A millennial psychologist shares how she built a side hustle selling art on Etsy and booked $32,000 in revenue

• Kate Segal sells her art on Etsy as a side hustle to her full-time role as a licensed psychologist.
• Segal's art has been used by brands like HBO, Trader Joe's, and Jiggy Puzzles.

When Kate Segal was a child, she used drawing as her creative outlet. Today, the 37-year-old sells her art online as a side hustle.

Segal, who lives in Manhattan, is a licensed psychologist but spends a couple of hours a day maintaining her Etsy store, updating her social media accounts, and making new digital art pieces on her iPad with Procreate.

Since she began selling her art in 2020, Segal said she has made $32,000 in revenue Etsy, according to documents viewed by Business Insider. She's also earned money from non-Etsy licensing deals but did not disclose those earnings.

As more people look for job options beyond the traditional 9-to-5, side hustles and freelancing have gained traction. More than seven million people sell art or handmade goods on Etsy, according to company data reviewed by Business Insider, a 60% increase from 2020. The vast majority of sellers are people who work from home, and last year, $11.6 billion worth of goods were sold on the platform.

Segal's art has been used on greeting cards and as wall decorations, she said. Segal has also been recognized by big-name brands — HBO's set decorator used her art in an episode of "Succession," Trader Joe's printed her art on stationary, and she recently collaborated with Jiggy Puzzles, she said.

Segal's business is also her creative outlet

Segal draws almost every day to relieve stress. However she decided to sell her art after her social media followers asked to buy the drawings she posted.

Not only is Segal's business a creative outlet, but it also allows her flexibility in her daily schedule. Her psychologist job is also remote, she said, so she can set her own hours and spend extra time on art when she is able.

To maintain her side hustle, she said she regularly turns her art into content for her Instagram and TikTok accounts. And, on Etsy, she pays a small amount to boost her pieces to buyers through the platform's algorithm.

She would describe her art as maximalist, whimsical, and colorful — leaning on themes of nature and spirituality. Segal said she encourages other artists to promote their work.

"Each person on earth has their own taste in art, and your art is going to resonate with people," she said "Don't be self-conscious."

Segal isn't quite sure if she will ever turn to art full-time, but she looks forward to continuing to build her business. Next, she plans to dive into quilting. She has also had requests from customers to put her work on album and book covers.

"By the end of my art career, my art will have been on every possible type of thing you can imagine," she said.

Have you left your traditional 9-to-5 job for a side hustle or freelance gig? Are you willing to share how you make and spend your money? Reach out to this reporter at allisonkelly@insider.com.