Read this before you start a side hustle: Noida man who sold eggs and juice outside gym shares his story, a lesson for 9-to-5 employees

A Noida resident has issued a cautionary tale for 9-to-5 employees considering a side hustle, after a failed attempt at selling eggs and juice outside a gym cost him money and valuable time. Vishwas Verma’s story highlights how starting a business without proper research can quickly turn profitable ideas into financial setbacks.

The Gymside Side Hustle

Verma revealed that his entrepreneurial journey began when he noticed a vacant shop near his gym. “Like many of us, I believed small businesses were easy money, quick maths, instant profit,” he explained in an Instagram post.

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A post shared by Vishwas Verma (@gptnlife)

The shop, located in the basement beneath the gym, was available for a rent of just Rs 10,000. Verma teamed up with a friend, thinking they could leverage the gym crowd to sell health-focused products such as juice, protein shakes, and boiled eggs.

“We went into it without thinking,” he said. “The rent seemed low, we had some extra income, so we thought, why not?”

Juice: More Complicated Than Expected

Their first challenge came with selling juice. Verma recalled: “I started selling pineapple juice. But the price of pineapples fluctuates daily, and we couldn’t figure out how to price our drinks correctly.”

Selling a glass at Rs 90 barely covered costs, and even with a cold-press machine, one pineapple only produced a single glass of juice. Profit margins were almost non-existent.

Eggs and Maggi Also Failed to Deliver

Next, the duo attempted to sell boiled eggs. “We assumed we could buy eggs at Rs 5 and sell at Rs 10. But eggs were actually Rs 7–8 each, and we often ruined a few while boiling,” Verma said.

Even selling Maggi noodles at Rs 30 for an Rs 11 pack didn’t help, as operational costs like manager salaries and rent ate into profits.

“The location itself was a problem. The rent was low because very few people, apart from gym-goers, visited that area,” he added.

Lessons for Side Hustlers

Verma concluded his Instagram post with a key message for anyone looking to start a side business: “This isn’t meant to scare anyone. Every business requires proper research, understanding, and real-world experience, not just surface-level calculations.”

His story reveals that a side hustle, while potentially lucrative, demands careful planning, market research, and an awareness of hidden costs. Without these, even a seemingly simple venture can quickly turn into a loss-making exercise.