In a world where entrepreneurship is no longer reserved for Silicon Valley tech founders, more employees than ever are building side hustles—whether that’s launching an e-commerce store, developing a niche app, or running a consultancy alongside their day job. But while some employers might see side hustles as a distraction, the reality is that employees who pursue entrepreneurial projects on the side often bring more value to their day jobs, not less.
If you have a side hustle (or you’re considering starting one), here’s why it could make you a stronger employee, a better problem-solver, and an invaluable asset to your company. And if you’re an employer, this might just convince you to encourage, rather than discourage, entrepreneurial employees.
1. Side hustlers are natural problem-solvers
Running a side hustle forces individuals to think creatively and act decisively. Unlike corporate environments, where departments handle specialised tasks, a side hustle means wearing multiple hats—marketing, finance, sales, and product development. Employees who manage a business on the side become resourceful, self-sufficient, and adaptable—all qualities that translate directly into corporate success.
🔹 Employer benefit: Problem-solving employees spot inefficiencies and find solutions faster. They’re proactive rather than reactive, bringing a startup mentality to even the most established businesses.
2. Entrepreneurial thinking drives innovation
Many groundbreaking ideas start as side projects. Gmail? A Google engineer’s 20% project. Twitter? Initially an internal tool at Odeo. When employees have the space to explore new ideas, they bring fresh perspectives back into the workplace.
🔹 Employer benefit: Encouraging side hustles fosters a culture where employees experiment, test ideas, and think beyond traditional corporate structures—all of which fuels company-wide innovation.
3. Side hustlers know how to execute
Ideas are great, but execution is what makes them successful. Side hustlers learn to ship products, test markets, and iterate quickly. They don’t wait for permission—they get things done. These same skills help in corporate environments where projects often require fast decision-making and bias for action.
🔹 Employer benefit: Side hustlers can drive projects forward with urgency, ensuring that good ideas don’t just stay in brainstorming sessions—they actually get delivered.
4. They develop critical business and leadership skills
Managing a side hustle is like running a mini-MBA in real time. Side hustlers develop financial acumen, negotiation skills, digital marketing expertise, and customer insights—all while learning to manage time and prioritise effectively.
🔹 Employer benefit: These employees bring real-world commercial skills to the workplace. They understand customers better, recognise market trends faster, and can manage complex projects with a sharper business mindset.
5. Side hustlers are passionate about growth
Side hustles are built by individuals who seek personal and professional growth, are willing to learn new skills, and take control of their development.
🔹 Employer benefit: Employees who pursue side hustles are intrinsically motivated. They take ownership of their work, continuously seek improvement, and push for better results in everything they do.
Should companies encourage side hustles?
Instead of fearing employee entrepreneurship, companies should embrace it. Some progressive organisations have already started creating “intrapreneurship” programmes—giving employees the resources to explore new ideas while still benefiting the company.
At Gate One, we actively encourage our people to explore their own entrepreneurial ambitions. We believe that having a side hustle makes individuals more innovative, strategic, and commercially savvy—qualities that directly enhance their impact within the business. Unlike many large corporations that scare employees with rigid intellectual property (IP) policies, we recognise that side projects drive personal and professional growth, and we fully support that journey.
Imagine a workplace where employees are actively encouraged to experiment, build, and bring those skills back to the company. The result? More engaged employees, a culture of innovation, and a competitive advantage in attracting top talent who want more than just a 9-to-5.
Looking to find out more about how entrepreneurial initiative helps deliver more value to your business?
