Employee To Boss: Entrepreneurship, Side Hustles, and Business Growth Tips from Experts

Let me tell you a story... I love traveling, but when it comes to finding a hotel, I tend to be cheap! In my most recent trip to Portland, I was in charge of booking the room, and within 10 minutes of checking in, the place was so scary I had to check right out.

I know I am not alone on that, so I invited my friend Angela Saint-Yl, onto the Employee To Boss podcast. Angie is a travel planner who gives others the resources they need to plan an amazing trip. She equips you with the tools to make bucket list travel a reality & do it on repeat!

After five years of solo travel and a wealth of growth along the way, Angela Saint-Yl is now channeling her knowledge into her new role of being a DIY Travel Mentor. The hallmark of what she does is equip and empower women with the tools to be able to make their travel dreams a reality and live their best lives. Travel has is something that she believes everybody should be able to access and feel the amazing impact of so she works to be said bridge of access.

When Angie was in college, she hated the thought of having to wait until she was “retired” or “established” to take the amazing trips she dreamed of. Through trial and error, she learned how to DIY her own trips. With each trip, she grew so much and met so many people. She created a rinse and repeat cycle to create her own travel itineraries.

We talk about niche marketing - how she finds her clients. Finding her real market was so so important since the travel agency is so big.

We also talk about the importance of growing a business from a niche passion. If you have a niche passion that you want to monetize but aren't sure if it's “worth it” this episode is for you. As Angie says, believe in yourself! There will always be doubters, but if you have an undeniable belief and know that you can help people, you got this.

“You don’t have to wait for someone else to do something for you, you have the power within yourself to go out, travel, plan your itineraries, and have life-changing experiences.”


In this episode:
- How Angie built her business from her passion
- How she empowers others to travel, especially solo travel
- Niche marketing tips
- How she grew her niche business


Action steps:
1. For business: Do your market research to help you craft your offer
2. For travel: Plan your accommodations first
3. For self: Go out there and take the leap. The worst thing you can do is wait for the “perfect opportunity” to start your business or travel.



Connect with Angie:
https://www.instagram.com/theflexitariantravels/
https://theflexitariandigest.xyz/links/

Connect with me, Hayleigh Hayhurst:
Free Resources: https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/resources
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/espressopodcastproduction/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/espressogrowth
Website: https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/
Music: John Kiernan. www.johnkiernanmusic.com

Does social media feel like just another annoying thing you just “have to do” for your business? You’re not alone, this episode will simplify it!

If you are needing to upgrade your social media game, or want to be a social media manager, this episode is for you!

In this episode, I chat with Nicole Chua, a Social Media Manager from the Philippines that specializes in Instagram and Facebook Group Management. She helps women entrepreneurs & coaches with content creation & strategy, hashtag research, organic engagement growth + lead generation, and reels idea and editing.

After graduating college, Nicole was working 3 9-5 jobs before having her own Social Media Agency (Nicnac Socials). She had planned to go get her MBA in Taiwan, but due to the pandemic, she started her online business and fell in love with it!

If you want to be a social media manager, Nicole says that before you start doing it independently, gain some experience from working under an agency. As she said, the Master Was Once A Beginner!

We talk about how to find your target audience and about what you need to post on social media, starting with sharing valuable information since that's why people follow you!

This episode is full of a lot of transparency about starting your business, your income will fluctuate, not everything will work out, but if you plan it with a strategy, things will work out.


In this episode:
- The importance of defining your social media brand
- How to start a social media agency
- The transparency behind becoming a full-time entrepreneur


Action steps:
1. Check your finances to see if it can support you while you are building your business.
2. Research the entrepreneurial life. See if you are ready!
3. Take action now. Don’t wait for the perfect time to start your business, because there will never be a “perfect time”

Connect with Nicole Chua:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/socialmediamanager_nicole/


Connect with me, Hayleigh Hayhurst:
Free Resources: https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/resources
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/espressopodcastproduction/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/espressogrowth
Website: https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/

Music: John Kiernan. www.johnkiernanmusic.com

As entrepreneurs, selling our products and services sometimes feels like we are selling ourselves. And when we don’t land that sale, it can feel like a direct rejection of us. This is a lesson that can take months, years or even decades to learn!

