Notes from Chris

Episode 2609

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 the owner of a 3D printing design service. Along the way, he adapted to new technologies and reached more customers.

Today, in our latest feature, we’ll hear from the owner of a social media agency who works as a matchmaker between online creators and brands who pay for coverage.

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 2608

Join us in today’s episode as we explore with Derek from Ann Arbor the secrets behind YouTube’s lasting success in the digital world. Discover key strategies and lessons from YouTube’s evolution that content creators and digital marketers can use to build and maintain a strong online presence. Tune in for an insightful journey into one of the internet’s most enduring platforms.

“This is Derek from Ann Arbor, Michigan, a graduate student specializing in digital media studies. I’m currently working on a thesis about the evolution of digital platforms. YouTube, in particular, stands out for its ability to outlast and outperform many other platforms. What key decisions and strategies have contributed to YouTube’s sustained success over the years? For content creators and digital marketers, what lessons can we extract from YouTube’s journey that apply to building a lasting presence in the digital 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 2607

Welcome back to Side Hustle School! Today, we’re zooming into the world of podcasting with Alex from Boulder, Colorado. An enthusiast of mountain biking adventures, Alex is looking to channel his passion into a podcast.

He’s on the right trail but needs some guidance on setting up the perfect recording studio that balances quality and cost. Whether you’re a seasoned podcaster or just gearing up, this is an episode you won’t want to miss, as we delve into the nuts and bolts of starting your podcasting journey.

“Hi Chris, I’m Alex from Boulder, Colorado. I’ve been an avid mountain biker for years and want to share my experiences through a podcast about mountain biking adventures. I’m new to podcasting and looking for a budget-friendly yet effective recording setup. Could you recommend some essential equipment that’s good for beginners but also delivers quality audio? I found Side Hustle School while searching for podcasting tips and have been hooked ever since!”

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 2606

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 Dylan.

Let’s hear it from him. 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 2605

On today’s episode of Side Hustle School, we’re meeting Kyle from Syracuse, New York. Like many, Kyle recently faced a career setback when a promising job opportunity in marketing fell through.

He’s a regular listener of the podcast and now finds himself at a crossroads, contemplating whether this twist of fate might be the nudge he needs to dive into the world of side hustles. Kyle is seeking guidance on how to turn this disappointment into a launching pad for entrepreneurial success.

“I’m Kyle from Syracuse, New York, and I’ve been a fan of your podcast for several months. Recently, I was gearing up for a new job in marketing, but it unexpectedly fell through. Now, I’m reevaluating my career and wondering if this is a sign to start a side hustle. Could you offer advice on bouncing back from this setback and possibly turning this into an entrepreneurial opportunity?”

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 2604

In today’s episode of Side Hustle School, we’re chatting with Emma from Providence, Rhode Island. She’s an small business owner who’s recently launched a sustainable clothing line and is now stepping into the spotlight at community events and business forums.

Public speaking isn’t her forte, and she’s contemplating hiring a speaking coach to boost her confidence and effectiveness. Emma’s story touches on a common dilemma for many entrepreneurs: the role of public speaking in business growth and personal branding. Let’s explore whether this investment is the right move for her and how public speaking can impact her entrepreneurial journey.

“Hi Chris, I’m Emma from Providence, Rhode Island. As a recent entrepreneur who’s launched a sustainable clothing line, I’m finding myself in situations where I need to speak publicly – at local community events and small business forums. I’m not a natural public speaker and often feel nervous. I’m seriously considering hiring a speaking coach to help improve my skills. Is this a worthwhile investment for an entrepreneur like me, particularly for the growth and outreach of my business? How significant is public speaking in building a personal brand and networking?”

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 2603

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 Lena from New Jersey. 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 2602

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 virtual personal assistant who carved a unique niche between individual freelancing and comprehensive services like Remote Year, offering tailored assistance to digital nomads.

Today, in our latest feature, we’ll hear from a 3D printing design service. Along the way, the owner has adapted to new technologies and reached more customers.

What else has happened since our last update? 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 2601

Welcome to another episode of Side Hustle School. Today, we have Aaron from Reno, Nevada, who’s been curating a newsletter focusing on the latest in tech innovations. After a year of dedication, Aaron’s hitting a common roadblock many newsletter creators face – issues with email deliverability.

These challenges are impacting his engagement rates and potentially the growth of his newsletter. He’s turning to us for some expert advice on how to navigate these waters and ensure his content reliably lands in his subscribers’ inboxes.

“This is Aaron from Reno, Nevada. I’ve been running a newsletter on the latest tech innovations for about a year now. Lately, I’ve been facing significant challenges with email deliverability, affecting my engagement rates. As a long-time listener of your podcast, I’m seeking your advice on how to improve email deliverability and ensure that my content reaches my subscribers’ inboxes consistently.”

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 2600

Today on Side Hustle School, we’re joined by Sarah from Tulsa, Oklahoma. She’s been soaking up inspiration from the show and is ready to embark on her own side hustle journey. Sarah’s got a mix of creative skills in graphic design and baking and is setting her sights on earning her first $1,000.

She’s open to exploring diverse avenues and is looking for unique and ethical ways to achieve this goal. Let’s dive into some strategies and ideas that could help Sarah turn her skills and enthusiasm into that first significant side hustle income.

“Hey Chris, this is Sarah Masterson. After listening to your show, I’m inspired to dive into the world of side hustles. My goal is to make my first $1,000. I have skills in graphic design and baking, but I’m open to any feasible and ethical idea that can help me reach this financial milestone.

What unique side hustle ideas or strategies would you recommend for someone eager to earn their first big paycheck? I know that that the momentum this gives me will help me go on to bigger things, I just need some help getting there.”

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,