Side Hustle Pro

Today in the guest chair we have Grace Eleyae, the Founder of Grace Eleyae Inc. 

Grace Eleyae Inc. began with their now trademark product, the Original Slap, which stands for (Satin-Lined Cap)®. The Slap is a stylish cap that retains moisture (satin-lining), stays on your head at night (with its signature elastic band) and is fashionable enough to wear outside.

It all started in 2014 when Grace took a trip to Kenya that changed her life. 

During a bumpy 8-hour car ride, all the hair on the back of her head broke off - the result of her chemically straightened hair and constant friction against the headrest. And the rest would be history.

Later that year, Grace started working on a solution to her completely damaged, broken and dry chemically straightened hair, and the first prototype of the Slap was created. 

In this episode, Grace shares:

• How a bumpy car ride and hair breakage led her to develop a prototype for her ideal cap
• What happened after she created that prototype, including the reaction from her family
• How and when she decided to start selling her products on Etsy
• What made her decide to fully launch Grace Eleyae
• What happened when she initially reached out to get beauty bloggers to review the Slap, and so much more

One thing that just happened, Grace Eleyae’s Foldover Satin Lined Beanie just made Oprah’s Favorite Things List for 2020!

Let’s find out all about the brand that Oprah and more are giving rave reviews.

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more: sidehustlepro.co/graceeleyae

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Grace Eleyae
• Traction by Gino Whitman
• Good to Great by Jim Collins

Affiliate Disclosure: I may be an affiliate for books or products that I recommend. If you purchase those items through my links, I may earn a commission. You will not pay more when buying a product through my link. I only recommend books and products that I use and am genuinely interested in.

This episode is brought to you by:

Fancy Hands

Go to fancyhands.com and enter the code hustlepro for 50% off your first month. 

Skillshare

Explore your creativity at skillshare.com/hustle. The first 1,000 people to use this skillshare.com/hustle link will get a free trial of Skillshare Premium Membership.

Caveday

Try a free, three hour cave with promo code "SIDEHUSTLE" (MAKE SURE TO USE ALL CAPS) at Caveday.org.

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Grace Eleyae - @graceeleyae

Side Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro

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Caroline Owusu-Ansah is the Founder and Smooth Operating Officer at LUV SCRUB, which is a company that focuses on smooth skin by the way of exfoliation. 

The LUV SCRUB is an exfoliating mesh sheet that will have you trading in your rags, wash cloths and loofahs. It was a staple in Caroline’s home growing up. 

Born to Ghanaian parents, she graduated from UMass Amherst with a degree in Apparel

Marketing and went into a career of Branding and Retail Merchandising. 

With the skills she learned from her career, she was able to bring LUV SCRUB to life.

In this episode, I really appreciate what Caroline had to share about:

• Her approach to branding her packaging for the LUV SCRUB
• The starts and stops of entrepreneurship (she took a four year break after launching!)
• Going back to work for someone else for a while, and then returning to her business once she was better equipped to scale the company and so much more!

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more: sidehustlepro.co/luvscrub

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Luv Scrub
• Score

Affiliate Disclosure: I may be an affiliate for books or products that I recommend. If you purchase those items through my links, I may earn a commission. You will not pay more when buying a product through my link. I only recommend books and products that I use and am genuinely interested in.

This episode is brought to you by:

Fancy Hands

Go to fancyhands.com and enter the code hustlepro for 50% off your first month. 

Dutch Label Shop

Side Hustle Pro listeners can get a special discount on every label product that Dutch Label Shop sells! Head over to dutchlabelshop.com and enter the promo code HUSTLEPRO at checkout to take 15% off your order.

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

Luv Scrub - @luvscrub

Side Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro

#SideHustlePro

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It’s not often that you hear about two co-founders meeting on Tinder. But that’s actually the business origin story of this week’s Side Hustle Pro guest, Angela Jennings of BOOMBOX Boxing Club.

BOOMBOX is a boxing-inspired, hip-hop-fueled fitness studio. 

A finance professional at a global accounting firm by day, Angela always knew she wanted to tap into her interest in food or fitness. 

After being introduced to boxing three years ago by Tinder match and co-founder, Reggie Smith, Angela became passionate about the sport's potential to be a fun and powerful workout to people of all fitness levels and backgrounds. 

The pair launched their first studio in Washington, DC in 2019 and it's now host to members who sweat through themed boxing workouts or private training with coaches. 

In this episode, I really love what Angela had to share about:

• Deciding on a location when each co-founder lives in a different city
• Building buzz leading up to opening day
• Navigating the fitness industry during covid and how they are working to adapt
• How she’s doing this all while side hustling during a pandemic and so much more!

