Archives: Podcast

TBT: Soap Opera Star Becomes Professional Organizer

What It’s About

A star is born as an actress turns into a professional organizer.

Notes from Chris

Episode 1874

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 Joe Kim. From his home base in Los Angeles, Joe sells Catholic goods for future saints.

Today, in our latest feature, we’ll hear from Regina Leeds, also in Los Angeles. We told her story back on Ep. 793, Actress Becomes Organizational Director of Organization. Regina starred in many popular TV shows, including recurring roles on Married…With Children and The Young and the Restless.

As you’ll hear, she eventually left that career and became a professional organizer and author. Let’s hear more from Regina. I’ll be back at the end to wrap us up.

 

 

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

 

SEE ALSO:

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

Yours in the revolution,

cg-sig-newsletter

Resources

CREATE YOUR ONLINE STORE

Create your online store with Shopify using an exclusive discount for Side Hustle School listeners. For a limited time, get a free 21-day trial and a 10% discount for a whole year.

Many Side Hustle School listeners are building sites using Shopify's easy-to-learn platform. Try it free today! Learn More

GET YOUR FIRST 1,000 EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS

Social media is nice, but building an email list is still the single best way to get customers and clients for your hustle. It's not hard to get started—sign up for a 30-day trial and join the list-building challenge! You’ll be up and running in no time. Learn More

Sponsors & Gratitude

Don't Do Business Without It

Side Hustle School is brought to you by American Express.

No matter what you do in business, from working nine-to-five to working five-to-nine, it’s easier when you don’t go it alone. Get the powerful backing of American Express—don't do business without it! 💳 Visit American Express

Like the Show? Leave a Rating!

Side Hustle School is for you! If you’re enjoying it, please take a quick moment to leave a rating or write a quick review. It's really easy and it makes a difference! ✅

It also makes a huge difference when you tell your friends about the show. Remember, it's 100% free and listener-supported.
Here's How

Keep in Touch

There’s a new story every single day on Side Hustle School. Episodes are produced to be short and to the point—I know you’re busy. Be sure you subscribe to get instant notification of the day’s broadcast!


To infinity and beyond,

Chris Guillebeau

Q&A: “Fly as an airline courier” … is that a thing?

What It’s About

Today’s listener has an interesting idea involving flying. Does it have wings?

Notes from Chris

Episode 1873

Wouldn’t it be cool to fly around the world as a messenger—and not for a drug cartel, but for companies that needed materials delivered quickly? This was the promise of being an airline courier. It was something I saw ads for and wondered about a long time ago.

Today’s caller remembers those ads too—maybe even they’ve seen them recently? I’m not sure, but in any case, they’re wondering about whether this is a viable business opportunity, a scam, or perhaps something else? Let’s see if we can unravel the mystery.

“I’ve heard there are people who get paid to be airline couriers, where they fly from place to place delivering sensitive documents and maybe some other goods and items—but nothing sketchy! It’s totally legal and is a service that corporations doing a lot of international trade need. Where can I find out more about this opportunity? I’d love to go to Paris for free … maybe Venice too. But that brings up another point: I don’t suppose you get to pick your destinations, do you? If not, where are the most common ones?”

Listen to today’s episode to learn more…

 

 

SEE ALSO:

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

Yours in the revolution,

cg-sig-newsletter

Resources

CREATE YOUR ONLINE STORE

Create your online store with Shopify using an exclusive discount for Side Hustle School listeners. For a limited time, get a free 21-day trial and a 10% discount for a whole year.

Many Side Hustle School listeners are building sites using Shopify's easy-to-learn platform. Try it free today! Learn More

GET YOUR FIRST 1,000 EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS

Social media is nice, but building an email list is still the single best way to get customers and clients for your hustle. It's not hard to get started—sign up for a 30-day trial and join the list-building challenge! You’ll be up and running in no time. Learn More

Sponsors & Gratitude

Don't Do Business Without It

Side Hustle School is brought to you by American Express.

No matter what you do in business, from working nine-to-five to working five-to-nine, it’s easier when you don’t go it alone. Get the powerful backing of American Express—don't do business without it! 💳 Visit American Express

Like the Show? Leave a Rating!

Side Hustle School is for you! If you’re enjoying it, please take a quick moment to leave a rating or write a quick review. It's really easy and it makes a difference! ✅

It also makes a huge difference when you tell your friends about the show. Remember, it's 100% free and listener-supported.
Here's How

Keep in Touch

There’s a new story every single day on Side Hustle School. Episodes are produced to be short and to the point—I know you’re busy. Be sure you subscribe to get instant notification of the day’s broadcast!


