How We Used a ₹10,000 Loan to Launch Our Side Hustles (And Some Mistakes We’ll Never Forget)

Thinking of taking a small loan to finally start your side hustle? Let me tell you — ₹10,000 can actually go a long way… if you use it smartly. But also, if you’re like George, maybe try not to order mics from shady websites.


💡 Why a ₹10,000 Loan?

Let’s be honest — not everyone can borrow ₹1 lakh to “follow their passion.” And truthfully, most side hustles don’t need that much to begin with.
A quick ₹10,000 loan can:

  • Help you buy essential equipment
  • Give you breathing space to test an idea
  • Push you into action (because now you’re invested!)

But the key is how you use it — and that’s where these two real-life stories come in.


🎤 George the Voiceover Guy: The Tale of the Squeaky Karaoke Mic

George always had a brilliant voice — the kind that makes you stop scrolling.
He wanted to start doing freelance voiceovers online but was stuck with his phone mic.

So he took a ₹10,000 loan, ready to level up like a pro.
And what did he do first?

He went online… and accidentally bought a Karaoke mic from some mysterious site.
It arrived in a shiny pink box, with echo, reverb, and a “Chipmunk” setting.
The first recording sounded like he’d just inhaled laughing gas and walked into a tunnel.

Lesson 1: Don’t buy equipment that sounds like Mickey Mouse on helium. 😅

After laughing at himself (and deleting that cursed recording), George got serious.

👉 He invested wisely this time:

  • 🎙️ Decent condenser mic (~₹3,000)
  • 🎧 Closed-back headphones (~₹2,000)
  • 🖥️ Everything else? Free tools:
    • Audacity for editing
    • YouTube to learn sound leveling
    • Fiverr to upload demos

“I only used the loan for physical gear,” George says. “Everything else, I got for free.”

And guess what? Now he gets paid to talk — literally.


🐾 Rani & Her 7 Pets: Pet Food, Costumes & a Dream

Meet Rani — a woman with two dogs, five cats, and a head full of ideas.
She was always the “crazy pet person” in her building, but in the best way.

One day, she said, “Why not start a pet costume and treat business?”

But making organic pet food and stitching tiny Halloween costumes wasn’t cheap.

So she took a ₹10,000 loan from a digital loan app and began:

Here’s how she used the funds:

ItemEstimated Cost
Food-grade ingredients for pet treats₹2,000
Pet-safe fabrics and thread₹2,500
Sewing machine rental₹1,500
Logo + basic Shopify store setup₹2,000
Local Instagram ads₹2,000

She didn’t wait for a big business plan.
She sold 10 pet costumes in the first week — including a Batman suit for a Shih Tzu.

“The ₹10,000 wasn’t life-changing. But it was day-changing. It let me begin.”


🔁 What George & Rani Did Right

✔️ They only borrowed what they knew they could repay
✔️ They spent only on critical tools
✔️ They didn’t wait to be perfect — they just started
✔️ They used free tools, tutorials, and free marketing (Reels, WhatsApp, Facebook Groups)


⚠️ Mistakes They’d Avoid Next Time

❌ Don’t buy equipment without checking reviews (George learned this the funny way)
❌ Don’t assume your first product will sell out
❌ Don’t spend the full ₹10K in one shot
❌ Don’t skip tracking repayments — small loans can pile up


🔎 Where Can You Get a ₹10,000 Loan?

These apps offer small, quick loans, often with minimal documentation:

AppLoan RangeDisbursal TimeIdeal For
KreditBee₹500 – ₹1,00,000<10 minsFreelancers, gig workers
Fibe₹1,000 – ₹5,00,00015 minsSalaried professionals
Nira₹3,000 – ₹1,00,000Within 24 hrsFirst-time borrowers
CASHe₹1,000 – ₹3,00,00020 minsShort-term salary advances

✅ Tip: Always check if the app is RBI-registered.
✅ Bonus: Some BNPL apps like LazyPay & Simpl can be helpful for buying tools in parts.


🙋‍♀️ FAQs

Q1. Can I start a side hustle with just ₹10,000?

Absolutely! It depends on what you want to do. Use it for tools, materials, or ads — not luxury.

Q2. Will loan apps give me ₹10,000 if I’m not salaried?

Some apps like KreditBee, Nira, and LazyPay consider gig workers or freelancers. But read the fine print.

Q3. What if I can’t repay in time?

Start small. Track your EMI. Don’t use the money for non-business stuff.


🧠 Final Word: Start Small. Think Big. Laugh Often.

George’s squeaky mic.
Rani’s DIY dog capes.
All it took was ₹10,000 and a decision to begin.

You don’t need a big loan to be a big deal.

Just don’t forget to check your mic settings before hitting record.


✅ Also Read:

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