What does it take to design a business around what truly makes you happy?

For Vienna Hintze, it started with a love of flowers, a vintage truck, and a desire for in-person connections.

Vienna shares how she left behind corporate America and a successful remote marketing agency to launch Main Street Flower Truck, a side hustle turned full-time business that’s as creative as it is inspiring.

From staging events like pop ups, weddings, corporate gatherings, and even a Gwen Stefani album release, to overcoming mindset struggles and managing the challenges of working with perishable products, Vienna’s journey offers valuable insights for any aspiring entrepreneur.

She opens up about the learning curve of starting her business, embracing trial and error, and the numbers behind making it work.

Do you like what you're hearing? Consider giving it a caffeinated thumbs up. We'd really appreciate it!

Need a little (and sometimes big) push to start and stay focused to grow your side hustle? Dive into my online Masterclass: How To Turn Your Thoughts Into Wanted Things.

For the full show notes head on over to the home of Side Hustle Hero. https://www.sidehustlehero.com/130

Connect with Vienna:

Main Street Flower Truck

Instagram

YouTube

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About Joan

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Tell us about your side hustle success story!

Ever thought about hosting a virtual event—like a webinar, masterclass, or 3- to 5-day challenge—to grow your side hustle?

In this episode, returning guest Melissa Ng, co-founder of Amprofy and Launcher’s Academy, breaks down the numbers you need to know:

• how many people to invite,
• how many will actually show up, and
• how many are likely to buy.

These insights helped Melissa scale her business from six figures to over $1 million in annual sales, turning her side hustle into a thriving full-time venture.

Melissa also shares how her team uses social media to generate leads—and how she leans on AI, particularly ChatGPT, to streamline her content strategy. She even reveals her go-to AI prompt, which I’ve tested myself and found incredibly useful. You can find the full version of her prompt in the show notes, ready for you to copy and customize.

If you’re looking for a clear, actionable roadmap to hosting virtual events, and leveraging AI to produce for you a detailed Social Media Content Strategy Plan, this episode is packed with tips and insights to help you level up.

Do you like what you're hearing? Consider giving it a caffeinated thumbs up. We'd really appreciate it!

Need a little (and sometimes big) push to start and stay focused to grow your side hustle? Dive into my online Masterclass: How To Turn Your Thoughts Into Wanted Things.

For the full show notes and Melissa's go-to social media prompt for AI, head on over to the episode page at Side Hustle Hero. https://www.sidehustlehero.com/129

To Connect with Melissa:

LinkedIn

Instagram

Connect with Joan:

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About Joan

Be on the show!

Tell us about your side hustle success story!

Looking for the perfect side hustle to start in 2025?

This episode of Side Hustle Hero highlights the Top 10 Side Hustles that are accessible, scalable, and proven to generate real results. From AI-driven vending machines and co-hosting short-term rentals to selling on Amazon and organizing photos, these ideas are practical and ready for you to dive into.

We’ve pulled insights from some of the most successful side hustlers featured on the podcast this year, with an eye to what’s trending into 2025. Whether you’re looking for a low-cost way to get started, a flexible schedule, or a way to scale your income, this list has something for everyone.

Here’s what you’ll discover:

• Side hustles that fit into your busy schedule
• Real-world examples and tips from entrepreneurs who’ve made it work
• Tools and strategies to set yourself up for success

No fluff, no gimmicks—just real, actionable ideas to help you launch and grow your side hustle in 2025. Tune in and get inspired to take the first step toward your side hustle goals!

Remember to follow the show for more tips and strategies to build your dream side hustle.

Do you like what you're hearing? Consider giving it a caffeinated thumbs up. We'd really appreciate it!

Need a little (and sometimes big) push to start and stay focused to grow your side hustle? Dive into my online Masterclass: How To Turn Your Thoughts Into Wanted Things.

For the full show notes head on over to the home of Side Hustle Hero. https://www.sidehustlehero.com/128

Connect with Joan:

Instagram

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About Joan

Be on the show!

Tell us about your side hustle success story!

Imagine selling popular brand-name products on Amazon without the hassle of manufacturing, creating detailed product pages, or taking professional photos. Instead, you leverage the existing demand and marketing efforts of others.

Welcome to the world of making money with Amazon Wholesale.

Corey Gamin explains how it all works.