To infinity and beyond,

Chris Guillebeau

Voiceover Couple Averages $4,500/Month

What It’s About

A couple finds their voices in a crowded freelance market.

Words of Wisdom

For others who want to get into voice acting, Dom recommends taking acting classes and getting a good microphone.

Fun Fact

Nicole was doing a live Zoom session with one of their international clients when she signed off with “gracias.” But Dom couldn’t stop laughing because the clients were Brazilian and thank you in Portuguese is “obrigada.” They’re not sure if the clients noticed.

Notes from Chris

Episode 1872
While he was a student at Delaware State University, Dom Draper ran his own radio show. He’d also learned how to record and edit audio when he was in a Christian rap group as a kid. He already had audio equipment and know-now, so in 2017, Dom’s mom suggested he try voiceover work.

Dom landed his first voiceover gig using Fiverr. It was a $10 project for Detroit Radio. Two months later, his wife Nicole got her first voiceover gig, also for Detroit Radio. She’d earned a degree in musical theater, so she had the perfect background.

Starting out, Dom and Nicole did radio drops, church announcements, and podcast intros. These projects weren’t high profile or high paying, but they helped the couple gain experience and build up their network. They used basic audio equipment and over time, invested about $5,000 in better microphones, software, and a computer. They’ve gotten so good at editing that they can now turn around a 30-second voice in under 30 minutes.

In 2018, things started to pick up. Dom met a company from Brazil called Hefty Audio. This company was connected to a larger one with offices all over the world. That relationship got the couple award-winning projects with Nike, Netflix, and Deezer.

Dom stresses that every job is different and some clients have bigger budgets than you might expect. At the same time, some companies try to take advantage of voiceover talent, so he encourages you to closely read any contracts. In particular, you want to make sure you know the term length so you’re not giving your voice away for nothing.

As African American voice actors, Dom and Nicole have found that many brands want their voices and they’re proud to meet that demand. Their tagline is, “Diverse voices, for a diverse world,” meaning they want all voices, especially BIPOC voices, to be heard. Until recently, it was acceptable for a white actor to voice a Black character and Black actors often had to try to make their voices sound “white.” But now that Black culture is popular culture, authentic Black voice tones and accents are acceptable. They hope to use their platform to help black and brown youth get into acting. They want their community to build generational wealth and legacies like they are doing for their son.

As they’ve grown the business, they’re also able to work on higher-profile projects. In addition to Nike and Netflix, they’ve now worked with PNC Bank, Mountain Dew, Adobe, and several sports teams.

Next, they hope to grow their business and find an agent so they can take on even bigger projects. Nicole also hopes to host workshops for youth interested in voice acting. Sounds like the Voiceover Couple has set the stage for long-term success.

 

 

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

  • Looking to get into voiceover, or want to hire Dom and Nicole? Check out their website, The Voiceover Couple!

SEE ALSO:

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

Yours in the revolution,

cg-sig-newsletter

Resources

WEB HOSTING @ $2.49/MONTH

Want to build any kind of website for your hustle? If so, you'll need somewhere to host it! This is the reliable company I've used for many websites. It's cheap, flexible, and offers support 24-7.

Get your own hosting plan for just $2.49 a month!
Learn More

GET $625 IN FREE TRAVEL

Earn 50,000 travel rewards points (enough for 2 round-trip plane tickets or $625 in travel credit). You'll also earn 2x points on all travel and dining spend, with zero foreign transaction fees.

I use this card every day all over the world! ✈️ Learn More

Quote of the Day
"Sometimes you struggles with lack of work and you have to push through and keep working and submitting auditions."
—Dom and Nicole #SideHustleSchool

Sponsors & Gratitude

Try ShipStation for 60 Days FREE!

Today’s episode of Side Hustle School is brought to you by ShipStation, the #1 choice of online sellers. 📦

To get a 30-day trial AND an additional month free, click the microphone at the top of their page and enter the word HUSTLE.
Get it Here

Like the Show? Leave a Rating!

Side Hustle School is for you! If you’re enjoying it, please take a quick moment to leave a rating or write a quick review. It's really easy and it makes a difference! ✅

It also makes a huge difference when you tell your friends about the show. Remember, it's 100% free and listener-supported.
Here's How

Keep in Touch

There’s a new story every single day on Side Hustle School. Episodes are produced to be short and to the point—I know you’re busy. Be sure you subscribe to get instant notification of the day’s broadcast!


