Side Hustle Pro

This episode we’re getting a masterclass from The Toy Coach herself, Azhelle Wade. At first second-guessing herself, Azhelle eventually found confidence in her talent, leading to her working for big toy companies like Mattel and Toys R Us. She's climbed up and across the ladder in the toy world, starting out as a designer, later gaining 3 toy patents, and eventually becoming a VP at a toy company. Her online course, Toy Creators Academy empowers newbies in the toy industry with step-by-step  guidance, downloadable worksheets, and group coaching.

In this episode she shares about:

• Choosing between the corporate path vs inventor path vs entrepreneur path in the toy industry

• How she found her niche of coaching toy makers while also pursuing her own toy aspirations

• The success she has found in marketing through her podcast Making It In the Toy Industry and maintaining an Evergreen model for her courses

Highlights include:

04:14 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

06:56 Understanding the Different Paths in the Toy Industry

08:40 The Transition from Corporate to Entrepreneurship

17:15 The Benefits of Having a Podcast

25:05 What Sets The Toy Coach Apart

32:25 The Stress of Running a Hands-On Course

34:47 The Strategy of the Evergreen Model & Seasonal Webinars

40:20 The Importance of Promoting Your Course

46:25 The Strategy of Targeting Local Stores First

53:20 The Challenges and Opportunities of B2B Consulting

55:48 Advice for Side Hustlers Transitioning to Full-Time Entrepreneurs

Check out episode 384 of Side Hustle Pro podcast out now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube

This episode is brought to you by: 

HubSpot Podcast Network- The audio destination for business professionals with content designed to help you listen, learn, and grow. Listen to Side Hustle Pro and more shows on the HubSpot Podcast Network, at https://www.hubspot.com/podcastnetwork. 

Gusto offers modern, easy payroll, benefits, and HR to small businesses across the country. Sign up and give it a try at gusto.com/shp.

Links mentioned in this episode

• Azhelle’s Website: Website: https://www.thetoycoach.com/ 

• Azhelle’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetoycoach/ 

• Afro Unicorn SHP Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlAld_Fcwso 

• Easy Webinar: https://easywebinar.com/ 

• Amy Porterfield: https://www.amyporterfield.com/amy-porterfield-podcast/ 

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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

Azhelle’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetoycoach/ 

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It’s always a great episode when we get to see the evolution a previous guest has made in their business. We’re back with Charis Jones, CEO of Sassy Jones, an empowering fashion and beauty brand. She shares how she prioritized impact over traditional business metrics, establishing a colorful and elegant brand with a loyal following, or as she calls it, a “sticky” brand. 

In this episode she shares about:

• Opening a physical store, noting the distinct experiences offered in-person versus e-commerce 

• Managing work-family dynamics with her husband as company president

• How to build a disciplined marketing practice

• Her hiring approach and how she makes sure to prioritize her team’s strengths

Highlights include: 

01:58 Transition to Physical Store

03:47 The Challenges of Running an E-commerce Business

06:42 Scaling Without Investors

11:10 The Importance of Rest and Balance

20:48  Marketing Strategies and Execution

30:58 The Role of Experience in Hiring

34:26 Managing Family Dynamics in Business

39:46 The Importance of Recognizing Strengths

45:30 The Importance of Consistency and Staying Hungry

48:28 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Check out episode 383 of Side Hustle Pro podcast out now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube

This episode is brought to you by:

HubSpot Podcast Network- The audio destination for business professionals with content designed to help you listen, learn, and grow. Listen to Side Hustle Pro and more shows on the HubSpot Podcast Network, at https://www.hubspot.com/podcastnetwork. 

Links mentioned in this episode

• Charis’ Original SHP Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aAeqYOnKfw 

• Sassy Jones Website: https://www.shopsassyjones.com/ 

• Sassy Jones’ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopsassyjones 

• Rich Paul’s Book: https://www.amazon.com/Lucky-Me-Memoir-Changing-Odds/dp/0593448472 

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

Charis’ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charisnjones/ 

Sassy Jones’ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopsassyjones 

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What started as unexpected unemployment at 52 years old turned into an incredible journey of finding purpose and alignment through absolute self-confidence. Dawn Kelly masterfully tells the story of how she became CEO of The Nourish Spot, a family owned, quick serve healthy food, smoothie and natural juice bar located in Jamaica, Queens, NYC. Relying upon her determination, faith and own resources, Dawn is now a courageous entrepreneur providing healthier beverage and food options in the food desert of Southeast Queens.

