Gen Z, generation those who born between 1997 and 2012 are preparing themselves to stand out with rise in financial, housing and employment crisis, working part-time isn’t enough! They start about turning their pass times into profit.
According to a 2024 Royal Bank of Canada poll, 88 per cent of Gen Z Canadians say their main reason for starting a business is to gain financial freedom, especially as the cost of living continues to rise.
Jash Dhorajiya, a recent SAIT graduate, turned his passion for crafting planters into a business while studying full time.
Jash Dhorajiya, a recent SAIT graduate, found his side hustle to be a fast track toward independence.
“My main goal with my side business was to get a car,” says recent Jash Dhorajiya gradated international student of SAIT. “Getting a car help me a lot to accomplish my business goals faster rather than using transit”
As a student, Dhorajiya ran a small business through Facebook Marketplace, manufacturing and selling handmade planters. Unlike traditional jobs with fixed hours and limited creativity, his business gave him both flexibility and financial control.
For Gen Z, entrepreneurship often begins not with a business plan, but with a skill or hobby. Baking, crocheting, photography and graphic design are just a few of the passion projects being transformed into income streams. While some students launch businesses to cover immediate expenses, others view their ventures as stepping stones to long-term goals.
University of Calgary student Sophia Courtney poses in front of her crochet thread cabinet on Thursday May 22, 2025. She runs a small handmade business alongside her academic studies.
Sophia Courtney , a third-year business student at the University of Calgary, started selling her crochet work on campus flea markets.
Two of Sophia Courtney’s crochet creations—a dinosaur and an owl—are displayed at her home studio.
“Probably not full time but I will keep crocheting as my side gig regardless what I am doing,” says Sophia Courtney, third year business student at University of Calgary. “I think hobby and job should be keep separate... because as soon as you make something to earn money out of it, it stops being fun”
Balancing studies, part-time work, and a business can be overwhelming. For many student entrepreneurs, it requires discipline, support, and mental resilience.
“If you are trying to juggle multiple things at same time, set some time aside for you,” advises Melissa Martin, a business instructor and Alberta Women Entrepreneurship member.
Sophia Courtney’s handmade crochet doll, which she considers her lucky charm, often draws customers to her table at markets.
“I talk a lot to my mom,… I try to keep on moving because I can’t get stuck on it” expresses Courtney, her ways of coping when she feels overwhelmed.
The benefits, however, go far beyond extra income. Running a business teaches students practical skills in time management, communication, finance, and marketing—many of which complement their academic learning and provide real-world applications.
Support from educational institutions is also growing. More universities and colleges are now offering mentorship, workshops, and platforms tailored to student entrepreneurs.
The student hustle is no longer just a trend—it’s a lifestyle. In an uncertain economy, Gen Z is finding creative ways to gain control of their time, income, and future.
This generation isn’t waiting to graduate to make their mark. They’re already doing it—one side gig at a time.
The student hustle is no longer just a trend—it’s a lifestyle. In an uncertain economy, Gen Z is finding creative ways to gain control of their time, income, and future.
This generation isn’t waiting to graduate to make their mark. They’re already doing it—one side gig at a time.