided to try it himself.
By Amanda Breen Edited by Jessica Thomas
Key Takeaways
- Dan Weiss managed residential mortgage branches at a major bank before his retirement.
- Now, he uses another skill set to grow his side hustle and keep word-of-mouth referrals coming.
This Side Hustle Spotlight Q&A features Dan Weiss, a 79-year-old retiree based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He started his flexible side hustle after reading about it in the newspaper, and now he makes up to $4,000 a month. Responses have been edited for length and clarity.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Dan Weiss
What was your day job or primary occupation before retirement?
I managed a number of residential mortgage branches for a major bank.
When did you start your side hustle, and where did you find the inspiration for it?
I read an article in our local newspaper about a young woman who had discovered Taskrabbit. It intrigued me, so I immediately went online to have them run a background check on me. That took a few days, and the rest, as they say, is history — I started my furniture assembly side hustle on Taskrabbit.
What were some of the first steps you took to get your side hustle off the ground?
Taskrabbit did all of the work. I simply made sure that I was available to complete tasks on a regular basis and also determined that my initial hourly rates would have to be relatively low since I did not have any reviews. As my client base grew and I received more five-star reviews, I was able to slowly increase my hourly rates.
Related: Retirees Are Earning Up to $20,000 Per Month With One Fully Remote Side Hustle
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced while building your side hustle, and how did you navigate them?
The key obstacle is completing tasks and receiving reviews. Today, reviews are critical to your ongoing business. This was certainly not the case when I was young as there was no such thing as reviews that were posted; there was nothing to post on! It was all word of mouth then, and while that continues to assist my current business, it all comes down to what past clients say about you.
How long did it take you to see consistent monthly revenue? How much did the side hustle earn?
It took about four or five months for my gig to become significantly profitable. I currently earn an average of $4,000 per month.
What does growth and revenue look like now?
My business continues to grow and prosper. Revenue remains about the same, with some months above $4,000 and others below, depending on the time of the year; like everything, there is a slow time and a busy time.
What do you enjoy most about this side hustle?
I really enjoy taking a pile of pieces of MDF or real wood and making something from them in a relatively short time. It is very quick gratification. Additionally, I have control of my calendar and work as much or as little as I desire.
What's your advice for others hoping to start successful side hustles of their own?
Be patient. Treat your clients with respect. Set your pricing according to your experience and customer base. Finally, do superb work and be respectful and caring.
