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Side Hustle Pro

Side Hustle Pro spotlights bold black women entrepreneurs who have scaled from side hustle to profitable business. Join Chief Side Hustler turned full-time entrepreneur Nicaila Matthews Okome for your weekly installment of Side Hustle Pro and learn actionable strategies to start small and get going–wherever and whoever you are. Side Hustle Pro features interviews with inspiring Black women entrepreneurs who started out as side hustlers, including interviews with Myleik Teele, Morgan DeBaun, Tiffany "The Budgetnista" Aliche, and more!
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Now displaying: December, 2023
Dec 27, 2023

This episode we’re getting a masterclass from The Toy Coach herself, Azhelle Wade. At first second-guessing herself, Azhelle eventually found confidence in her talent, leading to her working for big toy companies like Mattel and Toys R Us. She's climbed up and across the ladder in the toy world, starting out as a designer, later gaining 3 toy patents, and eventually becoming a VP at a toy company. Her online course, Toy Creators Academy empowers newbies in the toy industry with step-by-step  guidance, downloadable worksheets, and group coaching.

In this episode she shares about:

  • Choosing between the corporate path vs inventor path vs entrepreneur path in the toy industry

  • How she found her niche of coaching toy makers while also pursuing her own toy aspirations

  • The success she has found in marketing through her podcast Making It In the Toy Industry and maintaining an Evergreen model for her courses

Highlights include:

04:14 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

06:56 Understanding the Different Paths in the Toy Industry

08:40 The Transition from Corporate to Entrepreneurship

17:15 The Benefits of Having a Podcast

25:05 What Sets The Toy Coach Apart

32:25 The Stress of Running a Hands-On Course

34:47 The Strategy of the Evergreen Model & Seasonal Webinars

40:20 The Importance of Promoting Your Course

46:25 The Strategy of Targeting Local Stores First

53:20 The Challenges and Opportunities of B2B Consulting

55:48 Advice for Side Hustlers Transitioning to Full-Time Entrepreneurs

Check out episode 384 of Side Hustle Pro podcast out now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube

This episode is brought to you by: 

HubSpot Podcast Network- The audio destination for business professionals with content designed to help you listen, learn, and grow. Listen to Side Hustle Pro and more shows on the HubSpot Podcast Network, at https://www.hubspot.com/podcastnetwork

Gusto offers modern, easy payroll, benefits, and HR to small businesses across the country. Sign up and give it a try at gusto.com/shp.

Links mentioned in this episode

Click here to subscribe via RSS feed (non-iTunes feed): http://sidehustlepro.libsyn.com/rss

Announcements

Join our Facebook Community

If you’re looking for a community of supportive side hustlers who are all working to take our businesses to the next level, join us here: http://sidehustlepro.co/facebook

Guest Social Media Info

Azhelle’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetoycoach/ 

Dec 20, 2023

It’s always a great episode when we get to see the evolution a previous guest has made in their business. We’re back with Charis Jones, CEO of Sassy Jones, an empowering fashion and beauty brand. She shares how she prioritized impact over traditional business metrics, establishing a colorful and elegant brand with a loyal following, or as she calls it, a “sticky” brand. 

In this episode she shares about:

  • Opening a physical store, noting the distinct experiences offered in-person versus e-commerce 

  • Managing work-family dynamics with her husband as company president

  • How to build a disciplined marketing practice

  • Her hiring approach and how she makes sure to prioritize her team’s strengths

Highlights include: 

01:58 Transition to Physical Store

03:47 The Challenges of Running an E-commerce Business

06:42 Scaling Without Investors

11:10 The Importance of Rest and Balance

20:48  Marketing Strategies and Execution

30:58 The Role of Experience in Hiring

34:26 Managing Family Dynamics in Business

39:46 The Importance of Recognizing Strengths

45:30 The Importance of Consistency and Staying Hungry

48:28 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Check out episode 383 of Side Hustle Pro podcast out now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube

This episode is brought to you by:

HubSpot Podcast Network- The audio destination for business professionals with content designed to help you listen, learn, and grow. Listen to Side Hustle Pro and more shows on the HubSpot Podcast Network, at https://www.hubspot.com/podcastnetwork

Links mentioned in this episode

Click here to subscribe via RSS feed (non-iTunes feed): http://sidehustlepro.libsyn.com/rss

Announcements

Join our Facebook Community

If you’re looking for a community of supportive side hustlers who are all working to take our businesses to the next level, join us here: http://sidehustlepro.co/facebook

Guest Social Media Info

Charis’ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charisnjones/ 

Sassy Jones’ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopsassyjones 

Dec 13, 2023

What started as unexpected unemployment at 52 years old turned into an incredible journey of finding purpose and alignment through absolute self-confidence. Dawn Kelly masterfully tells the story of how she became CEO of The Nourish Spot, a family owned, quick serve healthy food, smoothie and natural juice bar located in Jamaica, Queens, NYC. Relying upon her determination, faith and own resources, Dawn is now a courageous entrepreneur providing healthier beverage and food options in the food desert of Southeast Queens.

 In this episode she shares:

  • How important it was to grieve her lost position in the PR world so that she could later pivot and use her acquired skills as an entrepreneur

  • How she has made it a point to expand her business beyond her storefront, leading her to opportunities like vending in Citi Field and The US Open

  • Why she is committed to lifelong learning and the many wonderful resources she has found along the way, you can find a list of her resources at https://sidehustlepro.co/nourishspot 

  • So much more, you don’t want to miss this episode!

Check out episode 382 of Side Hustle Pro podcast out now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube

This episode is brought to you by: 

Shopify: Go to shopify.com/hustlepro for a free fourteen-day trial and get full access to Shopify’s entire suite of features.

HubSpot Podcast Network- The audio destination for business professionals with content designed to help you listen, learn, and grow. Listen to Side Hustle Pro and more shows on the HubSpot Podcast Network, at https://www.hubspot.com/podcastnetwork

Links mentioned in this episode

Click here to subscribe via RSS feed (non-iTunes feed): http://sidehustlepro.libsyn.com/rss

Announcements

Join our Facebook Community

If you’re looking for a community of supportive side hustlers who are all working to take our businesses to the next level, join us here: http://sidehustlepro.co/facebook

Guest Social Media Info

 

Dec 6, 2023

In the world of consultants and career developers, it can feel impossible to find the right fit. Kimberly Brown stands out as an expert whose leadership development company, Manifest Yourself, helps women and people of color navigate the workplace, make more money and become industry leaders. She’s the author of bestselling book, Next Move, Best Move: Transitioning Into a Career You'll Love and the host of the Your Next Move Podcast.

 In this episode she shares:

  • The steps she took to determine when it was time to leave her 9-5

  • Her simple yet powerful methods to attracting her ideal clients

  • How she exceedingly surpassed her six figure goal in her first year 

Check out episode 381 of Side Hustle Pro podcast out now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube

This episode is brought to you by: 

HubSpot Podcast Network- The audio destination for business professionals with content designed to help you listen, learn, and grow. Listen to Side Hustle Pro and more shows on the HubSpot Podcast Network, at https://www.hubspot.com/podcastnetwork

Links mentioned in this episode

Click here to subscribe via RSS feed (non-iTunes feed): http://sidehustlepro.libsyn.com/rss

Announcements

Join our Facebook Community

If you’re looking for a community of supportive side hustlers who are all working to take our businesses to the next level, join us here: http://sidehustlepro.co/facebook

Guest Social Media Info

Instagram: www.instagram.com/kimberlybonline 

Kimberly’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberlybonline/ 

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