What happens when you walk away from the family business to chase an idea of your own?

Jason VanDevere did exactly that, and grew his planner idea to a six figures business. Here in Part 1, he shares how the Goal Crazy Planner went from rough draft, to a product that has gained real traction.

You’ll learn:

• How he set up zero-cost focus groups
• Simple ways to recruit testers for free
• His launch & traction strategy
• How he went from idea to 6-figures

If you’re building something tangible and want real-world ways to test it, launch it, and get those first waves of customers, here Jason shares how.

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/163

Connect with Jason:

Goal Crazy website

His book, Dream Driven

Connect with Joan:

Instagram

Facebook

About Joan

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Tell us about your side hustle success story!

What if you trained yourself to see side hustle opportunities everywhere?

Bart Merrill, author of Monetize Your Mindset, is wired to always ask: “Can I monetize this?” That single question has led him to side hustles as varied as exporting trucks to Japan, building a successful dog training business, and even creating income from life’s toughest setbacks.

You’ll discover:

• The question that can help you spot hidden opportunities
• Why diversifying income streams builds security and flexibility
• How to reframe setbacks into launching pads instead of roadblocks
• Bart’s Acres of Pig Poop story, a modern twist on Acres of Diamonds, that shows how opportunities can be hiding in plain sight

So to  sharpen your “opportunity radar” and find ways to monetize what you already know or do, this episode will point you in the right direction.

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/162

Connect with Bart

Website

Bart's side hustle ideas for 2025

Connect with Joan:

Instagram

Facebook

About Joan

Be on the show!

Tell us about your side hustle success story!

Can a simple printable really become a six-figure side hustle?

Becky Beach proves it can. Starting with just one product on Etsy, Becky has grown her digital downloads business into more than $100K a year, and that’s just from printables.

Becky walks us through the entire process step by step - from getting your first idea, to researching demand and competition, to creating the product itself, and finally how to drive traffic on both Etsy and Shopify.

You’ll also learn:

• How to stand out in a crowded Etsy marketplace
• The surprising printable that became her top seller
• Smart tools to spot trending products before you create them
• Do’s and don’ts when working with Canva templates
• Why persistence is the real key to growth

Whether you’re looking for your very first income stream or want to add a new digital product to your lineup, Becky’s story will show you what’s possible ... and how to get started.

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 links to sites mentioned: $100K Selling Printables on Etsy & Shopify

Connect with Becky:

Becky's Website

Connect with Joan:

Instagram

Facebook

About Joan

Be on the show!

Tell us about your side hustle success story!

Save time. Make progress faster.

Here Joan shares five ready-to-use ChatGPT-5 prompts you can try tonight to save hours each week and move your side hustle forward, without working more hours.

You’ll hear real examples, tips to get the most from GPT-5, and how to avoid common pitfalls.

Here’s what’s inside:

• Opportunity Radar – Spot quick wins without months of testing
• Rapid Repackage – Turn one piece of content into a month’s worth of posts
• Time Trader Analyzer – Free up billable hours by delegating the right tasks
• Test Market in a Box – Pressure test your idea before you build
• On-Demand Micro Mentor – Get an expert-level growth plan instantly

Whether you’re running an Etsy shop, coaching clients, or launching a new service, these prompts are your shortcut to faster wins, less busywork, and the firepower to stand toe-to-toe with bigger competitors.

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/160

Connect with Joan:

Instagram

Facebook

About Joan

Be on the show!

Tell us about your side hustle success story!

Welcome to a rebroadcast of a popular episode featuring Jonathan Schuit, who makes a comfortable living selling popcorn… just one day a week.

But this episode isn’t just about popcorn - it’s about smart business thinking, small changes that lead to big wins, and spotting opportunities hiding in plain sight.

Whether you're already running a side hustle or just looking for one that works, Jonathan shares insights you can apply to almost any business.

You’ll discover,

• How Jonathan turned a teenage side gig into a high-profit business
• The small pricing change that boosted revenue by 50% overnight
• Why fewer options can lead to more sales
• The psychology behind lineups, product pricing, and buyer behavior
• What most farmers’ market vendors get wrong
• Why simple, low-cost businesses (like snow cones!) can outperform “cooler” jobs
• The real-life numbers behind a one-day-a-week business model

Stick around after the main interview for a bonus convo on how a snow cone stand could pull in $20K in five days… ..and the margins? Seriously impressive.

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/159

Be sure to sign up to our Side Hustle Hero community to grab a copy of my 28-page guide, called, Smart Start: From Idea to It’s Live in 7 Steps. It walks you through the core things to focus on, including a checklist of 8 essentials you need to launch. The guide is free for now...but not forever.  

Connect with Joan:

Instagram

Facebook

About Joan

Be on the show!

Tell us about your side hustle success story!

Debra Erickson lost her vision — but definitely not her drive.

What started as a side hustle has blossomed into a full-time mission: The Blind Kitchen - a thriving business that sells adaptive kitchen tools and teaches blind and vision-impaired people how to cook safely, confidently, and independently.

Debra shares the inspiring journey of how she transitioned from student to teacher to entrepreneur, and how she built a business with impact, despite the obstacles.

From attending a regular culinary school as a blind student, to sourcing and testing dozens of tools, to launching an accessible e-commerce site, Debra has done what many only dream of.