In today’s episode, I speak with Jonathan Schmitz, a sales coach, consultant, and corporate sales trainer based out of Houston, Texas. After a 10 year, Hall of Fame career in direct sales with the Cutco Corporation and Vector Marketing, he now helps others grow and scale their sales processes sustainably, and in a way that prevents long-term burnout and turnover.

We talk about the emotional distinction between yourself and your product. Because rejection is just a part of sales.

We talk about scheduling fun. Each week, plan around the things that make you the happiest because it makes YOU happy, but also gives you the power to say no to the things that will not push you forward.

Reward yourself along the way. Life is too short to grind for 20+ years.

He teaches his clients to schedule through a methodology called Big Rock, Small Rock, Sand. This is one of the most beautiful analyses I have ever heard because it is game-changing! No matter how busy you are, there is always time for a beer with a friend. This analogy will really help you decide what is making you happy, what is pushing you forward, and what holds you back. Scheduling is everything.


In this episode:
- How to plan in life for what matters
- How to reach your goals by scheduling for success
- How to prioritize yourself

Your Challenge this week:
1. Start scheduling to succeed.
2. Be 1% better today than you were yesterday. Give yourself grace.
3. Stop comparing your year 1 to someone else’s year 30.


Connect with Jonathan Schmitz:
Website: https://myleadershiplegacy.com/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MyLeadershipLegacy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itstheschmitz/


Connect with me, Hayleigh Hayhurst:
Free Resources: https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/resources
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/espressopodcastproduction/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/espressogrowth
Website: https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/

Music: John Kiernan. www.johnkiernanmusic.com

In this solo episode, I share my favorite tips on how to start a podcast. If your goal is to start a podcast in 2022, this is the episode for you.

When you google “How To Start A Podcast” you are going to find A LOT of information… and honestly, too much information.

This episode lays out what you actually NEED to do to start a podcast...

You can find the checklist here: https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/resources

If you have questions, let’s connect! I am launching a course to help you start a successful podcast, be the first to know when it launches by joining the course waitlist: https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/courses

I also can do this for you if prioritize easy, simple, and professional. You can send me an email [email protected] to set this up!


Connect with me, Hayleigh Hayhurst:

Free Resources: https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/resources
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/espressopodcastproduction/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/espressogrowth
Website: https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/

Music: John Kiernan. www.johnkiernanmusic.com

Happy New Year, Boss!!

If you’re anything like me, a lot of your new year’s resolutions orbit around money. For years all I did to understand money was ask friends, family, and the internet, and was not met with any clear answers. So in 2021, I decided to take matters into my own hands and look for a Money Coach… and then I met Sophia White, owner of The Balanced Budget LLC.

Sophia, money coach and bookkeeper, literally changed my financial life. When I began working with her, I wanted to create plans for my personal finances, but throughout her 8-week program, we did so much more. We worked on investing, opening my LLC, setting up a business bank account, understanding how to save for taxes, saving for retirement and so much more!

I invited Sophia on to the show because a lot of aspiring entrepreneurs are held back by the money aspect of leaving their job, investing in their business, etc. If your roadblock is money, there is a way for you to figure it out.

Sophia is a wife, a mom of 2 toddlers, has a 9-5 and does her side hustle as well #BOSS. We talk about how she is passionate and all-in on her side hustle even without it being her full-time job.

One of the most important things that Sophia and I figured out for my business was setting up my LLC and understanding taxes. As an employee, usually, your taxes are automatically taken out for you, but as an entrepreneur, you have to figure it all out by yourself.

Luckily, when I went to Sophia for help, I was debt-free, but she helps a lot of her clients get out of debt. Her #1 tip for people with debt is to crunch the numbers.

Topics in this episode:
- Starting a business
- Building up your side hustle
- Taking control of your finances
- Ending the Money Stigma

Your Challenge this week:
1. Look at your income and expenses to figure out where your money is going.
2. Figure out how much you can invest and save.
3. Set goals for yourself and your business.