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more: sidehustlepro.co/boomboxboxingclub

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Boombox Boxing Club
• The 4 Hour Work Week

Affiliate Disclosure: I may be an affiliate for books or products that I recommend. If you purchase those items through my links, I may earn a commission. You will not pay more when buying a product through my link. I only recommend books and products that I use and am genuinely interested in.

This episode is brought to you by:

Comcast RISE

To apply today for marketing, media and tech makeovers at no cost, to help you and your business RISE visit: https://www.sidehustlepro.co/comcastrise

Skillshare

Explore your creativity at skillshare.com/hustle. The first 1,000 people to use this skillshare.com/hustle link will get a free trial of Skillshare Premium Membership.

Dutch Label Shop

Side Hustle Pro listeners can get a special discount on every label product that Dutch Label Shop sells! Head over to dutchlabelshop.com and enter the promo code HUSTLEPRO at checkout to take 15% off your order.

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

Boombox Boxing Club - @boombox_boxing

Side Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro

#SideHustlePro

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Vera Moore always had an interest in creating something of her own. 

Like many of us, she didn’t know what that would look like, but she knew that she wanted to take ownership of her future.

After dabbling in other hustles, from a swimwear line to a tax business, Vera was drawn to creating her own lingerie line.

She saw the lack of representation of Black women and women of all sizes from the brands on the market, and knew there was a great opportunity for something better.

So she created her own inclusive lingerie line: Love, Vera. All while side hustling.

In this episode, I really love what Vera had to share about:

• Her experience taking a sourcing trip to look for products
• Creating the brand identity for Love, Vera
• Storing inventory in her parents basement and fulfilling orders herself until 1AM in the morning!
• Transitioning to custom creating private label designs for Love, Vera

And so much more!

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more: sidehustlepro.co/lovevera

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Canton Fair
• Shopify
• Love Vera
• Blitz Scaling book by Reid Hoffman*

Affiliate Disclosure: I may be an affiliate for books or products that I recommend. If you purchase those items through my links, I may earn a commission. You will not pay more when buying a product through my link. I only recommend books and products that I use and am genuinely interested in.

This episode is brought to you by:

Comcast RISE

To apply today for marketing, media and tech makeovers at no cost, to help you and your business RISE visit: https://www.sidehustlepro.co/comcastrise

Dutch Label Shop

Side Hustle Pro listeners can get a special discount on every label product that Dutch Label Shop sells! Head over to dutchlabelshop.com and enter the promo code HUSTLEPRO at checkout to take 15% off your order.

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

Announcements

Join our Facebook Community

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Love, Vera - @shoplovevera

Side Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro

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Have you ever gone to the store looking for a product only to find that it doesn’t even exist? 

That’s what Jacquelyn Rodgers, Founder of Greentop Gifts, experienced one Christmas season when she went looking for wrapping paper featuring a Black Santa. 

Frustrated and surprised, Jacquelyn decided she would make her own. But not only that, she realized the gap in the market and got to work building a company that could fill this need.

What started as a side hustle took off like a rocket, with features by ESSENCE, PEOPLE, NBC News, and recently Beyonce’s Black Parade, and more! This year, she finally had to leave the side hustle behind and take it full time.

In episode 221 of Side Hustle Pro, find out how Jacquelyn started the company along with her husband, navigated the challenges of finding the right fulfillment partner, and what’s next for Greentop Gifts.

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more!

This episode is brought to you by:

Skillshare

Explore your creativity at skillshare.com/hustle. The first 1,000 people to use this skillshare.com/hustle link will get a free trial of Skillshare Premium Membership.

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

Greentop Gifts - @greentopgifts

Side Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro

#SideHustlePro

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We all know that unemployment levels are at an all time high due to the effects COVID has had on businesses.

In the last week alone, I have seen many friends and acquaintances get furloughed or laid off and my heart goes out to everyone.

I decided to share my own story of unemployment and some tips that may be able to help to get through this time as a side hustler. And yes, you will get through it.

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Soundcloud, and Stitcher 

This episode is brought to you by:

Skillshare

Explore your creativity at skillshare.com/hustle. The first 1,000 people to use this skillshare.com/hustle link will get a free trial of Skillshare Premium Membership.

Flo Health

Get early access inside the FLO app or subscribe to the podcast Her Body, Her Story on any other medium where you listen to your favorite podcast shows.

