Tag: Side Hustle School

The Side Hustle School Story That Wasn’t

What It’s About

Hear about the Side Hustle School story that didn’t make the cut.

[podcast_details]

Words of Wisdom

If someone uses the word “pre-revenue,” think twice before letting them pay on credit. Pre-revenue is what most people are when they’re young and in college…

Fun Fact

It just goes to show that even after 1080+ episodes, there’s always something new we are learning and discovering over here. And we’re glad we didn’t let this one slip through the cracks!

Notes from Chris

Episode 1085

It all began when we received a story submission that used a word I always find strange. As you know, we expect the case studies we feature to be very candid with us in terms of financial details. That’s been the case from Episode #1 of the show, and I do that because of the purpose of the show.

It’s not just to feature business profiles, but rather to dig into the details to truly be helpful to listeners. If you’re new to this world and are trying to figure out what project to pursue, you want to know the ins and outs.

Anyway, in this case the word I encountered was “pre-revenue.” What does that even mean??

When I was in college, I was pre-revenue. Can you go to your landlord and say “Oh, I know the rent is due, but I’m pre-revenue…”

So in today’s story, I’ll tell you the story that wasn’t. And we’ll talk about what we’re really trying to do here as we prepare for a big new year.

 

 

 

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

RELIABLE WEBHOST FOR $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 my past 5 websites. It's cheap, flexible, and you can get support 24 hours a day.

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

Quote of the Day
"Why not do something that gives you the best possible odds of success with the lowest risk in the event of failure?."
—#SideHustleSchool

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

WEEKLY RECAP: Our Big Plans for 2020!

Notes from Chris

Episode 1065

THEMES & TAKEAWAYS:

We’ve just finished week 48 of Season III

This week featured a Tuscan vacation that inspires a leatherworking hustle, a book lover who ships out YA novels for fun and profit, an engineer who stumbles into a custom cartography business, and more!

Let’s jump right in to something big and exciting…

I want you to be the first to know a big announcement:

  • – Some context: we are now at episode 1,065(!) of what was originally a big undertaking to do 365 days in a row
  • – Longterm listeners may know that at the end of the first year – and then the second – I was encouraged, inspired, and challenged to keep going. So here we are and I want to first honor everyone who’s been part of this community (that is how I think of it). You are amazing and I’m really honored to be a small part of your world every day or however you choose to listen
  • – If we ended tomorrow, or at the end of December, I think we could say that we’ve done a pretty cool thing. I hear from listeners every single week if not every day who have drawn on the stories in the show to start projects of their own. It’s literally one of my favorite things in the world to hear
  • – But does this mean it’s winding down?? Until about a month ago, I was torn. I do like doing it, but I also tend to do my best work when I’m pioneering something, not maintaining it.
  • – So I kept going back and forth … it’s a good thing, but I want to always give my best … to keep it short, after a lot of back and forth, I found what I think is not just a modification, but an improvement. In talking with the team, they’re excited too.

Are you ready??

We want 2020 to be: The Year of Interaction!

I’ve always said that the community is the best part of everything I do—and I’ve always wanted to involve more people in the show without turning it into an interview format

So in 2020, we’re going to have:

  • * Real-time coaching throughout the year (you can follow along with listeners who are working on their projects)
  • * A CLASSROOM series that builds from January to December
  • * Several days a week that are all listener questions and answers

We still have a month to go, but you can expect that starting January 1, the show will continue to roll out every single day next year, and it will still be short – I respect your time – and now in addition to the stories (which we’ll still have, just not as frequently) there’s going to be a lot of listener interaction as we work with people throughout the year on their projects.

Want to be part of this? Go to –> Sidehustleschool.com/question

We’ll begin an all-new adventure on January 1. If you’ve been listening passively, that’s cool, but I want to invite you to get a little more active as part of your 2020 goals.

Thank you again for being part of my world and allowing me to part of yours. The best is yet to come!

