Ali Pendlington is the queen of side hustles – she’s got three alongside her day job – and she loves the variety it brings. Here she explains how she built her “side-hustle empire”, and although it keeps her very busy, she wouldn’t have it any other way.
Can you tell us about each of your businesses?
So I guess I run four businesses now… which explains why I’m constantly exhausted!
Firstly – and this is what pays the mortgage – I’m a freelance PR and communications consultant who mainly works in the health and wellbeing space.
Then there’s AB Crafts by Alison which is my crafted and curated pretty things business. I make and sell jewellery, accessories, homewares and gifts (which covers a lot of different things). I’m running at a massive loss but I’m learning a lot and it’s fun.
Then there’s Ali’s Amazing Aromas which is my store as an independent Scentsy Consultant. I’ve never been an MLM person and don’t plan on recruiting anyone, but again it’s fun and I love the products.
Finally, I’ve started Crawley Small Business and Makers Market, some indoor markets in Crawley, West Sussex (where I live) to showcase small businesses. It’s the kind of thing I needed when I got started and I’m a great believer that sometimes you need to be the one to step up. Again, it’s making no money at the moment but it isn’t losing any which is a bonus.
Why have you decided to run several different businesses and how do you manage your time?
I’ve always loved playing shop. And I’ve always been keen to earn a little extra cash where I can.
And, at heart, I’m a magpie, and I love to learn new skills. I’m also a qualified ETM (Exercise to Music) dance fitness instructor and I trained to teach Zumba. My challenge is not getting bored and jumping to the next thing.
Well, that and time management. I manage my time badly (tips appreciated) – I don’t relax much and don’t sleep enough. If anyone wants some crafty bits and bobs or anything else in return for hypnosis or massage I’d be well up for it!
All of your businesses are craft-based – can you tell us about what drew you to the craft space?
I’ve always been creative. I used to write terrible poetry as a youngster (other people liked it) – and making things always helped me feel calm. I’ve also always been a total bargain hunter and it’s amazing how much cheaper it can be to buy things than to make them.
I also really love being around creative people and people who are driven to achieve things. I like brave people as they really inspire me. If the person who lives up the road can make a success of their business, so can you.
Can you give us a bit of background on your career so far and what’s led you to where you are now?
I studied journalism at university, and always wanted to be a writer. But after being unwell with what I strongly suspect was ME/CFS in my early twenties (I never managed to get a diagnosis) I managed a charity shop, did a variety of admin jobs and even worked in politics for bit before setting on PR and communications.
Fast forward a decade plus and – to be absolutely candid – I was a bit sick of working for other people. I still liked doing PR and comms – and particularly writing and content development – but I was sick of the nonsense and backstabbing that often popped up.
Eventually, it hit crisis point. I’d had a particularly bad experience and I just decided to go freelance. And it’s been good. It’s not stress-free but I work fewer hours for the same money – and it gives me time to pursue other things I want to try, like my side hustle empire… lol.
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far in running your businesses?
Surround yourself with people who have walked in your shoes. And be honest. Don’t try and pretend you know how to do stuff that you don’t know how to do. Soak up everything like a sponge. I’ve actually ended up doing free PR for friends and it’s made me remember why it matters.
And embrace all opportunities. I’ve done lots of different types of events everywhere and I’ve learned something for all of them. Oh, and don’t measure success purely in financial terms. So lots of things!
If you had one piece of advice for a budding entrepreneur, what would you tell them?
Don’t try and do it alone. Find supportive networks and embrace them.