Notes from Chris

Episode 534

Anna Lozano is no stranger to side hustles. Her family immigrated from Poland to Canada, and when she was growing up, Anna had the quintessential lemonade stand. Then, as she got older, she began working odds and ends jobs to get extra cash. She even sold Polish sausages, no doubt drawing on her extensive knowledge of their origin.

Years later, in 2010, Anna was working in marketing and climbing the corporate ladder. She became dissatisfied and burnt out, and asked herself who she was living like this for. It certainly wasn’t herself. So, her and her husband built an online wellness business. The business was so successful that she was able to retire from cubicle world in 2011. In 2013, her husband was able to do the same. However, as inspiring as this story is, this isn’t what we’re going to be talking about today.

In November of 2016, Anna and her best friend, Lindy Sood, discovered the power of “I am” affirmations.

“I am” affirmations are statements that remind the person saying them of positive and empowering qualities that they have. Some say things like “I am loved”, “I am enough”, and I am “strong”. The women say that stating them changed how they felt, and they were becoming more confident while also feeling more at peace. [Side Note: Personally my affirmations are “I am ready for more coffee.” … “I am ordering a vodka soda” … “I am asking you to get out of my way”]

Anna and Lindy were mothers, and they wondered what effect these affirmations could have on their children. To the best of their knowledge, there weren’t any affirmation cards that focused on families.

So they decided to create Love Powered Co., and their first product would be the Love Powered Littles Box Set.

They started working to launch a Kickstarter campaign. They had the idea in November of 2016, but it wasn’t until August of 2017 that the Kickstarter was ready to go live.

They started working to launch a Kickstarter campaign. They had the idea in November of 2016, but it wasn’t until August of 2017 that the Kickstarter was ready to go live. It’s important to remember that these things take time, and Anna encourages those who want to use Kickstarter for their side hustle to prepare, plan, then execute!

Anna and Lindy’s careful and thoughtful preparation fostered some lovely results. Within the first 24 hours of launching, they had reached their goal of raising $10,000 CAD ($7,687.07 USD). It ended with more than double that amount, at a little under $22,000 CAD ($16,911.56 USD). The two have invested a total of about $40,000 CAD ($30,748.30 USD) to date.

As it turns out, their successful Kickstarter would also parallel their profits. Just from January to May of this year, Love Empowered Co. has earned $70,000 CAD ($54,000 USD). They’re projected to earn $300,000 CAD total this year, due to the upcoming release of their new collections for teens and women.

Right now, most of their sales come from their website, but they’ve also connected with 22 boutiques, yoga studios, and mindfulness centers in the US and Canada. They are fulfilling 20 more wholesale retailer requests this coming July.

Just by identifying one of their own needs and taking initiative to release it out into the world for all, they’ve created a booming side hustle. Now, repeat after me: "I am hustling. I am making money. I am ready to get to work!"

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MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Love Powered Co.: "I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and doggone it, people like me." Okay, I definitely didn't come up with that one... Learn more about Anna and Lindy's self-love affirmation cards for "littles" over on their website!

• Kickstarter | Love Powered Littles: Check out the Kickstarter campaign that started it all and take note of the extra things that they did to make their project more legitimate
• Green Inbox: The crowdfunding boosting service that Anna and Lindy used to get their message even farther

SEE ALSO:

• Hollywood Film Editor Optimizes Life Through Self-Care Side Hustle: Inspired by his own work/life imbalance, a film and TV editor starts a project to help his industry learn how to live more by staying present
• Graphic Designer Turns Side Hustle into $80k Project: A longing for expression and self-love pushes one woman into a successful side hustle helping others live more fulfilling lives through the practice of breathwork
• New Mother Gives Life To Self-Care Coaching Business: In need of some routine before returning to her job as an Ultrasound Technician, a new mother creates a side business focused on self-care coaching

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

Yours in the revolution,

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