WHERE ARE THEY NOW:

Today, we have an update from Callie. Ep. 432, Call Center Employee Uses Patreon to Fund LGBTQ Podcasts.

Listen to the Weekly Recap to hear from Callie!

Learn more about Callie’s mission over on their podcast pages, The Gaytheist Manifesto & The Queer side.

 

Also consider supporting Callie’s work at The Gaytheist Manifesto Patreon Page.

EPISODES FROM THIS WEEK:

Here’s what we heard this week on Side Hustle School! Listen to this week’s recap for a more comprehensive highlight reel.

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

Yours in the revolution,

cg-sig-newsletter

We want to hear from you!

The best part of Side Hustle School is our community, and around 20% of our episodes come from listeners. Are you working on something and want to share it with us and our audience? If so, we want to hear from you!

Head on over to our online submission page, and we’ll be in touch if your story is chosen.

And if you’re still working on something but have some questions, we want to hear from you too! Starting Jan. 1, 2020, we’ll have dedicated episodes for Q&A.

Go to the following link and leave us your question.

Here’s what’s coming up next…

Each week I’ll feature more stories from people who are starting side hustles without quitting their job. Here’s a sneak peek of what’s coming next week:

  • A short-term holdover project between jobs becomes a seven-figure empire, all built on dog collars.
  • This yoga teacher offers classes just the way nature intended. No need to pack any exercise clothes for the workout!
  • And much more!

Do you have a side hustle story you’d like to share? Fill out the Side Hustle School submission form and your story may be featured on the show!

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

Quote of the Day
"Coming in 2020: The Year of Interaction! We’ll be taking listener questions and answers throughout the week. Ask your question now at Sidehustleschool.com/question"
—#SideHustleSchool

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

WEEKLY RECAP: Simple, Boring, and … Highly Profitable?

Notes from Chris

Episode 1051

THEMES & TAKEAWAYS:

We’ve just finished week 46 of Season III

For now: let’s talk about simple, boring business ideas. Isn’t that why you listen to podcasts … to hear about boring topics?

I thought about this as I worked on two stories this week, one of them the ergonomic desk accessories, which is really a fancy way of saying “elbow pads,” and the other (#1048) about a guy who earns extra money mounting TVs and hiding the wires in people’s homes.

What do these things have in common? They are simple, boring, and profitable … highly profitable in the case of the elbow pad business.

In my inbox on any given day I have a lot of people writing in about big tech projects—many of which will never see the light of day or be profitable. Meanwhile, my entire focus is on showing you examples of real people who are starting profitable projects by solving simple problems.

A practical solution to a clear problem, a product or service that meets a specific need … it may not always be sexy, but if your goal is to make money, not just talk about your cool tech idea, this is not at all a bad approach.

I went back through some of the archives to make a list of other projects that fit this category…

Ep. 280: Boring Desk Job Leads to $14,000/month Coffee Pod Biz Ep. 430: Choir Teacher Tunes Sight Reading Workbooks Into $20,000 Hustle Ep. 542: Graphic Designer Chalks Up Gripping Side Hustle [Crossfit] Ep. 611: Accountant Earns Six-Figures Selling Spreadsheets to Etsy Sellers Ep. 964: Knoxville Man Rents Reusable Packing Totes

Be encouraged and inspired: if you haven’t found your idea yet, maybe you’re overthinking it. What can you do that compares to elbow pads, TV installation, choir workbooks, chalk for athletes, packing totes, or spreadsheets?

WHERE ARE THEY NOW:

Today, we have an update from Caleb Kingston. Ep. 413, UX Designer Earns $1,000/Month After Posting in Facebook Groups.

Listen to the Weekly Recap to hear from Caleb!

Learn more about Caleb’s online design courses on his website, App Design Tips, and check out his page at Udemy! .

EPISODES FROM THIS WEEK:

Here’s what we heard this week on Side Hustle School! Listen to this week’s recap for a more comprehensive highlight reel.

