WITH the cost-of-living crisis still biting almost half of Scots are looking for new ways to make cash, research has revealed.
And many are turning to side hustles to boost their bank balance.
A new survey, commissioned by candle making supplies firm Candle Shack, found a third of Scots either have a second job or are considering looking at one.
And asked about the biggest benefits of taking on a side hustle, 30 per cent said it creates greater financial breathing room while 28 per cent believe it’s a chance to earn money from a hobby.
One Scot who decided to pursue her hobby as a job was Christie Boyle.
Cake Days A Week owner Christie, 31, started baking for her younger siblings, family and friends for fun while studying communication design at Glasgow School of Art.
After graduating she took a job as lead graphic designer at a start-up working three days a week and spent the rest of her time in the kitchen whipping up cake orders.
But after she was asked to take on a full time role, she decided to quit.
She said: “The start-up that I was at did really, really well and then they asked me to be a five-day-a-week designer – but I’d booked up customers for the next six months on the days that I was off.
“I enjoyed my work, I really enjoyed the split week where I could use my brain for one part and then be creative in another way for the second part.
“Truth be told, I find it quite hard to be creative through the computer working as a graphic designer, I always liked working with my hands.”
Instead of taking up the job offer, she decided to plough her efforts into her side hustle.
Christie said: “I put an initial £5,000 in. With that money I kitted out the kitchen, paid a six-month advance on the rent and just went for it. I got that back within the year, it was quite serendipitous.”
After steadily growing her business she now bakes for celebs and football stars – most recently crafting an extravagant wedding cake for ex-Rangers and Hearts player Andy Halliday and his now wife Jilly Cross.
Christie revealed that even though she tries to keep professional when interacting with well known clients, it still feels like an out of body experience when famous faces ask her to bake for them and their families.
She said: “I made Scott Brown’s retirement cake.
“I think the thing is that I just try to be myself. My husband’s family are big Celtic fans and ask ‘did you ask for a photo?’ and I’m like no, because I think if I treat them just like a person, they will respect me a little bit more.
“But it was mad the whole time, I was like this is nuts. I’ve been talking to you and you’re so famous.”
She was also star-struck making a cake for Manchester United player Luke Shaw.
The talented baker said: “I drove to Manchester and went into their house – and it’s like a multi-million pound house – with this cake that I made. It’s a bit mad.
“His wife gave me her WhatsApp and she’s used me twice now. It’s such an out-of-body experience, these people are so wealthy and so famous and they’re willing to enjoy what we do. It catches you off guard.”
When asked if she ever anticipated the success of her business, Glasgow-based Christie said: “I didn’t, especially when I made Jilly and Andy’s wedding cake and it got over 150,000 views on Tiktok. I feel very lucky.”