Connect with Sophia:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebalancedbudgetllc/

Connect with me, Hayleigh Hayhurst:
Free Resources: https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/resources
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/espressopodcastproduction/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/espressogrowth
Website: https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/

Music: John Kiernan. www.johnkiernanmusic.com

With in-person networking starting up again, you may be wondering… how the heck do I effectively do this!? Look no further, because, in this episode, I am speaking with Mary Grace Yniguez, the owner of Social Register Network.

Mary Grace is a natural connector. She helps business owners connect and build a network that will grow and scale their businesses. The Social Register Network is a Business Networking Organization Exclusively for the Decision Makers, Business Owners, Professionals, and Entrepreneurs. *Use Code Hayleigh for a free Virtual Speed Networking session!*

All of us network almost every day, in school, at work, at the coffee shops, going out to eat...

Mary Grace was a teen mom, and at the beginning, she had no community or support. She knew that it would have been so helpful and less alone if she had a network, or community around teen moms to support each other.

She was in her 9-5 before getting into the Social Register, and once she connected with the previous owner, she was very interested in the event portion of networking. She became the COO and quickly say how networking was amazing for business, and how rapidly they were able to grow their business once they began networking.

In 2020, right before the pandemic, she bought The Social Register. She had to get creative and switch from in-person to online.

Her advice to you: You need to be authentic. Be yourself.
She gives tips on how to network effectively, such as wanting to create a human-to-human connection rather than just seeking your next sale.

We talk about LinkedIn, the LinkedIn atmosphere, and how to be successful on LinkedIn by having a strategy behind it.

They have chapters in Las Vegas, DC,
Opening soon: Orange County and Seattle, Nashville, Texas, and Arizona

Your Challenge this week:
1. Dig into your mindset
2. If you are not comfortable with meeting new people, start networking with your close circle, like your family, friends, neighbors, teachers. Tell them what you do so they can support you.
3. Look into a local networking event, or network with one person a day online


Virtual Speed Networking for free use code "Hayleigh"

Connect with Mary Grace:
Mary Grace’s LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/marygraceyniguez/
Social Register’s Website: https://socialregister.com/
Social Register’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/social-register-network/



Connect with me, Hayleigh Hayhurst:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/espressopodcastproduction/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/espressogrowth
Website: https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/

Music: John Kiernan. www.johnkiernanmusic.com

Starting a business and doing it full-time can be so convoluted. There is so much unknown, and man oh man, should we even address the “advice” (likely unwelcomed) that you may receive.

In this episode, I speak with Ashleigh Chanel, founder of Make Your Mark Consulting, about how she helps make business owners' lives easier by building the foundation of their business and that will lead to them making money. We also talk about lead magnets, what works and what does not work, and how to use them as the first thing you can do to grow your business.

Ashleigh is your friendly, virtual, neighborhood Marketing Genie here to make all of your marketing dreams come true. Her goal is to help business owners market profitably through innovation, creativity, action, and implementing strategic digital media strategies that transform their business.She has been in marketing for over 11.5 years and has consistently added monthly 5 and 6 figure revenue to her client's top-line through organic and paid advertising.

Ashleigh Chanel’s coming to entrepreneurship journey is amazing.

Traveling is a big priority for Ashleigh, and we dive into how you can still travel as a full-time entrepreneur and make money because I know… Taking time off as an entrepreneur can feel very guilty.

She was a high achieving student in college and got her MBA in marketing from St. John's University where she studies on the Rome campus. She knew she wanted to make more money with an MBA to support her expensive taste and habits! (as a Taurus, I deeply relate to this).

We talk about the importance of building REAL relationships and not just trying to make sales. Ashleigh is exceptional with customer experience because she takes the time to understand her audience on a real and personal level (even how their business is affecting their sex life. Yes, that personal!!)

Topics in this episode:
Using ads and funnels to grow your business
Making time for the things you love
The importance of networking and building relationships
How to get your prospects from point A to point B-U-Y

Your Challenge this week:
Save your money and invest in the stock market
Invest in a coach - Do not struggle if you do not have to “the hustle is for the birds”
Take action and show up by connecting with others - show off your values - If people don't know who you are they cannot buy from you
PS… please spell people's names correctly! As Ashleigh, and I (Hayleigh) can attest, ITS RUDE!!

