In this episode, we sit down with Nick Loper, founder of Side Hustle Nation, to talk about how a simple side hustle can grow into a full-time business. Nick shares how he went from traditional employment to building multiple income streams and creating financial independence through entrepreneurship.

We discuss how to evaluate side hustle ideas, validate demand, and test new opportunities with minimal risk. Nick explains how to build passive income streams, scale strategically, and create a financial runway before leaving your 9-to-5 job. He also shares the mindset shifts that helped him transition from employee to successful entrepreneur.

If you’re looking for practical side hustle ideas, more income flexibility, or a path toward financial freedom, this conversation will give you the strategy and motivation to take action.

CHAPTERS 🎧

0:00 - Introduction

0:57 - Defining a Side Hustle

1:48 - Evaluating Side Hustle Opportunities

3:07 - Building Time-Leveraged Income Streams

4:56 - Examples of Successful Side Hustles

7:04 - The Birth of an E-commerce Business

10:27 - Growth and Transition to Full-Time

15:20 - Evolution of the Business Model

17:52 - Monetization Strategies

20:55 - Indications for Solopreneurship

23:33 - Financial Considerations for Transition

25:23 - Overcoming Fear of Leaving a Job

28:34 - Closing and Resources

Resources and Links 📚

📖My new book, "Own Your Time" 

https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/ownyourtimeamazon

Connect with Nick & Side Hustle Nation

💻 Sponsors and Additional Resources

https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/resources

📞Voicemail for Questions: Leave a voicemail at marriagekidsmoney.com/voicemail to have your question answered on the show!

👉Connect with me on social media:

LinkedIn: Andy Hill, MKM

Instagram and Facebook: MarriageKidsAndMoney

Health insurance can feel overwhelming as a solopreneur, but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode, I break down the smarter, more affordable ways I’ve used over the years to protect my family without sacrificing independence.

I walk through how to compare marketplace plans, when using a spouse’s coverage can make sense, and what to watch out for with private insurance, health shares, COBRA, and even Medicaid. We also talk about shifting your mindset from seeing health insurance as a cost to viewing it as an investment in freedom.

I also share the mental load that comes with being your own HR department and tools that can help streamline benefits and reduce stress. If you’re self-employed or considering the leap, this episode will help you approach health insurance with clarity and confidence instead of fear.

Chapters 🎧

00:00 - Why health insurance is critical for solopreneurs

01:04 - The risks of not having coverage or going uninsured

02:00 - Options for coverage through a spouse or partner

02:58 - Overview of the health insurance marketplace

03:26 - How premium tax credits can reduce costs

04:22 - Private insurance and ACA compliance essentials

04:52 - Understanding health share plans and their risks

05:48 - Medicaid as a safety net for new business owners

06:13 - Using Cobra to bridge coverage gaps

06:43 - The importance of mindset: health insurance as part of your business costs

07:08 - Managing payroll and benefits with Gusto

07:37 - How to submit questions for future episodes

08:34 - Final thoughts and signing off

Resources and Links 📚

📖My new book, "Own Your Time" 

https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/ownyourtimeamazon

💻 Sponsors and Additional Resources

https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/resources

📞Voicemail for Questions: Leave a voicemail at marriagekidsmoney.com/voicemail to have your question answered on the show!

Gusto Payroll & HR Software: Special offer: $200 Visa gift card with your first payroll. Visit Gusto

👉Connect with me on social media:

LinkedIn: Andy Hill, MKM

Instagram and Facebook: MarriageKidsAndMoney

In this episode, I sit down with Bernadette Joy to break down how she turned paid speaking into a profitable and aligned part of her solopreneur business. What started as an accidental opportunity at FinCon grew into a six-figure speaking career without relying on influencer tactics, big followings, or expensive branding.

Bernadette shares how authentic storytelling, referrals, and strong in-person connections helped her land high-quality speaking gigs, plus how she stacked speaking with writing and coaching to build a sustainable income stream. We also talk about redefining retirement, taking sabbaticals, and building a business rooted in curiosity instead of constant hustle.

Bernadette is a first-generation Filipino American, bestselling author of Crush Your Money Goals, and a sought-after speaker and host. This episode is perfect if you want to book your first speaking gig, diversify your income, or build a business that supports your life, not the other way around.

CHAPTERS 🎧

00:00 – Welcome & Guest Introduction
00:28 – From Finance to the Speaking Stage
01:28 – Launching Crush Your Money Goals
02:51 – Pivoting During the Pandemic
03:48 – How Speaking Started by Accident
04:41 – Turning Speaking Into a Business
06:04 – Landing Speaking Gigs Without Cold Pitching
07:56 – Confidence, Imposter Syndrome & Growth
09:46 – Money Wins & Financial Strategy
11:40 – Personal Growth & Future Speaking Topics
14:24 – Financial Independence & Rethinking Retirement
18:09 – Work, Life & Sabbaticals
23:31 – Writing & Publishing a Bestselling Book
30:57 – Solopreneur High Five
39:19 – Advice for Aspiring Speakers
41:12 – Final Thoughts & Where to Connect

Resources and Links 📚

My new book, "Own Your Time" - https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/ownyourtimeamazon

Sponsors and Additional Resources

https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/resources

Crush Your Money Goals

Bernadette Joy on YouTube

www.youtube.com/@bernadebtjoy

Credits

Editor: Johnny Sohl

Podcast Artwork: Kayli Johnson

In this episode of Solopreneur Life, I share my journey to creating a three-day work week as a solopreneur. We walk through the steps I took to cut expenses, pay off debt, and build a business that supports my lifestyle.

