You are worth more than your day job has a new meaning when it comes to this millennial nurse!
According to CNBC, Helena Faustin came close to doubling her annual income thanks to her passion for cooking in 2021. And her story might inspire others to dig deep and find ways to monetize from those side hustles.
By day, Faustin works in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at a hospital in Freeport, NY where her annual income is $105,000 per year. On the other hand, she also runs her very own food blog called “That Nurse Can Cook,” where she shares detailed recipes and posts various cooking videos — something that she notes is one of her true callings.
“When I first started this side hustle, I legit was so passionate about seeing my dreams come true that I did not stop,” said Faustin. “I literally worked every single day that I was not working at the hospital.”
What Goes Into The Hustle?
For the 35-year-old, the cost to operate her side endeavor is around $700 — which includes groceries, ring lights, as well as additional production materials.
In 2021, she saw a return on her investment when she raked up a total of $117,000 from brand partnerships, e-cookbook sales, and YouTube revenue. In June of 2021, she managed to bring in more than $25,000 from her side gig which she plans, films, edits, and promotes all on her own!
“I felt like I was going to work really and truly out of necessity,” said the mother of two who adds that it’s far beyond the money for her. “You have bills to pay, you have mouths to feed and the work has to go on no matter what. I said to myself, ‘Gee, if I could have more autonomy over my life, I’d be able to make a lot more decisions for myself and for my family.’”
Years Of Dedication & Hard-Work
On the outside looking in, it may look like the business was an overnight success, but for Faustin, this has been nearly 20 years in the making.
The recipes shared by Faustin are particularly special because they include traditions near and dear to her family. She says she never imagined that they would take off the way that they would, and that’s the exact reason why she chose not to pursue a career in culinary arts.
“Anyone out there who is a first-generation American and are born to parents who are immigrants, we were always raised to crave stability,” she recalled. “They always taught us to go to college and get a degree. So for me, I couldn’t envision a career in cooking.”
Let Faustin’s story be a strong lesson on why it’s important to never stop pursuing your passions!
