Part-time adventurers wanted
The first rule of thumb is that any money-making opportunity that sounds too good to be true is probably a scam. For instance, some work-from-home opportunities promise lucrative earnings but won’t disclose start-up costs, the time commitment, or typical earnings. While there are always financial risks to starting any business, even a side hustle, having a clear picture of the numbers is important. Some other side hustles, however, are inherently risky because they expose you — and others — to bodily harm, financial liability, or other hazards.
Here are five of the riskiest side hustles:
- Maintenance or handy person: It can often be simple or straightforward work, but you can also be walking into a real hazardous situation. From mold to unsafe electrical to scary situations, helping people fix things around their homes can be very dangerous. Also, if you aren’t properly set up to limit your liability, mishaps could prove costly.
- Adventure tour guide: If you’re an experienced adventurer, guiding others through a dangerous activity can prove to be both lucrative and fun. Working as a skiing, climbing, surfing, rafting, or hiking guide on the side can be excellent seasonal work for an active person with an entrepreneurial spirit. But, as any experienced adventurer knows, these jobs carry serious risks of injury.
- Pet care: Taking care of pets is a different kind of adventure. It’s often fun and cute, but it can also be a real challenge. Whether you’re pet-sitting or walking dogs, animals can be unpredictable and react in ways you might not expect. Injuries to you or others is almost always a possibility when working with pets.
- Delivery or rideshare driver: You risk both financial loss and bodily harm if you use your own vehicle or are making deliveries on your bicycle. Also, your income may depend on tips, so your rate isn’t guaranteed. While delivery and ride-sharing apps are ubiquitous, everyday dangers of public roadways threaten you and your car.
- Sports referee, coach or trainer: When you work with athletes, especially during a competition or game, or even at a practice, there is a risk of injury. Referees and coaches are often running side-by-side with athletes, and collisions do happen. And that is just one of the risks that comes with working with athletes.
Protect your business against unnecessary risks
You can’t control everything that happens in life. Misfortune strikes even the safest of side hustles, but assessing the risks and planning accordingly can limit the risks you do have to take. Your side hustle is a business, so treating it like one by registering an LLC and taking other proactive measures, like getting business insurance, can help protect your personal interests.
A limited liability company (LLC) separates your personal assets from liabilities or debts incurred by your side hustle. It also provides certain tax benefits and can help you raise capital and hire employees if it becomes your main gig. Regardless of whether you decide to register your business, signed, legally enforceable contracts are essential. And for businesses that carry a risk of injury for clients or customers, liability waivers can add an extra layer of protection.
Ways Rocket Lawyer can help:
- Register your business.
Don’t let your side hustle negatively impact your personal life. Rocket Lawyer makes registering your business easy. And with a Rocket Legal+ membership, your first business registration filing is FREE (excluding state fees).
- Talk to a Legal Pro.
Rocket Legal Pros are knowledgeable, accessible, and affordable. If you have a simple, single question, or need a legal consultation, Rocket Lawyer has you covered.
- Get everything legal in one place.
Whether you’re leading weekend mountain bike excursions or providing app-based rides after hours, the legal implications of your side hustle may not be top of mind. That’s where a Rocket Legal+ membership really comes in handy. Rocket Lawyer is your place for everything legal.
This article contains general legal information and does not contain legal advice. Rocket Lawyer is not a law firm or a substitute for an attorney or law firm. The law is complex and changes often. For legal advice, please ask a lawyer.
