Q&A: “How to balance teaching and side hustling?”

What It’s About

A common problem: how to prevent your side hustle from taking over your main hustle … and your life.

Notes from Chris

Episode 2754

Welcome to another episode of Side Hustle School, where we explore practical and creative ways to boost your income without giving up your day job. Whether you’re looking to turn a hobby into a revenue stream or seeking new strategies to manage your current side hustle, we’ve got you covered.

Today’s question comes from Mark in San Francisco, a full-time teacher who also runs a small tutoring business. If you’re juggling multiple commitments and struggling to find balance, this episode will provide valuable strategies to help you manage your time more effectively and avoid burnout.

“Hello Chris, I’m Mark from San Francisco. I’m a full-time teacher and run a small tutoring business on the side. I discovered your podcast last year, and it’s been a fantastic resource. However, I’m struggling to balance both commitments, especially during the school year. What strategies can I use to manage my time more effectively and avoid burnout? I want to continue helping my students while maintaining my own well-being. Your advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for all the inspiration and practical tips!”

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

First $1k: Woodworker Breathes New Life into Old Lumber

What It’s About

This woodworker is working hard and getting paid.

Notes from Chris

Episode 2753

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.

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

 


 

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: “How to handle negative reviews on Etsy?”

What It’s About

Can we help this listener move on from a spate of harsh reviews?

Notes from Chris

Episode 2752

Welcome to another episode of Side Hustle School, where we explore practical and creative ways to boost your income without leaving your day job. Whether you’re looking to turn a hobby into a revenue stream or simply seeking new business inspiration, you’re in the right place.

Today, we’re addressing an important issue for anyone selling products online: handling negative reviews. Our listener, Rachel from Seattle, runs an Etsy shop and has faced some challenging feedback. If you’ve ever worried about how reviews impact your business, this episode will provide valuable insights to help you maintain a positive reputation and keep your customers happy.

“Hello Chris, I’m Rachel from Seattle. I run an Etsy shop selling handmade crafts, and I’ve recently received some negative reviews that are affecting my sales. I’ve been a fan of your podcast for years and have applied many of your tips to grow my business. How should I address these frustrating reviews publicly, and what steps can I take to improve customer satisfaction and prevent future issues? I want to maintain a positive reputation and ensure my customers are happy. Thanks for all your guidance and support!”

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: “What are the best passive income opportunities?”

What It’s About

Passive income is better than active, right?

Notes from Chris

Episode 2751

Welcome to another episode of Side Hustle School, where we dive into creative and practical ways to boost your income without giving up your day job. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to expand your current side hustle, our goal is to provide you with the inspiration and tools you need to succeed.

Today’s question comes from a listener fascinated by the idea of creating passive income streams to supplement their side hustle earnings. If you’re curious about the best passive income projects and how to ensure their long-term success, this episode is for you!

“Hi there, I’m fascinated by the idea of creating passive income streams to supplement my side hustle earnings. I’ve heard a lot about projects like creating online courses, writing ebooks, or building niche websites, but I’m not sure which ones have the most potential for long-term success. In your experience, what are the best passive income projects for side hustlers to pursue? What factors should I consider when choosing a project, and how can I validate my idea before investing a lot of time and resources into it?”

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

Failure Friday: ADHD Diagnosis Helps Frazzled Consultant

What It’s About

Learning more about ADHD has helped me a lot—and it helped this consultant, too.

Notes from Chris

Episode 2750

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 Linda from Lincoln, Nebraska. As you might guess, their business has had a couple of challenges.

Let’s hear from them about one of those struggles… I’ll be back at the end to wrap us up.

 


 

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: Athlete Turned Mindfulness Coach Shares Winning Strategies

What It’s About

This coach helps athletes get their heads in the game.

Notes from Chris

Episode 2749

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 Detroit food truck owner who expanded their culinary reach by venturing into the mysterious world of ghost kitchens. Discover how they leveraged the power of food delivery apps to haunt taste buds across the Motor City.

Today, in our latest feature, we’ll hear from a former pro athlete who becomes a sought-after mindfulness coach. Discover how they’re helping athletes harness the power of the mind to elevate their game.

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:

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: “Can you buy and resell digital products??”

What It’s About

Forget about reselling clothes or computers—can you resell digital items?

Notes from Chris

Episode 2748

Welcome to another episode of Side Hustle School, the podcast that helps you turn your ideas into extra income streams. Whether you’re already running a side hustle or just thinking about starting one, we’re here to provide you with practical tips and inspiration. Today’s question comes from Jamie in Salt Lake City, who has been flipping physical products and is now curious about the world of digital product flipping. If you’ve ever wondered about buying, improving, and reselling digital assets, this episode is packed with valuable insights for you.

“Hi Chris, I’m Jamie from Salt Like City. I’ve been flipping physical products for a while now thanks to your podcast and books. Recently, I’ve been wondering about the potential in digital product flipping. Are there opportunities to buy, improve, and resell digital assets like websites, domains, or digital products? I’m excited about the idea of working with digital assets, but I’m not sure where to start. What should I look out for, and how can I make sure I’m investing my time and money wisely? Thanks for all the inspiration and practical 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: “Can I turn negotiating discounts into a side hustle?”

What It’s About

This person is great at getting discounts. Can they monetize this skill beyond their own savings?

Notes from Chris

Episode 2747

Welcome to another episode of Side Hustle School, where we dive into creative and practical ways to earn extra income without giving up your day job. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to expand your current side hustle, this show is here to inspire and guide you. Today’s question is particularly intriguing and comes from a listener who has a knack for negotiating incredible deals on subscription services. If you’ve ever wondered how you could turn your unique skills into a profitable side hustle, this episode is for you!

“Hey Chris, it’s Jeffrey calling in from Duluth, Minnesota. I’ve discovered a way to save 50% or more on popular subscription services like streaming platforms, software tools, and all kinds of other things. By using live chat and negotiation tactics, I’ve been able to secure incredible deals and discounts for myself. Now, I’m thinking about turning this skill into a side hustle by offering a service where I negotiate these savings on behalf of others and take a percentage of the money saved as my fee. Do you think this is a viable business idea? How can I structure my service offerings and pricing to make it attractive to potential clients while still being profitable for me?”

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

First $1k: Urban Farmer Grows Aquaponics Consulting Business

What It’s About

Aquaponics! Let’s … dive in.

Notes from Chris

Episode 2746

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.

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

 


 

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: “What are some unique pet side hustles?”

What It’s About

Let’s move beyond petsitting and dog-walking. What else can you do if you love animals and want to get paid?

Notes from Chris

Episode 2745

Today’s question comes from Emily in Austin, who’s a long-time listener and passionate about working with animals. Emily wants to start a pet-related side hustle that goes beyond the usual pet sitting and dog walking services. If you’re an animal lover looking to turn your passion into a unique and profitable side hustle, this episode is for you!

“Hello Chris, I’m Emily from Austin, a long-time listener of Side Hustle School. I love working with animals and want to start a pet-related side hustle. I’m already aware of pet sitting and dog walking, but I’m looking for unique services that go beyond the usual offerings. What innovative pet services could I offer that would appeal to pet owners and stand out in a crowded market? Any tips on how to market these services effectively would also be appreciated. Your insights have always been so helpful!”

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