Sanjana Grover, a PhD student in the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences turns her passion into a profitable side hustle business
For Sanjana Grover, a PhD student in the Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science in the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, the world of biological systems and chemical equations is second nature.
But when it came to the world of business and building her side hustle, it felt a little more daunting.
"I come from a science background," Sanjana explains. "When you think of starting a business or doing something of your own, it gets a little bit overwhelming."
Sanjana was already a seasoned freelancer, having built a diverse portfolio that included tutoring biology and chemistry, creating content for edtech companies, and writing blogs for biotech firms.
Yet, like many aspiring entrepreneurs, she found herself held back by a common misconception: the idea that you must know everything before you even begin.
She had the passion and ideas, but she found herself stalled at the most critical stage, unsure of the next step in her execution.
That changed when she discovered the Stu Clark Centre's How to Start a Side Hustle course. A six-week virtual course available to University of Manitoba students, faculty, staff, and alumni who want to turn their passion project ideas into profitable side-hustle businesses.
After completing the six-week virtual course, Sanjana received exactly what she was looking for: a clear roadmap to bridge the gap between a great idea and a functioning side hustle business.
"My favorite part of the side hustle course was being a part of the course and getting the opportunity to receive one-on-one guidance and support," she says.
The course taught her how to sketch out a business plan and strategize her next steps, proving that you don't need a business degree to be a successful founder. As a result of this, Sanjana has been able to serve more students in her tutoring business, increasing demand and revenue for the future.
More importantly, it shifted her mindset from fear to action. "You start and you learn in the process," she reflected.
For Sanjana, the program's impact extended far beyond her starting a business. It was the positive influence her side hustle began to have on her professional journey, expanding her network, building her confidence, and helping her build an identity she didn't have before.
Whether she is performing experiments, tutoring young students, or working in the lab, Sanjana has proven that no matter what your background, you can be successful in building and launching a side hustle.
Open to University of Manitoba students, faculty, staff, and alumni, this six-week virtual course is your opportunity to bring your passion project to life.
In the Asper MBA program, students from any faculty are welcome to advance their career by learning strategic thinking, entrepreneurship, and leadership.
Domestic applications are open until May 1, 2026.
At UM, we encourage life-long curiosity while providing tools – inside and outside the classroom – to succeed in a rapidly changing world. Empowering learners is one of the strategic themes you’ll find in MomentUM: Leading change together, the University of Manitoba’s 2024–2029 strategic plan.
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