Why Your Side Hustle Is Failing Before It Even Starts (And What to Do Instead)

By Eddie Mugulusi

So here’s the theory:
You’ve got a 9-5 job.
You save up some money.
You find a “good business idea.”
You start a side hustle.
Then BOOM—extra income, financial freedom, maybe even early retirement.

Sounds like a solid plan, right?

Now, here’s the harsh truth:
That’s also the same formula many people follow—and still, their side hustles crash, burn, and vanish faster than a New Year’s resolution by February.

So, what’s going wrong?

Let’s unpack it.

Step 1: Saving Money

This part is easy(ish). You cut back on weekend nyama choma, resist the urge to impulse-buy on Jumia, and stash some cash away every month. Eventually, you have enough to start something. Good job. 

Step 2: Finding a “Good Idea”

Now this is where most people take the wrong turn.

See, most side hustlers forget one very important thing:
You’re not a full-time entrepreneur. You’re a busy person with a demanding day job. You don’t have time, energy, or presence to spare. So the kind of business idea that might work for someone who’s on-ground 24/7 might completely destroy you.

Let me break it down.

If your business idea doesn’t match your lifestyle (limited time, limited focus, limited presence), then it’s not a good idea for you. Even if it’s profitable for someone else. Even if your cousin’s friend’s uncle is “killing it” with that idea.

The Truth About “Moving Parts”

After years of starting businesses, I’ve realized this one truth:
Some businesses have too many moving parts—and those are the ones most side hustlers should stay away from.

What are “moving parts”?
Basically, every task, activity, or decision that must happen every day for your business to function and succeed.

The more of these you have, the more complicated your business becomes—and the more time, energy, and supervision it needs.

Let me give you two examples.

1. The Business With Many Moving Parts

Let’s talk about restaurants.
Here’s what you need to run one:

• A great location (hard to find).
• A solid menu (trial and error).
• A chef (who won’t ghost you).
• Waiters/waitresses (who need training).
• Furniture and kitchen equipment.
• Daily food prep and portion control.
• Leftovers management.
• Cleaning.
• Customer service.
• Social media promotion.
• Oh—and daily supervision to make sure nobody’s stealing the goat meat.

Now imagine running all that… while still clocking into your full-time job at 8am and leaving at 5pm (or 7pm, if your boss is on vibes and inshallah).

Let’s be honest. It’s going to be chaos.

2. The Business With Fewer Moving Parts

Now picture a small pharmacy.

Here’s what you need:

• A licensed location.
• Stock of everyday medications.
• A reliable pharmacist.
• A basic stock-tracking system.
• Occasional check-ins and restocking.

That’s it.

Fewer activities. Less daily drama. More structure. Easier to monitor. You can drop by every evening, check stock reports, plan restocks, and still get home in time for dinner.

This kind of side hustle is way more forgiving for someone with a packed weekday schedule.

The Real Problem Isn’t the Idea—It’s the Fit

Here’s the advice no one gives you:
Your side hustle should match your current lifestyle.
Not your dream lifestyle. Not your cousin’s lifestyle. Not a YouTuber’s lifestyle. Yours.

So ask yourself:

• How much time can I realistically give this business daily?
• How often can I show up physically?
• Can it function without me for long hours?
• Are the tasks manageable and trackable?

If your answers don’t match the business idea you have in mind… pivot.

You’re not lazy. You’re not unserious. You’re just not choosing the right business for you.

So What Should You Do?

Choose a business with fewer moving parts.
One that can run with a part-time founder.
One where systems can be easily put in place.
One that doesn’t rely on your full-time supervision just to break even.

Otherwise, you’ll spend all your savings building something that collapses the moment you go back to work on Monday.

Let me wrap this up the way a pharmacist would:
Always read the label (your lifestyle) before starting the prescription (your side hustle).

Because if you start the wrong business, not even Panadol Extra can cure the headache that’s coming.

Would you like help choosing the right kind of side hustle for your current lifestyle? Let’s chat. I’ve seen all kinds—and I can help you avoid the most expensive mistakes.