The Side Hustle You Didn’t Know You Could Start
Most clinicians think there are only two options:
Stay in medicine.
Or leave completely.
Keep being underpaid for working shifts.
Or start an empire business that 10x their salary.
But what if there was a third option?
One that lets you:
- Keep your clinical identity
- Work fewer shifts
- And still bring in extra income—on your terms
In this episode, I sit down with ICU PA and business owner Sarah Miller, who built a virtual assistant business completely by accident… and turned it into a flexible, profitable side hustle. She now generates $1,000+ each month, on her time and her terms, working odd hours that fits her life and family! It’s completely remote with minimal sales and zero social media posting is required!
iTunes | Spotify | YouTube
How This All Started (And Why It Matters)
Sarah didn’t set out to become an entrepreneur.
She:
- Went part-time after having kids
- Took a pay cut
- Wanted a small income buffer
She tried:
- Etsy
- Digital products
- Proofreading
And then… an opportunity landed in her inbox.
A simple message:
“Hey, my VA is leaving. Want to try this?”
Her response?
“I don’t even know what a VA is.”
And yet—she said yes.
That one decision changed everything.
What a Virtual Assistant Actually Does
This isn’t just “checking email.”
A VA can:
- Manage inboxes and calendars
- Handle podcast coordination
- Support launches and client onboarding
- Create systems and streamline workflows
And at a higher level?
They become:
- An integrator
- A right-hand partner
- The person who keeps the business running behind the scenes
As Sarah puts it—she’s not just checking boxes.
She’s helping businesses scale.
The Money Breakdown (Real Numbers)
Let’s talk transparency:
- Hourly rate: ~$38/hour
- Clients: 3
- Hours: 10–15/month per client
- Annual income: $12,000–$20,000/year
Not replacing her clinical income.
But that’s not the goal.
This money funds:
- Investments
- Vacations
- Breathing room
And most importantly?
Options.
Why This Is One of the BEST Side Hustles for Clinicians
Low barrier.
Low risk.
High flexibility.
Sarah’s startup costs?
👉 Basically zero.
No:
- Inventory
- Staff
- Expensive software
- Marketing budget
Just:
- A laptop
- Internet
- And one client
The Biggest Mindset Shift (This Is Everything)
Most clinicians think:
“I’m not good at sales.”
But this episode proves the opposite.
Sarah never pitched.
She never “sold.”
She:
- Sent a genuine thank-you email
- Offered helpful feedback
- Made thoughtful connections
And that’s how she landed clients.
This is relationship-based business.
Not bro-marketing. Not cold DMs.
If You’re Feeling Burned Out… Read This
You don’t need to:
- Quit medicine
- Blow up your life
- Or have a perfect plan
You might just need:
👉 One small experiment
👉 One new skill
👉 One “yes” to something unfamiliar
Because as Sarah said:
You’ve already done hard things.
You’ve taken care of patients.
You can figure this out too.
Key Takeaways
- You don’t need a business idea to start—just a willingness to try
- The best opportunities often come from relationships, not strategy
- You can build income without adding more clinical hours
- Not all side hustles need to replace your salary
- Start messy—just start
Connect with Sarah
- LinkedIn: Sarah Miller, PA-VA
- Website: sjmvirtualsolutions.com
- Email: sjmvirtualsolutions@gmail.com
Want Help Building Your Own Income Stream?
If you’re sitting there thinking:
“Okay… but what would my version of this look like?”
I’ve got you.
Grab my Side Gig Guide:
👉 tracybingaman.com/gig
Or book a call to map out your next move.
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