To infinity and beyond,

Chris Guillebeau

First $1,000: “I had literally zero intention of running a business…”

What It’s About

A Google employee stumbles upon an accidental new career.

Notes from Chris

Episode 1871

Welcome! Happy 14th.

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 Lindsay Gordon. We first featured her back on Episode #1179: Google Employee Becomes Career Coach for “Analytically-Minded People.”

She’s now on track for a multiple six-figure business. But what about her first $1,000—how did they make that happen, what did it feel like, and what did they learn?

Listen to today’s episode to learn more…

 

 

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

  • Thanks to Lindsay for telling us about her first $1,000. I hope you found it encouraging. Check out her website at ALifeOfOptions.com or connect on LinkedIn @LindsayGordon.

SEE ALSO:

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

Yours in the revolution,

cg-sig-newsletter

Resources

WEB HOSTING @ $2.49/MONTH

Want to build any kind of website for your hustle? If so, you'll need somewhere to host it! This is the reliable company I've used for many websites. It's cheap, flexible, and offers support 24-7.

Get your own hosting plan for just $2.49 a month!
Learn More

GET $625 IN FREE TRAVEL

Earn 50,000 travel rewards points (enough for 2 round-trip plane tickets or $625 in travel credit). You'll also earn 2x points on all travel and dining spend, with zero foreign transaction fees.

I use this card every day all over the world! ✈️ Learn More

Sponsors & Gratitude

Don't Do Business Without It

Side Hustle School is brought to you by American Express.

No matter what you do in business, from working nine-to-five to working five-to-nine, it’s easier when you don’t go it alone. Get the powerful backing of American Express—don't do business without it! 💳 Visit American Express

Like the Show? Leave a Rating!

Side Hustle School is for you! If you’re enjoying it, please take a quick moment to leave a rating or write a quick review. It's really easy and it makes a difference! ✅

It also makes a huge difference when you tell your friends about the show. Remember, it's 100% free and listener-supported.
Here's How

Keep in Touch

There’s a new story every single day on Side Hustle School. Episodes are produced to be short and to the point—I know you’re busy. Be sure you subscribe to get instant notification of the day’s broadcast!


To infinity and beyond,

Chris Guillebeau

Q&A: Is the directory website model outdated?

What It’s About

Today’s caller wants to know if it’s a good idea to update a class model.

Notes from Chris

Episode 1870

A caller from Massachusetts currently has a small moving business and is thinking about starting a directory website that provides listings to movers from around the country.

Is this business model outdated, or might it still have potential?

Alternatively: is that the right question to ask? This is so important. Sometimes we waver on something that isn’t actually a key factor in making the right decision.

“Hi, Chris, this is Elgin from just outside Boston, Massachusetts. I’ve been listening to the show for years now and love the inspiration and advice. So my current side hustle is a small moving business, basically myself and a friend of mine. He’s not a partner in the business, so I pay him an agreed amount for each job, and it’s working fairly well for now. My question is about potentially creating a directory website of movers from around the country and charging lead referrals, sponsored listings or other ad related revenue. I’m choosing the moving business since I already know the industry, and it seems like a good fit. Now is the directory model outdated? What a simple Google search of moving companies might suffice. I ask this question because you’ve covered directory websites and past episodes and they seem a little more specialized from what I’m proposing. Thanks and look forward to hearing your advice.”

Listen to today’s episode to learn more…

 

 

SEE ALSO:

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

Yours in the revolution,

cg-sig-newsletter

Resources

GET $625 IN FREE TRAVEL

Earn 50,000 travel rewards points (enough for 2 round-trip plane tickets or $625 in travel credit). You'll also earn 2x points on all travel and dining spend, with zero foreign transaction fees.

I use this card every day all over the world! ✈️ Learn More

CREATE YOUR ONLINE STORE

Create your online store with Shopify using an exclusive discount for Side Hustle School listeners. For a limited time, get a free 21-day trial and a 10% discount for a whole year.

Many Side Hustle School listeners are building sites using Shopify's easy-to-learn platform. Try it free today! Learn More

Sponsors & Gratitude

Learn More With Skillshare!