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

Yours in the revolution,

cg-sig-newsletter

We want to hear from you!

The best part of Side Hustle School is our community, and around 20% of our episodes come from listeners. Are you working on something and want to share it with us and our audience? If so, we want to hear from you!

Head on over to our online submission page, and we’ll be in touch if your story is chosen.

And if you’re still working on something but have some questions, we want to hear from you too! Most Weekly Recap episodes include Listener Q&A.

Call the Side Hustle Hotline at 844-9-HUSTLE (844-948-7853), record your question and send it to podcast@sidehustleschool.com, or just send us an email!

Here’s what’s coming up next…

Each week I’ll feature more stories from people who are starting side hustles without quitting their job. Here’s a sneak peek of what’s coming next week:

  • A California guitar builder finds a way to put spare materials to good use, earning an extra $2,000/month selling retro clocks and classy guitar stands.
  • A former banker hosts pop-up art classes where the paint flies and the creative ideas flow.
  • And much more!

Do you have a side hustle story you’d like to share? Fill out the Side Hustle School submission form and your story may be featured on the show!

Also, if you’re interested in joining the Side Hustle Society, visit our Society page to get notified when it goes live!

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

Quote of the Day
"A practical solution to a clear problem may not always be sexy, but if your goal is to make money, you could do much worse."
—#SideHustleSchool

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

WEEKLY RECAP: Stages of Hustle-to-Business Growth

Notes from Chris

Episode 995

THEMES & TAKEAWAYS:

We’ve just finished week 38 of Season III! This week featured the massive Kickstarter success that raised $415,000, Atlanta food tours, a data scientist who turns teaching frustrations into recurring income, and more.

In this last weekly recap before Episode 1,000, I want to look at a topic I’m calling stages of hustle-to-business growth. If you have any background in traditional business education, you’ve probably studied stages of companies.

Like so many things, the stages of going from a side hustle to a more sustainable business are a bit different…

So what do those look like?

Listen to the Weekly Recap to learn more!

WHERE ARE THEY NOW:

Today, we have an update from Stephanie from MusicForKiddos.com who was featured on the show in Ep. 397 — Music Therapist Writes Custom Lullabies For Restless Children.

Listen to the Weekly Recap to hear from Stephanie!

Learn more about Stephanie’s business at her website, MusicForKiddos.com.

EPISODES FROM THIS WEEK:

Here’s what we heard this week on Side Hustle School! Listen to this week’s recap for a more comprehensive highlight reel.

  • Ep. 989 — When two friends spot an opportunity to create a practical camera accessory, the crowdfunding campaign exceeds their wildest expectations.
  • Ep. 990 — An Atlanta lawyer creates a thriving and unexpected walking tour business that grows to multiple six-figures in annual income.
  • Ep. 991 — An analytics manager and adjunct college teacher creates a time-saving platform to help non-technical students learn coding.
  • Ep. 992 — Wanting to help a family member diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, this serial side hustler invents a sticky solution to a pressing problem.
  • Ep. 993 — A mortgage loan officer combines her nautical roots with a love of design to create geographically personalized jewelry.
  • Ep. 994 — Two Montana coworkers use their skills in welding to start a side hustle making sure brewery equipment is up to codes.

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

Yours in the revolution,

cg-sig-newsletter

We want to hear from you!

The best part of Side Hustle School is our community, and around 20% of our episodes come from listeners. Are you working on something and want to share it with us and our audience? If so, we want to hear from you!

Head on over to our online submission page, and we’ll be in touch if your story is chosen.

And if you’re still working on something but have some questions, we want to hear from you too! Most Weekly Recap episodes include Listener Q&A.

Call the Side Hustle Hotline at 844-9-HUSTLE (844-948-7853), record your question and send it to podcast@sidehustleschool.com, or just send us an email!

