Ritesh Verma, a 23-year-old software engineer based in Jersey City, has managed to turn his side hustles into a lucrative source of income, earning almost $15,000 a month alongside his full-time job at Capital One. Verma’s side hustles include AI agents, YouTube, mentorship, and software services, all of which he has automated to work on multiple projects simultaneously and maximize his earnings.
Verma’s journey into the world of side hustles began when a friend asked him to code a purchasing bot for sneaker reselling back in late 2019. Despite initially having no knowledge of bots or AI agents, Verma took on the challenge and spent over six months teaching himself how to create software programs that could perform tasks autonomously. This led to the creation of his main side hustle – building AI agents for various niche markets, such as high-end golf clubs, hats, wine bottles, and baby clothes.
Through a YouTube tutorial that gained significant traction, Verma attracted clients interested in purchasing bots for their specific needs, leading to a steady stream of income. Additionally, he expanded his services to include tools like a scheduling bot for shift-based workers in Nevada, further diversifying his revenue streams.
In order to attract more clients and grow his side hustles, Verma turned to Reddit as a marketing platform. By posting relatable content and using AI assistants to automate promotional posts, he was able to reach a wider audience and secure more clients. Despite facing challenges such as post takedowns and account bans, Verma persevered and continued to leverage Reddit as a valuable source of clientele.
Apart from his AI agent business, Verma also engages in less lucrative side hustles, such as running a YouTube channel for ad revenue and sponsorships, offering a mentorship program for aspiring bot coders, and launching SaaS products like Instagram outreach software. While some of these ventures are still in the early stages of profitability, they contribute to Verma’s overall income and diversify his portfolio.
To manage his full-time job at Capital One and multiple side hustles effectively, Verma relies on automation and strategic time management. By dedicating focused deep work sessions after his 9-to-5 job and allocating time on weekends for side hustle tasks, he is able to balance his workload and maintain productivity. Additionally, Verma ensures to prioritize self-care and leisure activities, such as traveling with friends, to prevent burnout and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Despite his success in the world of side hustles, Verma has set a specific metric for himself before considering leaving his full-time job. He aims to generate three times his Capital One base salary from his side businesses before making the transition to full-time entrepreneurship. This goal serves as a benchmark for his financial stability and growth potential in his side hustles.
In conclusion, Ritesh Verma’s story exemplifies the power of leveraging side hustles to create additional income streams and pursue entrepreneurial endeavors alongside a traditional career. Through strategic automation, effective time management, and a commitment to continuous learning and experimentation, Verma has been able to build a successful portfolio of side hustles that complement his full-time job and pave the way for future entrepreneurial endeavors.
