Notes from Chris

Episode 2226

In 2,000+ episodes I don’t think we’ve ever looked at this topic. The question is: “Is it always better to have prices end in the number 9?” One of our callers has noticed that lots of stuff for sale ends in the number 9. They mention Peloton bikes (high-end) but it’s also stuff at the grocery store that’s $5.99 or whatever.

Is this some scientifically proven marketing principle? Is it in fact a global conspiracy by George Soros, who found rogue prices in Hunter Biden’s laptop? Or is there no reason at all for it?

Of course, we’re interested in this from the side hustle angle: if you are going to price something, is there some advantage to ending it in the number 9?

You might be surprised by the answer!

“I recently heard that ending a price in 9 makes more people buy. Is there any truth to this? Ever since I heard it mentioned, I’ve been paying attention and it seems many products are priced that way: $39/month for my gym membership, or $1,499 for a Peloton bike.

What’s so special about $9? Do marketers just price that way because everyone else does, or is there any reality behind the idea that it affects consumer behavior?”

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 2225

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.

Today’s short story features Joseph, the aspirational owner of a scavenger hunt side hustle. We’ve talked about scavenger hunts a number of times, including a few people who’ve turned it into a big business operating with employees in multiple cities.

This story is a bit different, or at least has a different outcome. Let’s hear it from Joseph.

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 2224

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 web developer who goes from corporate to self-employed, hunting down clients on online job boards like Upwork.

Today, in our latest feature, we’ll hear from Sage Michaels, who owns a resume templates and coaching business. We heard from her once before in season 3. What’s happened since then?

Let’s hear directly from Sage. 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 2223

I got a really interesting question from a listener: they want to know about side hustling opportunties for introverts? If you don’t like selling, or just talking to people all the time—I’m in the club—what do you do?

I feel like being an introvert is cool now, thanks to Susan Cain and social media and maybe just the differnet mindset that a new generation brings.

But do you have to overcome this to sell something? (Spoiler: you don’t. But let’s talk about what kind of hustle might be best for those of us who identify as more introverted.)

“What are some good side hustle opportunities for introverts? I have a hard time talking to strangers or selling anything at all.

I’m not sure if the answer is to find a way to improve at these skills, or if there are businesses and side hustles I can operate completely on my own without any active sales process.”

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 2222

Let’s talk about pickleball! Years ago, we had an episode (438) called Pickleball Pro Pickles Profits from Persistent Practice. (Yes, I really enjoyed titling it.) I don’t think I had even heard of the sport before then, but since then it’s really taken off.

My friend and literary agent David is super into it. He’s promised to give me a lesson at some point.

More to the point of today’s episode, a listener in Arizona wonders about making and selling his own paddle. (Not a racquet.) What does Sean need to know?

“Did you know that pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the world? It’s true. My community here in Phoenix is big on it, despite the fact that some homeowners don’t love the noise.

For this sport, the only real equipment you need is a paddle, which costs around $100-200 for most models. Right now there are at least one hundred manufacturers making them, and it seems like a gold rush. Since most are made overseas, a buddy and I are thinking of trying to make our own. We’d brand it and sell it through Amazon and maybe our own website, depending on how it goes. Do you think this is a good market? It’s hot right now, but there are also a lot of sellers.”

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 2221

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.

With that in mind, today’s feature comes from Scott in Alberta, Canada. He’s found a way to make ongoing passive income through stock photography. Specifically, Scott licenses his images and earns a royalty whenever they’re used.

His goal is to build his earnings up to $5,000/month. But of course, we’re here to hear the origin story … so let’s hear it from Scott!

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 2220

Today’s caller can’t find the time to grow their business! Well, join the club … we’re all struggling these days to find time. But one thing I’ve learned is that “time management” tips aren’t necessarily the solution. Often, there’s a deeper problem behind the time struggle, perhaps some greater obstacle or resistance that’s the real problem. (I’ve seen this myself.)

A version of that is exactly what we have here today. The caller says they can’t find the time, but as you hear the question, pay close attention. This is a good one…

“I have a problem that seems both unique and common. It’s common because we all get behind, but it’s unique because I seem to have a special gift for struggling in this area.

Specifically, something seems to happen to me as I go from starting something to moving on to the next stage. I have plenty of time to start new ideas. But then, if business picks up, I struggle. I get overwhelmed. I don’t return calls or emails in a timely manner.

Not surprisingly, this results in me failing to grow my business. This has happened twice so far, including once when I grew the side hustle to almost $50,000/year, but failed to build beyond that point. Eventually, it all came crumbling to the ground. Again, starting is no problem—but growing is.

Am I destined to repeat the same patterns over and over? Help!”

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 2219

How many subscriptions do you have right now? I’m embarrassed to say I don’t know the answer for myself. It’s a lot. The other day I signed up for a nutrition tracker—naturally, it’s a renewing subscription—and I wondered, how many other things am I paying for month after month?

It’s a problem. And where there’s a problem, there’s an opportunity—right? You should know that if you’ve been listening for a while.

A caller wants to make a product to help you better manage your paid subscriptions, and not just manage, but also save money. I’ll say right now this is a great idea! We need it.

“With so many subscription products out now, I’m wondering if there’s any value in creating a tool to manage them. The idea is that it would look through your receipts and email confirmations to create a master list of subscriptions and the total pricing, then users could cancel what they don’t need and potentially save a lot of money.

As for the pricing, well, you guessed it—it will be by subscription! I’d make the case that the service will save users much more than it costs. Alternatively, it could be a one-time use that cleans up their subscriptions as part of a New Year, New You package. “

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 2218

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.

Today’s short story features Benny, the seller of socks. Let’s hear from them about one of those struggles… I’ll be back at the end to wrap us up.

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 2217

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.

Today, in our latest feature, we’ll hear from a web developer who goes from corporate to self-employed, hunting down clients on online job boards like Upwork.

It’s been a two-year journey and he’s now earning almost as much as he was in the day job, with plans to grow further in the next two years. Let’s hear more about that from Devon.

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,