Here’s what’s coming up next…

Each week I’ll feature more stories from people who are starting side hustles without quitting their job. Here’s a sneak peek of what’s coming next week:

  • After painstakingly learning to earn a perfect score on the SAT, this teenager shares his wisdom with other students. It goes on to become an eight-figure side hustle while he’s still in college!
  • When a grocery store manager hits a weightlifting plateau, he creates and sells micro weight plates through hard work and heavy lifting.
  • And much more!

Do you have a side hustle story you’d like to share? Fill out the Side Hustle School submission form and your story may be featured on the show!

Also, if you’re interested in joining the Side Hustle Society, visit our Society page to get notified when it goes live!

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

Quote of the Day
"Many people who first learn to make money on their own then move to another stage, where they pay more attention to what they’re giving up in order to achieve something else."
—#SideHustleSchool

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

WEEKLY RECAP: How to Design a Profitable Online Course

Notes from Chris

Episode 988

THEMES & TAKEAWAYS:

We’ve just finished week 37 of Season III! This week featured a dance teacher who launches a toe-tapping online course, as well as personalized hand-drawn greeting cards that tell your story through the mail.

I’m excited for tomorrow’s story, it’s a big case study all about two guys who hit a massive Kickstarter success raising funds for a simple camera accessory they designed. It’s one of my favorite stories in a while, so I look forward to bringing it to you.

But for now, let’s follow-up on the story of that tap dancer (Ep. 982), as well as the most popular story from the past two weeks, Ep.961 featuring Paula Pant. I’ve talked a bit about that one already, especially two weeks ago in the Weekly Recap entitled: “Why Do a Product Launch Only Twice a Year?”

But between that mega-successful course, and the tap dance one, I realized that a lot of our listeners are trying to pursue the course model. So that’s what I’d like to focus on today: what can you do from the outset to design a profitable online course—and what mistakes can you avoid altogether?

Listen to the Weekly Recap to learn more!

WHERE ARE THEY NOW:

Today, we have an update from Marin Gerov from Amsterdam who was featured on the show in Ep. 383 — Two Bulgarian Guys Launch Apparel Company With No Experience.

Listen to the Weekly Recap to hear from Marin!

Learn more about Marin’s company DULO at their website, wearDULO.com.

EPISODES FROM THIS WEEK:

Here’s what we heard this week on Side Hustle School! Listen to this week’s recap for a more comprehensive highlight reel.

  • Ep. 982 — When a tap dance teacher overcomes self-doubt and launches an online course, he proves to himself that he’s not tapped out.
  • Ep. 983 — After a dog lovers’ boyfriend rejects her canine companion, she partners with her sister to build a dog-friendly dating app that’s pawsitively pawfect.
  • Ep. 984 — A corporate employee draws inspiration from Reddit to create a spudtactular viral success.
  • Ep. 985 — After experimenting with many options, a designer learns that she works best with clients in the fitness and wellness fields.
  • Ep. 986 — Three childhood friends brew up a quirky, perky performance beverage for firefighters in search of a 48-hour jolt.
  • Ep. 987 — A globetrotting journalist builds financial independence through a career-coaching app aimed at promoting gender equality.

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

Yours in the revolution,

cg-sig-newsletter

We want to hear from you!

The best part of Side Hustle School is our community, and around 20% of our episodes come from listeners. Are you working on something and want to share it with us and our audience? If so, we want to hear from you!

Head on over to our online submission page, and we’ll be in touch if your story is chosen.

And if you’re still working on something but have some questions, we want to hear from you too! Most Weekly Recap episodes include Listener Q&A.

Call the Side Hustle Hotline at 844-9-HUSTLE (844-948-7853), record your question and send it to podcast@sidehustleschool.com, or just send us an email!

Here’s what’s coming up next…

Each week I’ll feature more stories from people who are starting side hustles without quitting their job. Here’s a sneak peek of what’s coming next week:

  • When two friends spot an opportunity to create a practical camera accessory, the crowdfunding campaign exceeds their wildest expectations.
  • An Atlanta lawyer creates a thriving and unexpected walking tour business that grows to multiple six-figures in annual income..
  • And much more!

