11 Quick Ways To Make Extra Money In Grand Rapids, MI [2024]

Updated: February 22nd, 2024

11 Quick Ways To Make Extra Money In Grand Rapids, MI [2024]

Looking to make easy money or start a business in Grand Rapids, Michigan?

Grand Rapids, Michigan is a thriving city with a population of around 200,000 people. While the city has a strong job market, many residents may still be looking for ways to earn extra money. Whether you're a student, a stay-at-home parent, or just someone looking for some additional income, there are many quick and easy ways to make extra money in Grand Rapids.

There are many quick and easy ways to make extra money in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Whether you're looking for a side gig, selling items, taking online surveys, or renting out your space, there are plenty of options to choose from. With a little bit of effort, you can increase your income and achieve your financial goals.

In this post, we provide you with 11 side hustle ideas and ways to make money in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Here they are:

1. Become A Retail Sales Associate

A sales associate is a retail employee who greets customers on arrival and helps them with purchases. If a customer has a problem with a purchase, such as a damaged item or incorrect size, the sales associate will be the one assisting them with returns and refunds.

If you are thinking of becoming a sales associate, it can be great to make money as a side hustle in Grand Rapids.

Earning Potential: Up to $18/hour

Requirements:: To become a sales associate, you will need to have an Associate's degree or high school diploma. Also, you'll need an understanding of customer service and sales. If you have basic skills in math, good communication, and a positive attitude, it will be beneficial for you.

Investment needed: $0 investment needed to become a sales associate.

How To Get Started: You can find sales associates and other relevant jobs on Indeed.com.

2. Work As A Retail Associate

A retail associate or sales representative helps customers with their shopping, answers their queries, and assists in day-to-day store operations. As a retail associate, you will play an important role in maintaining a good customer relationship and contribute to the store's overall success.

Earning Potential: Up to $25/hour

Requirements: You will need to have excellent communication skills, professionalism, good knowledge about the products, basic math skills, problem-solving mentally, and customer handling ability, and a lot of patience.

Investment needed: $0 investment needed

How To Get Started: Search for retail job listings on platforms like Indeed and directly apply from there.

3. CDL Truck Driver

A CDL (Commercial Driver's License) truck driver is responsible for operating and driving a commercial truck, typically over long distances, to transport goods and materials. The job duties will include inspecting and maintaining the vehicle, loading and unloading cargo, keeping accurate records of deliveries, communicating with dispatchers, performing basic vehicle maintenance, and adhering to hours of service regulations among others.

Inspecting and maintaining the vehicle

Becoming a CDL truck driver is one of the most lucrative ways to make extra cash in Grand Rapids. Not just because of the flexible schedule, but the revenue you generate!

Earning Potential: You can make $28.52/hour on an average

Requirements: To become a CDL truck driver, individuals typically need a high school diploma or equivalent and must pass a written test and a road test to obtain a CDL. Employers may also require a minimum number of years of experience and a clean driving record.

Investment needed: $0 investment needed

How To Get Started: Apply to be a truck driver find here.

4. Become A Nurse

Nursing in Grand Rapids is all about actively providing exceptional care to patients at the appropriate time and in the correct location. This job requires planning and delivering professional nursing care to patients in a virtual clinic setting in compliance with medical and nursing plans of care and established rules and procedures.

The nurse will use multiple telehealth platforms, including but not limited to video visits and remote patient monitoring equipment, to deliver nursing duties, education, and technical assistance to the patient and providers.

Earning Potential: Earn around $38-$40 per hour

Requirements: This work needs a BSN, an Associateโ€™s Degree in Nursing, or a Nursing Diploma from a recognized institution. All registered nurses who do not have a Bachelorโ€™s degree in Nursing (or above) will be expected to enroll in and finish a suitable BSN program within two years of their start date.

Investment needed: $0 starting cost if you have the mentioned skills.

How To Get Started: many platforms offer you the opportunity to find a satisfying and rewarding career in this field by making a decent amount of money like Indeed.

5. Get A Part Time Job As A Waiter / Waitress

As a restaurant server in Grand Rapids, you will need to attend to customers, make suggestions as per their liking, wait tables, handle queries, deliver checks & receive payments.

Earning Potential: Servers make $13.95/hour (on average) + tips

Requirements: If you can show any previous waiting or restaurant serving experience you'll get a preference. Other than that you'll need to have patience, be good at customer service, have a pleasant personality, pay attention to customer safety & cleanliness, and be reliable & responsible. Having a high school diploma is also helpful for your resume.

Investment needed: $0 investment needed to get started as a restaurant server.

How To Get Started: Reach out to people in your circle and ask them whether they know someone in the restaurant business. Or apply for restaurant server jobs on Indeed.

