Ward 8 resident Jacque Patterson has a full-time position as the chief community engagement and impact officer for KIPP DC Schools, a charter school system, while also serving as an at-large member of the D.C. State Board of Education, a part-time post. With all of those responsibilities, he will be the first to admit a little extra money doesn’t hurt.
Thus, Patterson works a side hustle as a community consultant, helping nonprofits who want to set up operations in his ward and neighboring Ward 7.
“Nonprofits approach me on strategies to meet with leaders who reside east of the river and the best way to build relationships with them,” said Patterson, 59. “The word of mouth is ‘If you want to come east of the river, talk to Jacque.’”
A side hustle or gig is defined by Merriam-Webster as “work performed for income supplementary to one’s primary job.”
Patterson told The Informer he charges a small fee for his work, usually through a contract, amd said he likes his side hustle “because it is making a positive impact in the community.”
The Gig Economy
Patterson is one of more than 57 million Americans (36% of workers) that have a side hustle or gig work arrangement either as their primary or secondary job. This includes a quarter of all full-time workers and half of all part-timers, according to “Gig Economy Statistics: Demographics and Trends in 2024” posted on the Team Stage blog.
The “Gig Economy Statistics” reports that the side hustle economy is expanding three times faster than the total U.S. workforce. Over 50% of the U.S. workforce is likely to participate in the gig economy by 2027.
The report said people aged 18-24 are more likely to work within the gig economy. Further, 76% of gig workers say they are satisfied with their choice of having a side hustle.
Managing a Side Hustle
Angela Heath is the president of District-based TKC Incorporated, a consulting business, and an expert on the gig economy. She is the author of the book, “Do the Hustle without the Hassle” and has hosted gig topic forums such as The Gig Worker Summit and The Boom Conference.
In “Making the Gig Economy Work for You” by Daniel DiGriz, published by The Clark Hulings Foundation for Visual Artists, Heath offers tips for people working a side hustle.
“I have a process where I do my planning at the beginning of the year,” said Heath. “I have a yearly calendar, I put all of my family commitments on it that I know about, like vacations. When I set up my quarterly goals, I decide exactly what I need to meet them.”
Heath said, “you start to get an idea about what’s realistic to make in a month, with the amount of time you want to dedicate to it.”
“Then you have to think through whatever family obligations you have, and financial commitments you have, how you fill that gap, and then go for those opportunities,” she said.
Heath said the gig economy is not new — “we’ve had contractors and freelancers since way back” — but noted, “What is new is the technology that enables us to find opportunities quickly, cheaply.”
Doing the Side Hustle
Ward 8 resident Ivan Jose Cloyd is the founding principal of Quadrant Partners, a company that specializes in real estate development and media.
Cloyd’s side hustle is working as a television consultant. He advises politicians, entrepreneurs and entertainers on how to get on television to sell their products, campaigns or talents.
He also coaches people on how to pitch television show ideas to cable networks.
Cloyd, 34, said his side hustle comes from his many years as an actor and working behind the scenes in the television industry. He said the side hustle maintains his lifestyle while he works on Quadrant.
“The side hustle is an immediate payout,” he said. “It is my way of making sure that the bills get paid as I work on real estate development.”
Cloyd’s advice to those considering a side hustle is to “look at your skill sets and don’t go outside what you already know.” However, he said side hustles must not replace the primary job.
“That would be a mistake,” he said. “Don’t be consumed by your side hustle.”
Patterson emphasizes finding a side hustle that is so gratifying, it doesn’t feel like work.
“I would encourage anyone looking at a side hustle to do what they are passionate about,” Patterson said. “If they do what they are passionate about, it doesn’t seem like work. You must enjoy your hustle.”