Do you have a side hustle story you’d like to share? Fill out the Side Hustle School submission form and your story may be featured on the show!

Also, if you’re interested in joining the Side Hustle Society, visit our Society page to get notified when it goes live!

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

Quote of the Day
"It’s always a good time to reflect on your life and make changes—but something that can be done at any time is often done at no time. What are you laboring for?"
—#SideHustleSchool

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

Illustrated Greeting Cards Provide Personal Touch

What It’s About

An MBA student draws up the perfect way to send personalized greetings cards.

[podcast_details]

Words of Wisdom

Alex has some great words of encouragement to share from his side hustle journey:

“I have failed so many times with Tellinga but have gotten back up and tried to improve for the next time. I see and hear too many people talking themselves out of great ideas because they develop paralysis by analysis. Quit talking about it and start being about it!”

Fun Fact

Alex had wanted to name his company “Snail Tales,” a play on the term “snail mail,” but the domain would have cost tens of thousands of dollars to buy. So, he crowdsourced the name by creating a poll and asking people to choose their favorite from nine names he brainstormed.

Notes from Chris

Episode 978

We’ve all stood in front of the racks containing dozens of greeting cards looking for just the right one. But that unicorn card seldom appears because greeting cards are so often generic and trite. Meanwhile, most snail mail these days consists of junk promotions and bills. When we do hear from our family and friends on a special occasion, it’s often in the form of a digital message via social media, text, or email.

A pharmaceutical sales rep by day and an MBA student by night, Alex Kurkowski of Houston saw this from both sides.

He disliked mass-produced greeting cards … and he fondly remembered getting letters in the mail from his grandmother. Later, he had a pen pal and enjoyed the anticipation of checking the mailbox for a letter each week. Then, as an adult, he started sending cards and letters to family and friends complete with silly doodles and stick figures as a way to stay in touch. The recipients said they loved opening the mailbox to find something special and personal.

And it’s that experience that led him to his side hustle, Tellinga.

Tellinga creates personalized, hand-drawn greeting cards. The sender chooses a story length—either one day, one or two weeks, or one month—and uploads a photo of the hero of the story with a description of the story they wish the cards to tell. The story can be funny, dramatic, romantic, or anything you choose. It can even be a fictional story. You can make the recipient into a superhero or the leading lady or gentleman in a romance!

Tellinga’s team of illustrators and artists will then tell your story through personalized illustrations. A few days later, the recipient will start receiving the one-of-a-kind greeting card-sized illustrations in their physical, not digital, mailbox every other day until the package ends and their story is complete. Who wouldn’t be thrilled to open that envelope?

Having completed his degree, he has plans to integrate a sharing economy model into Tellinga in an effort to streamline the onboarding of aspiring artists and writers. The writers will create love letters, poems, or fun narratives which will be paired with the illustrations to more fully tell the stories that people want to share.

For stories that are too good to end, Tellinga hopes to soon offer a subscription plan.

 

 

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

  • Tellinga: Check out this fun and personalized take on greeting cards at Tellinga’s site.

 

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

RELIABLE WEBHOST FOR $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 my past 5 websites. It's cheap, flexible, and you can get support 24 hours a day.

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

Quote of the Day
"Quit planning and start failing."
—Alex Kurkowski #SideHustleSchool

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

Season III Begins! Make 2019 Your Best Year Yet

Notes from Chris

Episode 731

Welcome to Side Hustle School, Season III!!! 2 years ago I had an idea to make something for people who didn’t identify with a lot of the traditional messages about starting a business.

That was exactly 730 days ago. Since then we’ve had a nonstop, no break series of stories that are designed to inspire and equip you with the tools you need.

So for anyone new out there, here’s a super quick intro:

My name is Chris Guillebeau, I’m the host and guide of Side Hustle School. For my entire adult life—which is, it’s true, not short—I’ve been starting projects that make money without costing much money.

