Side Hustle Pro

This week in the guest chair we have Melyssa Ford, media personality, actress, and advocate known for her dynamic presence in entertainment. With a career spanning television, film, and radio, she has captivated audiences as a host on the Joe Budden podcast and various TV appearances.

As a seasoned veteran in media and entertainment, Melyssa mastered the art of pivoting and identifying viable opportunities to launch into new and exciting spaces.

In this episode she shares:

• Her new podcast Hot and Bothered that fosters meaningful conversations about women’s wellness, intimacy, and health 
• Overcoming depression, negative self-talk, and finding grace through personal healing
• The many benefits to pivoting several times in her career

Highlights include:

• 00:00 Intro
• 02:00 Building a film/TV personality 
• 06:00 Being an undocumented immigrant
• 14:00 Creating her own path
• 19:00 Battling mental health issues
• 27:00 Navigating perimenopause
• 40:00 The podcasting landscape
• 47:00 Living with a brain injury
• 1:00:00 Tips for entrepreneurs 

Check out episode 473 of Side Hustle Pro podcast out now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube

Links mentioned in this episode

• Melyssa’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melyssaford/ 
• Melyssa’s Twitter: https://x.com/MissMelyssaFord/ 
• Hot and Bothered Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hotnbotheredpodcast/ 
• Melyssa’s Website: https://www.melyssaford.com/ 
• ChatGPT: https://chatgpt.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: https://sidehustlepro.co/facebook

Melyssa’s Twitter: https://x.com/MissMelyssaFord/ 

Melyssa’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melyssaford/ 

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This week in the guest chair we have Quianne Perrin Savoy and Sonja Smith, founders of The Merch Studio. They provide businesses and entrepreneurs with unique and completely customizable merchandise. 

In this episode they share:

• How their creative backgrounds set the foundation for starting their own business
• How they expanded from small business to having corporate clients 
• The processes they use to ensure high quality and timely customer service 

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

Links mentioned in this episode

• Moore & Moore Merch Website: themerchstudio.com
• Moore & Moore Merch Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themerchstudio/ 
• Moore & Moore Merch LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/themerchstudio 
• The Momference: https://themomference.com/ 
• Shopify: https://www.shopify.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

• Moore & Moore Merch Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themerchstudio/ 
• Moore & Moore Merch LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/themerchstudio 

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Abena Boamah-Acheampong is the founder + CEO of Hanahana Beauty, a consciously clean skin care, beauty + wellness brand. As a former 7th grade math teacher and therapist, Abena launched her brand with humanity and intention in mind. Now being sold in stores like Ulta, Hanahana Beauty is quickly on its way to becoming a household name.

In this episode Abena shares:

• How she was able to pay the Ghanaian women who produce the raw materials twice their asking price
• The skills she learned from being a teacher and therapist that she uses now as a full time entrepreneur
• How she’s scaled the brand while staying true to her core values

Watch episode 471 on YouTube and listen on all podcast apps

Links mentioned in this episode

• Hanahana Beauty’s Website: https://ww.hanahanabeauty.com
• Hanahana Beauty’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hanahana_beauty/?hl=en
• Abena’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beanieboamah/?hl=en
• A16z START Grant: https://a16z.com/programs-a16z-start/
• Hello Alice Grants: https://helloalice.com/
• Shopify Loans Program: https://www.shopify.com/capital

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

Hanahana Beauty’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hanahana_beauty/?hl=en

Abena’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beanieboamah/?hl=en

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This week in the guest chair we have ​Kimberly Waters, founder of Modern Urban Sensory Experiences, or MUSE​, a luxury boutique fragrance house based in Harlem, NY. When Kimberly realized her role in corporate America was not providing her room to grow into her potential, she launched MUSE out of the parlor floor of a friend’s brownstone on Convent Ave in Harlem and has been growing ever since.​

In this episode Kimberly shares:

• Why tapping into her community of mentors and entrepreneurs was the right direction 
• How she has self-funded her business since 2017 with no outside capital 
• How she has partnered with hard-to-find global brands, become a sought-after destination for emerging brands

Highlights Include: 

00:00 Intro

05:50 Challenges in corporate America

9:00 Small-scale beginnings

22:46 Self-financing her side hustle 

28:03 The unique customer experience 

35:26 Revenue streams

39:18 Target audience and marketing 

51:13 Tips for entrepreneurs 

Check out episode 470 of Side Hustle Pro podcast out now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube

Links mentioned in this episode

• Kimberly’s Website: https://www.museexperiences.com/ 
• Kimberly’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/muse_experiences/ 
• By Killian: https://www.bykilian.com/ 
• Myleik Teele’s SHP Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtJgMJXpUPY 

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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

• Kimberly’s Website: https://www.museexperiences.com/ 
• Kimberly’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/muse_experiences/ 

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This week in the guest chair we have Amy Anaiz, a celebrated photographer turned product founder and the creator of OZAIZ, a sustainable home goods and fragrance brand. After building a successful wedding and portrait photography business for over a decade, Amy made a powerful pivot—launching a line of sculptural, multi-use glassware inspired by beauty, intention, and function.

In this episode, Amy opens up about her transition from side hustler to full-time creative, and how becoming a mother—while navigating unimaginable grief—reshaped her purpose and path. She shares the behind-the-scenes of building OZAIZ, from manufacturing and funding the business herself, to designing for sustainability and meaning.

*Trigger Warning:

This episode includes discussions of infant loss and stillbirth. 

 In this episode she shares:

• How she prepared financially to leave her 9-to-5 and pursue photography full-time
• The story behind her product brand OZAIZ and why it took years to bring to life
• How grief, motherhood, and purpose shaped her new business direction
• What she’s learned about manufacturing, design, and funding a product-based business
• The intentional design and sustainability philosophy behind OZAIZ

Highlights Include

00:00 – Intro

01:30 – Amy’s pivot from PR to photography

07:00 – Building her photography side hustle

10:00 – Leaving her full-time job and creating a financial cushion

13:00 – Losing her daughter and navigating grief while becoming a mom

21:00 – Why she launched OZAIZ and what sets the brand apart

28:00 – How she self-funded her entire business

36:00 – The complexities of manufacturing glassware and candles

44:00 – Designing for sustainability and versatility

50:00 – Balancing personal storytelling with branding

58:00 – What's next for OZAIZ and how Amy honors her daughter's legacy

Watch episode 469 on YouTube and listen on all podcast apps

Links Mentioned in This Episode:

• OZAIZ Website: https://www.ozaiz.com
• Amy Anaiz Photography: https://www.amyanaiz.com
• Amy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyanaizphoto
• OZAIZ on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/ozaizhome 
• Side Hustle Pro Podcast: https://www.sidehustlepro.co/podcast
• Kunbi (Amy’s lawyer):https://www.instagram.com/legallyset/ 

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Join my new coaching program, SHIFT

Even the expert needs support. That’s exactly why I created SHIFT—a six-month, one-on-one podcast coaching experience for the podcaster who’s done playing the DIY game. In SHIFT, we’ll clarify your message, attract your ideal audience, build a monetization path that aligns with your values, and create a content engine that works with your real life. Apply now at sidehustlepro.co/shift.

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This week in the guest chair we have Naseema McElroy, author and the founder of Financially Intentional, a platform about personal finance and living life intentionally. Starting with just under one million dollars in debt, Naseema taught herself financial literacy, paid off her debt, and started side hustling as a consultant teaching others to do the same. 

In this episode she shares:

• How she created an intentional budget that didn’t leave her in a place of lack
• Why she believes everyone can take control of their finances, and how to actually do it
• The different income streams and resources she uses to stay financially free, and much more!