 In this episode she shares:

• How important it was to grieve her lost position in the PR world so that she could later pivot and use her acquired skills as an entrepreneur

• How she has made it a point to expand her business beyond her storefront, leading her to opportunities like vending in Citi Field and The US Open

• Why she is committed to lifelong learning and the many wonderful resources she has found along the way, you can find a list of her resources at https://sidehustlepro.co/nourishspot 

• So much more, you don’t want to miss this episode!

Check out episode 382 of Side Hustle Pro podcast out now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube

This episode is brought to you by: 

Shopify: Go to shopify.com/hustlepro for a free fourteen-day trial and get full access to Shopify’s entire suite of features.

HubSpot Podcast Network- The audio destination for business professionals with content designed to help you listen, learn, and grow. Listen to Side Hustle Pro and more shows on the HubSpot Podcast Network, at https://www.hubspot.com/podcastnetwork. 

Links mentioned in this episode

• The Nourish Spot Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenourishspot/?hl=en 

• The Nourish Spot Website: https://the-nourish-spot.myshopify.com/ 

• The Nourish Spot Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theNourishspot/ 

• The Nourish Spot LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-nourish-spot/ 

• Dawn’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prmaven17/ 

• Queens Economic Development: https://queensny.org/ 

• Score Business Mentoring: https://www.score.org/ 

• Streetwise MBA: https://interise.org/programs/streetwise-mba/ 

• LegalZoom: https://www.legalzoom.com/ 

• Small Business Services NYC: https://www.nyc.gov/site/sbs/index.page 

• M/WBE Certification: https://nyc-business.nyc.gov/nycbusiness/description/minority-and-womenowned-business-enterprise-certification-program-mwbe 

• ACDBE Certification: https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/acr/bus_ent_program 

• Queens Chamber Of Commerce: https://www.queenschamber.org/ 

• Goldman Sachs 10K SB Program: https://10ksbapply.com/ 

• Hello Alice: https://helloalice.com/ 

• NAACP Grants: https://naacp.org/find-resources/grants 

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

• The Nourish Spot Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenourishspot/?hl=en 

• Dawn’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prmaven17/ 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the world of consultants and career developers, it can feel impossible to find the right fit. Kimberly Brown stands out as an expert whose leadership development company, Manifest Yourself, helps women and people of color navigate the workplace, make more money and become industry leaders. She’s the author of bestselling book, Next Move, Best Move: Transitioning Into a Career You'll Love and the host of the Your Next Move Podcast.

 In this episode she shares:

• The steps she took to determine when it was time to leave her 9-5

• Her simple yet powerful methods to attracting her ideal clients

• How she exceedingly surpassed her six figure goal in her first year 

Check out episode 381 of Side Hustle Pro podcast out now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube

This episode is brought to you by: 

HubSpot Podcast Network- The audio destination for business professionals with content designed to help you listen, learn, and grow. Listen to Side Hustle Pro and more shows on the HubSpot Podcast Network, at https://www.hubspot.com/podcastnetwork. 

Links mentioned in this episode

• Kimberly’s Podcast: www.kimberlybonline.com/podcast 

• Manifest Yourself Website: www.manifestyourself.com

• Kimberly’s Website: www.kimberlybonline.com  

• Kimberly’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/kimberlybonline  

• Kimberly’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberlybonline/ 

• Profit First Book: https://mikemichalowicz.com/profit-first/ 

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

Instagram: www.instagram.com/kimberlybonline 

Kimberly’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberlybonline/ 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we are returning with an update episode with Jamila Souffrant. She is the author of the book, Your Journey To Financial Freedom, and the host of the Journey To Launch podcast. As a go-to thought leader in the personal finance field, The Journey To Launch Podcast has over 4+ million total downloads and was listed by the NYTimes as a podcast to help you get better with your money. Starting her journey by saving over $100K in two years, she is now financially free. 

