How drilling holes helped me to earn a side income

The Handy Neighbor’s Side Hustle

When Alex moved into his new apartment complex, he didn’t expect to become the go-to handyman for his neighbors. It all started with a simple favor.

One evening, his neighbor Mrs. Wong knocked on his door, looking distressed. She had ordered a bookshelf from Taobao, but the instructions were in poorly translated English, and the pieces didn’t fit together properly. Seeing her frustration, Alex grabbed his toolbox and got to work. Within an hour, the bookshelf stood proudly in her living room.

“Thank you so much! I don’t know what I would’ve done without you,” she said, pressing a $10 into his hand.

At first, Alex refused the money, but Mrs. Wong insisted. “Young man, your time and effort are valuable!”

Word spread quickly. Soon, Mr. Lim from downstairs asked him to drill holes for his curtain rods. Then, a young couple next door needed help assembling a TV stand. Requests started pouring in—chairs, desks, wall shelves, even an entire wardrobe set.

Realizing the demand, Alex set up a simple telegram group for his neighbors. He listed his services:
>Furniture assembly
>Drilling & wall mounting
>Fixing Taobao mishaps

Within a month, he had a steady flow of small jobs, each paying a modest fee. It wasn’t much at first, but the earnings added up. By the third month, he had a solid side income—enough to cover his utilities and weekend outings.

What started as a kind gesture turned into a profitable side hustle. And the best part? He had built friendships in his community, one drill hole at a time.