Notes from Chris

Episode 2709

With a high-quality telescope and a love for the night sky, Travis is ready to share his knowledge and enthusiasm with couples, families, and small groups. But before he can launch his business, he needs guidance on navigating permits, licenses, and marketing strategies to reach his target audience.

In this episode, we’ll dive into the practical steps Travis can take to turn his passion for astronomy into a successful stargazing experience side hustle, from understanding the legal requirements to crafting a stellar marketing plan that will have customers looking up in wonder.

“Hi there! I’m Travis, an amateur astronomer from Flagstaff, Arizona. I’ve been thinking about starting a side hustle offering personalized stargazing experiences for couples, families, or small groups using my high-quality telescope. I’m wondering what permits or licenses I might need to operate this kind of business, especially if I want to host events in local parks or natural areas. Additionally, I’m looking for advice on how to market my unique services to potential customers who are interested in astronomy or seeking a memorable outdoor experience. What steps should I take to turn my passion for stargazing into a profitable side hustle?”

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 2708

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 Emma. 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:

• 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 2707

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 clever canine entrepreneur who turned a passion for pets into a thriving ecommerce business.

Today, in our latest feature, we’ll hear from a side hustler who discovered the power of drop-shipping ergonomic office products.

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 art form, 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 2706

Pack your bags, because today we’re embarking on a journey to turn a passion for travel into a profitable online business! Our fellow adventurer, Charles from Chicago, has been chronicling his globetrotting experiences on his blog for the past two years. With a growing audience and a wealth of stories and photos to share, Charles is ready to take his travel blog to the next level and start monetizing his content.

But with so many different revenue streams to explore and a crowded market of travel bloggers to stand out from, where should Charles focus his efforts? In this episode, we’ll dive into the most effective strategies for monetizing a travel blog, from affiliate marketing and sponsored posts to creating digital products that keep the cash flowing even when you’re not on the road. We’ll also explore how to build a loyal following and create content that truly resonates with your target audience. So grab your passport and let’s get ready to turn your wanderlust into a thriving online business!

“Hey there, I’m Charles, a passionate traveler originally from the Chicago area. I’ve been blogging about my adventures around the world for the past two years, sharing stories, photos, and tips with my growing audience. While I love creating content, I want to turn my travel blog into a profitable side hustle. I’m curious about the most effective ways to monetize my blog, such as affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, or creating digital products. I also want to know how I can attract a loyal audience and stand out in the crowded travel blogging niche. What strategies should I focus on to make my travel blog a success?”

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 2705

Greetings! Today, we have a question from Lucas in Vancouver, Canada, who’s feeling the pressure from AI-generated content in his freelance writing side hustle. As more businesses turn to AI tools for their content needs, Lucas is worried about losing clients or having to lower his rates to compete.

In this episode, we’ll explore how human writers can differentiate themselves and showcase their unique value in the age of AI. We’ll discuss strategies for niching down, offering additional services, and building stronger client relationships to ensure a profitable and sustainable writing side hustle.

“Hi, my name is Lucas, and I’m a freelance writer from Vancouver, Canada. I’ve been writing content for various clients for the past three years, but I’m starting to feel the pressure from AI-generated content. It seems like more and more businesses are turning to AI tools to create their blog posts, articles, and website copy. I’m worried that I might lose clients or have to lower my rates to compete. How can I differentiate myself as a human writer and showcase the value I bring to the table? Should I niche down, offer additional services, or focus on building stronger relationships with my clients? I want to ensure my writing side hustle remains profitable and sustainable in the age of AI.”

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 2704

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.

With that in mind, today’s feature comes from Lex, a talented makeup artist who conjured up a spellbinding side hustle by sharing their SFX secrets with a captivated TikTok audience.

Let’s hear it from Lex. 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 2703

Welcome back! Today, we’re diving into the world of video editing and exploring how to turn your passion for visual storytelling into a profitable side hustle. Our guest, Ethan from Atlanta, has been honing his editing skills for years and is now ready to take the leap into creating promotional videos for small businesses.

But before he can press record on his new venture, Ethan needs some guidance on the essential equipment he’ll need and how to land his first clients. In this episode, we’ll break down the key gear investments for aspiring video entrepreneurs and share proven strategies for building a portfolio and attracting those crucial early clients.

“Hello! My name is Ethan, and I’m a video editing enthusiast from Atlanta, GA. I’ve been honing my skills for years and want to start a side hustle creating promotional videos for small businesses. I’m confident in my editing abilities but unsure about what equipment I need to get started, such as cameras, microphones, or lighting gear. Additionally, I’m looking for advice on how to find my first clients and build a portfolio. Should I reach out to local businesses directly, use freelance platforms, or leverage my personal network? I’m excited to turn my passion into a profitable side hustle but need guidance on getting started.”

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 2702

Get ready to dive into the world of social media side hustles! In this episode, we’re helping Ivy, a marketing student from Boston, turn her digital savvy into a thriving business.

With her finger on the pulse of the latest social media trends, Ivy is eager to help local small businesses level up their online presence. But where should she start?

“Hi there! I’m Ivy, a college student studying marketing in Boston, MA. As a digital native, I have a solid understanding of social media platforms and want to start working as a social media manager for local small businesses. I know that many small business owners struggle with creating content, engaging with their audience, and staying up-to-date with the latest trends. I want to offer my services to help them grow their online presence and reach their goals. However, I’m not sure how to price my services, create attractive packages, or find my first clients. What steps should I take to launch my social media management side hustle and secure my first contracts?”

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 2701

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 Hassan from Calgary, Alberta. 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:

• 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 2700

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 home baker who went from selling cookies at local farmers’ markets to landing a nationwide distribution deal with a major grocery chain.

Today, in our latest feature, we’ll hear from a clever canine entrepreneur who turned a passion for pets into a thriving ecommerce 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 art form, 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,