Tag: Side Hustle School

WEEKLY RECAP: Scavenger Hunts, Bow Ties, & Horses

Notes from Chris

Episode 134

LISTENER Q&A:

Our listener questions for this week come to us from Elise in Denver, CO and Jonathan in Phoenix, AZ:

  • Elise has been listening to the show for a while now, and she’s been inspired to start her own personalized coloring book side hustle. In addition to selling the actual coloring books, she’s considering creating YouTube tutorials for those who’d like to learn how to make their own using a free design program called Canva. She’s looking for some perspective regarding someone who creates a product in conjunction with a DIY tutorial video for those who are interested as a sort of added value.
  • Jonathan mentions that we feature a lot of success stories on the show, but that a lot of side hustles are not always successful. He wants to know what kind of advice I have for someone who has experienced failure and is looking to adapt their hustle so that it can be successful or move past that initial failure.

Listen to the Weekly Recap for a more comprehensive look at this week’s Listener Q&A. Also, if you have a question you’d like answered, send me a voice message. Your question may be featured on the show!

NEW: You can now call in from your phone and leave me a voicemail! Dial 844-9-HUSTLE // 844-948-7853 and leave a message with your comment or question for the show.

CHRIS’ RECOMMENDATIONS:

If you have a WordPress site or are considering starting one for your side hustle, here are some essential plugins to help you out.

  • Yoast to Optimize SEO: SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization and it’s all about making your website and the posts on your website more friendly for Google so that you can get a higher Google ranking. Yoast is simple and easy to use, and you get most of their features absolutely free!
  • Simple Page Tester: Simple Page Tester is an easy to use (and free!) plugin that allows you to conduct A/B testing which allows you to essentially use market testing on your page visitors! With this plugin, you can test your headlines, prices, and offers to see which your customers are more receptive to.

    • HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS WEEK:

    Here are some quick highlights for each episode this week. Listen to this week’s recap for a more comprehensive highlight reel.

    • Ep. 128 – An event planner in Boston proves that you can capitalize on fun with his creative scavenger hunt side hustle that brings in six-figures annually and has expanded to include five new cities
    • Ep. 129 – In this story about a pair of college students who start their own bow tie hustle, we take a look at a global directory called Alibaba that helps you connect with suppliers and manufacturers. It’s a great resource for those looking to create a product
    • Ep. 130 – How a resourceful employee jumps on an opportunity to run his own branch of the company he works for and brings in $40,000 on the side
    • Ep. 131 – A former NASA employee with an unbridled enthusiasm for horseback riding changes her hustle strategy from screen printing to a P.O.D. service and proves she’s no one trick pony
    • Ep. 132 – A a woman in Baltimore creates comfortable mittens for runners, getting a patent on her unique product along the way
    • Ep. 133 – In this coaching side hustle story, we feature a psychologist who brings in an additional $74k on the side with his consulting side hustle that helps students get into top universities

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

    Yours in the revolution,

    cg-sig-newsletter

Side Hustle School Live:

Make a plan to start your hustle in 28 days or less.

You need more than one source of income. This in-person workshop (NOT available online) will show you exactly how to set up your first—or your fifth—hustle. We just added two more dates to the lineup for August! Here’s where I’ll be next:

  • Washington, D.C. – June 8th
  • Atlanta, GA – June 10th
  • Portland, OR – August 19th
  • Anaheim, CA – August 20th

Don’t See Your City? Let me know where you live! I’ll use your input to decide on future workshop locations. If we get enough people together in your city, I’ll be there.

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:

  • An avid plant collector in the UK makes the most out of a temporary unemployment situation by building and selling glass terrariums
  • After a doctor diagnoses her husband with a corn syrup allergy, a fraud analyst mixes up a line of healthy, sweet baked goods that everyone can enjoy
  • Adventures in creating homemade presents for friends and family lead a Beyoncé-obsessed duo to lip balm world domination. Bonus: learn Abraham Lincoln’s favorite dessert recipes

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
"Whenever possible, you should choose a side hustle that you’ll have fun working on. It shouldn’t be something you would consider a chore, but rather something you look forward to."
—#SideHustleSchool

Sponsors & Gratitude

Get a premium Indochino Suit for just $389!

