Side Hustle Pro

In this solo episode, I’m sharing the first three moves I’d make if I were starting a side hustle today and it’s not what you think.

Over the years, I’ve seen so many new side hustlers get caught up in the wrong things (logos, websites, Instagram aesthetic), and miss the real work that actually builds momentum and income. So I’m breaking down what I’d focus on right now if I had to start all over again.

These are the same foundational steps that helped me build Side Hustle Pro from an idea into a full-fledged business, and they’re the same ones I teach my clients today.

In this episode, I share:

• The number one mistake new side hustlers make (and how to avoid it)
• How to get laser-focused on the problem you solve and who you serve
• Why validation calls will change the way you approach your business
• The difference between a website and a funnel (and why the latter matters more)
• How I started selling a $50 course before I ever built a website

00:00 Intro

02:10 Getting clear on the problem you solve

06:00 Finding your target audience

08:36 Validating your idea fast

11:09 What to ask during validation calls

14:41 Pricing with confidence

15:00 Building a simple funnel, not a website

19:03 How one simple email list changed everything

21:02 Recap: The 3 moves to start your side hustle today

• Leadpages
• Fireflies.ai – My favorite meeting note-taker
• Gemini for Google Meet

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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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Being out of work can feel scary, the bills don’t stop, and self-doubt creeps in. But here’s the thing: this doesn’t have to be the end of your story. It can be the beginning of your expansion. Today, I’m sharing seven side hustles you can start right now to rebuild your confidence, earn income, and remind yourself that you have options.

Each of these hustles has the potential to bring in quick cash this month or grow into a long-term business. Momentum builds confidence, and confidence builds opportunity. 

• Seven side hustles you can start right now if you’re unemployed or need extra cash—from digital products to service-based opportunities.
• How to use your existing skills and everyday tools like Canva, ChatGPT, and social platforms to quickly generate income.
• Why momentum matters more than perfection, and how even a small win can rebuild your confidence.
• The importance of direct outreach—emails, texts, and personal asks—when you need to make money fast, instead of relying solely on social media.

• 00:00 Intro
• 02:20 Side Hustle #1: Career Story Studio
• 04:40 Side Hustle #2: Digital Templates Shop
• 07:06 Side Hustle #3: TikTok Shop Seller
• 09:29 Side Hustle #4: Airbnb Co-Host
• 13:59 Side Hustle #5: UGC Creator
• 16:20 Side Hustle #6: AI Consultant
• 18:44 Side Hustle #7: Fractional Ops Manager
• 23:28 Final thoughts on making money now
• 25:32 Closing thoughts + live class invite

• Register for my free class: Start the Podcast That Builds Your Exit Plan: https://sidehustlepro.co/freetraining
• 
  

Side Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro

Side Hustle Pro Nicaila Matthews Okome

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For a long time, I believed pivoting meant I had failed. But now, I’ve learned that pivoting is actually proof that you’re still growing, still expanding, and still in motion.

In this episode, I open up about why I recently applied for a job, how it connects to everything I’ve built with Side Hustle Pro, and the lessons I’m learning in this new season.

In this episode, I share:

• Why pivoting is feedback, not failure
• How every pivot stacks and nothing is wasted
• The dangers of comparison and how to release shame
• Why pivots prepare you for your next expansion season

Highlights include:

00:00 Intro

02:20 What pivoting really means

07:05 Why I applied for a new role

11:45 Lessons from past pivots that shaped Side Hustle Pro

16:20 How comparison creates false shame

20:59 Why pivots keep you in motion

25:00 The role of podcasting in creating new opportunities

28:00 Closing thoughts + live class invite

Watch episode 481 on YouTube and listen on all podcast apps

Links mentioned in this episode

• Register for my free class: https://sidehustlepro.lpages.co/your-first-1000-downloads/

Announcements

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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Social Media

Side Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro

#SideHustlePro

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In this solo Expansion Era episode, I’m opening up about a turning point in my journey: when I realized my life was running me, not the other way around. I share the step I took to shift that dynamic and the five powerful lessons that continue to guide me today. From building discipline like a muscle, to falling in love with the process, to tracking effort over outcomes, these lessons are helping me reclaim balance, confidence, and control. I’m still in the process myself, but I know these insights can help you start running your life, too.