Connect with Ashleigh:
[TAKE THE QUIZ] Best Funnel For Your Business: https://yourfunnelfix.com/welcome/
Make Your Mark Consulting Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MYMMarketingConsulting/
Ashleigh’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleighchanel/


Connect with me, Hayleigh Hayhurst:
Book a free podcast audit with me: https://calendly.com/hayleighhayhurst/free-strategy-session
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/espressopodcastproduction/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/espressogrowth
Website: https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/

Music: John Kiernan. www.johnkiernanmusic.com

Knowledge is power, and that is what this episode is all about. This week’s guest is Gordon Firemark, The Podcast Lawyer! He has been practicing media, entertainment, and business law since 1992.

I cannot tell you how many times people have come to me with legal questions, and I have the same answer every time… Go talk to Gordon!!

He is the host of a monthly podcast called “Entertainment Law Update” that has been running for 13 years. Talk about a podcasting pioneer!

When Gordon first started his podcast and business, he was looking for reliable resources about the law pertaining to podcasting and found nothing, so he wrote a book called “The Podcast, Blog & New Media Producer's Legal Survival Guide”.

Through writing this book, he became an expert in the field and started helping other podcasters stay on the legal straight and narrow to protect their assets.

He is also “The Theater Lawyer”. While the pandemic shut down movies and in-person theater events, podcasts popped up everywhere, so he was covered because he is in two niches. He dives deep into *why* you should niche down and how it *does* help you!

Gordon’s clients are business owners, podcast hosts, and small podcast networks. As a creative, you need to protect what you are working so hard for. So many entrepreneurs think about investing in a business coach, mindset coach, money coach, but are you protecting what you are working so hard for? Or are you waiting until you NEED a lawyer, and at that point, it is probably too late.

Building a business is like building a house, solidifying your structure. In that structure, you should cover the legal aspects and get a lawyer on your team. You should have contracts, client onboarding, and a strong understanding of who owns what, in terms of creativity, especially intellectual property if you have freelancers or a team working with you.

Here is the order: build your structure, create your content, build the fence aka get a trademark

Topics in this episode:
Niching down as a lawyer
The Laws that apply to podcasting
How to protect yourself
How to Trademark your business
Gordon’s Free Podcast Release Form, built to protect you


Your Challenge this week:
Think Legit, have the right and professional mindset from the beginning.
Plan Legit, create a business plan, and plan for roadblocks and hurdles.
Behave Legit, behave like a professional, like getting your legal stuff in order, get your contracts, and act like a business.

Connect with Gordon Firemark:
Podcast Release Form: https://www.gordonfiremark.com/PodcastRelease
Guest Release Form: https://www.gordonfiremark.com/guestrelease
Gordon Firemark’s Website: https://www.gordonfiremark.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gfiremark
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gordonfiremark/
The Podcast, Blog & New Media Producer's Legal Survival Guide: https://www.amazon.com/Podcast-Media-Producers-Survival-paperback/dp/1387057596

Connect with me, Hayleigh Hayhurst:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/espressopodcastproduction/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/espressogrowth
Website:

Feeling lost about your purpose? Do you feel like you aren’t aligned with your actual dreams?

If you ask me, the best place to start your business is by facing the fears bouncing around your head. If you want to start your own business and find your purpose, this episode is for you.

Beate Sifkovits is an award-winning business mindset and founder of ALL BOSS. She works with people who want to start and grow a passion-driven business that they absolutely love. Because let’s be honest, the fear of failure or not making enough money is what holds a lot of us back from following our passions. We just stay in an unfulfilling job for the money. Like that job is your old crusty sugar daddy!

Beate practices what she preaches because she was once in a position of trying to find her true passion in life. She found herself thinking “What do I want to be when I grow up?” even though she was in a high-flying corporate career in marketing in global organizations such as Kellogg’s and Bacardi, leading brands like Grey Goose & Bombay Sapphire, she finally recognized her purpose and true passion and left her corporate job to build a business that will make a difference in people’s lives.