Side Hustle School is brought to you by Indochino, the company that’s reinventing men’s fashion.

Go to Indochino.com to get any premium Indochino suit for just $389, plus free shipping, when you use promo code HUSTLE at checkout. 🤵 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: Barking Up the Right Tree

Notes from Chris

Episode 127

LISTENER Q&A:

Our listener questions for this week come to us from Sheila in Nicaragua and Jonathan from Montana:

  • Sheila has been researching how to get her side hustle up and running, but while she experiences a lot of momentum in the beginning, she has a tendency to get discouraged when she sees her competition. She worries that her idea isn’t good enough, and she wants to know how she can overcome those doubts.
  • Jonathan has narrowed his ideas down and is looking to start a drop shipping business for fly fishing. He’s looking for tips on how to contact manufacturers for the first time.

Listen to the Weekly Recap for a more comprehensive look at this week’s Listener Q&A. Also, if you have a question you’d like answered, send me a voice message. Your question may be featured on the show!

NEW: You can now call in from your phone and leave me a voicemail! Dial 844-9-HUSTLE // 844-948-7853 and leave a message with your comment or question for the show.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS WEEK:

Here are some quick highlights for each episode this week. Listen to this week’s recap for a more comprehensive highlight reel.

  • Ep. 121 – While serving time after a run-in with the law, one man and his cousin get creative in the kitchen, then launch a successful food truck, catering, and restaurant business in rural Pennsylvania
  • Ep. 122 – In this awesome story about a Michigan-based dog owner who uses her baking hobby to launch a gourmet, healthy dog treat business, we take a look at LLCs (Limited Liability Corporations) and how you can determine whether that path is right for you
  • Ep. 123 – A couple of friends in Tennessee notice issues in the lawn care industry and decide to fix them using technology that better connects vendors and their customers. In the process, they create a million dollar side hustle that allows them to expand to several other nearby states
  • Ep. 124 – She’s loud, she’s proud, and she’s wielding a hammer to smash the patriarchy with her hand-stamped feminist jewelry line
  • Ep. 125 – Sometimes a shift is all you need to get on the right track. This blogger was able to get out of debt and make $82,000 last year while working two hours a day before and after his real job
  • Ep. 126 – If you’ve ever thought that you didn’t possess the technical skills to create a successful side hustle, this story may change your mind. It’s all about how a salesman in Nashville, Tennessee jumps at the opportunity to launch a low-tech, low-stress side hustle that brings in an additional $48,000 for him and his family without even having to launch a website

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

Yours in the revolution,

cg-sig-newsletter

Side Hustle School Live:

Make a plan to start your hustle in 28 days or less.

You need more than one source of income. This in-person workshop (NOT available online) will show you exactly how to set up your first—or your fifth—hustle. We just added two more dates to the lineup for August! Here’s where I’ll be next:

  • Washington, D.C. – June 8th
  • Atlanta, GA – June 10th
  • Portland, OR – August 19th
  • Anaheim, CA – August 20th

Don’t See Your City? Let me know where you live! I’ll use your input to decide on future workshop locations. If we get enough people together in your city, I’ll be there.

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:

  • An event planner proves that you really can make money while having fun when he creates a competitive scavenger hunt game that takes place across Boston
  • A story about two Virginia college students who make upgrading your wardrobe more affordable with their economic bow tie side hustle
  • A former NASA employee with an unbridled enthusiasm for horseback riding changes her hustle strategy and proves she’s no one trick pony. We’re not horsing around!

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
"As you’re going through your day, think about how you can adapt, grow, and ultimately change for the better. How can you be the most successful in whatever side hustle you start?"
—#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: Midnight Cookie Delivery, Phone Cases, & Tea Leaves

Notes from Chris

Episode 120

LISTENER Q&A:

Our listener questions for this week come to us from Sue and C.J.:

  • Sue in Pasadena had some questions regarding our 100th episode about a “renegade” museum tour guide side hustle that brought in more than $2 million in 2016. Mainly: 1. How did the museums react to this new business? 2. Did Nick certify and authorize new guides? 3. How did he teach and evaluate new guides?
  • C.J. asks about setting up separate business accounts for your side hustle: If you have multiple side hustles, is it okay to consolidate them to one bank account for all, or does each side hustle need to each have its own separate accounts?