6. Become A Valet Parking Attendant

Looking for side gigs to earn extra income in your free time in Grand Rapids? Start working as a valet parking attendant. If you know how to drive and possess basic people skills this can be a great career option. You can work at restaurants, hotels, clubs, airports, and other business complexes as a parking attendant.

As a valet parking attendant, you'll be responsible for greeting customers as they enter the property, parking & bringing back the guests' cars from the parking space, and ensuring this whole operation is performed smoothly. In addition to providing excellent customer service, you'll also be responsible for keeping the parking lot clean and organized.

Earning Potential: Up to $14/hour + tips

Requirements: A valid driver's license, zero traffic offenses, neat appearance and uniform upkeep, and excellent customer service & communication skills.

Investment needed: $0 investment needed

How To Get Started:

Identify office blocks, restaurants, or office compounds with good traffic and talk to the management to get started. For inspiration, observe how professional valet services like Royal Parking operate and borrow a leaf from them.

7. Start A Food Delivery Service

With the rising demand for food delivery options, starting a food delivery business can make a great side hustle. You can start your own delivery service in Grand Rapids by partnering with your local cafes, restaurants, or pubs, or you can also join an established food delivery service in your city and deliver for them. Most food delivery companies will provide higher commissions if you move higher volumes.

Therefore, with food delivery being your side hustle, you can earn a good income, work as per your time, and be independent.

Earning Potential: $5-$20/hour

Requirements: No educational qualification is necessary, but having a high school degree can be of help. You must be 18 or above, and having a car or motorbike with a valid driver's license, and a mobile with an internet connection is required. Also, having previous experience working as a delivery guy will make you more eligible, plus good communication skills and friendly behavior are important in any customer service job.

Investment needed: $0 investment needed

How To Get Started

Find a food delivery service available in your city, obtain whatever documents they require, and work on establishing a strong delivery network.

8. Become A Cashier

A cashier maintains knowledge of weekly ad items, gives customers direction on product location throughout the store, is familiar with events and seminars going on or coming up, and maintains excellent communication with the front end manager and head cashier at all times.

Earning Potential: Up to $2.5k/month

Requirements: Be at least 18 years of age and have a high school diploma or equivalent, and 1-2 years of recent cashiering experience. Have and show an outgoing and friendly behavior, a positive attitude, and the ability to interact with our customers.

Investment needed: No investment needed!

How To Get Started: You can log into simplyhired.com and start your journey as a cashier here.

9. Become a Shift Manager

Shift Managers are in high demand in Grand Rapids due to the city's growing economy. The city has a strong focus on industry, with many companies specializing in advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and technology. As a result, there is a great deal of opportunity for people with the right skills and experience to make a significant impact in the city's business community.

Being a Shift Manager is a challenging and rewarding career path. It requires a combination of skills and experience that make it an ideal opportunity for people looking to make a difference in the business world. If you have what it takes, then this could be the perfect role for you!

Earning Potential: Earn around $35-$40 per hour

Requirements: If you are interested in a career as a Shift Manager in Grand Rapids, you will need to have excellent communication skills, be able to work well under pressure, and have strong attention to detail. You will also need to be able to motivate and inspire your team to achieve their goals and to solve problems in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.

Investment needed: $0 starting cost if you have the mentioned skills.

How To Get Started: There are many platforms that offer you the opportunity to find yourself with a satisfying and rewarding career in this field by making a decent amount of money like snagajob.

10. Room Attendant

The room attendant is responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of the guest rooms assigned. Previous cleaning experience and the ability to communicate with guests are preferred.

This job environment demands exceptional performance yet reaps great rewards. Whether it's career opportunities, job enrichment, or a supportive work environment, if you are ready for this challenge, then it's best for you.

Earning Potential: Earn upto $2k-3k per month

Requirements: Working as an individual who is focused on providing efficient service and meaningful experiences with refined verbal and written communication skills.

Investment needed: Training to become a housekeeping room attendant can cost $1.5k-$2k.

How To Get Started: many platforms offer you the opportunity to make a decent amount of money in this field, from jooble.

11. Become A Part Time Barista

If you love the smell of coffee and want to be surrounded by the smell of it then the barista job is for you. You can work as a barista in your local coffee shop in your free time and earn a side income. Your job will be to make coffee or coffee-based beverages and serve them to the customers.

Earning Potential: Up to $16/hour

Requirements: Be at least 18 years of age, have the flexibility to work multiple shifts, good communication skills & basic math skills. It will work as a bonus if you can show any previous experience of working as a waiter/waitress or barista, also having knowledge of how to handle brewing equipment will be an extra plus.

Investment needed: $0 starting cost to work as a barista if you want to start as a fresher. Otherwise, if you want to take a professional barista training it can cost you anything between $120 - $$2,600.

How To Get Started: You can search for barista job listing on popular job portals like Indeed.

meet the author
Pat Walls