Over half of retired and unemployed Britons are running successful side hustles, according to a new study.
Among them is Pascoe Demarco Sawyers from Wembley, London, who has transformed his retirement into a thriving business venture.
The former Brent Council worker now earns £2,500 monthly through his dual enterprises as a wedding DJ and vinyl record seller.
The study by Adobe Express reveals that 53 per cent of retired or unemployed individuals report their side hustles as successful, with many using these ventures to supplement their pension income.
After retiring from his position as head of strategy and partnerships at Brent Council in March 2021, Sawyers turned his passion for music into a profitable enterprise.
He has built an impressive collection of over 30,000 vinyl records, necessitating a garden house extension for storage.
His DJ services have expanded significantly since retirement, with performances at more than 100 weddings, birthday parties, and corporate events
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His DJ services have expanded significantly since retirement, with performances at more than 100 weddings, birthday parties, and corporate events. The business has grown to include photo pods, demonstrating his ability to diversify and adapt to market demands.
He said: “Currently, I make £2,500 per month from selling vinyl records and working as a wedding DJ and my side hustle really helps me to pay bills and is a fantastic addition to my pension.
“However, more importantly, it gives me an opportunity to travel. I DJ abroad and performed in Malta and Lanzarote last year.”
The venture began with his love of music. He started by buying and selling vinyl records, driven by his passion for music. Over time, he realised that he had amassed quite a lucrative collection and that there was a huge demand for the records he owned.
The study found that 81 per cent of retired or unemployed Britons started their side hustles to generate extra income amid rising living costs.
Creative industries are particularly attractive for retirees considering new ventures, with 38% expressing interest in art, design, or photography.
Retail and e-commerce opportunities appeal to 19 per cent of potential side hustlers, with platforms like Etsy and Depop being popular choices.
For 40 per cent of retirees, these ventures offer a chance to pursue their passions alongside earning money. Other sectors drawing interest include education and tutoring, health and wellness, and hospitality.
The study reveals varied income levels from retirement side hustles, with 62 per cent earning up to £100 monthly.
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A further 21 per cent generate between £100 and £500 per month, while four per cent achieve monthly earnings of £500 to £1,000. For one per cent of retirees, side hustles prove exceptionally profitable, bringing in over £1,000 monthly.
Most find these ventures manageable alongside retirement, with 35 per cent spending less than five hours weekly on their projects. Another 31 per cent dedicate between five and ten hours per week to maintain their side businesses.
Sawyers offers clear advice for those considering retirement side hustles. He said: “Choose something that you love doing anyway. That way, it never really feels like work.”
Pascoe shared some essential top tips
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Marketing plays a crucial role in his success. He continued: “I market myself on my weekly radio show, DJ Pascoe’s Black Wax, and on my Instagram page where I post about Reggae lyrics – I also get DJ work from my website and shooting promotional videos.”
Support from family and friends has proven crucial for side hustle success, with 46 per cent of retirees citing this as a key growth factor.
Social media marketing has helped 10 per cent of retirees gain brand awareness for their ventures. Business tools, software and apps have supported nine per cent of side hustlers in growing their enterprises.
Additional resources contributing to success include online courses or training and networking with other entrepreneurs.
