The side hustle. In an era where even those with seemingly stable tech salaries feel the pinch, the quest for an extra income stream has become a near-universal pursuit. For Atlanta-based data engineer Alicia Arnold, building a side hustle started when she realized she could turn her knack for hosting into a thriving event space rental gig on Peerspace.
Arnold, a self-proclaimed “hostess with the mostess,” had already found success in buying and renting properties to longer-term tenants in the Atlanta area. While she thought about listing things on Airbnb, she found it to be more labor-intensive than she desired with the demands of her full-time job. Seeking a more streamlined side hustle, she stumbled upon Peerspace as a solution for her newly acquired event space just north of Atlanta’s I-285 corridor.
For those unfamiliar, Peerspace operates as a curated platform connecting individuals and businesses with unique spaces for a variety of purposes, from photoshoots and workshops to corporate meetings and intimate gatherings. After launching in the Atlanta market in 2018, the Peerspace platform has expanded to now boast over 2,000 hosts and 2,600 diverse spaces across the city.
These range from blank canvases and creative studios to fully equipped suites, like the one Arnold now manages.
Arnold’s space quickly proved its versatility, attracting bookings for baby showers, bridal celebrations, workshops, seminars, birthdays, dinners, meetings, photography sessions, pop-up shops, and business mixers. The results were immediate and impressive. Within her very first month on Peerspace, Arnold generated a remarkable $1,600 solely from event bookings…all while maintaining her full-time data engineering career.
This success story underscores a growing trend: Tech professionals leveraging entrepreneurial drive to tap into new income streams. While some might look to launch a completely new business, platforms like Peerspace offer a more accessible and often quicker route to generating tangible side hustle income.
Now a recognized “Super Host” on Peerspace, Arnold attributes her rapid success to a few key factors. High-quality photos captured with her iPhone and detailed descriptions of her space have been crucial in attracting potential renters. She also recognized early on the importance of providing thoughtful amenities that are often overlooked in other rental venues, such as a flexible space for storage and preparation.
Arnold told Hypepotamus she “never considered going into business for herself” in a traditional sense. Her foray into property rentals was initially driven by the desire for extra income, and Peerspace provided the perfect avenue to scale that ambition in a less demanding way than traditional long-term or short-term residential rentals.
Previously, finding and booking such venues often involved cumbersome processes and limited visibility. For busy professionals like Arnold, time is a precious commodity. She particularly values Peerspace’s “Instant Book” feature, which allows guests to reserve available dates immediately without the need for lengthy back-and-forth communication.
“It’s been amazing for securing last-minute bookings — especially on weekdays and Sundays, which I wouldn’t have filled otherwise,” she added.
As the gig economy continues to evolve, it is possible that even more professionals like Arnold will tap into niche marketplaces to build profitable and fulfilling side hustles. Are you a tech professional with a unique side hustle in 2025? Drop us a note, we’d love to hear what creative ideas people have!