In this episode I share:

• Why focusing on the muscle you’re building matters more than the result
• How to fall in love with the process and romanticize the mundane
• The importance of tracking the process, not just the outcomes
• How to recognize and adjust for your shortcomings
• Why letting go of rigid expectations opens the door to more wins

Highlights include:

• 00:00 Intro
• 02:26 Lesson 1: Focus on the muscle, not the results
• 07:12 Lesson 2: Fall in love with the process
• 11:24 Lesson 3: Track the process, not the result
• 16:05 Lesson 4: Adjust for your shortcomings
• 21:16 Lesson 5: Let go of expectations & celebrate small wins
• 25:32 Closing thoughts + invitation to my live class

Links mentioned on this episode

Register for my free class: https://sidehustlepro.lpages.co/your-first-1000-downloads/

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

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, I’m back in the Expansion Era to go deeper into how to slow down without quitting, especially when business (or life) feels heavy. I’m sharing my own experiences navigating tough seasons in entrepreneurship, what it means to identify and pull your levers, and how I stabilize myself before getting back into action. From sponsorship slowdowns to shifting income streams, I walk you through the real strategies I use to find balance and keep moving forward.

In this episode, I share:

• Why slowing down is not failure and how to recognize the season you’re in
• What it means to identify and pull your three key levers for income
• How I use AI tools to simplify the job search when needed
• The importance of pausing before making big decisions
• Why your revenue is flexible, but your identity is not

• 00:00 Intro
• 02:00 When business slows down and how to stabilize
• 05:00 Understanding and defining your three levers
• 08:00 Tabitha Brown’s advice on getting a job as a lever
• 12:00 How AI can help tailor resumes and applications
• 15:00 Deciding which lever to pull each week
• 17:00 Why revenue is flexible but your identity isn’t
• 20:00 Closing encouragement: You are not alone

• LinkedIn Job Board
• Etsy Resume Templates
• ChatGPT by OpenAI

• Side Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro
• #SideHustlePro

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This week in the guest chair is… me! I’m kicking off a new season with a solo episode to share what I’m calling my Expansion Era.

In this deeply personal and vulnerable episode, I open up about how I lost my mojo, what I’ve been navigating as a mom and entrepreneur, and the steps I’m taking to rebuild my confidence, health, and business.

In this episode I share:

• The reality of postpartum depression, business setbacks, and navigating motherhood while running a business
• How I’m redefining success and detaching my worth from income
• The investments I made in fitness coaching, business coaching, and therapy to get back on track
• Why consistency and community matter more than ever in this season
• The shifts I’ve made in 2025 to prioritize my health, creativity, and confidence

00:00 Intro

03:00 Why I’m calling this the Expansion Era

10:00 Navigating motherhood and identity shifts

20:00 Business setbacks and financial uncertainty

30:00 Hiring a fitness coach and rebuilding my health

40:00 Getting back into business coaching and regaining confidence

55:00 Returning to therapy and releasing shame

1:05:00 Lessons for anyone in a season of rebuilding

• Side Hustle Pro Free Podcast Training: https://sidehustlepro.lpages.co/class
• Anna J. Fitt (Fitness Coach) – IG:@anna_jaefit
• Claire (Business Coach): https://clairepells.com/waitlist
• Alfred Street Baptist Church sermon: Go to 1:26:00 mark https://www.youtube.com/live/x03m53y2qnI?si=uAQoNLOOtWyVABEs

Side Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro

#SideHustlePro

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This week I sat down with Codie Elaine Oliver, the CEO and Co-founder of Black Love, Inc. The 100% Black owned media company, founded by Codie Elaine Oliver and husband Tommy Oliver, is a hub for Black couples and singles to have transparent conversations around relationships, parenthood, dating, and more through their app, podcast network, documentaries, and live events. We get the inside scoop on how Codie built her show from the ground up and grew into a multimedia empire. 

In this episode she shares: 

• How she and her husband Tommy Oliver self funded Black Love, Inc.
• The strategic moves she made to pitch Black Love to a network while maintaining ownership
• The systems she has in place to manage a thriving career while being a mom of three

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

Links mentioned in this episode

• Black Love Website: https://blacklove.com/
• Own Network: https://www.oprah.com/app/own-tv.html
• Black Love-The Interviews Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/black-love-the-interviews/id1552488882
• Black Love Podcast Network: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/channel/black-love-network/id6442514914

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

Codie’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/codieco/

Black Love Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blacklove/

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This week in the guest chair we have Germanee Gerald, founder of GG&Co Styling Firm, a brand and image styling company. Getting her start in the fashion corporate world, Germanee realized she thrived in offering her talents as a personal stylist and started side hustling. 

