She got the promotion.

But she missed her daughter’s Easter Hat Parade.

And the question that kept coming up was: at what cost?

That moment hit me hard. Because I’ve been there too.

I missed one of the biggest days of my elder daughter’s life while sitting alone in a hotel room for a work event overseas. I’ll never forget the feeling.

Pride… and regret.

In this episode, I’m sharing the stories that made me rethink how I was defining success and why I stopped seeing my corporate job, promotions and pay increase as my wealth-building plan.

We talk about what wealth really means, the power of building something of your own, and how to create freedom without walking away from your career overnight.

If you’ve ever asked yourself “is this really it?” I think this one will stay with you.

📩 Enjoyed this episode? Let me know!

• Screenshot and share on your Instagram stories or LinkedIn, and tag me @cindyexcell.
• Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review - it helps more corporate women & early-stage entrepreneurs like you find this show.

Connect with me on LinkedIn here

Check out my Instagram here

If you’ve been dreaming of starting your coaching business but feel stuck on what to offer or how to even begin, this episode will help you get out of your head and into action.

Because the truth is, you don’t need a perfect brand, a logo, or a fancy website. What you do need is to know the real problem you help solve.

We’re talking about the transformation you can offer, the specific people you want to help, and how to start validating your idea without overthinking it.

By the end of this episode, you’ll walk away with more clarity on what your coaching business can look like and how to take the first real step toward building it.

And if you’re still wondering what niche to choose or what you should offer, there’s a free guide waiting for you below. It’s going to walk you through it step by step.

You’re working full-time, juggling meetings, kids, home life… and wondering how on earth you’d ever have time to build a side hustle.

I get it, I’ve been there too. That’s why in this episode, I’m sharing the exact 5-step framework I use (and still use) to build and grow a business while working full-time and being a mum of two.

This isn’t about waking up at 5am or trying to squeeze 10 things into your lunch break.

It’s about working with your energy, creating real priorities, and reclaiming your time without the guilt.

If you’ve been telling yourself “I just don’t have time,” this episode will help you shift that. You’ll walk away knowing how to move forward with focus, clarity, and confidence, even in a full season of life.

📩 Enjoyed this episode? Let me know!

• Screenshot and share on your Instagram stories or LinkedIn, and tag me @cindyexcell.
• Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review - it helps more corporate women & early-stage entrepreneurs like you find this show.

Starting a side hustle is exciting, but certain mistakes can slow you down before you even gain momentum. I know because I made them too.

In this episode, we’re breaking down the three biggest mistakes new entrepreneurs make. Like treating their side hustle like a hobby, getting stuck in the learning trap, and focusing on the wrong tasks instead of income-generating activities.

These are the things that keep businesses from growing, and I’ll show you exactly how to shift your approach so you can start seeing real progress.

If you want to build a side hustle that actually moves forward while juggling your corporate job, let’s make sure you’re setting yourself up for success.

📩 Enjoyed this episode? Let me know!

• Screenshot and share on your Instagram stories or LinkedIn, and tag me @cindyexcell.
• Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review - it helps more corporate women & early-stage entrepreneurs like you find this show.

Are you a corporate professional looking to create financial security beyond your 9-5?

By 2025, nearly 50% of the workforce will have a side hustle or passion project generating extra income. The way we work is changing fast, and waiting for a promotion or raise is no longer a reliable strategy.

In this episode, I break down four major side hustle trends in 2025 shaping the industry and how you can position yourself for success before everyone else catches on. Whether you’re just exploring your options or already in the game, this is your chance to stay ahead.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• AI-Powered Side Hustles: How AI is reshaping content creation, automation, and business growth—and how to use it to your advantage.
• The Rise of Digital Products: Why online courses, workshops, and templates are booming—and how to package your expertise into a high-ticket offer.
• High-Ticket Coaching & Micro-Consulting: Why businesses are hiring fractional experts instead of full-time employees—and how you can charge $1K-$5K per client for your expertise.
• Freelancing for Corporate Professionals: How professionals outside of creative fields are turning skills in HR, finance, and operations into profitable freelance gigs.

Key Takeaways:

• The future of work is evolving—those who adapt will thrive.
• You don’t need a huge audience to start a high-ticket coaching business.
• AI won’t replace people—it will replace people who don’t use AI.
• The best time to start is now—the opportunities are growing fast.

Resources:

• Book a Free 30-minute Clarity Call: Let’s map out your high-ticket side hustle plan together. Click here to book.

If this episode helped you, take a screenshot, tag me on LinkedIn, and share your biggest takeaway.

Until next time, keep building, keep growing, and take control of your income.

You’re sitting on a goldmine of knowledge, experience, and skills… but how do you turn it into a profitable business?

Do you start coaching, consulting, or freelancing?

Or should you go all-in on a digital product—an online course, an ebook, or a membership site?

If you’ve ever been stuck at this crossroads, trust me—you’re not alone.

I used to believe that creating a digital product was the ultimate way to build passive income and escape trading time for money. But reality hit me fast…

• I wasn’t an influencer with a huge audience.
• Selling digital products required more time and marketing than I expected.
• I needed to make money now, not months (or years) down the road.

So, I pivoted.

Instead of chasing passive income, I focused on the fastest, simplest way to start making money: offering a service-based business - online coaching.

