Here’s the latest in our side hustle case study series, where real people share how they make extra money in their spare time! In this interview, Claire Roach from Daily Deals UK talks about her experience working part-time from home as a customer service rep. I’ve seen many home-based customer service jobs advertised online, so it was great to finally hear from someone who’s actually done it. Read on to see if this side hustle might be right for you.
### How to Make Money as a Home-Based Customer Service Representative
**Tell us a little about yourself and your side hustle.**
I worked as a home-based customer service representative for very.co.uk through Arise Virtual Solutions, via Callcatcherz LTD. Arise provides the training, tech support, and payment, acting as a middleman between you and the companies you work for. Callcatcherz acts as your own LTD company without needing to register one.
**How long have you been doing your side hustle? How did you get into it?**
I found an advert on the Money Saving Expert work-at-home boards for home-based customer service reps. Within two months, I was set up and working from home. I started with Arise in 2010 and worked for seven years. I quit in November 2016 to focus on my new project, Daily Deals UK, but I would go back if I needed a 9-5 job again.
**What does the work involve? What does a typical day look like for you?**
You schedule your hours when they’re released, usually on Sunday nights for the coming week. You’re expected to work a minimum amount per week, which varies from client to client. Certain hours, like 6-10 pm, are harder to get because many people want to work when their children are in bed. I worked 16 hours per week, usually around three hours per night and a few hours on weekends.
**How much can you make doing this side hustle?**
On average, you can expect to make anywhere from £9 to £12 per hour, depending on how fast you work. I personally earned around £15 per hour. There are also frequent bonuses and sales incentives to earn more.
**Are there any start-up costs or ongoing expenses with this side hustle?**
You need to provide your own laptop/PC, a VOIP headset, and a non-disclosure certificate (£25). You also need a UK LTD company or to join one that works with Arise. I chose Callcatcherz LTD, which charges £15 per month, deducted from your earnings. Arise charges a £20 fee per month and additional training fees between £40 and £200. While the start-up costs can be high, I recouped all these costs in my first month’s pay. The two monthly fees of about £35 are tax-deductible and still allowed me to earn well above the minimum wage.
**What advice would you give to someone who wants to get started?**
Go for it! I was skeptical at first due to the costs and the unknown, but after researching for a few weeks, I took the plunge. I stayed with Arise for seven years with no regrets. The only reason I quit was to focus on my blog and because dealing with constant complaints took its toll. There are plenty of UK-based companies you can join, such as energy providers, catalog companies, and online travel agents. It’s a fantastic work-at-home job opportunity with good pay and interesting, steady work, all from the comfort of your home.
Home-based customer service jobs seem ideal for work-at-home mums. There are a few setup costs, so it’s worth researching to ensure any opportunities you find are legitimate. It’s great to hear that Claire had a positive experience and stayed with her company for several years.
Want more work-from-home ideas? Check out the other posts in our side hustle case studies series. If you have a unique side hustle you’d like to share, please contact me!