Listen to the Weekly Recap for a more comprehensive look at this week’s Listener Q&A. Also, if you have a question you’d like answered, send me a voice message. Your question may be featured on the show!

NEW: You can now call in from your phone and leave me a voicemail! Dial 844-9-HUSTLE // 844-948-7853 and leave a message with your comment or question for the show.

CHRIS’S BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS:

Two great books are out this week!

  • At Home in the World: Reflections on Belonging While Wandering the Globe by Tsh Oxenreider: In this intimate, transporting memoir, Tsh shares the story of how her family spent a rather ordinary nine months in an extraordinary way: circumnavigating the earth to see, firsthand, the places they’ve always wanted to explore.

    • AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | INDIEBOUND

  • Captivate: The Science of Succeeding with People by Vanessa Van Edwards: Do you wish you could decode people? Do you want a formula for charisma? Do you want to know exactly what to say to your boss, your date or your networking partner? You need to know how people work. In Captivate, Vanessa shares a wealth of valuable shortcuts, systems and behavior hacks for taking charge of their interactions at work, at home, and in any social situation.

    • AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | INDIEBOUND

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS WEEK:

Here are some quick highlights for each episode this week. Listen to this week’s recap for a more comprehensive highlight reel.

  • Ep. 114 – A New York-based consultant brews his need for energy into a tea delivery service that offers customers a chance to discover new tea varieties each month. Subscription side hustles are not easy to implement, but it looks like Nick Ehret, the founder of Varieteas, is on the right track to success
  • Ep. 115 – In this episode, we take a look at what it means to be authentic in whatever you do, and Michelle has been able to take her need for expression and turn it into a successful side hustle that brings in over $80,000/year
  • Ep. 116 – One of my favorite episodes from this week, and I’m not just saying that because they deliver freshly baked cookies right to my front door! A couple from the East Coast serve up hot, out-of-the-oven goodness to the people of Portland, Oregon
  • Ep. 117 – A couple brings their love of handmade wooden accessories, technology, and design to life with a side hustle manufacturing handmade wooden desk accessories and phone cases. This story also explores the pros and cons of selling your products on flash sale sites
  • Ep. 118 – A mobile yoga studio in L.A. brings this UX designer an additional $40,000 a year working only a few hours each week
  • Ep. 119 – A Texas photographer combines his love for art and science fiction to add magic to his photography specializing in cosplay and all things geek. It also allows his wife an opportunity to stay home with their three young children and save up money for a new house

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

Yours in the revolution,

Chris Guillebeau

Side Hustle School Live:

Make a plan to start your hustle in 28 days or less.

You need more than one source of income. This in-person workshop (NOT available online) will show you exactly how to set up your first—or your fifth—hustle. We just added two more dates to the lineup for August! Here’s where I’ll be next:

  • Chicago, IL – May 4th
  • Boston, MA – May 6th
  • Washington, D.C. – June 8th
  • Atlanta, GA – June 10th
  • Portland, OR – August 19th
  • Anaheim, CA – August 20th

Don’t See Your City? Let me know where you live! I’ll use your input to decide on future workshop locations. If we get enough people together in your city, I’ll be there.

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 successful food truck, catering, and restaurant business in rural Pennsylvania that springs from jail time and house arrest.
  • A story about a Michigan-based dog owner who uses her baking hobby to launch a gourmet, healthy dog treat business.
  • How four friends revolutionize the lawn care industry and create a million dollar side hustle in the process.
  • Another Extended Cut episode focusing on how you can create your own Simple Marketing Plan

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
"Side hustles aren’t about creating a part-time job—they’re about creating an asset for yourself. The goal is to increase your control and create security for yourself so that you’re able to tackle anything that comes your way."
—#SideHustleSchool

Sponsors & Gratitude

Cook with Blue Apron!