In this episode she shares:

• How she went from aggressive saving to over $400K years and becoming debt-free

• The best and easiest way to traditionally publish your book

• What methods of income-earning have failed her and how she helps others find what works best for them, and more

Check out episode 380 of Side Hustle Pro podcast out now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube

This episode is brought to you by: 

HubSpot Podcast Network- The audio destination for business professionals with content designed to help you listen, learn, and grow. Listen to Side Hustle Pro and more shows on the HubSpot Podcast Network, at https://www.hubspot.com/podcastnetwork. 

Links mentioned in this episode

• Jamila’s 1st Side Hustle Pro episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTM2FyWDOaY 

• Journey To Launch Website: https://journeytolaunch.com/ 

• Journey To Launch Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/journeytolaunch 

• Jamila’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Journey2launch/ 

• Jamila’s Book: https://yourjourneytofinancialfreedom.com/ 

• Mindset- Carol S. Dweck: https://www.amazon.com/Mindset-Psychology-Carol-S-Dweck/dp/0345472322 

• The Beautiful Writers Podcast: https://www.beautifulwriterspodcast.com/ 

• Self-Publishing School: https://self-publishingschool.com/podcast/ 

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

• Journey To Launch Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/journeytolaunch 

• Jamila’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Journey2launch/ 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's rewind episode, I sat down with Claudia Walker, founder of HBCU Prep School. As a proud second generation HBCU graduate, Claudia authored the best-selling book series, The ABCs of HBCUs and The ABCs of Black Wall Street. 

In this episode Claudia shares:

• How she balances being a full time entrepreneur while working a full time job

• The insider financial skills she picked up during her time on Wall Street 

• How she landed her self-published children’s book on Target shelves

• How she’s expanding her reach by starting a publishing company 

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

This episode is brought to you by: 

HubSpot Podcast Network- The audio destination for business professionals with content designed to help you listen, learn, and grow. Listen to Side Hustle Pro and more shows on the HubSpot Podcast Network, at https://www.hubspot.com/podcastnetwork. 

Links mentioned in this episode

• HBCU Prep School Website: https://hbcuprepschool.com

• HBCU Prep School Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hbcuprepschool/ 

• Overseas Manufacturer: https://www.alibaba.com 

• IngramSpark Self Publishing: https://www.ingramspark.com/

• Amazon KDP Self Publishing: https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/

• Designworks Ink: https://designworksink.com/ 

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

HBCU Prep School Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hbcuprepschool/ 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we have a rewind episode for you with Domonique Brown, the artist and founder behind DomoINK, a lifestyle brand that contributes art, apparel, and home decor in celebration of Black art. Domonique got her start in real estate and marketing before deciding to become a full-time artist-entrepreneur. 

In today’s episode she shares:

• How her side hustle went from Instagram posts to Target carrying a line of her products

• How she approaches conversations with major brands regarding pricing and licensing her art

• Her methods to manage the financial ups and downs of entrepreneurship and so much more!

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

This episode is brought to you by: 

HubSpot Podcast Network- The audio destination for business professionals with content designed to help you listen, learn, and grow. Listen to Side Hustle Pro and more shows on the HubSpot Podcast Network, at https://www.hubspot.com/podcastnetwork. 

This Is Small Business-  Learn more about how to start and grow your small business, check out This Is Small Business, an original podcast from Amazon on your favorite podcast app.

Links mentioned in this episode

• Domonique’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/snoopdoggydom/

• Domonique’s TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@domoink 

• DomoINK’s Website: https://domoink.com/ 

• Ryman Arts: https://rymanarts.org/

• DomoINK on Society6: https://society6.com/mcdomos 

• Domonique’s Jiggy Puzzle: https://jiggypuzzles.com/products/cali-views?_pos=1&_sid=79e0bc414&_ss=r 

• Printify: https://printify.com/ 

• Printful: https://www.printful.com/sell-tshirts-online

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

• Domonique’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/snoopdoggydom/

• Domonique’s TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@domoink 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's rewind episode, in the guest chair we have former Side Hustle Pro guest Imani Ellis, CEO and Founder of CultureCon and The Creative Collective NYC. While working as Vice President of Communications at NBC Universal, Imani founded The CCNYC and began her journey to becoming the full-time CEO of her company and CultureCon. 

