42-year-old yacht captain’s side hustle brings in $124,000 a year: ‘It’s the easiest, simplest thing to do’

Kelly Gordon used to avoid social media. Now, her side hustle depends on it.

The 42-year-old Indiana native is a full-time superyacht captain for “ultra-high net worth” people, she says, currently helming a client’s 108-foot boat based in Palm Beach, Florida. She joined Facebook and Instagram in 2019, only to keep in touch with her two siblings.

She posted videos about her day-to-day life — travels, boating tips, mental health — and was surprised to see them gain popularity among users she didn’t know. Traction led to monetization opportunities: The business of Captain Kelly J. Gordon brought in $124,000 in revenue last year, according to documents reviewed by CNBC Make It.