Supporting the sponsors keeps the show free. Today’s episode of Side Hustle School is brought to you by Blue Apron. 👩‍🍳

Check out this week’s menu and get your first three meals FREE, with free shipping. Get ready to say mmmmmm.
Get Yours 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

EXTENDED CUT #4: Simple Marketing Plan

Notes from Chris

Episode x04
Imagine being able to connect with the people who want what you have to offer – you don’t have to persuade them or convince them – they are already pre-sold or at least pre-interested. They know that you can give them what they need. That’s what it’s like when your message connects with the right person or the right group of people.

So… how can you create a situation like that? It doesn’t usually just appear in the middle of nowhere. Listen to this episode for a four-step primer!

EPISODES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

LINKS FROM THIS EPISODE:

  • Later: Upload, schedule and manage your Instagram posts with this marketing platform for Instagram
  • Hootsuite: This social media marketing and management dashboard helps you manage all your social media in one place.
  • Buffer: Another social media dashboard that helps you schedule, publish and analyze all your posts in one place
  • ConvertKit: At some point, you’ll probably want to collect email addresses from people. Not only will you want to collect them, you’ll also want to have them in some kind of program that allows you write them about your product or service. This is often the very next step in terms of launching your hustle to the world. This is the same service I use for Side Hustle School and other projects.

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

Yours in the revolution,

cg-sig-newsletter

WEEKLY RECAP: Meal Planning, Swimsuits, and Snuggling

Notes from Chris

Episode 113

LISTENER Q&A:

Our listener questions for this week come to us from Wyatt, Amanda, and Jane:

  • Wyatt has been brainstorming ideas, but he doesn’t want to invest in something that isn’t going to be feasible long-term. He asks if there’s a way to research whether or not an idea is feasible or something that will be in-demand before you get too far down the path.
  • Amanda and her boyfriend have already started their side hustle selling a healthy, superfood-based fudge, but now that they’ve launched, they’re looking for ways to create an elevator pitch in order get their product out to there.
  • Jane has been inspired by Side Hustle School and is looking for a side hustle of her very own, but she doesn’t feel that she has the kind of skills necessary to start many of the side hustles we’ve featured on the show. She’s looking for side hustles that cater to those “regular folk” out there without technological or artistic skills.

Listen to the Weekly Recap for a more comprehensive look at this week’s Listener Q&A. Also, if you have a question you’d like answered, send me a voice message. Your question may be featured on the show!

NEW: You can now call in from your phone and leave me a voicemail! Dial 844-9-HUSTLE // 844-948-7853 and leave a message with your comment or question for the show.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS WEEK:

Here are some quick highlights for each episode this week. Listen to this week’s recap for a more comprehensive highlight reel.

  • Ep. 107 – A New England engineer earns a part-time income of more than $1,000 a month by helping people reconnect through personal touch
  • Ep. 108 – How a swimsuit model uses her strong industry connections and social media savvy to launch a high-end shopping site taking on major swimwear companies and bringing in $5 million a year
  • Ep. 109 – Healthy meal planning can be rough, but one man is on a mission to help people be more health-conscious with his subscription-based website selling meal prep recipes. This episode is also a testiment to the power of mastering SEO and using it in your side hustle
  • Ep. 110 – A lifelong crafter who makes jewelry to cope with the stress of working in the mental health field launches an Etsy store and uses her strong marketing skills to get her items featured on several major TV shows
  • Ep. 111 – After witnessing the struggles that many students have with one of college’s most challenging subjects, a chemist creates a blog selling study guides and ebooks to help bridge the gap. He also brings in six-figures a year
  • Ep. 112 – A Nashville insurance executive who hates exercising opens a gym modeled on working out for only 10 minutes at a time.

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

Yours in the revolution,

Chris Guillebeau

Side Hustle School Live:

Make a plan to start your hustle in 28 days or less.

