Discover how Indian entrepreneurs turned passion projects into profitable ventures, inspiring side hustle success stories across various industries
Indians Who Turned Weekend Gigs into Multi-Crore Businesses
Not every empire starts with an investor pitch. Sometimes, it starts with a doodle on a Sunday, a food cart on weekends, or handmade soaps sold through WhatsApp. In the age of side hustles, thousands of Indians are building powerful brands in the shadows of their 9-to-5s—and a few are turning those into full-blown empires.
Forget “Shark Tank.” These stories are raw, real, and radically inspiring. Here are India’s best examples of side hustlers who made it big, often without a single rupee in funding.
🧴 1. Ritika Bharadwaj – Founder, EarthBaby Organics
📍 Pune
Started as a personal solution for her newborn’s sensitive skin, Ritika began making organic baby lotions and soaps in her kitchen. She sold them to friends, then on Instagram, and eventually on Amazon. Today, EarthBaby Organics earns ₹1.5 crore annually and was recently featured in The Better India for promoting safe, sustainable baby care.
📰 Indian Express – “The Mom Who Bottled a Business”
🧁 2. Shubham Mehta – Founder, Bakeology by Shubham
📍 Jaipur
By day, Shubham was a bank clerk. By night, he baked cakes using YouTube tutorials and sold them on Swiggy. His Red Velvet truffle jar went viral on Instagram Reels. Now? He has two outlets in Jaipur, 40+ wedding clients a year, and monthly revenues exceeding ₹10 lakh.
🏆 Featured in: Times Food Awards – “Home Chef Turned Dessert King”
📚 3. Prerna Arora – Founder, StudyGram India
📍 Lucknow
Prerna began posting handwritten notes and tips for UPSC aspirants while working as a librarian. Her educational Instagram page blew up. She now runs a digital study course with over 70,000 enrolled students and earns more than ₹5 lakh/month from her app, webinars, and brand sponsorships.
📰 Covered in: Hindustan – “The Instagram Educator Changing Exam Prep”
🧵 4. Karan Jha – Founder, UrbanRang Studio
📍 Patna
Working as a textile quality checker in a factory, Karan used his evenings to learn embroidery. He started customising jackets and dupattas with traditional Mithila art. With the help of WhatsApp and Pinterest, he gained a loyal clientele across India. Now UrbanRang employs 8 rural women artisans and is listed on Tata Cliq Luxury.
📰 Featured in: Dainik Jagran – “A Side Gig That’s Empowering Bihar’s Artists”
🌱 5. Neha Rawat – Founder, Green Shelf
📍 Dehradun
An environmental science teacher, Neha started a small brand of plantable stationery and recycled gifts. Her eco-friendly rakhis and notebooks became a hit in schools and colleges. She now ships across India and has partnered with Delhi schools for eco kits during Earth Day drives.
🏆 Award: Niti Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurship Recognition, 2023
📦 Why Side Hustles Are Booming in 2025
| Reason | Impact |
| Rise of e-commerce platforms | Anyone can sell from anywhere |
| Instagram & WhatsApp marketing | Direct customer access without ads |
| Cash-on-delivery & easy logistics | Less tech, more trust |
| Remote work flexibility | More time to build passion projects |
💬 Real Talk from the Hustlers
“I didn’t quit my job to follow my dream. I built my dream until my job quit me.”
— Shubham Mehta, Bakeology
“All I had was ₹3,000 and some leftover paper. Now I run a business that’s good for the planet and my pocket.”
— Neha Rawat, Green Shelf
“My side hustle wasn’t a backup. It was the real me all along.”
— Karan Jha, UrbanRang
🧠 Editor’s Note: Side Hustles Aren’t Sides Anymore
Gone are the days when a second job was seen as desperation. In today’s India, it’s innovation. These individuals didn’t wait for a loan, mentor, or startup weekend—they trusted their craft, their phone, and their hustle.
The next big brand may already be sitting in someone’s kitchen—or inbox.
