The Age of Indie Hustlers: Making a Living On Your Own Terms
Featured Author: Luke Kim
When I chose to bet on myself, I became the the main character of my story and the master of my destiny. I became invincible in the market and fearless in the world.
Indie Hustlers are people who choose to make a living on our own terms.
We are an alliance of communities and movements in the Future of Work.
If you resonate with any of these identities, you’re already in the club.
Most of us live thinking “should’ve, could’ve, didn’t.” No matter where you are on the employee-to-entrepreneur spectrum, you can bet on yourself.
Curious? Let’s dive in.
Externalities of Workforce Decentralization
In the past year, 54% of workers in the United States picked up a source of side income. Side hustling is normalized because of workforce decentralization.
It is now common for companies to hire abroad and outsource entire departments. As a worker, you’re no longer expected to be a one-trick pony for a single company.
If you don’t commute, you end up saving 55~72 minutes per day. 40% of workers use this time in productive ways including second jobs.
The lifestyle of an Indie Hustler is more accessible than ever before.
Future of Work: Historic Shift to Remote & Hybrid
Remote and hybrid work are now the norm.
As of 2022, a majority of workers were hybrid and 1/4 were remote. As recently as 2019, only 1/3 of workers were hybrid and 8% were remote.
Employees today have the same level of creative freedom, location independence, and time flexibility as entrepreneurs.
It’s not employment vs. entrepreneurship.
It’s “yes, and.”
Record-Breaking Business Creation
In the U.S. alone, the record for business creation has been shattered twice in the past 4 years, with 5.5 million established in 2023 and 5.4 million in 2021.
This trend signals where “new money” will come from, like Computer Science majors in the 2010s and gold miners in 1800s California.
Indie Hustlers are the new computer scientists and gold miners.
Cambrian Explosion of Tools & Resources
For the first time in history, entire teams and businesses can be fully automated. We’re witnessing a Cambrian explosion of no-code AI and DIY automation tools, many of which offer free tiers and trials.
Indie Hustlers scale by automating, delegating, or white labeling. Automation is the only way to maintain self-sufficiency.
Until recently, hiring full-time employees or relying on talent arbitrage was necessary. Gig workers performed tasks that no-code A.I. can do for you today.
This means that you can make a living on your own terms without relying on others.
Being an Indie Hustler
This path is accessible to everyone.
Sharing economies, gig economies, creator platforms, and online marketplaces have enabled individuals to become thriving businesses. With global travel and instant communication more affordable and accessible, we can all do business from anywhere in the world.
Consider this.
Transforming your passion into profit is akin to alchemy. When you monetize what you love, life becomes a magical experience. If you make a living on your own terms, it means you’re designing your ideal life and activating your zone of genius.
Bet on yourself.
How You Can Help Yourself
Take this online course with a cohort of peers. In one month, you will learn the secrets of a full-stack business builder who can reliably advance from idea to revenue. This course is 99% practice, 1% theory.
Feeling curious, but not ready to commit? Check out this free e-book which includes a workbook, reading list, and previous of the UC Berkeley solopreneurship course.