You need more than one source of income. This in-person workshop (NOT available online) will show you exactly how to set up your first—or your fifth—hustle. We just added two more dates to the lineup for August! Here’s where I’ll be next:

  • Chicago, IL – May 4th
  • Boston, MA – May 6th
  • Washington, D.C. – June 8th
  • Atlanta, GA – June 10th
  • Portland, OR – August 19th
  • Anaheim, CA – August 20th

Don’t See Your City? Let me know where you live! I’ll use your input to decide on future workshop locations. If we get enough people together in your city, I’ll be there.

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 tea subscription service that delivers high-quality tea blends right to your door.
  • How a graphic designer turns a trying time in her life into an incredibly successful $80k side hustle helping others be the best version of themselves that they can be.
  • A photographer who uses his graphic design skills to create amazing Star Wars themed cosplay shoots!
  • Another Extended Cut episode focusing on how you can create your own Simple Marketing Plan

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
"When it comes to choosing your side hustle, it’s important to know yourself and choose projects that suit your strengths."
—#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: Japanese Candy, Museum Hacks, and Killer Bees

Notes from Chris

Episode 106

LISTENER Q&A:

Our listener questions for this week come to us from Isabeau in Vancouver, B.C. and Sarah in Wisconsin:

  • Like many parents, Isabeau has a lot of old toys and children’s books laying around the house that she’d like to find homes for, but she’s not certain that she has the time or motivation to learn how to use eBay. She’s looking for a service—essentially a middle man—who can help her simplify the process.
  • Years ago, Sarah pursued a project that she was really passionate about, but the timing wasn’t right. Now that she’s at a much better point in life, she’d like to revisit it. She’s incredibly motivated to get things up and running, but she feels that her family and friends are less supportive and encouraging than they were the first time. Now that she’s ready and excited to get started, how can she reignite the excitement?

Listen to the Weekly Recap for a more comprehensive look at this week’s Listener Q&A. Also, if you have a question you’d like answered, send me a voice message. Your question may be featured on the show!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS WEEK:

Here are some quick highlights for each episode this week. Listen to this week’s recap for a more comprehensive highlight reel.

  • Ep. 100 – Our 100th episode (!) features an amazing story about how a less than stellar date leads a man in New York City to start a renegade museum tour hustle bringing in $2 million a year
  • Ep. 101 – A Finnish expat in Japan creates a unique subscription service shipping boxes packed full of Japanese candy to the rest of the world
  • Ep. 102 – A 365-day photo project gets the attention of Apple marketers and transitions to a hustle teaching small business owners how to create videos using their smartphones
  • Ep. 103 – A Colorado scientist publishes a fact based science fiction magazine and builds it to a sustainable income of $1,800/month, funded largely by his readers
  • Ep. 104 – In this buzzworthy episode, a Texas woman creates a $4,000/month side hustle as an advocate for sustainable honeybee habitats
  • Ep. 105 – A fascination for why people think helps a performing artist shift from earning $2,000 for college shows to $20,000 for corporate events

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

Yours in the revolution,

Chris Guillebeau

Side Hustle School Live:

Make a plan to start your hustle in 28 days or less.

You need more than one source of income. This in-person workshop (NOT available online) will show you exactly how to set up your first—or your fifth—hustle. We just added two more dates to the lineup for August! Here’s where I’ll be next:

  • Chicago, IL – May 4th
  • Boston, MA – May 6th
  • Washington, D.C. – June 8th
  • Atlanta, GA – June 10th
  • Portland, OR – August 19th
  • Anaheim, CA – August 20th

Don’t See Your City? Let me know where you live! I’ll use your input to decide on future workshop locations. If we get enough people together in your city, I’ll be there.

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:

  • Another subscription model like the one we featured in Ep. 101, but this one focuses on providing healthier meal prepping options for those who don’t want to spend a lot of time researching
  • How a woman has been able to earn around $1,000 a month helping people reconnect through personal touch
  • How a former swimsuit model uses her industry know-how to create a multi-million dollar swimsuit line

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
"How do you get to be in the right place at the right time? You plan for it, and you position yourself for the success you want to see."
—#SideHustleSchool

Sponsors & Gratitude

Get a premium Indochino Suit for just $389!