And in today’s episode, I’m breaking down the pros and cons of both service-based businesses and digital product businesses, so you can decide which one aligns with your goals, lifestyle, and financial needs right now.

- The #1 reason why most people struggle to make money when they start a side hustle.
 - The real math behind making $10K with a coaching offer vs. a digital product.
 - The biggest misconception about passive income that no one talks about.
 - The 4 key factors to consider before choosing your business model.
 - How I went from zero audience to landing 1:1 clients quickly - without fancy marketing.

If you’ve been debating whether to sell your expertise as a service or a digital product, this episode is going to give you clarity and a clear path forward.

Hit play now, and let’s break it all down.

📩 Enjoyed this episode? Let me know!

• Screenshot and share on your Instagram stories or LinkedIn, and tag me @cindyexcell.
• Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review - it helps more corporate women & early-stage entrepreneurs like you find this show.

We’ve all seen the social media messages: “Escape the rat race!” “Quit your soul-sucking job and be your own boss!” But what if you actually like your job? Or maybe you are not in a position to give up your current career yet. Does that mean a side hustle isn’t for you? The answer is “Absolutely not”.

In this episode of Hustle With Heels, I’m breaking down the biggest myth about side hustles: You don’t need to be miserable at your 9-5 to start your side hustle. In fact, waiting until you hate your job is a terrible strategy. Instead, I’ll show you how to build a side hustle for growth, not just escape - so that you can create options for your future without burning out.

🎙️ What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

→ Why the “escape the 9-to-5” narrative is misleading
→ How a side hustle can be about growth first—and escape later
→ Why waiting until you’re unhappy can hurt your business
→ How to leverage your corporate job as an asset, not an obstacle
→ The best way to build a sustainable, stress-free side hustle

If you’re ready to take control of your career, income, and future - without waiting until you’re desperate to make a move - this episode is for you!

LINKS:

Free eBook: Three Costly Mistakes Corporate Professionals Make When Starting Their Online Businesses and What to Do Instead 

Connect with me on LinkedIn here

Check out my Instagram here

Relying solely on your 9 to 5 salary may feel stable and secure, but in reality, it’s a risky investment. If your paycheck is your only source of income, you’re putting your financial security in someone else’s hands.

In this episode of Hustle With Heels, I’m breaking down why job security is a myth, how the traditional career mindset is keeping you stuck, and what you can do to start diversifying your income - without quitting your corporate job.

If you’ve ever worried about layoffs, restructuring, or simply felt like your 9-to-5 isn’t enough, this episode is for you. 

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✔️ Why the “One Good Job” Mentality is Outdated – How the workforce has changed and why relying on one salary is financially risky.
✔️ The Corporate Job Insecurity Cycle – The hidden risks of staying in one job for too long and how it keeps you stuck.
✔️ How to Start Diversifying Your Income – Practical ways to create additional income streams while still working full-time.
✔️ Monetizing Your Skills & Expertise – Why your knowledge is a goldmine and how to turn it into a profitable side hustle.
✔️ The First Steps to Breaking Free – The simple mindset shift and action plan to start building financial independence today.

Links & Resources:

Book a Free 30-Min Side Hustle Clarity Call – Need help figuring out how to start? Let’s map out your first steps! Book Here.

Connect with Cindy on LinkedIn 

Follow Cindy on Instagram

Balancing a demanding corporate job with a side hustle can leave you feeling drained and overwhelmed. 

Protecting your energy isn’t just a nice-to-have - it’s the secret to avoiding burnout and showing up as the best version of you for both of your side hustle business, and for your 9 to 5 job. 

In today’s episode, I share six proven strategies for energy protection that you can use to avoid burnout and stay focused. 

From managing corporate stress to building emotional resilience, I will show you how to optimize your time and energy for long-term success.

If you’ve ever struggled with staying motivated in your side hustle after a busy workday, this episode is for you!

In this episode, we discuss:

• How to leave corporate stress behind at the end of the day.
• Why doing the right tasks in your business will save your sanity.
• The secret to setting boundaries (and sticking to them!).
• How to embrace the seasons of life and plan your business around them.
• The #1 realisation that helped me stay resilient and motivated.

PS: If this episode resonated with you and you’re ready to level up your side hustle without burning out, book a free 30-minute coaching call with me. Let’s create a plan that works for your energy, your time, and your dreams!

Resources mentioned in the episode:

• Free 30-minute side hustle clarity call 

https://calendly.com/cindyexcell/30-minutes-free-coaching-call

Connect with me on Social

• LinkedIn: Cindy Excell
• Instagram: CindyExcell

What would you do if you walked into work tomorrow and your role no longer existed?

This was the reality I faced in 2018 when a sudden redundancy completely shifted the trajectory of my career.

That moment taught me a lesson that changed everything: the control I thought I had over my corporate career was just an illusion.

In today’s episode, we’re diving into why having a side business is the ultimate career power move.

I’m sharing how my own redundancy became the catalyst for exploring a world beyond the corporate ladder, and why creating something outside your nine-to-five isn’t just a backup plan—it’s a step toward freedom and empowerment.

We’ll talk about the shifts in the corporate world, from the rise of automation and AI to the unpredictability of economic changes, and why job security isn’t what it used to be.

I’ll show you how starting a side hustle can help you diversify your income, monetize your existing skills, and take back control of your career and future.


Links

Free 30-minute side hustle clarity call

Connect with me on LinkedIn here

Check out my Instagram here