We also talk about why aligning my work with my personal values matters so much and how financial freedom has transformed my family life.

If you’ve ever wondered what’s possible when you design work around your life instead of the other way around, you won’t want to miss this.

Chapters 🎧

00:00 Introduction to Solopreneur Life

03:00 Questioning the Traditional Work Week

06:00 Aligning Work with Personal Values

09:00 Paying Off Debt for Freedom

12:00 Building a Business on the Side

15:00 Achieving Financial Freedom

18:00 The Journey to a Three-Day Work Week

21:00 The Real Reward of Time Freedom

Resources and Links 📚

My new book, "Own Your Time" - https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/ownyourtimeamazon

Sponsors and Additional Resources

https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/resources

Credits

Editor: Johnny Sohl

Podcast Artwork: Kayli Johnson

In this episode, we sit down with Paul Millerd—independent writer, digital creator, and author of The Pathless Path—to talk about what it really means to step off the default career track and design a life around your values.

We dig into the psychological and societal pressure to follow a “safe” or traditional path, and why that approach often leads to burnout, dissatisfaction, or quiet regret. Paul shares how he walked away from a conventional career, embraced uncertainty, and found deeper fulfillment through writing, exploration, and intentional living.

We also explore the hidden benefits of unconventional choices, the challenges that come with creating your own path, and how anyone—at any stage of life—can begin aligning their work, time, and identity with what actually matters to them.

If you’ve ever felt stuck on a path you didn’t consciously choose, or wondered what life could look like beyond the status quo, this conversation will expand how you think about career, purpose, and fulfillment.

Chapters 🎧

00:00 Intro

Resources and Links 📚

Grab a copy of Paul's Book "The Pathless Path"-

https://amzn.to/4pApAKH (affiliate)

My new book, "Own Your Time" - https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/ownyourtimeamazon

Sponsors and Additional Resources

https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/resources

Credits

Editor: Johnny Sohl

Podcast Artwork: Kayli Johnson

In this inspiring Solopreneur Life segment, Andy Hill sits down with Colin Graves—a former bank manager turned full-time freelance writer and editor. Colin shares how a toxic workplace pushed him to reevaluate his career and ultimately build a thriving solo business making over $150,000 per year.

Listeners will learn how Colin transitioned from a 9-to-5 job into solopreneurship, the steps he took to scale his business, and how he now enjoys a flexible lifestyle that prioritizes family, freedom, and fulfillment.

If you're a parent looking to escape the corporate grind and design a business on your own terms, this episode is packed with insights and encouragement.

EPISODE RESOURCES:

CHAPTERS

00:00 – Life after corporate: Embracing flexibility

HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER:

CREDITS:

Andy Hill sits down with bestselling author and digital entrepreneur Pat Flynn to discuss how "lean learning" can help overwhelmed parents and solopreneurs cut through the noise, focus on what really matters, and take meaningful action. Pat shares how absorbing less information — but more intentionally — can lead to quicker progress, stronger results, and more time for what truly matters: family, health, and creativity.

Whether you're starting your first business, juggling multiple podcasts, or just looking to reclaim some peace of mind, Pat’s approach to learning less but achieving more might be just the antidote you need.

Resources:

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction to Lean Learning and Overcoming Information Overload

01:40 – Meet Pat Flynn: Entrepreneur, Author, Father, and Back to the Future Fan

04:12 – How Information Obesity is Slowing Us Down

06:25 – What is Lean Learning? A Golf Story That Explains It All

08:26 – Public Speaking, Force Functions, and Learning One Skill at a Time

10:42 – The Microsoft Word Ebook That Made $200K: Just-in-Time Learning in Action

12:42 – The Double Meaning of “Lean” and the Power of Focus

13:50 – What Should Solopreneurs Do With Their Newfound Time?14:55 – The “One-One-One” Strategy for Starting a Business

17:09 – Solopreneur Pitfalls: Fear, Procrastination, and Why We Over-Plan

19:10 – Fishing with One Jig: A Metaphor for Mastery

21:17 – Alternatives to Information Overload While Driving or Exercising

23:36 – Why Taking Action > Passive Learning

25:37 – Where to Find Pat’s Book “Lean Learning”

27:00 – Why Focusing on One Project at a Time Delivers Faster Results

29:00 – Wrap-Up and Final Thoughts

HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER:

CREDITS: