My name is Henry and I currently make up to ₽40,000 across all the business hustles I’m running in Moscow. Here’s what a week in my life looks like:
Monday
As I wake up to the sound of my alarm, I can feel the Monday tiredness already sinking in. But as a hustler in Moscow, I can’t afford to wallow in my misery for too long. I need to get up and get going. I freshen up quickly and head out to my first gig of the day- teaching English to a Russian family.
The family got interested in my skills after I helped them with some translations a few weeks ago. Their children are being homeschooled so I get to add an English lesson at the beginning of the week.
It’s my first time teaching English, but I’m determined to make a good impression. I arrive at their apartment and I’m greeted warmly by the family. I spend the next few hours teaching them basic grammar and vocabulary, and I’m pleasantly surprised by their progress.
I got paid about ₽2000 per hour— which is not too bad for a beginner like me.
After finishing up with my English class, I head out to Moscow city to meet some customers and sell some Nigerian delicacies.
I’ve been doing this for a few months now, and I’ve built up a small customer base. Today, I’m selling jollof rice, fried plantains, and some spicy chicken stew.
As I go about making my deliveries, I meet some new customers who want to know what the food is and where it’s from. I smile and tell them about the deliciousness of Nigerian cuisine. Before I know it, I’ve sold out for the day.
Tuesday
I wake up feeling energized and ready to tackle the day. Today, I have a meeting with a potential business partner. We’ve been discussing the how to import Nigerian fabrics to Russia, and he needs someone to help him navigate the Nigerian market.
That’s where I come in. I’ve lived in Nigeria for most of my life, and I know the market inside out. I’ve also called a few tailors I know to help us sew some ready-made ones from Nigeria. These things sell really well in Russia.
I arrive at the meeting spot early, as I always do. The man shows up a few minutes later, and we sit down to discuss business.
He seems impressed with my knowledge of the Nigerian market, and we agree to work together. It’s a huge relief to have another source of income, especially in a foreign country where I don’t have many connections.
In the afternoon, I head out to a nearby park to play some soccer with our group of players here in Moscow. It’s a nice break from the hustle and bustle of the city, and it’s a chance to connect with my fellow countrymen. We play for a few hours, and I feel refreshed.
Wednesday
Today is a big day for me- I have an interview with a major Russian corporation. The job is for a customer service representative, and I’m nervous but excited. I’ve been practicing my Russian for weeks now, and I’m ready to show off my skills.
The interview goes well, and I’m offered the job on the spot. I’m ecstatic. It’s a well-paying job with benefits, and it will provide some much-needed stability in my life. I head out of the building with a huge grin on my face, feeling like I’ve hit the jackpot.
Thursday
Today, I have a day off from work. I decide to use the time to explore the city a little. I visit the Red Square and the Kremlin. I take plenty of pictures to send back home to my family and post on Instagram for my fans.
In the evening, I meet up with some Nigerian friends at a fast food restaurant. We order some good food and catch up on each other’s lives. It’s always nice to have a sense of community in a foreign land.
Friday:
It’s another day at my customer service work, but I’m feeling grateful for the job. The day goes by smoothly.
I didn’t have to do much today. I just take some calls and submit my reports. I also relax and catch up on some movies in the afternoon.
Later in the evening, I check Avito and hh.ru to see if there are any extra English teaching vacancies I can apply for.
I’m always happy to meet students who are eager to learn and improve their English skills, and it feels great to be able to help them and make money at the same time.
Saturday
I woke up to a beautiful sunny day, feeling grateful for everything I have achieved so far. I had a meeting scheduled with a potential student, a Russian university student who was looking for someone to speak English with him once a week. I prepared myself, and headed to the meeting spot.
We met in a local coffee shop and started talking about his school work and what he wanted to achieve with the language. We went over some grammar rules and I showed him some of my pictures from Nigeria, which we joked about.
We agreed on the terms of the classes and that’s how I got another job for ₽1000 per hour, which made me excited.
Sunday
Sunday was a day of rest for me. I spent the day at home, catching up on some much-needed sleep, and calling my family and friends from Nigeria.
I also spent some time reflecting on the past week and planning for the week ahead. I felt grateful for everything that had happened and excited for what the future holds.
In conclusion, life as a hustler in Moscow is not always easy, but it is definitely exciting.
With hard work, determination, and a positive attitude, anything is possible. I am grateful for the opportunities that I have been given and will continue to strive for success in everything that I do.
Now to you, what do you do to make money for yourself in Russia?
