What happens when creativity, community, and hustle collide?

In this episode of The Diary of a Side Hustler, we meet Ja’Mya Giles — a cybersecurity analyst by day, entrepreneur by night, and community builder always.

Originally from River Rouge, Michigan, Ja'Mya's story is proof that your passion projects can become purpose-driven businesses and that side hustling can be about way more than just making money.

From almost joining the Marines to landing a cybersecurity career after attending a STEM camp, Ja'Mya’s path has been anything but traditional. But one thing has stayed the same — her commitment to giving back.

Today, she’s the founder of Village to Village Leadership Foundation, a nonprofit focused on youth mentorship and scholarship, and the owner of Mya Made Customs, a growing custom apparel and gifting business. Both are built from a heart for community and a love for creativity.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• How Ja'Mya discovered cybersecurity (spoiler: ROTC & summer camp played a role)

• How word-of-mouth grew her side hustle into 60+ orders a month (with no website!)

• The story behind her nonprofit Village to Village and its impact on first-gen students

• How she manages working full-time while running two passion projects

• What being a side hustler really looks like beyond social media glam

• The importance of mentorship, community, and believing in what’s possible for you

This episode is for anyone trying to balance a 9-5, a side hustle, and a mission bigger than themselves.

Listen now and get inspired to lead with heart, build with purpose, and bet on yourself — even when the path isn’t perfect.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review! Share this episode with someone who needs inspiration to take their own side hustle to the next level.

Connect with Ja’Mya Giles:

• Village to Village Leadership Foundation

• Ja’Mya Made It

• LinkedIn

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What does it really take to build a legacy — not just for yourself, but with your family by your side?

On this episode of The Diary of a Side Hustler, we sit down with Tony Adams — former pro athlete, Super Bowl champion, and now, second-generation entrepreneur carving his path alongside the very people who shaped him.

After a standout football career at NC State and a Super Bowl win with the New England Patriots, Tony’s NFL dreams were suddenly cut short by the pandemic. But instead of giving up, he returned to his roots — and his family — to start again.

Inspired by his father’s entrepreneurial legacy, Tony became a key player in the family business, Adams Athletics, a trailblazing wrestling equipment company. Together, they’re proving that the stigma around working with family — “that it never works” — couldn’t be further from the truth.

In addition to helping scale the family brand, Tony launched Athletic Money U and The OL Network, two platforms helping athletes turn passion into profit. His story is one of faith, humility, and leaning into the power of generational collaboration.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• What it’s really like working with family — the challenges, rewards, and lessons.
• How Tony transitioned from a professional athlete to a purpose-driven entrepreneur.
• The legacy behind Adams Athletics and how Tony is helping expand it.
• Why are community, mentorship, and family at the core of his business mindset?
• The importance of faith when your Plan A suddenly falls apart.
• How to turn setbacks into setups — especially when doing it together.

Listen now and get inspired to build something lasting — with the people who matter most.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review! Share this episode with someone who needs inspiration to take their own side hustle to the next level.

Connect with Tony Adams:

• Instagram
• The OL Network
• Adams Athletics
• Athletic Money U

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What do you do when your dream career is no longer fulfilling? You reinvent yourself.

On this episode of The Diary of a Side Hustler, we dive into the inspiring journey of Hannah Pleasant, founder of Vegan Bake Shop. From aspiring fashion designer to successful vegan baker, Hannah’s resilience and determination have guided her through multiple pivots and setbacks.

Hannah’s story is one of creativity, adaptation, and hustle. After earning her degree from the Savannah College of Art and Design and working as a footwear designer, the pandemic hit and left her jobless. But instead of giving up, she found a new path inspired by her love for baking and her need for allergen-friendly desserts. What started as Bougie Vegan Bakery soon rebranded into Vegan Bake Shop, a business specializing in vegan and allergen-friendly treats with eco-friendly packaging.

Despite numerous challenges — from relocating to Charlotte to balancing her baking business with a part-time job — Hannah continues to pursue her passion for entrepreneurship with unwavering dedication. Her story proves that setbacks can be powerful setups for something greater.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• How Hannah transitioned from fashion design to vegan baking.
• The personal experiences that inspired her to start Vegan Bake Shop.
• How rebranding played a key role in her business growth.
• The challenges of balancing entrepreneurship with a day job.
• Hannah’s approach to developing allergen-friendly recipes.
• The importance of creativity, resilience, and persistence in building a business.

Listen now and be inspired to transform your own setbacks into setups for success!

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review! Share this episode with someone who needs inspiration to take their own side hustle to the next level.

Connect with Hannah Pleasant:

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What does it take to turn passion into profit while managing a full-time career?

On this episode of The Diary of a Side Hustler, we dive into the remarkable journey of Kyle Horton, a Charlotte, NC native whose dedication and resilience have driven him to achieve greatness both on and off the field.

Kyle’s story is one of perseverance, growth, and pure hustle. From his impressive days as a 2X All Big-South Wide Receiver at Gardner-Webb University to navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship, Kyle’s journey is a testament to his unwavering commitment to success. After earning his degree in Business, Kyle launched Chosen 1 Training, a fitness and training enterprise he started while balancing his corporate role as a Risk Management Officer.

Armed with lessons from mentors, hands-on experience, and his go-to resource — YouTube University — Kyle pushed through obstacles with determination and creativity. His journey shows how believing in yourself and staying adaptable can transform a side hustle into something extraordinary.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• How Kyle's athletic background shaped his mindset for business.

• The personal drive and determination behind launching Chosen 1 Training.

• How mentorship and online learning played key roles in his journey.

• The importance of adapting and learning through experience.

• Kyle’s strategy for managing a day job while pursuing his entrepreneurial dreams.

Tune in and get inspired to turn your passion into profit, no matter how challenging the journey may be.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review! Share this episode with someone who needs inspiration to take their own side hustle to the next level.

Connect with Kyle Horton:

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• ⁠Instagram
  

Welcome to the very first episode of "The Diary of a Side Hustler"! I'm your host, Kayla, a passionate storyteller here to bring you real, relatable stories of extraordinary individuals juggling side hustles and full-time careers.

In this pilot episode, I'll introduce myself and share the exciting concept behind the show. Get ready to dive into inspiring journeys, learn from the challenges and successes of our amazing guests, and discover valuable insights to fuel your own side hustle dreams.

Join me on this adventure and listen to "The Diary of a Side Hustler" on all streaming platforms and YouTube.

Let's get into these diary pages!

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