Side Hustle School is brought to you by Indochino, the company that’s reinventing men’s fashion.

Go to Indochino.com to get any premium Indochino suit for just $389, plus free shipping, when you use promo code HUSTLE at checkout. 🤵 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: Citizenship & Calligraphy

Notes from Chris

Episode 99

LISTENER Q&A:

Our listener questions for this week come to us from Debby, Matt, and Dionne:

  • Debby has started a blog, and she’s looking for tips to help her find traffic and target the right kind of audience.
  • Matt is looking to develop a product to sell on etsy, but he’s not sure how to license intellectual property so that he can use portions of images owned by corporations on those designs.
  • Dionne would like to know how she can set herself up for success from the very beginning.

Listen to the Weekly Recap for a more comprehensive look at this week’s Listener Q&A. Also, if you have a question you’d like answered, send me a voice message. Your question may be featured on the show!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS WEEK:

Here are some quick highlights for each episode this week. Listen to this week’s recap for a more comprehensive highlight reel.

  • Ep. 93 – The story behind how an innovative salesman named Jeffrey created a baby harness that helps parents teaching their children how to walk, all the while creating a six-figure side income for himself.
  • Ep. 94 – One of my favorite social good stories about a woman in D.C. who helps others become American citizens. Her story is also a great example of how starting a profitable side hustle—while giving back—is entirely within reach.
  • Ep. 95 – An example of a complimentary side hustle featuring a leather craftsman who starts his hustle selling handmade leather products after being inspired by working at a tannery.
  • Ep. 96 – A corporate employee in Texas enters the online world of calligraphy and hand-lettering, and changes it along the way to suit her strengths.
  • Ep. 97 – A stay-at-home mother starts a podcast about essential oils and pulls her family off government assistance.
  • Ep. 98 – How five minutes of internet research inspired one couple to start an in-home pilates studio in their unfinished basement.

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

Yours in the revolution,

Chris Guillebeau

Side Hustle School Live:

Make a plan to start your hustle in 28 days or less.

You need more than one source of income. This in-person workshop (NOT available online) will show you exactly how to set up your first—or your fifth—hustle. I just wrapped up a sold out workshop in Austin, and we just added two more dates to the lineup for August! Here’s where I’ll be next:

  • Chicago, IL – May 4th
  • Boston, MA – May 6th
  • Washington, D.C. – June 8th
  • Atlanta, GA – June 10th
  • Portland, OR – August 19th
  • Anaheim, CA – August 20th

Don’t See Your City? Let me know where you live! I’ll use your input to decide on future workshop locations. If we get enough people together in your city, I’ll be there.

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:

  • How a man from New York City turns a forgettable date into a $2 million renegade museum tour guide hustle
  • The story behind how an expat living in Japan ended up creating a Japanese candy subscription service that brings in $15,000/month
  • A 365-day photo project that transitions into a hustle teaching small business owners how to create videos using their smartphones
  • A “madly” brilliant scientist who publishes a science fiction magazine that provides him with a sustainable income of $1,800/month, funded largely by his readers

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
"It’s always good to get your ducks in a row, but make sure that you’re also spending time thinking through what your offer is and how it will help people."
—#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: Karaoke, Tutoring, and Reselling

Notes from Chris

Episode 92

LISTENER Q&A:

Our listener questions for this week come to us from Natalie in San Francisco, CA and RJ in Monroe, CT:

  • After listening to Side Hustle School, Natalie has started her own side hustle, and she has her site up and running. At this point, she’s trying to determine the best steps to promote and drive traffic to it. So far she’s tried boosting her website traffic using Facebook Ads, but she’s not entirely certain that this is the best route for her to take and has started reaching out to other thought leaders in her field.
  • RJ has already started his side hustle, but now he’s thinking he’d like to create an app to go along with it. He’s looking to bring a developer in to help him, but he’s been overwhelmed so far with all of the options available. Additionally, he wants to know what the best way to work with a developer on a budget is.