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

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Side Hustle Pro alum Jerri Evans founded six Turning Natural Juice Bar storefronts in eight years and has employed over 87 people in her community in that time. Growing up in SE Washington, D.C. she watched her mom and others struggle to find healthy options, while carry-outs and corner stores were readily available. Now she is leaving an indelible impact in SE and beyond. 

Jerri first sat in the guest chair in 2017, and I have been endlessly impressed and inspired by her ever since. I love that she makes it a point to transform areas that historically do not have access to fresh produce. She aims to eradicate food deserts (areas that do not have access to such healthy options). 

Now with catchy names like Swizz Beets, Green Latifah, and Mi’Kale Jackson, Jerri has initiated creative ways to invite customers to try out cold-pressed juices they’ve never had.

Listen to this rewind episode to hear how Jerri transformed a tragic life event into an impactful business that’s ensuring better health for underserved communities and so much more.

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Soundcloud, and Stitcher

Links mentioned in this episode

• Turning Natural Juice Bars
• Small Business Administration (SBA)
• Profit First book

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

This episode is sponsored by: 

Aurate

Use promo code: HUSTLEPRO for 15% off your first Aurate purchase

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

Send questions to “Ask Nicaila”

You can now send questions for the new “Ask Nicaila” segment that’s coming to Side Hustle Pro. Once I get a critical mass of questions, I can start rolling out this segment. Just email [email protected] and put hashtag #AskNicaila in the subject. 

Turning Natural - @TurningNatural

Jerri Evans - @jerrichanel

Side Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro

#SideHustlePro

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Side Hustle Pro alum Arsha Jones has experienced tremendous success with her businesses Capital City Co (which produces a wing sauce called mambo sauce) and Tees in the Trap (a lifestyle brand inspired by pop culture and infused with Black Girl Magic) since gracing the guest chair in 2016. 

Arsha is an entrepreneur and an emerging leader in the e-commerce industry. She has built multiple, highly profitable brands. At the time of this episode, she was operating and managing Capital City Co, keeping you fly through the Tees in the Trap brand, building iOS apps for Apps By The Pound, all while running the website Brand Build Launch. Through Build Brand Launch, she teaches others how to turn their passions into profit with physical products.

On this episode, Arsha shares:

• How she developed the Capital City Co mambo sauce in her kitchen and ended up on the front page of The Washington Post
• How she launched her first t-shirt shop with no shirts and no supplies
• How haters reporting and shutting down her Etsy shop gave her the motivation to launch her own e-commerce site
• Why you should test and validate your ideas before spending a lot of money on branding and inventory
• Her number one secret to Facebook marketing

Links mentioned in this episode

• Capital City Co.
• Tees in the Trap
• Shopify
• Brand,Build,Launch Facebook Group

This episode is brought to you by:

SkillShare

Get two free months of Premium Membership at skillshare.com/sidehustlepro.

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

Send questions to “Ask Nicaila”

You can now send questions for the new “Ask Nicaila” segment that’s coming to Side Hustle Pro. Once I get a critical mass of questions, I can start rolling out this segment. Just email [email protected] and put hashtag #AskNicaila in the subject. 

Arsha Jones - @arshajones

Capital City Co - @capitalcityco

Tees in the Trap - @teesinthetrap

Side Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro

#SideHustlePro

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Side Hustle Pro alum Beatrice Dixon has taken the world by storm since gracing the guest chair in 2019. 

Beatrice is the Founder of The Honey Pot Company, a plant-based, chemical-free feminine care system that cleanses, protects, and balances your vagina. 

Powered by herbs, made by women, and 100% natural, The Honey Pot Company is disrupting the industry with a healthy alternative to feminine care. 

I love their tagline: Made by humans with vaginas, for humans with vaginas.

As women, we all have to use tampons, pads, lubricants, and subsequently, worry about the contents of the products we are putting into our bodies. 

Beatrice is solving for all of that. She developed the products right in her kitchen. Armed with a mission, determination, and on the job experience, she shares how she tackled scaling her business, entering multichannel retailers like Target, and figuring things out as she goes.

In this rewind episode of Side Hustle Pro, get to know Beatrice and hear how she is building her mission-driven brand.

Check out this episode and others on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Soundcloud, and Stitcher 

Links mentioned in this episode

• The Honey Pot Company

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

Send questions to “Ask Nicaila”

You can now send questions for the new “Ask Nicaila” segment that’s coming to Side Hustle Pro. Once I get a critical mass of questions, I can start rolling out this segment. Just email [email protected] and put hashtag #AskNicaila in the subject. 

Honey Pot Company - @TheHoneyPotCo

Beatrice Dixon - @IAmBeaDixon

Side Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro

#SideHustlePro

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