How I Made $117K A Year Cooking Jamaican Food | On The Side

Helena Faustin, 35, cares for babies born with congenital heart disease as a registered nurse in New York City. On the side, she cooks and shares traditional Jamaican recipes on social media @thatnursecancook. Juggling work at the hospital while raising two kids of her own, Helena decided to do something for herself and took her passion for food to the next level. In 2021, she made over $117,000 from her side hustle and says she’s just getting started.

About CNBC Make It.: CNBC Make It. is a new section of CNBC dedicated to making you smarter about managing your business, career, and money.

Connect with CNBC Make It. Online

#CNBC
#CNBCMakeIt

How I Made $117,000/Year Cooking Jamaican Food | On The Side

[investedfemelle]

And of that $117k she had to pay no salary, no extensive business cost.
Being a Nurse alone is lucrative!
Girl you are an inspiration 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[gerryo]

I can't wait to show this to my older sister. We're Guyanese and she is an RN who went to culinary school she is an amazing chef she's just nervous about starting her business. I hope this inspires her. I can completely relate to this video. I'm in BK right now!

[SisiYemmieTV]

She’s done so well for herself! ❤️🍾 happy to see this feature.

[Chrissieb.rackett]

If my child were in the NICU, this is who I want taking care of them. She has such a calming presence and warm energy. Love her!

[farfromacurse]

I’ve been following her for a while now & I can attest that her recipes are legit!!! Absolutely love her!

[suppntlkbout]

"She didn't have the patience to teach me" like every Jamaican mom 😂

[DebraJohnson]

I really like seeing someone with a traditional career slowly growing her side hustle. Seems more realistic. And that food looks amazing!

[Snowballbuilder]

Love seeing someone that has both "9-5" and a business. So often the story is success in one or the other. Rarely does anyone say you can do both.

[moyaondemand]

As a Jamaican, I am so proud of her and her achievements. So inspiring for me as someone who wishes to have a successful YouTube channel some day. What she said about monetizing your talents spoke to me! 🙏🏾👍🤗

[AlexWilliams-qfrp]

Yes, Yes...I had just started a home cooking business when the pandemic hit, two weeks later my mom, suffered a stroke. Everything went on hold. Your story, has given me renewed spirit to start again. Thanks and all the best.

[portiamarriott]

Absolutely love and admire Helena. Her husband Greg, and her children, Ti-Greg, and Aria are hilarious and are superstars in the making. Her Instagram following has exploded to just under $500k so I would expect her to double her 2021 income this year. The sky is the limit for her. Her personality and that of her family are the secret weapons to her success. We love her cooking, but it’s her authenticity that draws us in. I am so proud of you. Keep soaring and representing our culture with such flair.

[AndyPalTV]

As a first gen, love this story! Rooting for her success to grow!

[sophiaatn]

Black women always work so hard, I'm so proud of her. I love Jamaican food too

[NurseLisa]

So inspiring! I am first generation of Jamaican parents as well and I'm so thankful how I was raised. I wish her all the success from one fellow nurse to another. Keep shining!

[lolsmileyface]

This woman is amazing. The same pride she takes cooking, I can imagine those children, fortunate to have her as their nurse . Thank You for Your Service .

[chrissiec]

This warmed my heart as a first-gen Jamaican myself. All the feels! 🥰 I even stood up and started clapping for her while watching this video!😂😁

[ChrissyTooPrissy]

I love about this!
Hands down relatable as a first generation 🇯🇲 who come from a family of nurses. Nurses are the real MVPs!
All the best to you and I’m happy to see it ❤️

[bumboklaattv]

Finally a Jamaican make it. Thank you CNBC

[marvinbrown]

Loved this, especially the last part of creating this as a means "to take back control" of her life. I, too, have a side hustle, and the beautify of doing it, wasn't because I needed extra income, but more out of a passion. I love my day job, and will keep continuing to do it. Congrats Helena!

[favourazah]

Your videos have helped me reach over $200, 000 in stocks by age 23! Thanks CNBC Make It. Keep the videos coming. 👍🏽