Hi Reader, Nearly half of American workers now have multiple income streams. For many, it feels like the only way to stay afloat. Others are chasing the flexibility and control that side hustles promise. But there’s a catch. Gig work may offer freedom, but it can also stall careers, flatten pay, and leave people running on empty. We call it the Freedom Trap — and it’s a growing reality for millions in 2025. In our latest feature, we break down: Why gig work is booming right now The surprising...

Hey Reader, Side hustles today come with a lot of pressure — build a brand, grow an audience, scale to six figures. But what if that’s not the only way? Lately, more people are turning to a different kind of extra income: old-school W-2 jobs. We’re talking bookstore shifts, museum front desks, wine tasting rooms — low-lift, local gigs that offer steady pay and a break from the chaos of gig apps and freelancing. No self-employment tax. No chasing invoices. No late-night client emails. Just...

Hey Reader, When Dan Ansaldo first tried sourdough, it was just a weekend experiment for his wife and kids. A few years later, a friend asked if he’d teach a class. He said yes, and ten people squeezed into a dining room for his first run. The oven could barely keep up, but the idea worked. Fast forward to today: Dan runs his classes out of KC Wine Co.’s barrel room, where up to 40 people show up, mix dough at their own stations, and leave with a starter and loaf-in-progress. At $30 to $50...