Gonzo Capitalism

June 12, 2023
In this provocative program, Side Hustle School podcaster Guillebeau (The $100 Startup) explores outside-the-box methods for earning money. The financial security enjoyed by baby boomers “is a thing of the past,” Guillebeau contends, and getting ahead now requires such creative strategies as competing in “play-to-earn” video games and remotely working two full-time jobs during the same hours. He spotlights individuals who have embraced such niche schemes and provides guidance on how readers can follow their lead. For example, Kat Norton, known as “Miss Excel,” makes tens of thousands of dollars per year posting TikToks that feature Microsoft Excel tips and direct viewers to sign up for her paid Excel courses. Readers might emulate her by finding a fresh twist on an existing social media niche with real-world applications, such as how to care for houseplants. Guillebeau also profiles an Australian man who built a successful business selling merchandise featuring AI art, and offers tips on how to set up an online shop, recommending readers use the merchant platform Shopify to sell products and create an Instagram account to promote the art. The creative suggestions are a dramatic and somewhat refreshing departure from typical personal finance fare, but there’s considerable risk involved in some of the ventures (Guillebeau notes that prediction-market betting on such matters as the outcome of political elections operates in a legal gray area). Readers will want to approach this with caution.