From Side Hustle to Small Business: What’s Driving Tomorrow’s Entrepreneurs 

Nearly half of Americans believe they could make money doing something they’re passionate about. More than half say starting a small business or side hustle is just as viable as finding a traditional full-time job. 

In fact, 50% of employed Americans say they do not earn enough money to support their lifestyle, according to a recent survey conducted by Talker Research on behalf of SurePayroll® By Paychex.

Closing the Income Gap 

At a time when the average person says they’d need $74,000 a year to feel financially comfortable, many are looking beyond the 9-to-5 to close the gap. 

The entrepreneurial spirit is rising: 69% of people are actively seeking ways to earn extra income, and 32% say the economy has made them more interested in launching a side hustle.  

They are not alone.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a record-high 8.9 million Americans are now working multiple jobs. Representing 5.4% of all employed workers, this is the highest rate since the Great Recession.¹ 

The sentiment that starting a side hustle or small business feels just as viable, or sometimes more promising, as landing a traditional job is echoed across other data sources.

For example, the U.S. Census Bureau reports that 5.8% of recent college graduates are struggling to find work, the highest level since 2013, not including the pandemic-related spike.²  

Seeking Stability in the Side Hustle 

In the SurePayroll survey, one-third of non-business owners say the state of the economy has increased their interest in starting a side hustle.  

Nearly 60% would love it if they could turn their passion project into a full-time paycheck.  

They may be on to something.  

In the second quarter of 2025, nearly 70% of small business owners said their company was in good health, and more than a quarter had expanded their workforce in the past year.³ That’s after 86% of business leaders said economic uncertainty was a significant challenge they faced in 2024.⁴ 

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Sparking the Small Business Flame 

Nearly 10% of the survey respondents said that if they had extra money, they’d invest it in starting a small business.

So, what would it take to turn that spark into something sustainable?

Survey respondents point to three essentials: security, support, and structure. Specifically, that means:  

• 44% want a guarantee of profit 

• 42% are looking for more economic stability 

• 22% want support from their family and friends 

• 19% need help with payroll and payroll taxes 

• 18% want access to professional advice 

“The data shows that more Americans are hoping to turn their passions into paychecks,” said Glenn Ferretti, director, digital sales, SurePayroll. “Whether it’s a side hustle or a full leap into launching a small business, it’s clear people want more control, more meaning, and more freedom in how they work. It also highlights the need for affordable solutions that can help Americans turn their small business dreams into reality.” 

Helping Small Businesses Start Strong 

At SurePayroll, we’ve spent more than 20 years making it easier for small business owners to manage payroll and payroll taxes without getting lost in paperwork or stress.

Whether you're a solopreneur, engaging your first contractor, or adding part-time help for your growing side hustle, we’re here to simplify the back office so you can stay focused on what matters most: your business. 

You Don’t Have to Know It All — You Just Have to Start 

If you’re among the 59% dreaming of building a business around what you love, you’re not alone. We’re here to help. 

¹ _{U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Economic News Release 
https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t16.htm}

² _{U.S. Census Bureau and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Population Survey (IPUMS).}

³ _{U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Index Q2 2025. “Key Findings: Operations, Environment & Expectations.” https://www.uschamber.com/sbindex/key-findings}

⁴ _{2025 Priorities for Business Leaders, Paychex 
https://www.paychex.com/worx/business-leader-priorities}

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