The whole purpose of Side Hustle School is to shine the spotlight on regular people who are starting income-generating projects of their own. Every day this year, I’ll tell you how they got their ideas, how they made those ideas happen, what mistakes they made or challenges they had to overcome, and what the outcome has been.

Often times you’ll notice that even though some people are making a lot of money, what they find to be the most valuable is the confidence and self-worth they gain merely by unlocking that new source of income.

Before I go any further, let me give you a few examples from Season II. These are all true stories of real people that you’ll hear every day.

Here’s to your hustle!

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

SEE ALSO:

  • The Art of Non-Conformity: If you enjoy the show and want to check out some of my other projects, my blog is a great place to start
  • The Onward Project: Side Hustle School is part of the Onward Project founded, led, coached by Gretchen Rubin, author of The Four Tendencies and host of the mega popular podcast HAPPIER
  • World Domination Summit: Every summer since 2011, I’ve been putting together a conference like no other in Portland, OR. If you’re interested in learning how to live an unconventional life in a conventional world, I’d love to see you there!

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
"Often times you’ll notice that even though some people are making a lot of money, what they find to be the most valuable is the confidence and self-worth they gain merely by unlocking that new source of income."
—#SideHustleSchool

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

Weekly Recap: How to Stop Procrastinating (Really!)

Notes from Chris

Episode 470

LISTENER EMAILS & VOICEMAILS:

This week, we received a listener email from Kat and a listener voicemail from Chris:

  • Kat: “Hey Chris, I’m a Day 1 listener and am finally getting my Side Hustle out of my mind and into the world. I’m starting Coffee People, a quarterly zine publication focusing on promoting the creative endeavors of folks who work in the coffee world.So far, I’ve been selling to people I know, through coffee shops I frequent, and via an online web store. I’m curious how to turn these one-off sales into a subscription-based model. Do you have any info/tips on how to manage a subscription service easily, effectively, affordably, and efficiently? Thanks much!”
  • Chris called the Side Hustle Hotline in response to a prompt from a previous Weekly Recap to let us know what he was most excited about these days. He’s relaunching his practice habits membership community for piano teachers!

Also, if you’re like me and struggle with procrastination, listen to today’s Weekly Recap to hear my tips for curbing your procrastinating tendencies and get things done!

If you have something you’d like to ask me or an update you’d like to share, I’d love to hear from you. Leave me a voice message on the website or call into the Side Hustle Hotline (Dial 844-9-HUSTLE // 844-948-7853), and your question may be featured on the show!

EPISODES FROM THIS WEEK:

Here’s what we heard this week on Side Hustle School! Listen to this week’s recap for a more comprehensive highlight reel.

  • Ep. 464 – A student cashes in on his love of history by mailing beautifully designed letters to monthly subscribers
  • Ep. 465 – A North Carolina man’s software app forces users to make donations when they slack off their fitness routines
  • Ep. 466 – A student with a flair for teaching gives extra classes to fellow students, optimizing the process along the way and working fewer hours each time
  • Ep. 467 – A birthday “paint and sip” celebration becomes an accidental side hustle, providing a sustainable income for an artist in between day jobs
  • Ep. 468 – A Minnesotan software engineer turns healthy recipes into an online business that has over 100,000 website visitors a month
  • Ep. 469 – A Singapore-based storyteller and lover of textiles earns an extra $40,000 a year selling handcrafted cashmere scarves from Nepal

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

Yours in the revolution,

cg-sig-newsletter

Join me at the World Domination Summit!

Have you heard of the World Domination Summit? This is a gathering of awesome people—an event that I’ve been hosting together with an amazing team in Portland, OR every summer for the past eight years.

WDS 2018 is coming up at the end of June (June 26th-July 2nd), and we’ll be welcoming people from over 30 different countries. With inspiring keynote speakers, a week full of activities and attendee-led meetups, and two incredible parties, you won’t want to miss it!

