Side Hustle Pro

This week we’re back for a very exciting update episode with Denise Woodard is the Founder and CEO of Partake Foods, the allergy-friendly packaged food company inspired by her daughter’s experience with food allergies. Created in 2016, Denise started the business by self-distributing cookies around NYC, eventually becoming a Certified B Corporation and raising millions of dollars in investment capital. 

In this episode she shares:

• Her strategies to getting investors interested, including big names like HER and Rihanna
• How she became the first Black woman to raise more than $1 Million publicly for a CPG food startup, accumulating more than $20M
• How she is continuing to inspire other entrepreneurs while growing her own business

Highlights include:

00:00 Intro

03:30 Partake’s rise to success

07:15 Raising capital with huge companies

14:50 Partnerships and rapid expansion

23:40 Managing personal finances in the start-up phase

29:06 Aligning with your true passions

38:21 Work-life balance

44:45 Tips for entrepreneurs

Check out episode 434 of Side Hustle Pro podcast out now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube 

Links mentioned in this episode

• Partake’s Website: www.partakefoods.com
• Partake’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/partakefoods/
• Denise’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denisegwoodard/ 
• Desnise’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denisegwoodard/ 
• Marcy Venture Partners: https://www.marcyvp.com/ 

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• Denise’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denisegwoodard/ 
• Desnise’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denisegwoodard/ 

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This week I sat down for a very inspiring chat with Mignon François, the #1 national best-selling author of Made from Scratch: Finding Success Without a Recipe, and founder of a multi-million dollar cupcake empire, The Cupcake Collection. 

In this episode she shares:

• Why having a great product and determination got her community to support her vision
• The different financial methods she used, like cash stuffing, to reinvest into her business and employees
• How she leveraged $5 and turned it into a legacy with over five million cupcakes sold 
• And much more, you don’t want to miss the gems she’s dropping!

Highlights include:

00:00 Intro

04:30 Learning to bake from grandma

10:53 The struggle to make ends meet

15:09 Turning $5 into $600

20:27 Humble beginnings

32:50 Low margins, high profit from day one

37:30 Benefits of profit sharing with employees

42:00 Scaling to $10,000 days

48:20 Tips for entrepreneurs 

Check out this episode of Side Hustle Pro podcast out now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube

Links mentioned in this episode

• The Cupcake Collection: https://www.thecupcakecollection.com/
• Made From Scratch Book: https://www.amazon.com/Made-Scratch-Finding-Success-Without/dp/B0BV7G8F7C 
• Mignon’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cte6fHBIlzO/ 
• The Cupcake Collection’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecupcakecollection/ 

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Join our Facebook Community

If you’re looking for a community of supportive side hustlers who are all working to take our businesses to the next level, join us here: http://sidehustlepro.co/facebook

Mignon’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cte6fHBIlzO/ 

The Cupcake Collection’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecupcakecollection/

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This week in the guest chair we’re taking it back to Donyale Walton, founder of Hoop Mobb, Home of the Hoop Earring. Coming from Flint, Michigan, Donyale made her way to New York to learn the business ropes and was inspired to pursue her own ventures. 

In this episode she shares:

• How she went outside of the box of where she’s from and gained unique skills by working in fashion 
• Her process of finding and working with the best manufacturers 
• How she’s able to build the best team and balance hiring family and friends 

Highlights include:

00:00 Intro

05:30 Getting her start in fashion

15:30 Determining a niche

24:50 Acquiring vendors and manufacturers 

30:53 Focusing on serving a community 

38:20 Profitability and hiring strategically 

49:09 Marketing and growth strategies

56:22 Tips for entrepreneurs  

Check out episode 432 of Side Hustle Pro podcast out now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube

Links mentioned in this episode

• The Hoop Mob Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehoopmobb/ 
• Hoop Mobb’s Website: https://hoopmobb.com/ 
• Hoop Mobb’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/685105618951748 
• Donyale’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donyalewalton/ 

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Join our Facebook Community

If you’re looking for a community of supportive side hustlers who are all working to take our businesses to the next level, join us here: http://sidehustlepro.co/facebook

The Hoop Mob Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehoopmobb/ 

Donyale’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donyalewalton/ 

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You’ve done your research, gathered your materials and you’re ready to launch your side hustle. Now what? Keep GOING. This is the time to reevaluate, regroup, and dig deeper. A lot of side hustlers who get to this point will start to lose the spark they had when they first started. In episode 431, I’m giving you the tips to keep that same energy and build your side hustle into a sustainable business. 

Tips shared include:

• How to affirm yourself to build confidence 
• The next steps to stay on track with your goals
• How to continue to find inspiration 

Highlights include:

00:00 Intro

04:00 Get down to business

05:30 Determine what your impactful tasks are

08:30 Get your schedule down

10:00 Affirm your journey

13:00 Time to get vulnerable

15:30 Find your calling

20:00 Limit outside opinions

I’m also hosting a live Side Hustle Bootcamp next week. Whether you’ve started your side hustle or are still trying to get it off the ground, this challenge is designed to help you get out of your head and into action. Go to sidehustlepro.co/bootcamp to sign up!