In this episode she shares:

• How CultureCon and The CCNYC has hugely expanded since we last spoke

• The steps she took to firmly make the decision of becoming a full-time entrepreneur

• How she effectively built and manages a team of 25 people 

• And so much more, you don’t want to miss this episode!

Check out episode 377 of Side Hustle Pro podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube

This episode is brought to you by: 

HubSpot Podcast Network- The audio destination for business professionals with content designed to help you listen, learn, and grow. Listen to Side Hustle Pro and more shows on the HubSpot Podcast Network, at https://www.hubspot.com/podcastnetwork. 

This Is Small Business- Learn more about how to start and grow your small business, check out This Is Small Business, an original podcast from Amazon on your favorite podcast app.

Links mentioned in this episode

• 2021 Imani Ellis SHP Episode: https://youtu.be/A_JQyPajFK0 

• The CCNYC Website: https://www.imaniellis.com/ 

• Imani’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imaniimani/ 

• Imani’s TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heyimanigirl 

• Score Mentor Finder: https://www.score.org/find-mentor 

• The CCNYC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theccnyc/ 

• CultureCon Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/culturecon/ 

• 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

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

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heyimanigirl 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's rewind episode we have a very special episode featuring a real-life Podcast Moguls student of mine, Lori Tharps. She is the founder of the platform and podcast Read, Write & Create, which offers bite-sized, creative pep talks for BIPOC writers. She is also the author of critically-acclaimed books like Hair Story and Kinky Gazpacho. 

In this episode she shares:

• How she knew it was the right time to leave her tenured teaching job at Temple to pursue writing full time

• Why moving to Spain allowed her to have clarity in her financial and personal goals 

• How she diversified her offered writing services through coaching, ghost writing and podcasting, and the clients that brought in 

Check out episode 376 of Side Hustle Pro Podcast and others on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube

This episode is brought to you by: 

HubSpot Podcast Network- The audio destination for business professionals with content designed to help you listen, learn, and grow. Listen to Side Hustle Pro and more shows on the HubSpot Podcast Network, at https://www.hubspot.com/podcastnetwork. 

This is Small Business Podcast

Learn more about how to start and grow your small business, check out This Is Small Business, an original podcast from Amazon on your favorite podcast app. 

Links mentioned in this episode

• Podcast Moguls: https://sidehustlepro.lpages.co/your-first-1000-downloads/ 

• Read, Write, Create Website: https://www.readwriteandcreate.com/ 

• Lori’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loriltharps/ 

• Lori’s Books: https://www.readwriteandcreate.com/books-lori-tharps 

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

Lori’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loriltharps/ 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this rewind episode, I sat down with Terri-Nichelle Bradley, the founder of Brown Toy Box, an educational toy company producing STEAM toys, media, and experiences for centering and celebrating Black children. While working full time, Terri-Nichelle took Brown Toy Box from being a side hustle to a full-scale business. 

In this episode she shares: 

• How she expanded to being sold in every Target nationwide
• Why she pivoted from being a subscription box to direct to consumer 
• How she used her network and won investors to fund toy production 

Check out episode 375 of Side Hustle Pro Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube

Links mentioned in this episode

• Terri-Nichelle Bradley’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terrinichelle
• Brown Toy Box Instagram: https://instagram.com/browntoybox?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= 
• Brown Toy Box Website: https://browntoybox.com/  
• New Voices Fund: https://newvoicesfoundation.org/ 
• Google Startups: https://startup.google.com/ 
• SheEO: https://coralus.world/ 
• 1863 Ventures: https://www.1863ventures.net/mentor-team 
• ACE Loans, CDFI: https://aceloans.org/organization-overview/ 
• 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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.