My first freelance website paid for my car payment for 6 months

I work as a software engineer full-time, but started taking on small website projects on the side when a dentist in my Jamaat mentioned they needed a new website. I built them a clean WordPress site over two weekends and charged $1,200. They referred me to three other small businesses in the community. I wasn't actively marketing — just doing good work and word spread. My rule: never take a project unless I can complete it in 3 weekends. I keep a list of 2–3 interested clients at any time and fit them in when I have availability. I've made between $1,000–2,500 every month for the past year without burning out.