Balancing a 9-5 With a 5-9

Combining Passion And Profession

Interview with Khrystyn Buelva, by Emma Golley

06.14.2021

Juggling a 9-5 with a “5-9” side hustle is no easy feat, but it seems to be a popular option as more and more entrepreneurs are developing side gigs alongside their full time jobs. Back in 2019 almost half of Americans (45%) reported having a side hustle outside of their full time job (source). That number is most likely even higher now. For some it’s to pursue their passion outside of work or to earn extra income, for others it can be a creative outlet.

We caught up with Khrystyn Buelva, a womenswear designer based in Orange County, California, to find out more about her side hustle The Daily Moca and finding the right balance.

Khrystyn, you're currently a womenswear designer in the fashion industry, tell us about your career journey so far:

Becoming a womenswear designer has always been my dream job and the only choice I wanted to pursue since a young age. As you get older in your career journey and have more experience in the fashion industry – you gain more confidence in your skill set, knowing exactly what to prioritize, and what to leave behind when you’re out of the office doors.

“When the day shifts to the night, I switch gears to complete nightly ‘to-do’ lists for my business“

Talk us through your average weekday routine:

My weekly routine during the day consists of meetings, approving production samples, collaborating with my design team to review deadlines, changes and modifying designs for a certain season.

When the day shifts to the night, I switch gears to complete nightly ‘to-do’ lists for my business. This entails sewing dog accessories, processing orders, emailing customers back, and reviewing social media posts the following day.

When did you decide to start your side hustle and where did the inspiration come from?

The Daily Moca is a project born in 2017 when I bought an industrial sewing machine off craigslist and ended up designing & making multiple mockups of dog neckwear for my pup, Moca. 

This project quickly turned into an obsession due to the fact that I couldn’t find a stylish, well-fitted, made to last accessory for my dog. I thought to myself, ‘I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one……...right?’ (or maybe I’m just dog obsessed…. ha!)

Tell us more about The Daily Moca:

The Daily Moca is dedicated to the furriest member of the family who shows us daily affection, loyalty, and unconditional love. We strive to not only create stylish, and well made dog neckwear to last, but to also create a happy place, and a happy bond between people & their best friends. Nothing makes me happier than to see photos of pup’s wearing our accessories celebrating milestones with their families.

“The struggle is real, and I don’t have the perfect balance. ”

How do you manage your full-time job and side hustle without burning out?

The struggle is real, and I don’t have the perfect balance. But what helps me is doing what I can, when I can while celebrating the small wins, like getting an order or seeing gorgeous photos of dogs wearing The Daily Moca accessories.

What are some of the challenges you've run into so far?

There are so many challenges and learnings to share but the one thing that resonates to me the most is maintaining my mind. All of a sudden when you start a business, anxiety, fear, and a lot of self-doubt creeps in. On the other hand, you have an outpouring of ideas that keeps you up late at night and fires your creativity to remind you why you started. It’s definitely a roller coaster ride.  

Tell us some of your future goals for 'The Daily Moca':

My short term goals are creating an amazing Fall collection launching September 2021 and revamping my online presence

My long term goals are to expand and add more product offerings such as dog coats, apparel, toys etc…

What advice do you have for others trying to juggle their 9-5 with their 5-9?

Find what works for you, keep going, keep showing up for yourself and daily goals.

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