I started off with a £5,000 sideline, now celebrities send me special orders via WhatsApp

While the cost of living remains high, almost half of Scots are looking for new ways to earn money, research shows.

And many look for a side job to increase their bank balance.

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A new one questionnairecommissioned by candle maker Candle Shack, discovered that a third of Scots have a second function or are considering buying one.

And asked about the biggest advantages of accepting a part-time job30 percent said it creates more financial breathing space, while 28 percent think it is an opportunity to earn money with a hobby.

One Scottish woman who decided to turn her hobby into her job was Christie Boyle.

Cake Days A Week owner Christie, 31, started baking for her younger siblings, family and friends for fun while studying communications design at Glasgow School by Art.

After graduating, she went to work as a lead graphic designer at a startup, where she worked three days a week and spent the rest of her time in the kitchen making cake orders.

But when she was asked to take on a full-time role, she decided to quit.

She said: “The start-up I was working at was doing really well and then they asked me to be a designer five days a week, but I had already booked clients for the next six months on the days I was free.

“I enjoyed my workI really enjoyed the split week, where I could use my brain in one part and be creative in a different way in the other part.

“To be honest, as a graphic designer I find it difficult to be creative behind the computer. I have always liked working with my hands.”

Instead of accepting the job offer, she decided to focus on her own life. part-time job.

Christie said: “I initially put £5,000 into it. With that money I set up the kitchen, paid a six-month advance on rent and just went for it. I got it back within a year, which was a stroke of luck.”

After she had let her hair grow steadily company She now bakes for celebrities and football stars – most recently creating an extravagant wedding cake for ex-Rangers and Hearts player Andy Halliday and his current wife Jilly Cross.

Christie revealed that while she tries to remain professional when dealing with celebrity clients, it still feels like an outsider. body experience when famous faces ask her to bake for them and them families.

She said, “I made Scott Brown’s retirement cake.

“I think the thing is I just try to be myself. My husband family are big Celtic fans and ask ‘do you have a photo‘?’ and I’m like no, because I think if I just treat them like a human being, they’ll respect me a little bit more.

“But it was crazy the whole time, I thought this is crazy. I talked to you and you’re so famous.”

She also wowed fans when she made a cake for Manchester United player Luke Shaw.

The talented baker said, “I drove to Manchester and went into their house – and it’s like a multi-million pound house – with this cake that I made. It’s a little crazy.

“His wife gave me her WhatsApp and she’s used me twice now. It’s such an out-of-body experience, these people are so rich and famous and they’re willing to indulge in what we do. It surprises you.”

When asked if she ever expected her companyChristie, from Glasgow, said: “I didn’t, especially when I did Jilly and Andy’s wedding. wedding cake and it got over 150,000 views on Tiktok. I feel very happy.”

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