Highlights include:

00:00 – Intro

01:15 – Becoming a nurse after working in healthcare administration

06:00 – What made her realize she was “broke” despite earning $200K+

09:30 – Creating a zero-based budget to pay off $4K–$9K/month in debt

11:00 – What made up nearly $1M in total debt

14:00 – Launching Financially Intentional on Instagram

17:30 – Why she still loves nursing and hasn't gone full-time entrepreneur

22:00 – Using her job to fund her passions

24:30 – The true meaning of financial independence

28:00 – How she makes time to build her brand

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

Links mentioned in this episode

• Naseema’s Website:https://www.financiallyintentional.com/  
• Naseema’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/financiallyintentional/ 
• Financially Intentional Podcast: https://www.financiallyintentional.com/podcast 
• Travel Nurse Housing Rentals: https://www.furnishedfinder.com/ 
• Podcast Moguls: https://www.sidehustlepro.co/podcast-moguls/ 

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Announcements

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Guest Social Media Info

Side Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro

#SideHustlePro

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This week in the guest chair, I’m joined by Tisha Thompson, the founder and CEO of LYS Beauty, the first Black-owned clean cosmetics brand to be carried at Sephora. Tisha shares her inspiring path from staff accountant and part-time makeup artist to leading her own beauty brand that launched during the pandemic and quickly sold out in 10 days. 

In this episode, Tisha breaks down how she strategically pivoted from finance to beauty marketing, cold-pitched Sephora with a bold email (before she even launched!), and developed products that center clean ingredients and inclusivity. Her brand LYS, short for Love Yourself, is not only disrupting the beauty space with triangle packaging and affirmational product names—but it’s also remained profitable every year since launch.

In this episode she shares:

• How she got her foot in the beauty industry using her finance background
• Why she took a demotion to pivot industries
• How personal loss and purpose led her to finally launch LYS Beauty
• What made Sephora say "yes" to a brand that hadn’t even launched yet
• How she developed 35 inclusive foundation shades with a clean formulation
• Why representation and self-love are at the heart of her business model

Highlights Include: 

00:00 Intro

02:10 How a staff accountant became a makeup artist

04:50 Taking a demotion to move into marketing

10:54 Losing her dad and finding the courage to launch

15:45 Cold-pitching Sephora and landing a deal pre-launch

20:00 What clean beauty means to her (and her skin)

27:00 Packaging, affirmations, and triangle symbolism

30:00 Navigating DEI backlash and economic shifts

45:00 Building a team and staying profitable

Check out episode 467 of Side Hustle Pro podcast out now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.

Links mentioned in this episode

• LYS Beauty Website: https://lysbeauty.com
• LYS Instagram: https://instagram.com/lysbeautyofficial/
• Tisha’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glamourgirl5/
• Cosmoprof: https://cosmoprofnorthamerica.com
• MakeUp In Trade Shows: https://makeup-in.com
• Luxepack: https://luxepack.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

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glamourgirl5/
• LYS Beauty Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lysbeautyofficial

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This week in the guest chair, we’re spotlighting Marina Batliwalla, financial professional and host of the Banking on Girls podcast. Born in India, raised in Australia, and now based in LA, Marina joined Podcast Moguls to launch a show centered around financial literacy for women and girls—and she’s done just that, all while working full-time.

Marina shares how she overcame mindset hurdles to get started, leveraged her platform to speak at the United Nations, and is now piloting financial education workshops for mothers and daughters.

