Notes from Chris

Episode 2557

Welcome to an all-new year of Side Hustle School! In this episode, hear about our plans for 2024—as well as an all-new writing series I’m starting at YearofMentalHealth.com.

Happy New Year, everyone!

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 2556

Happy New Year’s Eve! In today’s episode, we have a listener with a literary quandary.

Elaine from Charleston has been navigating the waters of publishing and stands before a crucial decision. With a pen in one hand and a contract in the other, she’s pondering whether to sign on the dotted line for a modest advance or chart her own course in the vast ocean of self-publishing.

“Chris, hello! I’m Elaine from Charleston, South Carolina. I’ve been following you for years. I recently received an offer to publish my first book, but the advance is modest—like, very modest. Should I accept this deal, aiming for long-term gains, or hold out for a better offer? Or is this the time to think more about self-publishing? I need your advice!”

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 2555

In today’s fast-paced episode of Side Hustle School, Marco from Pennsylvania reaches out with a burning question that’s on many hustlers’ minds: how to keep a side hustle lucrative amidst the scorching heat of inflation.

He’s already pocketing an extra $1,500 a month, but as costs rise, that money isn’t stretching as far as it used to. Let’s strategize on keeping those earnings robust even when the economy tries to tell us differently.

“Hello Chris, this is Marco calling from Pennsylvania. After hearing about Side Hustle School from a coworker, I’ve been using it to supplement the strategies for my side gig. Despite making an extra $1,500 a month, inflation is starting to eat into my earnings. The struggle is real! What strategies can I employ to maintain, or even better, increase my side hustle income in the face of rising prices?”

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 2554

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 Morgan from Lansing, Michigan. Let’s hear from her 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 2553

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 the owner of a business that hosts bachelorette parties in Nashville, incidentally the fastest-growing U.S. city for such events and activities.

What’s happened since we last heard from Cassidy? 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 2552

Welcome to Side Hustle School! In today’s episode, we’re joined by Lucas from Springfield, Missouri. Lucas, a dedicated listener, is dipping his toes into the vast ocean of affiliate marketing. He’s intrigued by its potential but is seeking a compass to navigate these waters effectively.

How does one not only find and promote the right affiliate programs but also build a platform that authentically converts interest into sales in 2024? Let’s explore this together.

“Hi Chris, I’m Lucas from Springfield, Missouri. Your podcast, Side Hustle School, has been a daily dose of motivation for me. I’ve been dabbling with affiliate marketing recently and I see a lot of potential. However, I’m unsure how to scale up and really succeed in this area. What are some effective strategies for finding and promoting the right affiliate programs in 2024? Also, how can I build a trusted platform that converts visits into affiliate sales without coming off as too salesy?”

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 2551

Today, we have Liam from Denver on the line. A seasoned side hustler and a long-time follower, he’s already looking ahead and planning for 2024. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, Liam is curious about the trends and technologies that hold promise for the coming year. It’s a forward-thinking question that many in our community might be pondering as well.

“Hi Chris, this is Liam from Colorado. I’ve been a fan of your work for years and have successfully launched a few side hustles with your advice. As we’re closing out the year, I’m starting to plan for 2024. With the evolving digital landscape and emerging trends, what should side hustlers like me focus on for the coming year? Are there specific industries or technologies that you see as particularly promising?”

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 2550

“It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves,” Cassius to Brutus in Shakespear’s Julius Caesar. Well, Shakespeare was no fan of astrology—or maybe it was just Cassius—but today’s First $1,000 story would disagree!

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.

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 a special guest in the North Pole.

Let’s hear it from Santa! 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 2549

Today’s inquiry takes us into the dynamic world of telecommunications. Nadia from Austin has her entrepreneurial antenna tuned to the possibility of reselling cell phone plans—a niche that sounds as challenging as it is intriguing.

With a desire to connect consumers to better deals, she’s looking to call in some advice on steering clear of the static of MLM schemes and dialing into a genuine side hustle opportunity.

“Hi Chris, it’s Nadia from Austin, Texas. I’ve been a dedicated listener since I stumbled upon Side Hustle School during my search for entrepreneurial inspiration. I see an opportunity to become a cell phone plan reseller, but I don’t know how to get started. When I Googled, all I found was a multilevel marketing opportunity, which I know I should avoid. So what’s the best approach to carve out a profit in this competitive space?”

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 2548

Today’s listener has an ear for opportunity in the expanding audiobook market. Inspired by the ethos of ‘The Art of Non-Conformity,’ he’s crafted outlines for self-help audiobooks that he believes will resonate with his audience.

Bypassing the traditional third-party route, Shawn’s ready to tune into the frequency of direct sales and is seeking the best methods to amplify his marketing and distribution signal to his listeners.

“Greetings, Chris, I’m Shawn from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Your book ‘The Art of Non-Conformity’ got me into the world of thinking differently many years ago. Here’s my question: Recently I’ve created the outline for several self-help audiobooks and want to sell them directly to my audience, without trying to use a third-party. How can I effectively market and distribute these audiobooks myself?”

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,