In this episode she shares:

• How she went from living with family and driving DoorDash to make end’s meet to hiring a team for her styling firm
• How to leverage opportunities like internships and a personal brand for business growth
• How diversifying her services, hiring a team, and seasonal planning led to scaling her business 

Highlights include:

• 00:00 Introduction
• 4:08 From biochem to fashion
• 6:22 The world of corporate fashion 
• 11:35 Transitioning into personal styling
• 17:49 Strategizing finances to go full time 
• 22:36 Nomad life and gigs to meet ends meet
• 29:14 Working with a celebrity stylist
• 36:58 Launching GG Styling Firm
• 39:53 Maximizing cash flow
• 42:34 Tips for entrepreneurs

Check out episode 476 of Side Hustle Pro podcast out now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube

Links mentioned in this episode

• Germanee’s Website: https://germaneeg.com/gg-co/ 
• Germanee’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/germanee_g 
• Germanee’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ggandco/ 
• LinkedIn Premium: https://premium.linkedin.com/ 
• Apuje Kalu: https://www.instagram.com/apuje/ 

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

• Germanee’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/germanee_g 
• Germanee’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ggandco/ 

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This week I’m back with a solo episode where I’m giving you the tools to make money with your podcast. When I became a full-time podcaster in 2017, I focused on my revenue streams like brand partnerships, sponsorships, courses, and VIP programs, leading to having over 10 million episode downloads to date. I’m here to help you get your podcast to that same level. 

In this episode I’m sharing:

• Effective Marketing: How you’re going to optimize content planning and to get people to consistently see what you are offering 
• Thinking Outside the Box: Exploring non-traditional sponsorships and multi-channel packages like retreats to generate revenue beyond just downloads
• Creating Value: How to produce content and services that your audience genuinely wants to pay for

Highlights Include:

• 02:49 The Importance of Podcast Setup
• 05:15 Narrowing Down Your Podcast Topics
• 09:50 Understanding and Serving Your Audience
• 14:33 Creating a Content Plan
• 16:39 Effective Marketing Strategies
• 19:00 Consistent Marketing Practices
• 21:24 Thinking Outside the Box for Sponsorships
• 25:54 Creating Content People Want to Pay For
• 28:17 Recap and Action Steps

Check out episode 475 of Side Hustle Pro podcast out now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube

Links mentioned in this episode

• Riverside (Use code ‘hustlepro’): https://riverside.fm/ 
• Podcast Moguls: http://sidehustlepro.co/join  
• Lori Tharps SHP episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3EsWprSGu4 
• Launching Podcast Moguls 2.0: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3d-wkYAcsLo&t=1s 
• Free newsletter: http://sidehustlepro.co/newsletter 
• You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero: https://jensincero.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

Side Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro

#SideHustlePro

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This week in the guest chair we have Kareem Edwards, one of the very first men to grace the Side Hustle Pro guest chair! Hailing from Far Rockaway, Queens, Kareem got his start in major corporate roles at Lehman Brothers, Kraft Heinz, and Google—all while dreaming of owning a business. Kareem decided to pursue franchising and balanced a 9-to-5 at Google while working nights at a Chick-fil-A to master the day-to-day operations.

In this episode she shares:

• The importance of community impact, creating an empowering work culture, and leading with empathy
• Key lessons on staffing, building trust, and innovating with different revenue channels
• The art of balancing grit and grace when trying to grow your business

Highlights include: 

00:00 Intro

03:00 Early career in finance

09:00 Discovering Chik-Fil-a franchising 

17:00 Choosing the right location

25:00 Opening during a pandemic

34:00 Staffing strategies

43:00 Leaving a steady paycheck

46:00 Expanding sales methods

52:00 Tips for entrepreneurs

Check out episode 474 of Side Hustle Pro podcast out now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube

Links mentioned in this episode

• Kareem’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kareemjedwards/ 
• Kareem’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kareemedwards 
• Posse Foundation: https://www.possefoundation.org/ 
• Chick-fil-a Franchising: https://www.chick-fil-a.com/franchising 
• Chat GPT: https://chat.openai.com/ 
• Uncle Nearest: https://unclenearest.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

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