This is our final wave of main stage tickets so visit our website to get your ticket to this incredible, once a year event! We promise that it’s unlike anything you’ve ever experienced before.

Here’s what’s coming up next…

Each week I’ll feature more stories from people who are starting side hustles without quitting their job. Here’s a sneak peek of what’s coming next week:

  • A Pennsylvania couple turns a difference in home decorating taste into a bustling business, complete with mounted unicorn heads for your next remodel
  • A contest idea turns into a restaurant recommending algorithm, earning its creator an extra $50,000/year
  • And so much more!

Do you have a side hustle story you’d like to share? Fill out the Side Hustle School submission form and your story may be featured on the show!

Also, if you’re interested in joining the Side Hustle Society, visit our Society page to get notified when it goes live!

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

Quote of the Day
"Procrastination is as much a psychological problem as it is a time management one. Don’t just push through; ask yourself why you’re resisting something."
—#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

Weekly Recap: Are My Profit Margins Too High?

Notes from Chris

Episode 449

THEMES & TAKEAWAYS:

So, last week, we talked about network marketing, but today, I’d like to talk more about profit margins. I recently received a question that I thought would be a good topic for today’s episode—how high is too high for your profit margins to be? It’s surprisingly a question that comes up quite a bit.

We had a conversation with someone that we featured recently, and we got to talking about how much it cost them to produce their product and how much they turned around and sold it for.

If you’re curious about what your profit margins should be, check out the recap to learn more!

LISTENER QUESTIONS:

Today we have a listener voicemail from Jesse:

  • Jesse has been listening to the show for six months, and she recently started working on an e-commerce store of her own. She’s heard that a lot of people use PayPal as a payment option for their customers, but she’s really not a fan and is hoping to find some alternatives that are easy to start with.

If you have something you’d like to ask me or an update you’d like to share, I’d love to hear from you. Leave me a voice message on the website or call into the Side Hustle Hotline (Dial 844-9-HUSTLE // 844-948-7853), and your question may be featured on the show!

EPISODES FROM THIS WEEK:

Here’s what we heard this week on Side Hustle School! Listen to this week’s recap for a more comprehensive highlight reel.

  • Ep. 443 – A Massachusetts woman helps men improve their online dating profiles. Tip #1: stop being creepy
  • Ep. 444 – This Ohio man loves board games so much that he made his own—and when he tries to raise $6,000 through a Kickstarter campaign, he ends up with much more than he ever imagined
  • Ep. 445 – After two failed attempts, a software developer’s passion for web development puts her on the path to profit
  • Ep. 446 – After a search for customizable letter boards leaves her empty-handed, a Side Hustle School listener sees the writing on the wall
  • Ep. 447 – An enterprising nonprofit employee bids for consulting contracts, earning a steady second income each month
  • Ep. 448 – She had always wanted to open a bricks-and-mortar retail store, but it was always too expensive—until now

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

Yours in the revolution,

cg-sig-newsletter

Join me at the World Domination Summit!

Have you heard of the World Domination Summit? This is a gathering of awesome people—an event that I’ve been hosting together with an amazing team in Portland, OR every summer for the past eight years.

WDS 2018 is coming up at the end of June (June 26th-July 2nd), and we’ll be welcoming people from over 30 different countries. With inspiring keynote speakers, a week full of activities and attendee-led meetups, and two incredible parties, you won’t want to miss it!

This is our final wave of main stage tickets so visit our website to get your ticket to this incredible, once a year event! We promise that it’s unlike anything you’ve ever experienced before.

Here’s what’s coming up next…

Each week I’ll feature more stories from people who are starting side hustles without quitting their job. Here’s a sneak peek of what’s coming next week:

  • After being laid off, a Denver man turns his hobby into a full-time gig that earns $8,000/month
  • It’s a bird, it’s a plane… or actually, it’s an acrobatic performance troupe that started as one mom’s side hustle, and now employs 14 people
  • And so much more!