Check out episode 431 of Side Hustle Pro podcast out now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube 

Links mentioned in this episode

• My Old Blog 
• Wordpress Theme Detector
• Side Hustle Pro Bootcamp
• Podcast Moguls

Click here to subscribe via RSS feed (non-iTunes feed): http://sidehustlepro.libsyn.com/rss

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If you’re looking for a community of supportive side hustlers who are all working to take our businesses to the next level, join us here: http://sidehustlepro.co/facebook

Side Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro #SideHustlePro

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This week in the guest chair we have Vanessa James, the dynamic founder of Vanessa James Media. Known as "the voice you hear everywhere," Vanessa is a seasoned Caribbean voice-over actress whose captivating voice has graced numerous iconic brands, including Netflix, Amazon, and the new promo voice for the nationally syndicated "Tamron Hall" daytime talk show.

In this episode she shares about:

• How she uses her media company Vanessa James Media to advocate for diversity, inclusion, entrepreneurship, and creative collaboration
• The groundbreaking events she leads each year like Food, Wine, and Fete—an all-inclusive Soca experience celebrating Caribbean culture
• How she scaled Vanessa James Media from side hustle to a profitable business

Highlights include: 

00:00 Intro

04:30 Corporate roles and burnout

13:30 Side hustling in V.O.

18:00 Understanding the voiceover industry

22:50 Overcoming a stutter

27:30 Stabilizing income as a side hustler

33:30 Scaling a media business

39:11 Food, Wine and Fete

43:21 How to break into voice acting

49:55 Tips for entrepreneurs 

Check out episode 430 of Side Hustle Pro podcast out now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube

Links mentioned in this episode

• Vanessa James Media Website: https://www.vanessajamesmedia.com/  
• Vanessa’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vanessajamesmedia 
• Vanessa’s X: https://x.com/MsVanessaJames
• Vanessa’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-james-media/ 
• Reach TV: https://reachtv.com/ 
• Food, Wine, and Fete: https://foodwineandfete.com/ 

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Join our Facebook Community

If you’re looking for a community of supportive side hustlers who are all working to take our businesses to the next level, join us here: http://sidehustlepro.co/facebook

Website: Vanessa James Media: https://www.vanessajamesmedia.com/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vanessajamesmedia

X: https://x.com/MsVanessaJames 

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In this Flashback Friday episode, we’re taking it back to the steps to take when starting your side hustle, specifically how to test it out. All the research in the world can’t compare to actually launching and testing your side hustle out. This may feel like the hardest part, but don’t let perfectionism get in the way. You’ve already done all the prep work, now it’s time to see the fruit of your labors. You’ll learn the steps needed to launch the side hustle of your dreams.

In the episode I discuss:

• How to put yourself out there and get your side hustle recognized as a brand
• What platforms you’ll need to set up 
• How to be brave and just start

Highlights include: 

00:00 Intro

03:22 Naming your podcast

05:00 Importance of domain names and websites

09:30 The starting elements 

12:30 Refine your starting steps

15:30 Block out the noise

The Side Hustle Bootcamp is designed to help busy, multi-passionate professionals just like you discover your perfect side hustle and get it up and running. Join us over at sidehustlepro.co/bootcamp

Check out episode 429 of Side Hustle Pro podcast out now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube

Links mentioned in this episode

• My old blog: https://cailakspeaks.com/ 
• Wordpress Theme Detector: https://www.wpthemedetector.com/
• Side Hustle Pro Bootcamp: https://sidehustlepro.co/bootcamp 
• Podcast Moguls: http://podcastmoguls.com/join

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If you’re looking for a community of supportive side hustlers who are all working to take our businesses to the next level, join us here: http://sidehustlepro.co/facebook

Side Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro

#SideHustlePro

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This week in the guest chair I have Philomina Kane, Ghanaian-American entrepreneur and content creator. In 2017, she graduated from Princeton University and began to cement herself as a haircare YouTuber. Garnering a following of nearly 200,000 subscribers, Philomina became a guiding force, empowering Black women to embrace and care for their natural hair. After building a strong brand and loyal following, Philomina founded KIN Apparel, a brand dedicated to crafting satin lined hoodies and hats for both hair protection and comfort. 