Supporting the sponsors keeps the show free. Today’s episode of Side Hustle School is brought to you by Skillshare. 📷

Skillshare is giving Side Hustle School listeners 2 months of unlimited access—for $0.99! Join the 2 million students learning everything from street photography to SEO on Skillshare today!
Get Started Here!

Like the Show? Leave a Rating!

Side Hustle School is for you! If you’re enjoying it, please take a quick moment to leave a rating or write a quick review. It's really easy and it makes a difference! ✅

It also makes a huge difference when you tell your friends about the show. Remember, it's 100% free and listener-supported.


Here's How

Keep in Touch

There’s a new story every single day on Side Hustle School. Episodes are produced to be short and to the point—I know you’re busy. Be sure you subscribe to get instant notification of the day’s broadcast!


To infinity and beyond,

Chris Guillebeau

Q&A: “I’m building the world’s most difficult scavenger hunt…”

What It’s About

Today’s listener is on the hunt for some feedback.

Notes from Chris

Episode 1869

Let’s go on a scavenger hunt—a really big, difficult one. That’s what today’s listener proposes: the world’s most difficult hunt.

Shoutout to Chris Damianakos from Cashunt, perhaps not the world’s most difficult hunt but one of the longest-running and most successful. We featured Chris way back in Ep. 128 and also in the 100 Side Hustles book.

Will this listener follow in his footsteps … or get lost along the way?

“You’ve featured a couple of businesses that offer scavenger hunts. I’d like to create one that I call “the world’s most difficult hunt.” To complete the quest, the winning team will have to visit at least four cities and complete all sorts of absurd and difficult tasks. They need to meet a real celebrity, swim across a river, find a Christmas tree in the middle of summer, and more. The list goes on.

The difficulty is part of the appeal; I don’t want to dumb it down because the market is people who are into really hardcore adventures like this. I could see it becoming a reality show one day, but first I need to gain traction. Where would you suggest I start?”

Listen to today’s episode to learn more…

 

 

SEE ALSO:

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

Yours in the revolution,

cg-sig-newsletter

Resources

CREATE YOUR ONLINE STORE

Create your online store with Shopify using an exclusive discount for Side Hustle School listeners. For a limited time, get a free 21-day trial and a 10% discount for a whole year.

Many Side Hustle School listeners are building sites using Shopify's easy-to-learn platform. Try it free today! Learn More

GET YOUR FIRST 1,000 EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS

Social media is nice, but building an email list is still the single best way to get customers and clients for your hustle. It's not hard to get started—sign up for a 30-day trial and join the list-building challenge! You’ll be up and running in no time. Learn More

Sponsors & Gratitude

Don't Do Business Without It

Side Hustle School is brought to you by American Express.

No matter what you do in business, from working nine-to-five to working five-to-nine, it’s easier when you don’t go it alone. Get the powerful backing of American Express—don't do business without it! 💳 Visit American Express

Like the Show? Leave a Rating!

Side Hustle School is for you! If you’re enjoying it, please take a quick moment to leave a rating or write a quick review. It's really easy and it makes a difference! ✅

It also makes a huge difference when you tell your friends about the show. Remember, it's 100% free and listener-supported.
Here's How

Keep in Touch

There’s a new story every single day on Side Hustle School. Episodes are produced to be short and to the point—I know you’re busy. Be sure you subscribe to get instant notification of the day’s broadcast!


To infinity and beyond,

Chris Guillebeau

Failure Friday: “What you didn’t hear was how unfocused I was…”

What It’s About

The cookie doesn’t always crumble the way you expect.

Notes from Chris

Episode 1868

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 Chelsea Raehl. We told the first version of her story on Episode #1198: Nurse Relieves Stress, Earns Cash from Custom Cookie Cutters.

(It’s not a cookie-cutter business! Oh wait, it actually is… or it was.)

This is one of my favorites of the year. You’re going to hear how her mom bailed her out of her business debt, how she took on too much, how she was unfocused—and how she unraveled herself from this position.

Listen to today’s episode to learn more…

 

 

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

  • Thanks to Chelsea for sharing this transparent and truthful story. Check out their website at Minted-Prints.com. She’s also on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest at @mintedprintscutters.

SEE ALSO:

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

Yours in the revolution,

cg-sig-newsletter

Resources

CREATE YOUR ONLINE STORE

Create your online store with Shopify using an exclusive discount for Side Hustle School listeners. For a limited time, get a free 21-day trial and a 10% discount for a whole year.

