A teenager who once worked supermarket shifts has swung into an unexpected career bringing smiles to children while earning far more than he ever did behind the checkout.
Nate Frindall, 19, from Surrey, discovered his unusual opportunity three years ago after attending a screening of a Spider-Man film dressed as the web-slinging hero.
When he walked into the cinema in costume, the crowd erupted in applause. Encouraged by the audience, Nate performed a backflip and the reaction convinced him he might be onto something special.
After telling his parents about the experience, he decided to turn the moment into a business. Investing more than £800 in a high-quality suit, he launched a freelance superhero entertainment service for children’s parties and local events.
The response has been overwhelming.
“I absolutely love doing it,” Nate said. “Seeing kids so happy when I turn up and surprise them makes it all worth it.”
The side hustle has proven financially rewarding as well. While he once earned £12.40 an hour at the supermarket, Nate now charges £75 for a 30-minute appearance, £150 for an hour, and up to £300 for a two-hour party package complete with games and photos.
With bookings filling most weekends, especially during busy months, the young entertainer says the investment in his costume has more than paid off.
Because of the suit’s realism and Nate’s energetic performances that include backflips and hand-walking many children truly believe the real Spider-Man has arrived at their celebration.
“They get a huge shock,” he laughed.
To keep the show fresh, Nate has since purchased two additional suits and promotes his business at community events and through local social media groups.
Beyond the superhero gigs, he’s also exploring creative passions, including music production, acting as a background performer, and making comedy videos with cousins on TikTok, where they’ve built a growing following.
For Nate, the experience has taught him an important lesson he now shares with other young people: don’t be afraid to chase a creative idea.
“I would 100 percent recommend starting a side hustle,” he said.
Sometimes, all it takes is a costume, a little courage and the willingness to leap into something new.