Unlock Flexible Income: Top Event-Based Jobs for Canadians
Are you looking for a flexible side hustle that taps into your creativity, communication skills, and passion for making people feel good? The Health, Beauty, and Events industry in Canada is booming, offering some of the most lucrative and rewarding freelance opportunities available.
From managing a luxurious wedding to providing on-demand wellness services, these roles are perfect for Canadians seeking significant supplemental income outside of a traditional 9-to-5 job. This comprehensive guide breaks down the top opportunities, earning potential, and essential steps to launch your successful Health, Beauty & Event side hustle.
Why the Health, Beauty & Events Industry is Ideal for Side Hustles in Canada
The Canadian market has a consistent, high demand for personalized services, making these roles exceptionally profitable and flexible.
Benefit | Description |
High Earning Potential | Many services are event-based or premium, leading to high hourly or per-job rates (e.g., $500+ for a single wedding booking). |
Schedule Flexibility | Most work is booked on weekends, evenings, or specific client appointments, allowing you to easily manage it around a primary job. |
Low Overhead | Many services, like mobile makeup or hair styling, require minimal equipment and can be operated from home or traveling to the client. |
Skill-Based Demand | These jobs reward specialized training and experience, making it easier to justify premium pricing. |
Top 10 High-Paying Health, Beauty, and Event Side Hustles
Here are the most in-demand roles, along with estimated earning potential for the Canadian market:
1. Freelance Makeup Artist (MUA)
MUAs specialize in creating looks for weddings, photoshoots, film, and commercial events. Mobile service is highly valued by clients.
Focus Areas: Bridal beauty, editorial looks, special effects makeup.
Earning Potential: $20 – $50 per hour; up to $500+ per event.
Starting Tips: Build a professional portfolio, get specialized training in bridal makeup, and leverage platforms like WeddingWire Canada and Thumbtack to find bookings.
2. Event Photographer (Weddings & Portraits)
Capture memorable moments from events, family portraits, and professional headshots. This side hustle requires a creative eye and strong editing skills.
Focus Areas: Weddings, corporate events, family photography, real estate photography.
Earning Potential (Per Event): $200 – $2,500 per event.
Starting Tips: Invest in good gear and editing software, create a high-quality online gallery, and use sites like Snappr and Fiverr to start building your client base.
3. Part-Time Wedding Planner or Coordinator
Help couples manage the logistics, vendors, and schedule for their big day. Coordinators are essential for "day-of" management, a high-value, high-stress, single-day service.
Focus Areas: Day-of coordination, vendor sourcing, budget management.
Earning Potential: $20 – $50 per hour; $1,500 – $5,000 per wedding.
Starting Tips: Take an event planning course, volunteer to assist an experienced planner, and list your services on Eventbrite and WeddingWire Canada.
4. Mobile Hair Stylist
Offer hairstyling services—especially updos, coloring, and cuts—from your home salon or by traveling to clients for events. Bridal hair is a particularly lucrative niche.
Focus Areas: Bridal styling, cuts and colours, high-end mobile blowouts.
Earning Potential: $18 – $40 per hour; $200 – $600 per event.
Starting Tips: Maintain your professional license, use booking apps like StyleSeat or Fresha, and showcase your event work on Instagram.
5. Licensed Mobile Massage Therapist
For regulated professionals, offering mobile, in-home relaxation and therapeutic massage is a premium, high-rate service.
Focus Areas: Relaxation, deep tissue, corporate chair massage events.
Earning Potential: $40 – $100 per hour.
Starting Tips: Ensure all provincial licensing requirements are met, carry proper liability insurance, and consult the Massage Therapist Association of Canada for resources.
6. Event DJ (Music and Entertainment)
Provide customized entertainment, including music mixing, sound systems, and lighting for birthdays, corporate functions, and weddings.
Focus Areas: Wedding receptions, corporate holiday parties, private functions.
Earning Potential: $50 – $150 per hour; $500 – $2,000 per event.
Starting Tips: Build a diverse music library, create high-quality demo mixes, and list your profile on platforms like GigSalad and The Bash.
7. Henna/Mehndi Artist
Create intricate, temporary body art for cultural events, festivals, bridal showers, and specialized parties.
Focus Areas: Bridal mehndi, festival booths, private party bookings.
Earning Potential: $50 – $150 per hour; $200 – $600 per event.
Starting Tips: Practice intricate designs, ensure you use safe, natural henna, and use social media (like Instagram) to showcase your art.
8. Mobile Nail Technician
Offer manicures, pedicures, and specialized services like gel or acrylics as a convenient, mobile service.
Focus Areas: Gel manicures, luxury pedicures, group party bookings.
Earning Potential: $18 – $35 per hour; $30 – $100 per session.
Starting Tips: Maintain high sanitary standards, invest in professional-grade products, and use booking software like Booksy or Fresha.
9. Small Event Catering or Meal Prep
Offer specialized food services for private parties, small corporate gatherings, or provide weekly custom meal preparation for busy clients.
Focus Areas: Specialized diets (keto, vegan), small party appetizers, weekly family meal plans.
Earning Potential: $18 – $35 per hour; $300 – $3,000 per event.
Starting Tips: Obtain necessary food handler certifications, specialize in a unique cuisine or diet, and use Thumbtack to find initial clients.
10. Group Fitness Class Instructor
Teach specialized classes like Yoga, Zumba, Spin, or Pilates. You can teach in person at a studio, outdoors, or even online via Zoom for greater reach.
Focus Areas: Group exercise, personal training, corporate wellness programs.
Earning Potential: $20 – $60 per hour.
Starting Tips: Acquire certification through recognized bodies like Canfitpro, partner with a local studio, and use Mindbody for scheduling and client management.
SEO Strategy: Building Your Personal Brand and Client Trust
For any health, beauty, or event side hustle to succeed, Local SEO and a strong Personal Brand are non-negotiable. Your online presence directly correlates with your booking rate.
Develop a High-Quality Visual Portfolio: Showcase the results of your work. Whether it’s photos of an organized event, a successful makeup look, or delicious catering, visuals are your primary sales tool.
Optimize Google My Business (GMB): For local services, create and optimize a GMB profile, using keywords like “mobile makeup artist Toronto” or “event DJ Vancouver.” This is crucial for appearing in local search results.
Harness the Power of Reviews: Actively ask every satisfied client to leave a review on Google, Facebook, and industry-specific sites (like WeddingWire). High ratings build trust and improve your ranking.
Target Local Keywords: Use geo-specific phrases in your website content and social media bios (e.g., "Best Bridal Stylist in Calgary," "Flexible Side Hustles Edmonton").
Ready to start earning high-income on your own schedule? The Canadian market is ripe with opportunity in the Health, Beauty, and Events sector. Choose a skill, get certified where necessary, and start building your client base today!