Many Side Hustle School listeners are building sites using Shopify's easy-to-learn platform. Try it free today! Learn More

GET YOUR FIRST 1,000 EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS

Social media is nice, but building an email list is still the single best way to get customers and clients for your hustle. It's not hard to get started—sign up for a 30-day trial and join the list-building challenge! You’ll be up and running in no time. Learn More

Sponsors & Gratitude

Don't Do Business Without It

Side Hustle School is brought to you by American Express.

No matter what you do in business, from working nine-to-five to working five-to-nine, it’s easier when you don’t go it alone. Get the powerful backing of American Express—don't do business without it! 💳 Visit American Express

Like the Show? Leave a Rating!

Side Hustle School is for you! If you’re enjoying it, please take a quick moment to leave a rating or write a quick review. It's really easy and it makes a difference! ✅

It also makes a huge difference when you tell your friends about the show. Remember, it's 100% free and listener-supported.
Here's How

Keep in Touch

There’s a new story every single day on Side Hustle School. Episodes are produced to be short and to the point—I know you’re busy. Be sure you subscribe to get instant notification of the day’s broadcast!


To infinity and beyond,

Chris Guillebeau

TBT: Catholic Designer Updates T-Shirts for New Generation

What It’s About

A heavenly update from a designer of Catholic apparel.

Notes from Chris

Episode 1867

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 Carrie Buchanan, founder of the Bombshell Baking Company. This full-time social worker earns up to $4,000/weekend selling themed cookies at conventions.

Today, in our latest feature, we’ll hear from Joe Kim. From his home base in Los Angeles, Joe sells Catholic goods for future saints.

Seeking to advance what he calls “the dog days of Christian t-shirt design,” he introduced a fresh, updated style that people (especially teenagers in youth groups) would actually wear.

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 Joe’s updates…

 

 

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

  • Thanks to Joe for sharing his updates with us. Check out his website at palcampaign.com. The new business he mentioned in the update can be found at Labculture.shop.

 

SEE ALSO:

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

Yours in the revolution,

cg-sig-newsletter

Resources

CREATE YOUR ONLINE STORE

Create your online store with Shopify using an exclusive discount for Side Hustle School listeners. For a limited time, get a free 21-day trial and a 10% discount for a whole year.

Many Side Hustle School listeners are building sites using Shopify's easy-to-learn platform. Try it free today! Learn More

GET YOUR FIRST 1,000 EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS

Social media is nice, but building an email list is still the single best way to get customers and clients for your hustle. It's not hard to get started—sign up for a 30-day trial and join the list-building challenge! You’ll be up and running in no time. Learn More

Sponsors & Gratitude

Don't Do Business Without It

Side Hustle School is brought to you by American Express.

No matter what you do in business, from working nine-to-five to working five-to-nine, it’s easier when you don’t go it alone. Get the powerful backing of American Express—don't do business without it! 💳 Visit American Express

Like the Show? Leave a Rating!

Side Hustle School is for you! If you’re enjoying it, please take a quick moment to leave a rating or write a quick review. It's really easy and it makes a difference! ✅

It also makes a huge difference when you tell your friends about the show. Remember, it's 100% free and listener-supported.
Here's How

Keep in Touch

There’s a new story every single day on Side Hustle School. Episodes are produced to be short and to the point—I know you’re busy. Be sure you subscribe to get instant notification of the day’s broadcast!


To infinity and beyond,

Chris Guillebeau

Q&A: What kind of side hustle can I start with a chronic illness?

What It’s About

Today’s caller wants to know what hustle ideas might work with a health challenge.

Notes from Chris

Episode 1866

Everyone’s fighting a hard battle, but some battles are harder than others. Today’s caller has an autoimmune disease that limits their energy. When it’s hard to commit in advance to a schedule of tasks, what kind of side hustle should they consider?

“I have a unique challenge that I haven’t heard you talk about before: in short, I have a chronic autoimmune illness that requires me to rest for long periods of time. Sometimes I have more energy than I expect, and I can get several things done at once. But other times, I have to be very careful to not overdo it, or else I end up bedridden for a week or more. It’s not fun! The unpredictable nature of it is especially difficult, which is why I’m wondering how I could start a project like the ones you talk about. I wouldn’t want to sell a service that requires me to be available at specific times. Is there something else that might be better?”

Listen to today’s episode to learn more…

 

 

SEE ALSO:

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

Yours in the revolution,

cg-sig-newsletter

Resources

CREATE YOUR ONLINE STORE

Create your online store with Shopify using an exclusive discount for Side Hustle School listeners. For a limited time, get a free 21-day trial and a 10% discount for a whole year.