In this episode she shares about:

• How the innovative approach of KIN Apparel caught the attention of Shark Tank landed a six-figure deal with SKIM’s founding partner Emma Grede
• Her desire-driven approach to marketing and how leading with offering a solution to a problem has hooked her audience 
• Reaching over $10M in revenue while continuously navigating challenges like fulfillment centers and a changing financial landscape

Highlights include: 

00:00 Intro

03:15 From the Bronx to Ghana

07:30 Building a following on YouTube

14:50 Founding KIN Apparel

20:00 Transition to full-time entrepreneurship

27:00 Benefits of vulnerable marketing

32:00 Financial journey- grants and funding

41:00 Navigating the changing financial landscape

44:00 Shark Tank experience 

47:00 Challenges with fulfillment centers

57:00 Tips for entrepreneurs 

Links mentioned in this episode

• KIN Apparel: https://kinapparel.org/ 
• KIN Apparel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinapparel_/?hl=en 
• LEDA Program: https://ledascholars.org/ 
• Science of Black Hair: https://www.amazon.com/Science-Black-Hair-Comprehensive-Textured/dp/0984518428 
• Hello Alice: https://helloalice.com/ 
• Black Ambition: https://blackambitionprize.com/ 
• New Voices: https://newvoicesfoundation.org/ 

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Join our Facebook Community

If you’re looking for a community of supportive side hustlers who are all working to take our businesses to the next level, join us here: http://sidehustlepro.co/facebook

• Philomina’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@naturallyphilo 
• Philomina’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cs3xy3wpZ-d/?img_index=1 
• Philomina’s TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@naturallyphilo_ 

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So, you’ve figured out the side hustle you want to pursue. Now what’s the next step? Hint: It’s finding your audience.

I’m not talking about just anyone who might come across your side hustle, I’m talking about the specific person who needs and wants what you’re offering! It’s time to get creative and identify who it is you’re talking to, and I’ve got a roadmap to help you do so. This episode is part two of the Side Hustle Pro Bootcamp series, where I teach you how to start your side hustle. 

In this episode we discuss:

• How to identify your customer/audience by understanding their habits
• The benefits of getting hyper-specific in your research 
• How to reach out to the customer you identify as your target audience\

Highlights include:

00:00 Intro

01:57 Identify target audience 

06:12 Writing out your target listener attributes

12:30 Get on the phone with potential audience

17:30 Secondary audience’

Check out episode 427 of Side Hustle Pro podcast out now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube

Links mentioned in this episode

• Side Hustle Pro Bootcamp: https://sidehustlepro.co/bootcamp
• Podcast Moguls: https://www.sidehustlepro.co/podcast-moguls/

Click here to subscribe via RSS feed (non-iTunes feed): http://sidehustlepro.libsyn.com/rss

Join our Facebook Community

If you’re looking for a community of supportive side hustlers who are all working to take our businesses to the next level, join us here: http://sidehustlepro.co/facebook

Side Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro

#SideHustlePro

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This week in the guest chair we have Tricia Lee, powerhouse real estate broker, star of Netflix’s Owning Manhattan, and founder and leader of the highly talented Tricia Lee Team at Serhant. 

Tricia sold over $200M in her solo career before joining Serhant and simultaneously joining forces with her partner, Jeffrey St. Arromand. Through the power of partnership, authenticity, and personal branding, Tricia has become a household name in real estate and media.

In this episode, Tricia shares:

• How she successfully managed the pivot from beauty to real estate and television 
• Why she makes it a point to share her journey while also marketing her business
• How content creation has helped her close real estate deals
• How she has stayed true to herself and blocked out opinions, jobs, and people who don’t align with her goals
• And so much more!

Highlights Include:

00:00 Intro 

03:14 Discovering identity

13:00 Navigating real estate

16:50 Polish Bar success

23:08 Transferring skills from previous industries

34:19 Navigating real estate and running a business

40:48 Building confidence through successful selling

50:00 Personal branding through authenticity 

1:00:00 Power of partnership

1:11:00 Tips for entrepreneurs 

Check out episode 426 of Side Hustle Pro podcast out now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube

Links mentioned in this episode

• Tricia’s Website: https://serhant.com/agents/tricia-lee-riley 
• Tricia’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovetricialee/?hl=en 
• Team Tricia Lee: https://serhant.com/agents/tricia-lee-riley 
• Bed-Stuy Restoration: https://www.restorationplaza.org/ 

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Join our Facebook Community

If you’re looking for a community of supportive side hustlers who are all working to take our businesses to the next level, join us here: http://sidehustlepro.co/facebook

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If you’re still struggling to discover your perfect side hustle, you’re not alone. It’s because you’re good at more than one thing. But here’s a tip: just because you enjoy something, doesn’t mean it needs to be your side hustle! Let’s get into how to take all of your many ideas, and truly determine if it’s the best side hustle for you.

In this episode we discuss: 

• Taking my revenue streams to the next level with one-on-one coaching
• How marketing advice may be holding you back, and how to figure out what works for your side hustle 
• Discovering the power of charging what I’m worth, and how I shifted my mindset to get there

Check out this episode and others on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and watch on YouTube 

Links mentioned in this episode

• Bootcamp: https://sidehustlepro.co/bootcamp
• Sample Poll: https://sidehustlepro.co/poll

Affiliate Disclosure: I may be an affiliate for products that I recommend or share. If you purchase those items through my links, I may earn a commission. You will not pay more when you purchase using my link.

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If you’re looking for a community of supportive side hustlers who are all working to take our businesses to the next level, join us here: http://sidehustlepro.co/facebook

Side Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro

#SideHustlePro

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