Passion for pickleball turned into a side hustle

 

Antoine Echavidre, a 45-year-old stay-at-home dad, has turned his passion for pickleball into a successful side hustle. He started teaching pickleball lessons in late 2023 through the platform TeachMe.To and has since made around $1,600 last year and several thousand dollars this year.

Echavidre's journey into pickleball began during the pandemic when he started playing and quickly fell in love with the sport. He was inspired by the community feeling and decided to teach others. He usually teaches one or two lessons a day, which are usually an hour or an hour and a half long.

Ted Rossman, a senior industry analyst for Bankrate, says that part-time or gig work can help build skills and relationships, which can be beneficial for stay-at-home parents who may want to transition to the paid workforce full-time in the future.

Echavidre's side hustle has been a game-changer for him, allowing him to be completely independent and not have to ask his wife for money. He has even used his earnings to fund a trip to Japan with his son.

Rossman suggests that stay-at-home parents look for flexible work that is compatible with their responsibilities. He recommends trying out different activities and projects to find what works best. Echavidre agrees, saying that it's not a huge investment in terms of time and that doing something you're passionate about doesn't feel like work.

Echavidre's story is an inspiration to other stay-at-home parents who may be looking for a way to earn some extra money or pursue their passions. He recommends looking for activities that are in demand and using social media to find opportunities. Rossman warns to be cautious of potential scams and to look out for work that requires a lot of overhead.

Echavidre's pickleball lessons have been in high demand, with over 80 lessons so far in 2024. He teaches people of all ages and skill levels, including older and retired people who are new to the sport. According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, pickleball participation in the US climbed by 51.8% from 2022 to 2023, with around 13.6 million participants last year.

Overall, Echavidre's story shows that with a little creativity and determination, stay-at-home parents can turn their passions into successful side hustles that bring in extra income and a sense of fulfillment.