Nurse’s Side Gig: Agni NY

When nurses have side gigs, they are opportunities that may have fallen into their laps. At other times, the nurse may pursue a specific side gig because it helps them out personally.

Thureiyya Rodriguez, DHA, MSN, RN, WOC Nurse, is the founder of Agni NY, a Black female-owned, artisanal holistic shop based in New York City. Rodriguez chatted with Daily Nurse about how she got into her side gig.

How did you get interested in making and selling candles and relaxing fragrances? What drew you to it? How long have you been doing it? 

I have a chronic illness, and I work in healthcare. Having an illness and working in a demanding career can take their toll on the body. To stay healthy, I need to ensure my stress levels are under control. I have used essential oils throughout my life to help reduce stress and relax. Relaxation techniques and essential oils helped me when my disease flared.

I started my business to share essential oils and aromatherapy with others who may have similar experiences and are working in stressful environments. My mission is to inspire others to incorporate relaxation into their daily routine–even if this means only taking out time in the shower.

Is selling through your website your primary way to sell? Do you do pop-up events? How do they work? Where do you do them, and how often? 

Yes, my primary sales are online. However, I do, on occasion, participate in flea markets and pop-ups throughout the city.

To participate in a pop-up, you sign up as a vendor and pay a fee the host has set. Then, on the day of the event or before (based on the host’s directions), you will bring your products and set up the designated space to sell your items. You are usually only allotted a 10×10 space or (1) table and a chair.

The items I choose to bring to the market are based on the theme, neighborhood, and season. For example, I do not bring beard products to a Mother’s Day event.

I started vending before going to pop-up events in front of my house. It allowed me to experience selling to customers and setting my table. As a result, I have purchased an entire setup for my products to be displayed at the pop-ups versus just having a table with a cloth.

Owning a shop is different from working in nursing. Likewise, entrepreneurship is entirely different from being an employee because your outcomes are based on the work you put into the business.

I conduct pop-ups throughout the city. My participation in pop-ups varies by season. I participate in pop-ups approximately 3-4 times per month in warmer months. I am also more active from November through December because it is the holiday season.

Did you have to get additional training/education to do it? Or did you hire someone to set up the website?

I did not get additional training. However, I did attend online webinars to learn about entrepreneurship and running a business. I also read books and researched successful businesses in a similar field.

In addition, I signed up for a mentor, whom I still meet with today.

I am a nurse, and one of the things about me is that I am technical. I want to know “why” and “how.” I do not want to deliver an incomplete product. I watched many YouTube videos on a website and set mine up without help. I used the template on the host site and made edits over the years. The template version is easy to follow. I had an idea of what I wanted the website to look like based on similar businesses.

Do you find your side gig easy even while working as a nurse? 

Working a side gig and having a full-time nursing career is difficult. You are tired at the end of your work day and know the body needs rest.

I work full-time as a nurse in healthcare administration and leadership. I am busy meeting with executives and developing action plans during the day. My full-time work entails long hours. Having a side gig is another job.

The time dedicated to a side gig is based on your desired outcome. I plan out my time for the side gig to avoid burnout. I cannot devote as much time to the business as I would like, but I see its growth potential. But balance is still my priority.

What do you like most about your side gig? 

I enjoy creating products and seeing my ideas being brought to light. When I am at a pop-up and making sales, I feel satisfied with what was accomplished.

What are the biggest challenges in your side gig? 

My biggest challenge with the side gig is scaling. I need to gain strength in marketing products. It is stressful trying to gain new customers online. Selling in person is different. The customer sees and interacts with the products through touch and smell. This makes it easier for sales versus online, where the customer is still determining what the end product will be able to do after it arrives. 

What are your most significant rewards from it?

My greatest reward from this business is meeting new people, learning a new skill, and offering a product that a person can enjoy.

What would you suggest nurses do if they wanted to have a side gig? What do they most need to know? 

Any nurse interested in a side gig should go for it. However, I recommend they do their homework on the area of interest and make a solid plan to execute. Look at competitors and join groups with similar interests. Be prepared to make mistakes and grow from those mistakes. Most importantly, have balance. Make sure to fill the calendar with work and remember to make time for yourself. Side gigs are great, but a work-life balance is essential.

Is there anything I haven’t asked you that is important for our readers to know?

Side gigs can grow into a full-time business. When you begin your side gig, know that the time invested and the quality will make a difference in the outcome of the product. There are free resources which include mentorship. Also, use the public library to gather information on the business.