Many Side Hustle School listeners are building sites using Shopify's easy-to-learn platform. Try it free today! Learn More

GET YOUR FIRST 1,000 EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS

Social media is nice, but building an email list is still the single best way to get customers and clients for your hustle. It's not hard to get started—sign up for a 30-day trial and join the list-building challenge! You’ll be up and running in no time. Learn More

Sponsors & Gratitude

Don't Do Business Without It

Side Hustle School is brought to you by American Express.

No matter what you do in business, from working nine-to-five to working five-to-nine, it’s easier when you don’t go it alone. Get the powerful backing of American Express—don't do business without it! 💳 Visit American Express

Like the Show? Leave a Rating!

Side Hustle School is for you! If you’re enjoying it, please take a quick moment to leave a rating or write a quick review. It's really easy and it makes a difference! ✅

It also makes a huge difference when you tell your friends about the show. Remember, it's 100% free and listener-supported.
Here's How

Keep in Touch

There’s a new story every single day on Side Hustle School. Episodes are produced to be short and to the point—I know you’re busy. Be sure you subscribe to get instant notification of the day’s broadcast!


To infinity and beyond,

Chris Guillebeau

“Free Prep Course” Site Generates 7-Figure Income

What It’s About

An education executive builds an empire—by giving away his core products for free.

Words of Wisdom

From Dave: “We would not be what we are today without always experimenting. On the flip side, persistence is key. Experimenting can drain you, so it’s important to keep faith that things will work out in the end if you try again.”

Fun Fact

When he worked at GE, Dave worked on developing one of the first online services, GEnie. There he would regularly run into an intern named Sergey Brin, who would later go on to co-found Google.

Notes from Chris

Episode 1865
Having worked in the education industry for more than a decade, Dave Evangelisti was familiar with the strengths and weaknesses of online learning. In particular, he knew how valuable tutoring and test-prep courses were—but many of these services cost nearly as much as college tuition.

It gave Dave an idea that was genuinely rooted in service: he wanted to provide truly free resources for students who couldn’t afford to pay (or who just didn’t want to). Those resources would be based at Test-Guide.com.

He began with the mindset of small, actionable objectives. As I said, his primary goal was to be helpful. Money-wise, he hoped to be able to earn enough to pay for his lunch everyday. Well, just you wait!

This straight-forward model proved to be successful. Quickly, Dave was tasked with wearing a multitude of hats for the site to function.

With a low overhead of just under $100—a domain name and web hosting—the site would live or die based on its ability to gain traffic. Dave would pay for his lunch by ad clicks that amounted to a couple cents from each user.

By targeting an audience of students seeking free resources, the site went from making $5 a day to being on track as the leader in free practice tests, prep-course reviews and study materials all in just under four years. Test-Guide.com now provides more than 100 different practice tests including the MCAT, ACT, SAT, and others all completely free of charge.

Dave hopes to build the brand to the point that people will automatically think of Test-Guide.com the way they think of using regular study material. With a full team of employees, it’s now a 7-figure business.

That’s enough to buy a lot of lunch.

 

 

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

  • Looking to get schooled in education test prep materials? Check out Dave’s website, Test-Guide.com/.

SEE ALSO:

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

Yours in the revolution,

cg-sig-newsletter

Resources

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Quote of the Day
"We would not be what we are today without always experimenting. On the flip side, persistence is key. Experimenting can drain you, so it’s important to keep faith that things will work out in the end if you try again."
—Dave Evangelisti #SideHustleSchool

Sponsors & Gratitude

Try ShipStation for 60 Days FREE!

Today’s episode of Side Hustle School is brought to you by ShipStation, the #1 choice of online sellers. 📦

To get a 30-day trial AND an additional month free, click the microphone at the top of their page and enter the word HUSTLE.
Get it Here

Like the Show? Leave a Rating!

Side Hustle School is for you! If you’re enjoying it, please take a quick moment to leave a rating or write a quick review. It's really easy and it makes a difference! ✅

It also makes a huge difference when you tell your friends about the show. Remember, it's 100% free and listener-supported.
Here's How

Keep in Touch

There’s a new story every single day on Side Hustle School. Episodes are produced to be short and to the point—I know you’re busy. Be sure you subscribe to get instant notification of the day’s broadcast!


To infinity and beyond,

Chris Guillebeau