The entrepreneurial spirit.  

It's not something that can be caught — or even wished into existence. It’s something built through persistence and initiative.

Approximately 80 million Americans now operate a side hustle, according to Side Hustle Nations, representing about 39% of working adults.

In the coming years, that number could grow significantly as surveys suggest another 35 million Americans plan to start a business or side venture.  

Many might ask why. 

Local entrepreneur Waylon Hurst, 23, believes the shift reflects growing uncertainty in traditional employment. 

“I think there’s a lot of distrust in employers right now, with all the layoffs that are happening around the country. And I think a lot of jobs are being automated or replaced by artificial intelligence. Not everyone, there’s obviously a lot of blue-collar work, and there will always be jobs like that, but I also think a lot of people just want to have ownership in their lives. At least I did,” Hurst said.  

Economic realities may also play a role.  

According to Realtor.com, the median household income in Idaho is $77,609, while the estimated cost of living ranges from $49,000 to $90,000 depending on household size. To afford a median-priced home in the state, the site reports a household would need an income of roughly $158,003, leaving an affordability gap of approximately $80,000.  

“I know a lot of people who have degrees that are successful, and they’re still not living the lifestyle they want, and they don’t have the stability they want. So, for me, it was important to create something outside of my job that has given me a financial cushion and comfort, which was a big thing,” Hurst said.  

Supplemental income remains the most common reason for people starting a side hustle, according to Side Hustle Nation. Among surveyed entrepreneurs, 40% reported wanting to learn new skills, while 30% said their long-term goal was to become their own boss.  

Beyond finances, many cite personal freedom as a key motivator for diving down the entrepreneurial path.  

“For me, I think I always knew I wanted to be my own boss eventually,” Hurst said. “I want to be in control of my time, and I felt the best way to do that was through ownership. This country was founded on free enterprise, and actually understanding that and leveraging it is what I wanted to do. If you’re an entrepreneur, you can constantly keep growing and scaling. I just wanted the ability for my efforts to go directly towards my future rather than someone else’s.”  

Starting a side hustle often requires minimal time commitment. On average, entrepreneurs spend five to 15 hours a week on their ventures, according to Side Hustle Nation. Top earners in established businesses reported working less than 20 hours a week to generate $5,000 or more monthly.    

Based on a survey of 2,300 entrepreneurs, the most common sources of side-hustle income come from online business and the e-commerce space, including blogging, podcasts, Amazon, eBay or a specialized online store. Freelancing and consulting rank as the third most common avenue for creating revenue.  

“I used to think you had to quit your day job to own a business, and you don’t have to. There are a lot of things you can pursue on the side. Maybe it won’t supplement your income right away, but it can at least help you pay a few more bills or put more into savings,” said Hurst. 

Hurst said that starting a side venture can have its own set of challenges, including limited capital, time constraints, or uncertainty about where to begin.  

However, he believes the first step toward entrepreneurship often begins with education and a shift in mindset. 

“Going from an employee to an entrepreneur is a complete mindset shift. And your mindset is the hardest thing to change. The best thing I started doing was reading to educate instead of reading for enjoyment,” Hurst said. “Then, figure out what you want to do and find someone who has already accomplished that. They’ve been down the path you want to go down, so they will have the best advice to offer. Most successful people are going to help you out, because they were once in that same position.”  

While entrepreneurship and side hustles continue to grow in popularity, research from the University of Iowa suggests that these ventures can also benefit employers. Studies indicate that employees with side projects may perform better at their full-time roles if there is no conflict with company policies.  

Before launching a side business, experts recommend reviewing an employer's handbook or contract to ensure no conflicts of interest exist.