'My side hustle was inspired by a TV show'
Molly Smith/BBCA man who started making pottery in his garden shed has turned his hobby into a side hustle to run alongside his full-time job.
Alan Dunnighan, from Sunderland, was first inspired by watching The Great Pottery Throw Down and learnt the craft from watching videos online.
He bought a pottery wheel for his garden shed and since then his hobby-turned-business has moved into a studio in Sunderland.
Dunnighan, who works as an IT consultant for the NHS, said: "My life is constantly busy, but it's so worth it being able to turn a passion into a side hustle which I love."
In January - when finances can be especially tight - the BBC's Hacks and Hustles series in the North East & Cumbria is sharing information and your stories about how to save money and make some extra cash.
An increasing number of people are looking to their passions as an additional income source, with 2024 study by The Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed recording 460,000 side hustles in the UK, up from 383,000 the year before.
Alan DunnighanDunnighan said: "I have a 9 to 5 job, which is sometimes quite hard to balance as you have to separate them so they don't cross over.
"It just means I have a hectic schedule."
As well as selling his pottery at craft fairs, he runs pottery classes and invests the proceeds back into the business.
"Being in company of people who have the same passion as you is very uplifting," he said.
"You are able to get ideas off each other and it's very beneficial for your mental health.
"Sometimes I have to pinch myself that I've done this.
"At the start I felt quite content with sitting my shed and practicing, but it started getting under my skin a bit and the hustle developed all on its own and I've just been here for the ride.
"To anyone who wants to start a side hustle, my advice is to persevere, enjoy the craft that you are doing and don't give up."
