I grew up on a council estate but now make an extra £36k a year with my side hustle – it’s so easy, anyone can do it
A SINGLE mum has revealed that she makes an extra £36,000 a year, thanks to her savvy side hustle.
Terri Mangan, 37, is a single mum who works in Events Management, but alongside her full-time job, has a side hustle that earns her thousands of pounds a month, with barely any effort involved.
Using the platform - a new fashion rental app enabling people to rent out clothing - Terri earns a suitable side income lending out the clothes in her wardrobe.
The London-based mother told Fabulous that she uses the extra money she makes through renting her wardrobe to help pay for her 13-year-old son Harrison’s private school fees, as well as luxurious holidays and Chanel bags for her.
Terri said: “I’m a single mum and use the extra money I make through renting my wardrobe to help pay for my son’s private school fees.
“I’ve always worked hard; it’s just me and my son, so I’ve always been focused and determined to support us both financially.
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“I started renting out my clothes before lockdown and have been taking it seriously for about two years.
“I work in events, so I had lots of nice clothes. I would buy something and wear it once and I wouldn’t want to be seen in it again, because it’s a special piece, but I noticed that people were renting clothes and it was making money, so to me it was a no-brainer.
I went to a state school and grew up on a council estate. I didn’t grow up with much money. I just came from a normal family.
“I run a hen and stag company, so I do it alongside that. I go to the Post Office for my business, so I can go there and send out dresses at the same time.
“I’ve been renting clothes on various platforms for a few years, however other platforms are more designer focused and I have lots of partywear brands which fit perfectly on Swished.
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“When I notice specific brands and items which are popular, I’ll buy the same item in a variety of sizes and list them all to rent.
“I make £18,000 a year on Swished and make the same amount on another app too, so I make about £36,000 a year just by renting my clothes.”
Terri revealed that she works just seven hours a week renting out her clothes, but on average, can make £1,000 a week.
She added: “I have items being rented each week through Swished. I go to the Post Office every day and reply to emails and it only takes about an hour a day. I spend about seven hours a week on this.
“Christmas time is always the busiest. Order quantities more than quadrupled and I was going to the Post Office at least four times a day.
“It varies month to month but I typically rent out 20 items a week. At the moment, I make around £1,000 a week, but it depends on the month. I made around £2,000 a week around Christmas time.”
Terri explained that she primarily rents out dresses from popular brands including Needle & Thread and Nadine Merabi.
She continued: “I have a couple of designer bags and earrings, but they’re not as popular. It is mainly dresses.
“They are one off pieces that you wouldn’t want to spend £500 on but you could rent for £100.
“I’ve built this up over two years but I haven’t had to buy any new items this year.
I make £18,000 a year on Swished and make the same amount on another app too, so I make about £36,000 a year just by renting my clothes.
“I’ve got staple pieces in lots of different sizes, so I feel that I have a good amount of stock for the summer.
“Maybe in the winter I’ll get some new pieces or a new design, but I definitely won’t just get stock for the hell of it, I’ll make sure it’s renting well first.
“I find glamorous party labels like Needle & Thread and Nadine Merabi are popular and I mainly focus on these.
“I personally really like these brands and I only ever list things that I would wear myself.
“I have an office where I store all the clothes and I also have a section in the dry cleaner’s.”
Terri revealed that she grew up on a council estate, so the money she has made has made a huge difference to her lifestyle.
She noted: “I went to a state school and grew up on a council estate. I didn’t grow up with much money. I just came from a normal family.
“I use the extra income I make to pay for my son’s school fees and our holidays. We go on a few holidays a year. I’ve been to Portugal, Tenerife, Florida, Bali and Australia.
Anyone can do it - it’s easy to do, it’s not hard work. You can fit it around your lifestyle.
“I always wanted him to have a better education than I did and I’m really proud I’m able to provide that for him.
“I still have to pinch myself sometimes when I stop to take in what I’ve been able to give him.
“I do have designer bags too, I have some Chanel bags.
“It’s good to have the extra money but I always re-invest too so that I can expand on the business.”
Terri shared that her simple side hustle works great around her lifestyle and she revealed that anyone can give it a go.
She concluded: “This can work for anyone - if you have some nice pieces and they’re just sitting in your wardrobe, do it, that’s how I started.
“Anyone can do it - it’s easy to do, it’s not hard work. You can fit it around your lifestyle.
“I genuinely enjoy renting clothes out and it’s lovely to know that the people hiring them are going to feel beautiful when they wear them.
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“It’s also nice knowing that people are able to wear an item that they may not ordinarily be able to afford, but renting it for a period of time, as opposed to buying it, makes it doable for them.”
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