Listen to the Weekly Recap for a more comprehensive look at this week’s Listener Q&A. Also, if you have a question you’d like answered, send me a voice message. Your question may be featured on the show!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS WEEK:

Here are some quick highlights for each episode this week. Listen to this week’s recap for a more comprehensive highlight reel.

  • Ep. 86 – John is a car enthusiast who follows up on his curiosity and creates a project that earns $5,000/month on average and has brought in over a million dollars after a decade.
  • Ep. 87 – A college student named Chris recognizes major flaws in the cleaning industry and offers a more customer service-driven alternative that brings in around $20,000 a month. Oh, and he’s also able to take off and go to Japan for a week, and not have to worry about the business at all.
  • Ep. 88 – After being frustrated in his search for the right tutors for his many children, a busy father named Pete creates a directory that has generated more than 100,000 user profiles.
  • Ep. 89 – In the prehistoric age before easy online shopping, a bartender named Dana discovers a way to supplement the tips she lost during a recession by reselling clothing to her friends.
  • Ep. 90 – A Washington, DC man named Jesse uses new entrepreneurial skills—and vocal chords—to turn a profit and cultivate community with a unique karaoke league. Five years later, District Karaoke has expanded to include leagues in five cities across the US and brings in around $65,000/year.
  • Ep. 91 – A creative director and copywriter in Austin named Brian makes an April Fool’s joke that turns into a long-term income stream engraving tweets into wooden plaques.

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

Yours in the revolution,

Chris Guillebeau

Side Hustle School Live:

Make a plan to start your hustle in 28 days or less.

You need more than one source of income. This in-person workshop (NOT available online) will show you exactly how to set up your first—or your fifth—hustle. This up coming week I’ll be in San Francisco and Austin (both workshops are almost sold out!), and we just added four more dates to the lineup! Here’s where I’ll be next:

  • San Francisco, CA – April 6th
  • Austin, TX – April 8th
  • Chicago, IL – May 4th
  • Boston, MA – May 6th
  • Washington, D.C. – June 8th
  • Atlanta, GA – June 10th

Don’t See Your City? Let me know where you live! I’ll use your input to decide on future workshop locations. If we get enough people together in your city, I’ll be there.

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:

  • An Instagram project involving intricate calligraphy and hand lettering that makes $9,000 from someone who had never had an account on Instagram before
  • A clothing store salesman who ends up creating an innovative product that helps parents and their children…and brings in six-figures a year
  • My favorite social good story that we’ve had since starting the show. This will be Ep. 94, and I’m really looking forward to sharing it with you.

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
"Life is too short to wonder “what if?” Instead, ask yourself “what’s the worst that can happen?”"
—#SideHustleSchool

Sponsors & Gratitude

Cook with Blue Apron!

Supporting the sponsors keeps the show free. Today’s episode of Side Hustle School is brought to you by Blue Apron. 👩‍🍳

Check out this week’s menu and get your first three meals FREE, with free shipping. Get ready to say mmmmmm.
Get Yours 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: Social Good, Marijuana, and the Worm Empire

Notes from Chris

Episode 85

LISTENER Q&A:

Our listener questions for this week come to us from Karl in Pennsylvania and Erin in Vancouver, B.C.:

  • Karl is new to the side hustle world, but he already has a lot of ideas. His problem is that he can’t test them all and finds it difficult to narrow down his ideas to two.
  • Unlike Karl, Erin has already narrowed her ideas to one—a learning resource product inspired by some other Side Hustle School episodes (See Ep. 30, Ep. 43, and Ep. 59). She’s at a point where she’d like to test a couple different delivery methods: one free and for sale, and she’s looking for strategies to help her along the way.

Listen to the Weekly Recap for a more comprehensive look at this week’s Listener Q&A. Also, if you have a question you’d like answered, send me a voice message. Your question may be featured on the show!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS WEEK:

Here are some quick highlights for each episode this week. Listen to this week’s recap for a more comprehensive highlight reel.

