Notes from Chris

Episode 3267

Welcome to Throwback Thursday, where we take an in-depth look at someone who’s story has evolved considerably since we first featured them.

Last week, we heard how one small campaign tool turned into a niche software product now licensed by multiple counties.

Today, in our latest feature, we’ll discover how one maker rescued stained recipe cards and transformed them into framed kitchen art. Her sentimental side hustle—complete with a done-for-you option—has already brightened 150 homes and counting.

Listen to today’s episode to hear more…

SEE ALSO:

• Raver Turns LED-Powered Gloves Into Bright Future: When a raver-turned-salesperson falls in love with an underground art form, he turns it into a successful side business.
• Bright Idea Leads Chicago Woman to Million-Dollar Hustle: A Chicago-based plastic recycling sales rep overcomes her fears and doubts to transform her love for DIY lamp shades and $10 in supplies into a multi-million dollar business.
• 3D Printing Brings Cosplay Into 21st Century: With a 3D printer and sense of imagination, a California natural gas industry worker takes superhero DIY cosplay to a whole new level.

Inspiration is good; inspiration combined with action is better. Now get back to work!

Yours in the revolution,

Notes from Chris

Episode 3266

In today’s story…

..this patient runner starts a running shoe review site, first because he’s bored, then as a hobby, then as a passion project, a side hustle that brings in a whopping $9 in month one, but—after miles of pounding the pavement—turns into a real moneymaker.

Listen to today’s episode to learn more…

SEE ALSO:

• Catholic Designer Creates Stylish Apparel Line: What shall it profit a man to gain the whole world but not sell any t-shirts? This designer cast his bread upon the waters and ended up with a profitable fashion line.
• Seattle Couple Creates New “Income LiveStream”: When a married couple runs into logistical problems at their wedding, it leads to an innovative service that other engaged couples need during the pandemic.
• Role-Playing Pastor Rolls The Dice On $2800/Month Hustle: Listener success story! This Presbyterian minister turns to his lifelong interest in role-playing games to set up a sustainable second income source.

Inspiration is good; inspiration combined with action is better. Now get back to work!

Yours in the revolution,

Notes from Chris

Episode 3265

Opening the door to shipping can 3–10x your buyer pool—especially for collectibles—but it also introduces new headaches: bad payments, chargebacks, and boxes arriving in pieces. The trick is to start narrow, use platforms that include buyer/seller protection, and set up packing and payment rules you never break. Let’s walk through a cautious rollout.

“I list furniture and collectibles locally on Facebook Marketplace with ‘pickup only’ in the description. Lately buyers keep asking me to ship, sometimes offering to prepay through sketchy methods. I know shipping could expand my pool of customers, but I’m worried about scams, returns, and damage. Is it worth adding shipping as a growth lever, and if so, what safeguards—payment platforms, packaging techniques—help a small seller avoid getting burned?”

Listen to today’s episode to learn more…

SEE ALSO:

• Catholic Designer Creates Stylish Apparel Line: What shall it profit a man to gain the whole world but not sell any t-shirts? This designer cast his bread upon the waters and ended up with a profitable fashion line.
• Seattle Couple Creates New “Income LiveStream”: When a married couple runs into logistical problems at their wedding, it leads to an innovative service that other engaged couples need during the pandemic.
• Role-Playing Pastor Rolls The Dice On $2800/Month Hustle: Listener success story! This Presbyterian minister turns to his lifelong interest in role-playing games to set up a sustainable second income source.

Inspiration is good; inspiration combined with action is better. Now get back to work!

Yours in the revolution,

Notes from Chris

Episode 3264

Today’s episode is part of a feature we call ‘Your First $1,000.’ As you might surmise from the title, this is all about how someone made their first $1,000.

How did they get to that point? Not their first $100,000—that’s cool, but it would probably be a long story.

But what about their first $1,000—how did they make that happen, what did it feel like, and what did they learn?

Let’s hear today’s story. I’ll be back at the end to wrap us up. 

