Trying Every Side Hustle (And Why None of Them Stuck)
For years, I tried just about every way imaginable to make money online.
I’m talking dropshipping, website design, domain arbitrage, affiliate programs, freelancing, print-on-demand — you name it. Every time I thought I’d finally found “the one,” I’d lose momentum after a few weeks. Sometimes it just wasn’t the right fit. Other times, life got in the way.
How I Discovered UGC at 40
Now I’m 40 years old, and about a year ago (after my wife had mentioned it to me four years earlier 🤦♂️), I stumbled into something that finally worked: UGC, short for user-generated content.
It wasn’t planned. It wasn’t hype-driven. I just happened to give it a real shot — and this time, it clicked.
What User-Generated Content (UGC) Actually Is
If you haven’t heard of UGC before, it’s when regular people — not influencers — create short-form videos that brands use for paid ads or organic social media.
There’s:
- No following required
- No complicated tech setup
- No need to be “internet famous”
You just need to be able to film yourself, speak naturally, and follow a brand’s creative brief.
I’m not an influencer. I’m just a normal guy — and that’s exactly why this worked.
Why UGC Works Better After 35
What made UGC finally click for me is that it rewards experience, not youth.
While the industry is full of younger creators, many brands actually prefer creators who look like their real customers — parents, homeowners, professionals, and everyday people with real-life experience.
Relatability converts. And that’s where older creators have an edge.
Five Years of Failure Before Something Finally Worked
It took me five years of failed side hustles to find something that let me use my personality, storytelling, and creativity — and actually get paid for it.
UGC isn’t “easy,” but it is accessible. And for me, it’s been genuinely life-changing.
A Message for Anyone Still Searching After 35
If you’re 35+ and still trying to find something that finally sticks, UGC is absolutely worth looking into.
It changed my life — and honestly, I’m sharing this while eating lunch because maybe it could change someone else’s too.