Her job was fun and she loved the perks, but it just didn’t feel quite right to her.

She spent 10-15 years reading the books, watching the videos, and doing the exercises to figure out what her purpose was, but what encouraged her to actually take action was a 1-day workshop called “Shape Your Carrer”. It was all about finding your purpose and deciding your legacy. This was a pivotal point for her. She wanted to help others.

She is now doing just that with her 5 Step Passion-Driven Business Blueprint! The main thing, you can imagine what your life will look like, but if your mindset is not right, you won’t see any changes. We talk deeply about goal setting, and how Beate writes down her goals daily. She has learned to let go of her negative thoughts and take control of her positive thoughts. YOU are in control of your life, your thoughts and your progress. You are powerful.

There have been highs and lows, but she knew she was on the right path. She knew she found her purpose and mission and she knew she had to make it work.

Beate just hosted an online event called the “Passion To Profit Summit”. It is all about inspiring people to start their passion-driven businesses. Imagine running your own passion-driven business that gives you all the amazing clients, freedom, abundance, and fulfillment you have ever wanted… It may sound impossible, but others have done it, so why can’t you?

Topics in this episode:
Figuring out what your purpose is and doing more things that bring you joy
Goal Setting
Mindset work around leaving your job and trusting yourself
She walks us through her 5 Step Passion-Driven Business Blueprint


Your Challenge this week:
Write down the ideas that pop into your mind, and do something about it
Find an expert to talk to who is doing what you want to do
Attend the Passion To Profit Summit, or other summits in your ideal industry


Connect with Beate:
Website: https://www.allboss.me/
Get the Passion-Driven Business Blueprint: https://www.passiondrivenbusinessblueprint.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beatesifkovits/

Connect with me, Hayleigh Hayhurst:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/espressopodcastproduction/
Facebook Group:

Entrepreneurship doesn't have to be a lonely road anymore.

This week’s guests (and the first guests on the Employee To Boss Podcast!!!!) are Teri and Sarah, founders of Females Who Side Hustle, a community for like-minded motivated females to connect, feel support, and gain resources. Their mission is to create a space for meaningful connections through open conversations and shared experiences.

In this episode, we talk all about the struggles that entrepreneurs face, how to tell your friends and family about your side hustle, and how to get brand partnerships!

Why is there such a shame about having a side hustle? Having a side hustle should not be a hush-hush situation. It can literally feel scarier to tell your boss or your mom about your side hustle than telling a random stranger on the internet.

Just because you have a side hustle does not mean that you want to leave your job (most of the time) you just have different cups to fill.

The vibes between Sarah and Teri are unreal and they have such a cool “coming together” story. Not only are they are 10 years apart in age, but Sarah was also once Teri’s post-grad student. Once the duo became colleagues, they really connected and decided to start a business.

Teri started her first side hustle 10+ years ago and after being on maternity leave, she felt super alone in business. She wanted a partner-in-side hustle, reached out to Sarah, and after a coffee date, Females Who Side Hustle was born. They both wanted something more than just their 9-5. They wanted to express themselves creatively and wanted to create a space for women to build their network across industries and find conversations that inspire them along the way.

The goal is to bring more females to the table, ditch competition, and encourage all to lift each other up and collaborate. While normalizing the struggles entrepreneurs face in doing it
all between business and life.

You should tell people about your side hustle, it is impressive.

They started with just a few hundred followers, and since their launch in 2019, they have grown to a community of over 10k, organically!


Topics in this episode:
Comparison is death to your business
How to find a business partner
How to tell people about your side hustle because it can be scary
How to get brand partnerships

Your Challenge this week:
Just start - get that Instagram, get that email address
Be consistent and just go with the flow including the ups and downs
Lead with your side hustle. When someone asks you want you to do, lead with what you are passionate about





Connect with Teri and Sarah:
Website: https://www.femaleswhosidehustle.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/femaleswhosidehustle/
Save Her Seat podcast: https://www.instagram.com/saveherseat/



Connect with me, Hayleigh Hayhurst:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/espressopodcastproduction/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/espressogrowth
Website: https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/

Music: John Kiernan. www.johnkiernanmusic.com