Unusual side hustles: film extra, giant veg grower & more

We caught up with four people whose side-hustles are slightly out of the ordinary. 

Do you have a side business or a hobby that makes you additional cash aside from your day job? 

According to a study by StandoutCV, 30% of people in the UK have extra jobs or businesses to supplement their income, which makes them an average of £780 a month. 

While some people might sell things on eBay or Vinted, make cupcakes or run an online business, here are four people who have side-hustles, which are slightly out of the ordinary. 

1.    Douglas Smith – giant vegetable grower

My husband Douglas Smith grows giant vegetables and shows them at major gardening shows, such as RHS Malvern.

This isn’t usually something that makes much money, but last year he entered a competition at the Malvern Show to grow a giant cantaloupe melon.

It was sponsored by fertiliser company Canna and the prize for the biggest melon was £1,000.

Douglas scooped the first prize, along with a Rocky-style ‘heavyweight’ belt! 

Previously, he also ran a part-time salad-growing business alongside his day job, catering to local pubs and restaurants, as well as a farm shop.  

He earned around £8,000 a year from it but had to give it up after his day job became too busy and the farmers who owned the land suddenly quadrupled the rent on it, making it virtually impossible to make a profit. 

2.    Alison Lawrence – film extra   

Alison Lawrence runs her own marketing communications business 3OrangeWhips and is a kidney advocate, after receiving a kidney transplant, but has also worked as a film extra for 23 years. 

“I got into being a supporting artist (SA) for film and TV back in 2002 not long after coming back from living in South Africa," she explained.

"I’d always loved films and was really curious about how they were actually made, and maybe I secretly like the idea of seeing myself up on screen.  

“These days, you go to an SA agency’s website and create a portfolio with them, but back in 2002, the agency's ‘books’ were only open once (or twice) a year, so you went to the agency’s office and had your photo taken for their book.

“My first ever job was on a British period film called To Kill a King, starring a bevy of British talent.  

"My call time was 5 am at Hampton Court, so I had to leave home in East London about 3:30 am.  

“Call times for film and TV are always early to allow everyone to get through hair and makeup and grab some breakfast.  I was playing the not-so-flattering role of ‘Puritan Wife’.

“We were filming the execution of Charles I (Rupert Everett).  The courtyard at Hampton Court was standing in for Parliament and it was February, so it was freezing cold, even in my massive costume.

“I’ve also done work on The Crown, Holby City, Green Wing, a TV ad for 888 Bingo and most recently the Disney+ series Say Nothing.  

“But my favourite was working on the film version of Vanity Fair with Reese Witherspoon. I briefly shared a makeup trailer with her and also got to meet the director, Mira Nair. 

“When you’re working in TV and film, you need to be flexible and okay with early starts and long days with a lot of waiting around.  

"But it’s a great chance to see how films are made and meet and chat with some lovely people, or catch up on a book or your latest podcast.”

Supporting artists working in London and the South East can expect to earn around £118 a day or £178 for a night shoot. 

3.    Mike Chi Ming Lok – DIY tutor

Mike Chi Ming Lok previously worked for Microsoft and Yahoo, but has recently set up his own DIY teaching school, Learn DIY, based in Stratford-upon-Avon.

“Since leaving the corporate world behind, I've pursued a 'portfolio career', meaning attempting many things that make me happy," he said. 

“I started a handyman business, cosmetics business, upcycling business, I teach at a cookery school, provide grazing boards for events, and also run a local community kitchen. 

“I have a passion for teaching and inspiring people to be better, so recently I combined two of my skills and opened my micro DIY School: Learn DIY, teaching people DIY basics, plumbing, woodwork and painting and decorating.

“It's another project in my portfolio career, super new but super-exciting. I estimate a side hustle turnover of circa £20K a year. But who knows where it may lead! 

“Ideas are easy, doing is hard!"

4. Andrea Quant – wedding registrar

Andrea Quant, based in Hockley, Essex, works in change management for a major supermarket chain but, at weekends, spends her time officiating at weddings.  

She took up the side hustle after working for Essex County Council. 

“For the past four years, I’ve had the incredible privilege of working as a wedding registrar," she said. 

“I’m often the first official face couples see just moments before they say ‘I do,’ so a big part of my role is building immediate rapport and bringing a calm, warm and reassuring presence to what can be an emotional whirlwind! 

“Whether I’m guiding them through the legal formalities or leading the civil ceremony itself, I’m there to make sure every detail is perfect—and to help set the stage for one of the happiest moments of their lives.

“I get to meet all sorts of people, and it is one of the best jobs I have done in my career to date!”