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Have you started the Side Hustle Challenge yet? If not, now is a great time to get started!

One of the things we talk about in the challenge is all the different side hustles that are out there. The Side Hustle Spotlight series are interviews with people who share their side hustles, how they got started, and how their side hustle has helped them achieve their travel dreams. Side hustles are not one size fits all, so these spotlights give a glimpse into the pros and cons of those side hustles.

Previous Side Hustle Spotlights

  1. Jessica- Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA)
  2. Jeremy- Reserves and National Guard
  3. Jenifer- Seasonal UPS Delivery Driver
  4. Rod- Pizza Delivery
  5. Jennie- Etsy Shop
  6. Breanne- Piano Teacher
  7. Alyson- House Stager

Our next interview is with Ben. He is a military member, father of four boys, and an avid geek.

What is your side hustle?

I paint miniatures as part of a commission painting service.

How did you decide on this particular side hustle?

It started as part of a hobby. With practice came proficiency, and I discovered that people were willing to pay money for my work.

How long have you been doing it?

I have been painting for almost two decades, but have only been making real money at it for six years.

How many hours a day/week do you spend on it now?

It varies with each commission. I try to put in about an hour a night minimum during commission work to stick to a timetable. Overall time spent varies with the size of the commission, from just a couple of days, to a couple of months.

How many hours a day/week did you spend on it in the beginning?

Again, it varies with the size of the commission, but I would say that it takes me about 50% less time to complete a given commission, at higher quality, than it did in the beginning.

Is the money you earned worth the time you spent on it? Why or why not?

Yes. At times I have the luxury of choosing my customers, so I can pick projects that I enjoy. Calculating for total man-hours spent on a project, I earn on average about $20 per hour. I mostly try to stay in that dollar range when negotiating with a client.

How long did it take to earn your first paycheck?

My first commission was a single large model, and it took about a week to paint.

Are there any requirements or restrictions that might keep others from starting this side hustle?

You have to have the tools and the knowledge to be proficient. You don’t necessarily have to be Michelangelo with a paintbrush, but you do have to be fast and efficient.

If you already paint gaming miniatures as a hobby, brush up your skills and start making money! Read how someone else has made this a successful side gig at ouradventuringfamily.com.

Did you do any training or take any courses before you started?

I didn’t really have anywhere to look to for advice when I started. But as I’ve progressed over the years, I’ve tried to adopt techniques and processes from other artists or painting services I have observed on youtube or in person.

Would you recommend that course(s) to others wanting to follow in your footsteps? Why or why not?

YouTube, blogs, and other streaming services are your friend. There’s a huge repository of experience on the internet that one can tap into.

How do you bring in new clients?

Word of mouth, mostly. It started off very slow, but now I have more demand than I can currently handle.

Were there any other costs associated with starting your side hustle?

Overhead on painting materials is pretty steep. Correctly calculating the cost of those materials is difficult.

What do you like best about what you do?

Painting is my Zen. I also like exploring new techniques and tools. As always, it’s great to see a client’s eyes light up when I hand over a completed commission.

What is your least favorite part?

Trying to find time. Sticking to a project timeline is difficult with a large family and military career.

Would you recommend this side hustle to others?

Absolutely. It’s a great moneymaker that also helps you expand your skills.

Any tips or words of encouragement to share with my readers?

Always believe in your own work. Just because you can’t paint as good as the best doesn’t mean squat. Someone, somewhere, is willing to pay for your work. Also, it’s almost never talent that produces a high-quality product, it’s skill developed by time and practice.

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If you have questions about painting miniatures, pop them in the comments below, and Ben will answer them!
Like painting? Have a good eye for detail? Learn how someone combines the two for a side hustle painting miniatures for gaming at ouradventuringfamily.com.