Notes from Chris

Episode 2256

Today’s episode is part of a new feature we’re doing in 2022 called ‘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.

One thing I’ve learned is that once you begin to earn real money, the steps required to go to the next level—whether it’s $1,000 to $2,000, or even to $5,000 or $10,000 are often easier than that first real paycheck.

With that in mind, today’s feature comes from Alli (or Allison), an independent musician who earns passive income from Spotify. 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 it from Allison. 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 2255

Today, we have a caller from New York City. Mike is on the line and he’s got a passion for cooking and wants to turn that into a profitable side hustle. He’s set his sights on starting a home-based meal delivery service, but as with any new venture, he wants to make sure he’s covering all his bases.

Let’s see what we can share with Mike to help him get his meal delivery service off the ground and on the road to success…as well as many five-star reviews.

“Hello, my name is Mike and I’m calling from New York. I recently stumbled upon your podcast while searching for advice on starting a side hustle. I have an idea for a home-based meal delivery service and I’m really excited about it, but I want to make sure I’m not making any critical mistakes.

Naturally, I want to do everything I can to set myself up for success—so can you share some common pitfalls to avoid in this situation? I really want to make sure I’m not missing anything important.”

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 2254

Today we’ll hear from a caller whose idea might sound a little buggy at first. What I mean is, he’s been reading about the benefits of eating insects and thinks that starting an edible insect farm could be a great business opportunity.

He’s got a background in agriculture and is eager to learn more about the industry and how to get started. Can we help him out with some tips for starting that insect farm and finding the right customers?

(Don’t you want to sign up already??)

“Hi there! This is Sam calling from Denver. I’ve been reading about the benefits of eating insects, and I think starting an edible insect farm could be a great business opportunity. I have a background in agriculture, and I’m eager to learn more about this industry and how I can get started.

Do you have any tips on how to start an insect farm and what to focus on in terms of marketing and customer acquisition? I imagine that some people probably think it’s weird, but I think it’s the future. Thanks for your time!”

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 2253

I believe we can learn as much from failure as we can from success, if not more. It’s with this principle in mind that I offer you a weekly segment called Failure Friday: a collection of short stories all about mistakes, missteps, disasters, and of course, failure.

Just like our Throwback Thursday segment, you’ll hear directly from side hustlers who have struggled to get something off the ground. They’ll tell you a short story of something that went very wrong.

The stories will vary, but often it starts with an idea, what they thought would happen and what really happened—and of course, what they learned.

Today’s short story features Nick Snare. He describes himself as a former online tutor. That sounds interesting … let’s hear the rest of that from him.

SEE ALSO:

• Marketer Creates Six-Figure Subscription Box Success: He looked for a simple solution for a client, and didn’t find one—so he spent the next year building it.
• Comic Book Curator Creates Custom Crate Subscription: A Sacramento-based comic and collectibles owner sparks an interest in reading with a monthly comic book subscription box service.
• A Packed Closet Leads to Secondhand Subscription Boxes: A professional organizer finds a way to stitch her passion for thrift shopping into profits.

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

Yours in the revolution,

Notes from Chris

Episode 2252

Welcome to Throwback Thursday / “Where are they now?” where we take an in-depth look at someone who’s story has evolved considerably since we first featured them.

Last week, we heard from a Bay Area beekeeper who slings honey to the tune of $40,000/year part-time.

Today, in our latest feature, we’ll hear from the founder of a children’s party hosting business.

What’s happened since? Let’s hear directly from them. I’ll be back at the end to wrap us up.

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 artform, 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 2251

On the line today is a caller who’s exploring new ways to turn her photography skills into a business. She is interested in starting a mobile photo booth business, but wants to make sure she has a solid plan in place. Let’s help Janet turn her dream into a thriving business!

“Hello! This is Janet calling from Portland. I found your podcast while searching for small business resources. I have a background in photography and I think there could be enough interest in Mobile Photo Booths to make it a lasting thing. But I’m not sure how to get started and what I should look out for. Can you give me some advice? What would you do if you were me?”

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 2250

If you’re going to pay taxes—and there are worse problems in life—you might as well do all you can to save on them. That’s my perspective: don’t complain, but definitely take deductions, credits, anything you’re entitled to.

That season is coming up for many of us in the U.S., so today a caller wants to know about paying taxes on a credit card that offers cash back.

Is this an all-new side hustle? Might there be some drawbacks? Let’s find out!

“It’s that time again: tax season is coming up. This year, I owe a good amount of money, in part because I made $15,000 in my side hustle. Thanks for the tips!

But of course, now I owe some money on the money I’ve made. Fortunately, I set aside 30% of the profit as you suggest, but I’m wondering if there’s a way I can use a credit card to earn cash back on the money I pay to the government. Is that a wild idea, or am I on to something?”

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 2249

Today’s episode is part of a new feature we’re doing in 2022 called ‘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.

One thing I’ve learned is that once you begin to earn real money, the steps required to go to the next level—whether it’s $1,000 to $2,000, or even to $5,000 or $10,000 are often easier than that first real paycheck.

With that in mind, today’s feature comes from Jack in Bali, who moved from his native Australia to become a digital nomad. This is the story of his first $1,000 as a freelance copywriter.

Let’s hear it from Jack! 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 2248

If you’re selling a digital product, isn’t your inventory unlimited? This might sound like a trick question: how could it not be? A file can be downloaded over and over. You downloading the file doesn’t affect my ability to download it, and so on.

But our caller has a question about digital inventory—and it’s a smart one. They’re wondering if there might be a downside to continuing to add more and more digital products to their online store. I like this thinking! Let’s talk it out.

“This might sound silly, because obviously digital items are unlimited. But is there a disadvantage to continuing to add more and more products, especially if some aren’t selling?

I’m thinking of following the model of selling downloadable reports, and I wonder if it’s better to just focus on a few bestsellers, or go all-in and try to build out dozens of them over time. What do you think is better?”

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 2247

A caller is wondering about becoming a Medical Billing Advocate. This is someone who helps patients negotiate and lower their medical bills, especially in cases where the bill is high and might include mistakes or unnecessary charges. In return, they typically charge a flat fee in addition to a percentage of the money saved.

If you like the idea of doing this—which is both helpful and potentially profitable—how can you get started?

“My mom was in the hospital recently, and unfortunately she doesn’t have good insurance. When she got out, the bill was really expensive. However, we talked to some people and learned that some of the charges can be reduced if we know what we’re doing. Then we learned that someone called a Medical Billing Advocate can help.

Long story short, I thought this was interesting and could make for a cool side hustle. It seems to meet all the requirements you talk about, and it’s obviously helpful to people. So how do I become one and where do I find clients? I’ll do my own searching but was also curious about what you suggest.”

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,