  • Ep. 78 – Amy utilized a jewelry skill she picked up in college to build a side hustle helping others to be more independent and empowered. It’s a great example of a sustainable social enterprise, meaning that it supports itself by being profitable—while making a difference.
  • Ep. 79 – A man in Houston develops and promotes a unique form of composting using—wait for it—red wiggler worms.
  • Ep. 80 – After visiting an upscale men’s store and stumbling across a line of high-end scented candles, Marc watches YouTube tutorials on candle making and launches a scented side hustle of his own.
  • Ep. 81 – Chris is a successful artist who has been able to make a living from his art, and now he’s started a successful side hustle helping others to do the same.
  • Ep. 82 – In the dawn of the budding cannabis industry, a Colorado bartender named Johnny self-publishes a statewide marijuana guide selling over 2,000 copies.
  • Ep. 83 – After being dubbed the “Professional Bridesmaid” by her friends, a 26-year-old copywriter named Jen finds a way to capitalize on her years of experience decked out in high heels and taffeta.
  • Ep. 84 – Bonus episode featuring a story from David who creates a niche, digital magazine for hockey goaltenders and fans of goaltenders.

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

Yours in the revolution,

Chris Guillebeau

Side Hustle School Live:

Make a plan to start your hustle in 28 days or less.

You need more than one source of income. This in-person workshop (NOT available online) will show you exactly how to set up your first—or your fifth—hustle. This week I was in Denver, and we just added four more dates to the lineup! Here’s where I’ll be next:

  • San Francisco, CA – April 6th
  • Austin, TX – April 8th
  • Chicago, IL – May 4th
  • Boston, MA – May 6th
  • Washington, D.C. – June 8th
  • Atlanta, GA – June 10th

Don’t See Your City? Let me know where you live! I’ll use your input to decide on future workshop locations. If we get enough people together in your city, I’ll be there.

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 college student who starts a successful housecleaning service that makes $20,000 a month and allows him the peace of mind to travel to places like Japan without worrying that everything will fall apart
  • A father of nine who starts an online service matching tutors with parents and their children after finding trouble searching for a tutor himself
  • A woodworking project that started as an April Fool’s joke—but turned a $53,000 profit last year

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
"Don’t think that you need to learn new skills to start a side hustle. You often just need to learn to apply your existing skills in a different way."
—#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

EXTENDED CUT #2: 9 Starter Ideas for Your First Hustle

Notes from Chris

Episode x02
If you’re just getting started in the world of side hustling, explore these different platforms and ideas, including Skillshare (teaching a class), Wyzant (tutoring), Etsy (selling handcrafted items), and 6 more.

Consider taking on the challenge to try out one of these platforms and see it through. There’s little to no risk, and you may learn some valuable lessons along the way.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

  • Fiverr.com – Looking for an easy way to experiment with offering services? Testing out your ideas on Fiverr can help you develop your product or service (see Ep. 5)
  • Upwork.com – Upwork is a fantastic resource whether you’re looking to test out your own services or find someone to help you get your side hustle off the ground.
  • Fulfilled by Amazon – You can store your products in Amazon’s fulfillment centers, and they will pick, pack, ship, and provide customer service for all of your products. Best of all, FBA can help you scale your business and reach more customers (see Ep. 19).
  • Etsy – The world’s largest homemade marketplace and ideal to help you get started selling your products today (see Ep. 6)
  • Wyzant.com – Do you possess knowledge that others would pay for? Wyzant is a massive community of tutors that are matched to people looking to learn what you know (see Ep. 29). Helping people one-on-one
  • Clarity.fm – Clarity is another website that is great whether you’re an expert or in need of one. Test your service in platform like Clarity before breaking off on your own.
  • Skillshare – With thousands of videos spanning topics like mastering illustrations to mastering SEO, there’s plenty of ways you can share what you know with others or pick up a new skill.
  • Highbrow – Pick up a new skill or create an online course yourself with this quick and easy service.
  • CreativeMarket.com – Creative Market is a platform for designers and ideal for “mouse-made” design content and assets from independent creatives all around the world.(see Ep. 26)
  • Society6 – If you’re artistically inclined, Society6 may fit the bill. You can sell your designs on a variety of items including laptop sleeves and travel mugs.

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

Yours in the revolution,

cg-sig-newsletter