But this isn’t just a story of perseverance, it’s packed with insights for anyone building a business. You’ll learn:

• Tips for juggling a side hustle alongside full-time work
• Why delegating and building a team can unlock growth
• How to market to a niche audience and build trust
• And how to stay motivated on the hard days

If you’re in the early stages of your side hustle or wondering if you have what it takes, this episode will leave you thinking: if she can do it, I can too.

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.

Be sure to grab a copy of my 28-page guide, called, Smart Start: From Idea to It’s Live in 7 Steps. It walks you through the core things to focus on, including a checklist of 8 essentials you need to launch. It’s free for now at Side Hustle Hero but not forever.

For the full show notes head on over to the home of Side Hustle Hero. https://www.sidehustlehero.com/158

Connect with Debra:

The Blind Kitchen Website

Instagram

Facebook

Connect with Joan:

Instagram

Facebook

About Joan

Be on the show!

Tell us about your side hustle success story!

Ever thought about launching your own beverage brand?

It might sound like a far-fetched idea, but after hearing this conversation with Dr. Roger Wu, you might just find yourself thinking, “Hey… maybe I could do this.”

Roger shares how he turned a recurring problem he saw in his patients into an innovative eye-health drink. He walks us through how he went from an idea in his head to a finished product in hand, while still working his day job.

You’ll learn:

• What a formulation lab is and why it’s a key early step
• How he found a startup-friendly co-packer willing to take a chance (and it's name!)
• What kind of budget you might need to go from concept to first batch
• The often-overlooked costs involved in getting your product noticed
• What he did when his first samples tasted so bad even his kids refused them
• How he attracted a top beverage industry veteran to join his startup

Then in the wrap up, I share a true, inspiring story of how one 18-year-old with no funding, managed to get his jam product onto the shelves of a major grocery chain.

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.

Have you grabbed my 28-page guide, Smart Start: From Idea to It’s Live in 7 Steps, A Beginner's Guide to Launching Your Side Hustle With Confidence? If it's still free, you'll find it at our website. It's your complete roadmap to finally launching your side hustle.

For the full show notes head on over to the home of Side Hustle Hero. https://www.sidehustlehero.com/157

Connect with Roger:

LinkedIn

The Eye Drink Website

Connect with Joan:

Instagram

Facebook

About Joan

Be on the show!

Tell us about your side hustle success story!

Ever feel like you’re the one standing in your own way?

This episode dives deep into the mental blocks and hidden habits that silently sabotage your side hustle, often before it even begins. If you’ve ever hesitated to start, stalled out after launching, or pulled back right when things were getting good… this one's for you.

You’ll discover:

• Why self-sabotage isn’t a flaw — it’s conditioning
• The 3 key stages where it sneaks in and how to spot it
• What imposter syndrome, hesitation, and “being too busy” have in common
• Practical strategies to break the cycle and move forward with confidence
• A surprising (and empowering) truth about how your subconscious actually runs the show

Plus: You’ll hear how to get free access to my 28-page guide, Smart Start: From Idea to It’s Live in 7 Steps, A Beginner's Guide to Launching Your Side Hustle With Confidence.

You’re not stuck because you’re unmotivated — you’re stuck because you’re human. But once you see what’s happening, you can change everything.

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/156

Connect with Joan:

Instagram

Facebook

About Joan

Be on the show!

Tell us about your side hustle success story!

Want a flexible side hustle you can do from anywhere? (Even if you don’t think you have the “right” skills?)

Today we break down how to start as a virtual assistant, even if you’ve never worked online before.

You’ll hear from VA coach Laura Nicole Jennings, who shares:

• What services are most in demand right now
• How to identify skills you already have that clients will pay for
• How much you can realistically earn in your first 3–6 months
• Where and how to find your first paying client
• What AI is not replacing — and why VA work is still in demand
• The difference between hourly and retainer contracts
• Who pays for what when it comes to software and subscriptions
• How to build recurring income with built-in compensation reviews

If you’re looking for a part-time income stream with full-time flexibility — or you’re just VA-curious — this episode is packed with practical insights to help you explore the option.

Free Resource! Grab my 28-page guide, Smart Start: From Idea to It’s Live in 7 Steps, at Side Hustle Hero. It's your complete roadmap to launching your side hustle with confidence.

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/155

Connect with Laura:

Instagram

Connect with Joan:

Instagram

Facebook

About Joan

Be on the show!

Tell us about your side hustle success story!

Can you really start a side hustle while traveling — and run it from thousands of miles away? David Schafran did.

What began as a one-month salsa sabbatical in Colombia turned into a passion-fueled income stream. David shares how he went from health tech founder in Boston to launching Somoloco, a remote-friendly dance immersion business — all while keeping things lean and intentional.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to build a side hustle while living abroad (or just working remotely)
• Why you don’t need to “go big” to get started
• How David tested his idea with a simple prototype
• The marketing strategies that helped him grow — including paid ads, partnerships, and influencer collabs
• Why strong relationships are crucial to running a side hustle from another city or country

Whether you’re thinking of building something creative, travel-based, or just want extra income on your terms, this episode shows you what’s possible.

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/154

Connect with David:

Instagram

Somoloco website

Connect with Joan:

Instagram

Facebook

About Joan

Be on the show!

Tell us about your side hustle success story!