SEE ALSO:

• Military Spouse Starts Subscription Box Mission:When an HR Director’s husband is away on military deployment, she uses the alone time to march toward a subscription box.
• Think Inside the Subscription Box:Looking for more community, a North Carolina web agency owner starts a subscription box for female entrepreneurs. It’s supposed to be a referral tool for her agency, but it ends up becoming a full-time business of its own.
• Nature-Loving Neighbors Create Kids Subscription Box: When two couples can’t figure out how to get their kids outdoors and away from electronics in the winter, a personal challenge blossoms into an unbeLEAFable side hustle.

Inspiration is good; inspiration combined with action is better. Now get back to work!

Yours in the revolution,

Notes from Chris

Episode 3263

It’s Weekend Workshop, and it’s new!

Listen to today’s episode to learn more…

SEE ALSO:

• Catholic Designer Creates Stylish Apparel Line: What shall it profit a man to gain the whole world but not sell any t-shirts? This designer cast his bread upon the waters and ended up with a profitable fashion line.
• Seattle Couple Creates New “Income LiveStream”: When a married couple runs into logistical problems at their wedding, it leads to an innovative service that other engaged couples need during the pandemic.
• Role-Playing Pastor Rolls The Dice On $2800/Month Hustle: Listener success story! This Presbyterian minister turns to his lifelong interest in role-playing games to set up a sustainable second income source.

Inspiration is good; inspiration combined with action is better. Now get back to work!

Yours in the revolution,

Notes from Chris

Episode 3262

Service businesses hit a hard ceiling: a week only holds so many billable hours. When the calendar is close to full, growth comes down to choosing the right lever—charge a bit more or squeeze in more sessions. One path protects energy and often improves perceived value; the other risks dilution, context switching, and creeping burnout.

Today’s caller doesn’t need a rebrand or a funnel—just clear math and a small, real-world test. Price the next couple of inquiries at the higher rate, set a firm session cap, and let behavior (not fear) decide. We’ll show how a modest fee bump can lift profit per hour without sacrificing quality.

“I’m a lifestyle improvement coach billing around 20 client hours a week at $100 per session. My calendar is already near capacity, so growth options feel limited. I keep debating: is it better to raise my rates by 10% for existing and new clients, or pour effort into marketing to land 10% more people at the current price? I’m worried a price increase triggers churn, but I also don’t want to burn out chasing more clients for the same money. How do I figure out which lever—price or volume—will actually improve net profit fastest?”

Listen to today’s episode to learn more…

SEE ALSO:

• Catholic Designer Creates Stylish Apparel Line: What shall it profit a man to gain the whole world but not sell any t-shirts? This designer cast his bread upon the waters and ended up with a profitable fashion line.
• Seattle Couple Creates New “Income LiveStream”: When a married couple runs into logistical problems at their wedding, it leads to an innovative service that other engaged couples need during the pandemic.
• Role-Playing Pastor Rolls The Dice On $2800/Month Hustle: Listener success story! This Presbyterian minister turns to his lifelong interest in role-playing games to set up a sustainable second income source.

Inspiration is good; inspiration combined with action is better. Now get back to work!

Yours in the revolution,

Notes from Chris

Episode 3261

Not every side hustle explodes. Many take a year to stabilize. But eight months of nightly effort for only six hundred dollars is a signal that something—pricing, product, marketing, or audience—isn’t working. The goal isn’t to defend the project or kill it out of fear; it’s to run a structured test so emotion (yours or your spouse’s) doesn’t make the decision.

A slow start isn’t failure; it’s information. The real issue here isn’t just profit—it’s what matters most to the creator: creative satisfaction, extra income, or a path to replacing a job. Her spouse’s concern is valid, but this decision is hers. The goal is to clarify why she’s doing it, then run a focused experiment so the answer doesn’t come from emotion or pressure.

“I’ve been crafting for a while, and I spend nights knitting quirky pet sweaters and selling them on Etsy. After eight months on the marketplace I’ve netted about $600 total, and my spouse says the time might be better spent on freelance work that pays immediately. Part of me thinks every business needs a slow burn; another part worries I’m ignoring solid feedback. How do you tell the difference between healthy persistence and stubborn denial—especially when the person questioning you is someone you trust?”

