Business idea · Marketplace

Mystery Shopping App (Field Agent)

Mystery Shopping App (Field Agent) is a platform that allows users to perform mystery shopping tasks or product display checks at local stores for small payments. It was pitched on The Side Hustle Show, hosted by Nick Loper, in the episode "30 Ways to Make Extra Money for the Holidays (Greatest Hits)" (aired November 12, 2026).

At a glance

Mystery Shopping App (Field Agent) at a glance
PodcastThe Side Hustle Show
Hosted byNick Loper
Episode30 Ways to Make Extra Money for the Holidays (Greatest Hits)
AiredNovember 12, 2026
CategoryMarketplace
Real companies on the episodeNeighbor, Instacart, Fetch Rewards, Rover, Field Agent, Shopify

The problem it solves

It provides an easy way for individuals to make extra money by completing simple tasks while running errands.

How it makes money

Freemium model where users earn money for completed tasks, with potential for premium features.

Skills you need

Attention to detail, ability to follow instructions, and basic organizational skills.

The market, and why this works now

Retail Dive's recent survey highlights a surge in consumer interest in personalized shopping experiences, making a mystery shopping app timely. The first revenue move could involve partnering with local retailers to offer exclusive tasks through the Shopify App Store, where businesses can list their needs for product checks. A key constraint in the first year will be managing customer acquisition costs, as attracting users to complete tasks may require significant marketing investment before seeing a return.

Our analysis, written after the episode. Not a quote from the show.

Real companies discussed on this episode

  • Neighbor

    A peer-to-peer storage platform where users can rent out space in their homes for others to store items.

  • Instacart

    A grocery delivery service that allows users to order groceries online for delivery to their homes.

  • Fetch Rewards

    A mobile application that allows users to earn points by scanning grocery receipts, which can be redeemed for gift cards.

  • Rover

    An online marketplace for pet sitting and dog walking services.

  • Field Agent

    A mystery shopping and product display checking app that allows users to earn money for completing tasks in their local area.

  • Shopify

    A commerce platform that enables users to create online stores with pre-built templates and an AI site builder.

Where this idea came from

Podcast: The Side Hustle Show, hosted by Nick Loper

Episode: 30 Ways to Make Extra Money for the Holidays (Greatest Hits)

Aired:

Summarized from the episode transcript. The show does not say which speaker raised each idea, so we credit the show, not a person.

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What to do next

  1. Listen to the episode. "30 Ways to Make Extra Money for the Holidays (Greatest Hits)" on The Side Hustle Show
  2. Study a real company from the episode: Neighbor
  3. Find an idea that fits your budget, hours and skills
  4. See every idea from this episode
  5. Compare it with a similar idea: Hobbyist Community Platforms

19 more ideas and case studies from this episode

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