Do you have a side hustle story you’d like to share? Fill out the Side Hustle School submission form and your story may be featured on the show!

Also, if you’re interested in joining the Side Hustle Society, visit our Society page to get notified when it goes live!

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

Quote of the Day
"You don’t have to explain or justify your profit to anyone. If customers want what you’re selling, you should be making money from it."
—#SideHustleSchool

Sponsors & Gratitude

Get What Your Business Needs.

Side Hustle School is brought to you by the National Association of Realtors.

Every business faces challenges. Whether you need more space, a better location, or a little more curb appeal, a Realtor—a member of the National Association of Realtors—can help you find the right place to grow. So get what your business needs. Get Realtor! 🏢 Visit Realtor.com

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

Weekly Recap: My Most Awkward and Embarrassing Moment

Notes from Chris

Episode 442

LISTENER QUESTIONS:

Today we have a listener voicemail from McKenna:

  • McKenna has been listening to the show for a few months, and she’s finally landed on a side hustle idea! Her question—how do you determine a price point (or price points) for your product or service. She’s launching a side hustle catering to high school to college-aged women, and she’s trying to determine prices that would be attractive to that market.If you’re also interested in learning more about how to price your product or service, check out Extended Cut #7!

If you have something you’d like to ask me or an update you’d like to share, I’d love to hear from you. Leave me a voice message on the website or call into the Side Hustle Hotline (Dial 844-9-HUSTLE // 844-948-7853), and your question may be featured on the show!

EPISODES FROM THIS WEEK:

Here’s what we heard this week on Side Hustle School! Listen to this week’s recap for a more comprehensive highlight reel.

  • Ep. 436 – A school teacher earns an extra $1,000 a month placing pink flamingos in neighbors’ yards. Yes, really!
  • Ep. 437 – Dark winter days were no match for four Dutch friends looking to spark meaningful conversations
  • Ep. 438 – A call center supervisor leans into his passion for pickleball, discovers a need for skilled tournament managers, and launches a $40,000/yr side hustle
  • Ep. 439 – The next time you need a Swarovski-covered crystal bikini for a fitness competition (or just a walk to Starbucks), this engineer has got you covered. Strike a pose!
  • Ep. 440 – Toronto book lover uses her extensive experience to teach the art of proofreading, bringing in an additional $2,000 a month
  • Ep. 441 – A freelance designer creates a publishing company to produce and collaborate on books for female creatives

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

Yours in the revolution,

cg-sig-newsletter

Join me at the World Domination Summit!

Have you heard of the World Domination Summit? This is a gathering of awesome people—an event that I’ve been hosting together with an amazing team in Portland, OR every summer for the past eight years.

WDS 2018 is coming up at the end of June (June 26th-July 2nd), and we’ll be welcoming people from over 30 different countries. With inspiring keynote speakers, a week full of activities and attendee-led meetups, and two incredible parties, you won’t want to miss it!

This is our final wave of main stage tickets so visit our website to get your ticket to this incredible, once a year event! We promise that it’s unlike anything you’ve ever experienced before.

Here’s what’s coming up next…

Each week I’ll feature more stories from people who are starting side hustles without quitting their job. Here’s a sneak peek of what’s coming next week:

  • A Massachusetts woman helps men improve their online dating profiles. Tip #1: stop being creepy
  • This Ohio man loves board games so much that he made his own—and when he tries to raise $6,000 through a Kickstarter campaign, he ends up with much more than he ever imagined
  • And so much more!

Do you have a side hustle story you’d like to share? Fill out the Side Hustle School submission form and your story may be featured on the show!

Also, if you’re interested in joining the Side Hustle Society, visit our Society page to get notified when it goes live!

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

Quote of the Day
"Regardless of who you’re selling to, you always want to focus on a) why they NEED what you’re selling, and b) why it will change their life."
—#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