My most unusual side hustle started not in university, but in secondary school. I was selling oil perfumes.
I remember in SS2, one of my seniors came to class smelling so nice. Everybody was asking what perfume he was using. she said it was just oil perfume that cost 1000 naira. I was surprised because it smelled like a very expensive designer perfume.
That gave me an idea. In boarding school, everybody wants to smell good, especially on Sundays and visiting days, but not everyone can afford big perfumes. So I thought, if I can sell something affordable like 500 naira and 1000 naira, students will buy.
I told my elder brother who was in town to help me buy some from the market. I started with very little capital. I bought just 5 bottles — different scents like Sauvage, Oud, Vanilla, and Strawberry. I kept them inside my school box.
At first, I was shy to sell. I would only show my close friends. But one friend bought one for 500 naira, and the next day she told me that her classmates were complimenting her scent. she brought three more customers. That was how the business grew.
During prep in the evening, I would go around the hostel quietly, showing the bottles to students. My price was simple, small bottle 500 naira, big bottle 1000 naira. Very affordable. Even junior students could buy.
I was making small profit, maybe 150 to 200 naira per bottle, but because I was selling many, I was making enough to buy my school needs without disturbing my parents. I could buy notebooks, snacks, and even save a little.
It was not a big business, but it taught me early that you do not need big money to start......Just find what people need at a price they can afford.
What unusual hustle have you done for money?
Image source AI