Listen to today’s episode to learn more…

SEE ALSO:

• Catholic Designer Creates Stylish Apparel Line: What shall it profit a man to gain the whole world but not sell any t-shirts? This designer cast his bread upon the waters and ended up with a profitable fashion line.
• Seattle Couple Creates New “Income LiveStream”: When a married couple runs into logistical problems at their wedding, it leads to an innovative service that other engaged couples need during the pandemic.
• Role-Playing Pastor Rolls The Dice On $2800/Month Hustle: Listener success story! This Presbyterian minister turns to his lifelong interest in role-playing games to set up a sustainable second income source.

Inspiration is good; inspiration combined with action is better. Now get back to work!

Yours in the revolution,

Notes from Chris

Episode 3260

Welcome to Throwback Thursday, where we take an in-depth look at someone who’s story has evolved considerably since we first featured them.

Last week, we heard how a creative project for a friend in recovery became a business, eventually leading to a partnership with a Washington, DC nonprofit.

Today, in our latest feature, we’ll find out how one small campaign tool turned into a niche software product now licensed by multiple counties.

Listen to today’s episode to hear more…

SEE ALSO:

• Raver Turns LED-Powered Gloves Into Bright Future: When a raver-turned-salesperson falls in love with an underground art form, he turns it into a successful side business.
• Bright Idea Leads Chicago Woman to Million-Dollar Hustle: A Chicago-based plastic recycling sales rep overcomes her fears and doubts to transform her love for DIY lamp shades and $10 in supplies into a multi-million dollar business.
• 3D Printing Brings Cosplay Into 21st Century: With a 3D printer and sense of imagination, a California natural gas industry worker takes superhero DIY cosplay to a whole new level.

Inspiration is good; inspiration combined with action is better. Now get back to work!

Yours in the revolution,

Notes from Chris

Episode 3259

In today’s story…

..A dissatisfied accountant longs to do something different, so at first she begins selling handmade items on Etsy.

Nothing wrong with that, but then she finds a way to do something even better… discovering a way to use her financial skills but in a different manner than she does for work, and in a way that serves a unique market.

Listen to today’s episode to learn more…

SEE ALSO:

• Catholic Designer Creates Stylish Apparel Line: What shall it profit a man to gain the whole world but not sell any t-shirts? This designer cast his bread upon the waters and ended up with a profitable fashion line.
• Seattle Couple Creates New “Income LiveStream”: When a married couple runs into logistical problems at their wedding, it leads to an innovative service that other engaged couples need during the pandemic.
• Role-Playing Pastor Rolls The Dice On $2800/Month Hustle: Listener success story! This Presbyterian minister turns to his lifelong interest in role-playing games to set up a sustainable second income source.

Inspiration is good; inspiration combined with action is better. Now get back to work!

Yours in the revolution,

Notes from Chris

Episode 3258

Returns and open-box items are a hidden supply chain. Retailers and Amazon sellers unload mixed-condition goods to liquidators who sell them by the pallet. Some resellers make healthy margins; others buy mystery boxes of broken junk.

The difference is process: knowing your sell-through rate, product categories, and refurb limits before you spend a dollar. Let’s give this caller a checklist to go from curiosity to a controlled experiment.

“I noticed liquidation pallets and ‘open box’ sections at big retailers full of lightly used or returned items—kitchen appliances, small electronics. I’m considering buying returns in bulk, cleaning/test ing them, then reselling individually on Facebook Marketplace or eBay. Is there real profit after factoring in defective units, time spent testing, and platform fees? What due diligence should I do before purchasing a pallet so I don’t end up with a garage of junk?”

Listen to today’s episode to learn more…

SEE ALSO:

• Catholic Designer Creates Stylish Apparel Line: What shall it profit a man to gain the whole world but not sell any t-shirts? This designer cast his bread upon the waters and ended up with a profitable fashion line.
• Seattle Couple Creates New “Income LiveStream”: When a married couple runs into logistical problems at their wedding, it leads to an innovative service that other engaged couples need during the pandemic.
• Role-Playing Pastor Rolls The Dice On $2800/Month Hustle: Listener success story! This Presbyterian minister turns to his lifelong interest in role-playing games to set up a sustainable second income source.

Inspiration is good; inspiration combined with action is better. Now get back to work!

Yours in the revolution,