Side projects can be a great way for businesses and individuals to uncover new interests, promote divergent thinking, and potentially take their life in an unexpected direction. However, they require time, money, and motivation to succeed. Successful side project creators share seven common "ingredients" that contribute to the success of their projects, including finding something that sits between what you enjoy and skills you want to build, treating your side project as experiments, pitching yourself, charging for your work, finding partners and collaborators, being okay with failure, and keeping your day job. By following these ingredients, individuals can increase their chances of building a successful side project that brings value and meaning to their life.