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

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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!

Want to stop chasing one-off gigs and start building predictable, recurring income?

John MacAdam reveals how.

He built his side hustle over 15 years while working full-time as an engineer — and eventually used it to launch a successful solo business.

You can follow John’s lead after hearing how he:

• Shifted from hourly rates to value-based pricing — and tripled his income
• Turned a $6K one-off project into a $5K/month retainer (still active 2+ years later)
• Positions himself as a trusted advisor, not just a task-doer
• Uses simple systems to build long-term client loyalty
• Turned early failures — like a “your app sucks” review — into growth and momentum

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/153

Connect with John:

LinkedIn

John's Book - Sustainable Self Employment: Taking The Leap

Connect with Joan:

Instagram

Facebook

About Joan

Be on the show!

Tell us about your side hustle success story!

Can you really turn a $200 roadside stand into a six-figure seasonal business? Shannon reveals how.

In this episode, she describes how she scaled a humble fruit stand into a multi-state operation generating up to $250,000 a month, all while keeping startup costs low and her values local.

Whether you're looking for a low-risk weekend side hustle or a scalable seasonal business, in this episode, you’ll discover:

• How to start a roadside or fruit stand with as little as $200
• Where to source your produce—even if you’re not a grower
• What makes a stand visually irresistible to drive-by customers
• Tips for finding high-traffic, low-cost selling locations
• Why accepting credit cards can 2x your sales
• Creative ways to sell leftover or overripe inventory
• How Shannon tapped into “hyperlocal marketing” to beat big-box stores
• What kind of profit a beginner can realistically expect

If you've been craving a side hustle that’s simple, scalable, and outdoors, check out this episode.

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/152

Connect with Shannon:

Instagram

Website

Connect with Joan:

Instagram

Facebook

About Joan

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Tell us about your side hustle success story!

Which side hustle episodes did listeners and viewers love the most this past year?

In this 3-year celebration of Side Hustle Hero, host Joan Posivy reveals the top 9 most loved episodes - as chosen by audience downloads, watch time, comments, feedback, and heaps of analytics across all major podcast apps and YouTube.

One episode took the #1 spot on both platforms (hint: AI vending machines), but after that, listener and viewer favorites went in very different directions.

This recap features top episodes on everything from:

• Starting a sound bath business
• Becoming an Amazon Influencer
• Making faceless viral videos
• Hosting profitable craft workshops
• Mystery shopping for real income
• Renting out luxury restroom trailers … and more.

Discover what made these episodes stand out, and which one you might’ve missed that could inspire your next move.

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/151

Connect with Joan:

Instagram

Facebook

About Joan

Be on the show!

Tell us about your side hustle success story!

What if the teen in your life could build confidence, real-world skills, and earn income—all before turning 18?

In this episode, I sit down with Renee and Jonathan Harris, parents of nine kids, many of whom have already launched their own side hustles. We talk about how they’ve guided their kids to discover what they’re naturally good at, take ownership of their learning, and turn those interests into cash flow.

Whether you’re a parent, mentor, aunt, uncle, grandparent, or simply someone who cares about helping teens thrive, this conversation is full of honest, practical insight.

You’ll learn:

• How to recognize the difference between a teen’s interest and their underlying skill set
• Why starting within the household is often the best first step
• What to do when your teen receives no feedback—or negative feedback—on their efforts
• How to normalize both the hard seasons and the wins of entrepreneurship
• Why serving others is the key to turning a hobby into a 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/150

Connect with Renee & Jonathan:

Parent Their Passion Website

Facebook

Instagram

Connect with Joan:

Instagram

Facebook

About Joan

Be on the show!

Tell us about your side hustle success story!

Most people think making money and making a difference are two separate paths—but what if your side hustle could do both?

In this episode, I chat with Andrew Hall, co-founder of Mealshare, a nonprofit that began as a side hustle and eventually delivered over 1 million meals per year to youth in need.

We cover:

• How Andrew launched Mealshare for less than $100
• The difference between nonprofits, charities, and for-profits—and how to choose the right model
• How a side hustle can scale into a full-time mission with real income
• His newest venture, No Story Lost, which helps families preserve loved ones’ life stories
• What it was like to pitch on Dragons’ Den (Canada’s version of Shark Tank)

So if you’ve ever wondered whether you can build something that more than pays the bills and does good in the world, tune in for some how-to answers.

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/149

Connect with Andrew:

No Story Lost website

Connect with Joan:

Instagram

Facebook

About Joan

Be on the show!

Tell us about your side hustle success story!

Struggling to grow your service-based side hustle?

You’re not alone - and you don’t have to stay stuck.

In this episode, fitness coach Dustin Pedersen shares strategies that helped him go from a $2K/month side hustle to consistently earning $20K/month. Whether you're a coach, consultant, or creative, you’ll hear tips to:

• Attract more clients without relying on word of mouth
• Structure your offer for recurring revenue
• Avoid the most common mistakes service providers make
• Use simple marketing tactics that actually work (even with a small audience)
• Build systems that scale—without sacrificing your time or sanity

Plus, we wrap up the conversation with Dustin sharing his top productivity and wellness tips for busy entrepreneurs—so you can grow your business and take care of your health.

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/148

Connect with Dustin:

Unorthodox Personal Training - website

Instagram

Connect with Joan:

Instagram

Facebook

About Joan

Be on the show!

Tell us about your side hustle success story!