He’s built his now 7-figure Amazon wholesale business from the ground up, starting as a side hustle before leaving his corporate software sales job to go full-time. In our conversation, he shares:

• How to Break Into Wholesale: Actionable tips and a ready-to-use script to help new sellers be taken seriously when reaching out for the first time to manufacturers and distributors.
• The Affordable Software Stack: To analyze product performance, calculate profitability, and choose from millions of potential products.
• Valuable Tips for Beginners: Including revealing mistakes he’s made along the way, and how to spread your investment across multiple products to reduce risk, and
• How To Simulate Buying Decisions: Before spending a dime on inventory.

Do you like what you're hearing? Consider giving it a caffeinated thumbs up. We'd really appreciate it!

Need a little (and sometimes big) push to start and stay focused to grow your side hustle? Dive into my online Masterclass: How To Turn Your Thoughts Into Wanted Things.

For the full show notes and all the links Corey mentions, head on over to the home of Side Hustle Hero. https://www.sidehustlehero.com/127

Connect with Corey:

The Amazon Wholesale Podcast  (Apple)

The Amazon Wholesale Podcast, Episode 76 with Sean Kaupp (Spotify)

Connect with Joan:

Instagram

Facebook

About Joan

Be on the show!

Tell us about your side hustle success story!

What if you could turn your weekends and your love of music into a highly profitable side hustle?

In this episode, we’re joined by a financial planner who built a thriving wedding DJ business, earning up to $95,000 annually—all while keeping his full-time job. Discover how he strategically chose weddings to maximize single-day earnings, avoiding the burnout of multiple evening gigs.

You’ll learn:

• Why weddings are a lucrative niche for DJs seeking high income per hour.
• The essential gear to get started without breaking the bank.
• How smart rentals can keep startup costs low.
• Clear strategies to make the right connections that lead to booking gigs.
• How to price your services.
• What Ross does to nail the client experience - resulting in a biz that now runs solely on referrals.  
• Actionable tips for any aspiring DJ.

His story is a testament to taking control of one's life and turning a hobby into a thriving business.

Do you like what you're hearing? Consider giving it a caffeinated thumbs up. We'd really appreciate it!

Need a little (and sometimes big) push to start and stay focused to grow your side hustle? Dive into my online Masterclass: How To Turn Your Thoughts Into Wanted Things.

For the full show notes head on over to the home of Side Hustle Hero. https://www.sidehustlehero.com/

Connect with Ross:

Bela Sono Music IG

Check Your Balances Podcast

Connect with Joan:

Instagram

Facebook

About Joan

Be on the show!

Tell us about your side hustle success story!

How do you grow a creative side hustle into a thriving business with over 12,000 sales? 

Megan Walsh answers that in today’s episode.

She has built her 6-figure Etsy store selling aromatic wall décor and collectables, while working as a nurse and managing the demands of a family and everyday life.

You’ll hear;

• How Megan prices her products to ensure she gets paid for her time,
• Why you should sometimes remove a product from your listings,
• How to deal with copycats who are stealing your images, and
• Tips for balancing a demanding career, family responsibilities, and a thriving side hustle.

While Megan juggles her side hustle with nursing and family responsibilities, she’s refreshingly honest about the moments of burnout and what she does to keep that at a minimum.

Do you like what you're hearing? Consider giving it a caffeinated thumbs up. We'd really appreciate it!

Need a little (and sometimes big) push to start and stay focused to grow your side hustle? Dive into my online Masterclass: How To Turn Your Thoughts Into Wanted Things.

For the full show notes head on over to the home of Side Hustle Hero. https://www.sidehustlehero.com/125

Connect with Megan:

Megan's Menagerie Etsy Store

Her Instagram

Connect with Joan:

Instagram

Facebook

About Joan

Be on the show!

Tell us about your side hustle success story!

Whether you’re just launching your side hustle or scaling it to new heights, challenges are an inevitable part of the journey.

What if there was a way to tackle any problem with confidence and ease?

In this episode we dive into a two-part game-changing mindset shift that will help you navigate obstacles like a pro.

You’ll hear inspiring stories—including one that involves finding my keys in a way that still makes me laugh—and learn practical, actionable strategies to apply these mindset shifts in your own life.

Whether you’re dealing with a major business challenge or a minor everyday hiccup, these approaches will empower you to find solutions faster and with less stress.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to shift your focus from the problem to the solution—and why this is the first step to success.
• The power of reframing your thinking to uncover hidden opportunities and fresh ideas.
• How these mindset shifts can make even the toughest challenges feel manageable.
• A simple trick to tap into your intuition and creativity when you feel stuck.

By the end of this short episode, you’ll have a practical framework to approach challenges with confidence and clarity, no matter how daunting they may seem.

Do you like what you're hearing? Consider giving it a caffeinated thumbs up. We'd really appreciate it!

