First, it begins with compliments on homemade brownies for close friends, or a twinkle in the eye from the receiver of a gifted, elaborate painting. Then, it’s party favours and commissions; the beginning of something extraordinary. 

Small businesses have evolved significantly over the past years, becoming the cornerstone of many economies, while driving innovation and giving the younger generation a competitive edge. Spearheaded by the efforts of the youth of today, small businesses have provided them with more options to explore their creativity, whilst allowing them to earn their keep, ultimately achieving the best of both worlds. 

It is no surprise that there has been a major boom in the upsurge of the existence of small businesses, especially with the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. 2020 saw a rise in the emergence of the number of small businesses, with sources stating that Sri Lanka saw an increase in the number of business registrations from 20,000 in 2021, compared to 12,000 in 2019.

With unemployment as a real concern due to corporations struggling to keep their workers employed, coupled with the boredom of individuals now operating from home, people found themselves enamoured by the idea of a side hustle. This proved beneficial by helping out with the finances as post-pandemic inflation costs skyrocketed and added yet another possible stepping stool for the youth looking for ways to garner experience in an uncertain labour market.

One of the major reasons why several small businesses have popped up can be attributed towards the youth and several others taking the route to pursue their passions on a grander scale. By investing time and effort, they transform a long-lost dream or aspiration into something realistic and achievable. Being in charge of their own work ethic allows them to adjust their schedules to their lifestyles accordingly which could include being full-time students, working or being a parent. 

Today, it is the personalised customer service and general friendly demeanour of the small business owners that appeal to the general public. Many currently wish to move away from purchasing from corporate brands, preferring the quality and sustainability that most small businesses hold to high importance. With the increasing trend of ethical consumerism, small businesses are considered to be at the forefront of it. Customers see it as a way to support the community, as they provide job opportunities, allowing individuals to take control of their work experience. These interactions in the community can strengthen consumer relationships, foster innovation, and promote diversity and sustainability in the marketplace. 

A brief correspondence with Kulani Karunaratne, a second-year Psychology undergraduate who goes by @penny_maketh_art on Instagram shared the reality of operating a side hustle with us. Her business includes taking commissions for hand-painted phone cases, tote bags and pouches, drawing inspiration from anime and K-pop. 

What inspired you to commence a side hustle? 
I never intended to do commissions as painting phone cases and such was a hobby. I would usually do it as a gift to friends, as they expressed a desire to own merchandise of their favourite interests that was quite difficult to obtain in SL. When people mentioned they would like to pay for me to paint these items, with their persuasion, I was driven to do commissions. Plus, I was just out of school and it was a great way to keep myself occupied. 

How are you balancing both your studies and commissions? 
Initially, the first year wasn’t rough, and there was enough time to work on commissions. However, as university content got harder and along with extracurriculars, it has been quite challenging focusing on the commissions, especially since you need to be in the right mood to do it in order to get the right result, otherwise, it would be a waste of time and effort. Sometimes, I sacrifice hangouts with friends and dedicate free days when I don’t have lectures to get commissions done.

What has been your favourite part of working on commissions? 
Seeing the end product. I love receiving photos from customers when the parcels have arrived. Plus, every piece is an adventure of its own. I don’t usually know all of the characters that I am commissioned to paint, so it’s nice to explore different interests. I also enjoy receiving customer feedback, and getting commissions in the first place is exciting, as it is evident that my work is being seen and desired.  

What was your experience at Lanka Comic Con 2024 like as a young small business owner?
Despite the chaos of preparing for 2 months, the process was surprisingly therapeutic. Admittedly, I was nervous about the event but when I look back at the pictures I have now, I feel a sense of accomplishment. I remember looking at the products in my stall and thinking, “I did that!”. It was quite satisfying to see them sell out, as well as how excited people were to get their hands on it. In the midst of all that, being able to meet several other artist mutuals and befriend those who were part of a similar business was extremely refreshing and inspiring. These connections are meant to take you a long way.

How have you marketed your products? 
Most of my marketing was unintentional. My products caught the eye of people since I use them in my day-to-day life, and that was how I actually received my first commission. Eventually, through word of mouth and social media, I was able to reach more customers and make my products accessible to them.

Do you have any advice for people who are thinking of starting a small business? 
You don’t need to be a professional or have a large customer base to start. When I first started, it felt quite embarrassing to post on Instagram and market commissions, but in time, my confidence grew. By putting yourself out there, you discover a growing community of small business owners out there who are willing to give you advice, which makes this a lot less intimidating. Something else to keep in mind is there is always going to be a niche group just waiting and wishing to buy your work. You bring a unique set of skills, ideas and products to the world, no matter how small. So go ahead; do it scared and do it inexperienced. If all else fails, you definitely won’t regret creating long-lasting bonds with a beautiful and incredibly supportive community.