We would need to talk but I evaluate this question - what can I do on the side - by looking at the extremes first to set the parameters. So, for example, ideating or building a product in your garage is clearly fine and getting paid cash for selling something that you created is clearly not. But in between these two extremes there are gray areas. So, for example, is creating something and posting it publicly problematic if people start using and sharing it at no cost? That seems fine, right? What if there's a cost to using this product but the cost is simply to cover and only to cover administrative costs? And does it matter if this is all associated with an individual or with a company created by an individual? And what if this creation is only accessible and used by those outside the US? There definitely are grey areas and potential arguments to be made to allow for certain seeming work-related activities.