Need a little (and sometimes big) push to start and stay focused to grow your side hustle? Dive into my online Masterclass: How To Turn Your Thoughts Into Wanted Things.

For the full show notes head on over to the home of Side Hustle Hero. https://www.sidehustlehero.com/124

Here's the link to the Side Hustle Hero Survey that was mentioned. It shouldn't take more than about 15 seconds! THANK YOU so very much for your feedback. https://www.sidehustlehero.com/survey

Connect with Joan:

Instagram

Facebook

About Joan

Be on the show!

Tell us about your side hustle success story!

What if you could create an association around your side hustle that not only supports your growth but positions you as a leader in your niche?

In this thought-provoking episode, Cathi Nelson shares how she turned her photo organizing side hustle into a six-figure business and then went a step further—creating an association that now connects and supports over 700 paying members worldwide.

Cathi walks us through;

• how she got the idea to start her association,
• the first steps she took to bring it to life, and
• how she grew it into a thriving global membership.

Her story is a masterclass in using an association as a tool to build community, expand credibility, and create new income streams.

Be sure to stick around after our conversation, where I’ll share key considerations to help you decide if creating an association, membership community, or a hybrid of the two could be the perfect addition to your side hustle strategy.

Do you like what you're hearing? Consider giving it a caffeinated thumbs up. We'd really appreciate it!

Need a little (and sometimes big) push to start and stay focused to grow your side hustle? Dive into my online Masterclass: How To Turn Your Thoughts Into Wanted Things.

For the full show notes head on over to the home of Side Hustle Hero. https://www.sidehustlehero.com/123

Connect with Cathi:

The Photo Managers Website

Remember, you'll receive 20% by using code SPO20 at checkout on your first membership payment.

Connect with Joan:

Instagram

Facebook

About Joan

Be on the show!

Tell us about your side hustle success story!

I’ve got photos scattered everywhere—on my desktop, laptop, phone, Dropbox, the cloud, and who knows how many memory sticks.

Can you relate?

Probably. As it turns out, I’m not alone. A lot of people find themselves in this same situation, and get this, they’d pay someone to clean it all up! And therein lies a side hustle opportunity.

Cathi Nelson is a pioneer in this field of photo organizing and management, having built a business that helps people take control of their scattered photo collections - digital as well as the physical paper ones - and keepsakes in general.

In this episode, you’ll discover

• the multiple revenue streams,
• how to price a job (including for someone like me!),
• actionable tips for starting and growing this side hustle, and
• advice on where and how to find clients.

We’re talking about working with people’s treasured keepsakes so it would be personally fulfilling as well as financially rewarding.

Do you like what you're hearing? Consider giving it a caffeinated thumbs up. We'd really appreciate it!

Need a little (and sometimes big) push to start and stay focused to grow your side hustle? Dive into my online Masterclass: How To Turn Your Thoughts Into Wanted Things.

For the full show notes head on over to the home of Side Hustle Hero. https://www.sidehustlehero.com/122

Connect with Cathi:

The Photo Managers Website

Remember, you'll receive 20% by using code SPO20 at checkout on your first membership payment.

Identify Ideal Clients pdf

Connect with Joan:

Instagram

Facebook

About Joan

Be on the show!

Tell us about your side hustle success story!

Ever wondered what it takes to land a deal with the top retailers nationwide?

Today, Juliana VanLaanen, co-founder of 2 Mama Bees, pulls back the curtain. Just five years ago, she and her best friend, Samantha, started a backyard Etsy shop selling handmade window boxes and refurbished playhouses.

Fast forward, and now their playhouses are available in over 110 retail locations and major online platforms—including Target, Walmart, and Saks Fifth Avenue, plus seasonally at FAO Schwarz.

In this Part 2 of our conversation, Juliana dives into her experience at Walmart’s Open Call, an event where sellers pitch directly to buyers, and she shares;

• her top tips for landing that game-changing invitation,
• the best places to get your product noticed online,
• her strategy for negotiating exclusivity, and
• why breaking into stores like Costco, with its almost four-year buying cycle, is a long game that’s worth the wait.

Do you like what you're hearing? Consider giving it a caffeinated thumbs up. We'd really appreciate it!

Need a little (and sometimes big) push to start and stay focused to grow your side hustle? Dive into my online Masterclass: How To Turn Your Thoughts Into Wanted Things.

For the full show notes head on over to the home of Side Hustle Hero. https://www.sidehustlehero.com/121

Connect with Juliana:

2MamaBees website

Remember, you'll receive 20% at check out with code: HERO20

Connect with Joan:

Instagram

Facebook

About Joan

Be on the show!

Tell us about your side hustle success story!