The Rise of the Side Hustle: Brits Looking to Turn Passion into Pay
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Side hustles continue to thrive, with platforms like TikTok further boosting their visibility, helping users discover new career paths. In fact, “side hustle ideas” has racked up 1.1 million searches globally on TikTok alone. While jumping on a trending hustle can be a smart move, knowing when and how to transition into a fully-fledged business isn’t always straightforward.
To explore this shift, Hiscox analysed Google search data from the past year to reveal the top emerging side hustles for 2025. Hiscox also spoke to two business owners who successfully made the leap, sharing how they navigated the move from side hustle to full-time business.
Business advisor Graeme Tidd and finance specialist Sharn Haywood-Higgs share essential processes to help entrepreneurs transition smoothly and successfully.
Fitness and traditional mobile van businesses are the most popular industries to start a side hustle in 2025
A new Hiscox survey shows that 45% of Brits are planning or considering starting a side hustle. Nearly half (49%) of those aim to turn it into a full-time business. To uncover the most in-demand side hustles for 2025, Hiscox analysed year-on-year Google search trends to identify which gigs are gaining the most interest.
| Side hustle | Year-on-Year Google search change between 2024 and 2025 |
| Personal training & coaching | 108% |
| Fitness instructor (yoga, pilates, hyrox) | 67% |
| Food van/ice cream van | 30% |
| Babysitting | 24% |
| Delivery & driver services | 24% |
| Social media marketing | 22% |
| Garden tidying & lawn mowing | 19% |
| Masseuse | 17% |
| Pet services | 5% |
| Virtual assistance | 2% |
The top-growing side hustles reveal a shift towards offline, hands-on work, with health and fitness services leading the way. Only two digital-first roles made the top 10, reflecting a growing preference for accessible, low-barrier ways to earn extra income without needing to go fully digital.
The 108% rise in personal training and coaching and 67% rise in fitness instructors points to a growing appetite for health, fitness, and personal development services. People aren’t just working out more – they’re turning a lifestyle into income.
Despite the buzz around online work, virtual assistance only saw a 2% increase, and social media marketing rose by 22% – a modest growth compared to in-person services. This slower pace may point to market saturation or higher barriers to entry, such as specialist skills or rising competition.
How one entrepreneur boosted his salary 175% through a self-funded side hustle
Over the course of six years, Luke Barnett grew from a freelance videographer to the founder of Bristol-based podcast and video agency LRB, now generating £300K in annual turnover – all without external investment.
As a service-based operation, Luke’s overheads were relatively low, allowing profits to be reinvested. He explains “I didn’t take on any investments or loans – I took a slow and steady approach, reinvesting everything I earned back into the business.”
To ensure his finances were managed effectively, Luke sought early support. “I had an accountant for a low monthly fee, who made sure the numbers stacked up and that I was getting my tax-free amount. The rest was taken as dividends to avoid unnecessary tax penalties,” he says.
With a growing team and a network of global contractors, Luke has significantly increased his earnings by 175%. “In 2019, I was earning £20,000 in a full-time role. In my first year freelancing, I made around £40,000 before expenses, and now I pay myself approximately £55,000,” he adds.
Quitting corporate life for a passion project: “I left a prestigious job title to start from scratch”
For Jemma Fleetwood, founder of Manchester-based PR agency Ninety-Five PR, launching her own business meant stepping away from a high-profile legal career. “The transition was very unconventional, leaving a prestigious job title to start from scratch,” she says.
Her entrepreneurial journey began as a side hustle: co-founding an events business with a friend. “My eyes were opened to how owning a business could give you time, freedom and flexibility. I also enjoyed the creative side of PR and events,” she explains.
After six months Jemma made the leap – with £3,000 in savings and no clients lined up. “The first few months were challenging. I was finding my feet, learning about systems and processes. But I managed to land my first client, and the rest is history.”
Now six months in, she’s focused on steady, sustainable growth. “I probably won’t match my legal salary for another 12–18 months. I take a modest salary now, with most profits reinvested into the business so I can grow.”
Ed Rendell, Senior Development Underwriter – Media at Hiscox, says:
“Entrepreneurs like Luke and Jemma are great examples of how roles within the media industry – such as videography and PR – lend themselves well to freelance and remote working models. These careers typically require lower upfront investment and offer the flexibility many professionals now seek, making them ideal for self-funded growth.
“We’re seeing more people step away from traditional employment in pursuit of greater creative control and work-life balance. The key is laying the right foundations early on – through smart financial planning, legal protection, and business insurance – to safeguard that freedom and support long-term success.”
How to navigate a smooth transition: Business advisors’ tips
Business advisor Graeme Tidd – an enterprise educator with over 20 years’ experience in Sheffield Business School – and Sharn Haywood-Higgs, a business finance specialist who supports pre-start, start-up and established businesses, share their tips for side hustlers turning their passion into a full-time venture.
1. Know your market
Understanding your audience and competition is critical. Sharn advises, “You need to ask: Who are my ideal customers? What problem does my product or service solve? And how much are people willing to pay for it? Entrepreneurs should also learn who their competitors are and what makes their idea/business different.”
Graeme adds: “Your business is more about your customers than it is about you. The most successful entrepreneurs stay adaptable and receptive to market needs rather than clinging to assumptions.”
2. Get finances in order
Understand your start-up costs, manage your cash flow, and explore all funding options – from loans to investors. Graeme warns: “Many underprice or forget to budget for tax. Getting an accountant on board early can make all the difference.”
Graeme also urges new founders not to overlook insurance: “Business insurance can protect you from unexpected setbacks like liability or business interruption.”
3. Understand the legal & operational basics
From registering your business to sorting tax and contracts, getting it right upfront can save costly mistakes. Sharn cautions, “Ensure you register your business properly, understand tax obligations and bookkeeping requirements, obtain necessary licenses and permits, and have contracts in place for partners, suppliers, and employees.”
If you’re growing fast, Graeme suggests considering limited company status from a sole trader, “This decision has financial and legal implications, so consulting a qualified accountant can help you understand your options.”
Find the rest of Sharn and Graeme’s advice here: https://www.hiscox.co.uk/business-blog/side-hustle-to-business
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