• How she found her voice and confidence through Podcast Moguls
• Why financial literacy needs to start before the age of 7
• The early media skills she brought from her radio days in Sydney
• How her show opened doors to speak at global institutions
• Why she’s now looking at B2B opportunities for her educational workshops

• 00:00 Intro
• 02:25 From actuary to advocate: Marina’s global journey
• 05:20 How a Girl Scout badge sparked her podcast vision
• 12:30 Naming her podcast Banking on Girls and protecting the brand
• 15:00 Defining her perfect listener: mothers raising daughters
• 22:00 Workshop pilot programs and future monetization strategies
• 31:00 Leveraging her podcast to attend the United Nations
• 40:00 How Marina got over her fear of marketing

Check out episode 465 of Side Hustle Pro podcast out now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube

Links mentioned in this episode

• Banking on Girls Podcast – https://www.bankingongirls.com 
• United Nations Commission on the Status of Women – https://www.unwomen.org/en/csw 
• Cherie Blair Foundation for Women – https://cherieblairfoundation.org
• Scouting America– https://www.scouting.org
• Stock Market Game – https://www.stockmarketgame.org

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Join our Facebook Community

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This week in the guest chair we have Marty McDonald, founder of Elle Olivia & Boss Women Media. Her background in corporate laid the foundation to launching Boss Women Media, the offline/online women’s empowerment community. After a challenging experience with giving birth to her first child, Marty translated that same idea of empowerment to launch Elle Olivia, a lifestyle brand for young Black and Brown girls.

In this episode she shares:

• How she landed her brand Elle Olivia in over 400 Target locations nationwide within the first year of launching
• How she strategically re-invested revenue from side hustling into her businesses 
• How she oversees a multi-city Black Girl Magic Tour, the annual Boss Woman of the Year Summit, and serves a loyal community of more than 100,000 women

Highlights Include:

00:00 Intro

02:38 Navigating corporate America 

11:30 Pitching to Sugarfina

14:32 Launching Boss Women Media

16:52 Monetizing the business & impactful collaboration

27:43 Staying nimble and pivoting at the right time

34:02 Navigating a challenging pregnancy 

38:10 Creating a brand for Black and Brown girls

48:18 The power of a strong team

54:00 Tips for entrepreneurs 

Check out episode 465 of Side Hustle Pro podcast out now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube

Links mentioned in this episode

• Marty’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martytmcdonald/ 
• Boss Women Media Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bosswomenmedia/ 
• Boss Women Media Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bosswomenmedia/ 
• Elle Olivia Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopelleolivia/ 
• Elle Olivia Website: https://shopelleolivia.com/ 
• Elle Olivia at Target: https://www.target.com/b/elle-olivia/-/N-q643le95h07 
• Sugarfina: https://www.sugarfina.com/  
• Power Thoughts Devotional: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/power-thoughts-devotional/id715337851 

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

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This week in the guest chair, we have Monique R. Shields, executive coach, entrepreneur, and founder of Claimed, a program dedicated to helping high-achieving Black mothers unlock their next chapter. In this episode, Monique shares her inspiring journey from corporate to coaching and the lessons she’s learned along the way. She discusses the power of releasing limiting beliefs, why investing in yourself is key to growth, and how motherhood led to her decision to take ownership of her time and career.

In this episode she shares:

• The importance of creating space for Black women, especially mothers, to thrive and build without compromising themselves
• The mindset shifts needed to elevate your business and life to the next level
• How transitioning from corporate to entrepreneurship gave her the freedom she needed

Highlights include:

00:00 Intro

05:00 The importance of relationships in early career transitions

07:30 Background in publishing and banking 

12:00 Transition into executive coaching & the influence of motherhood 

19:00 Raising her rates and investing in herself

24:35 How to navigate seasons of burnout and pressure

29:03 Tips for women entrepreneurs transitioning into full-time business ownership

34:20 The launch of her program, Claimed, for Black mothers

40:00 The power of releasing limiting beliefs and moving beyond survival mode

1:00:00 Tips for entrepreneurs

Watch episode 464 on YouTube and listen on all podcast apps

Links mentioned in this episode

• Monique’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moniquershields/ 
• Monique’s Website: https://moniquershields.com/ 
• Monique’s Podcast: https://moniquershields.com/podcast/ 
• Side Hustle Pro: https://sidehustlepro.co/ 

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

• Monique’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moniquershields/ 
• Monique’s Website: https://moniquershields.com/ 

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