It’s been a while since we checked in with our Entrepreneur-In-Residence, Lisa Pegram. On today’s episode, you’ll get a look into what her life and business looks like one year after launching her beauty tech company, Belle51. Belle51 focuses on the specific skin issues of Black and Brown communities and how to treat them effectively.
Lisa is no stranger to the side hustle life. She is currently in pursuit of her PhD at Columbia where she studies meta-cognition and data sciences, working in the field full-time, and managing her own company.
Since I last spoke with Lisa, she now offers products such as an esthetician-grade, automatic microneedling tool, an oil serum, and a laser for hyperpigmentation. Things have been booming! You know the notion of focusing on what you have first, so you can get that where it needs to be before you add new products? Well for Lisa, she went against the grain of that and is carving out a new path for her company. She’s learned that adding products has actually increased her revenue because customers have choices within her offerings.
Get to know more about how Belle51 is growing, and what Lisa has learned about marketing, scaling up and betting on herself.
Check out this episode and others on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Soundcloud, and Stitcher.
This episode is brought to you by:
Get two free months of Premium Membership at skillshare.com/sidehustlepro.
Links mentioned in this episode
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You can now send questions for the new “Ask Nicaila” segment that’s coming to Side Hustle Pro. Once I get a critical mass of questions, I can start rolling out this segment. Just email hi@sidehustlepro.co and put hashtag #AskNicaila in the subject.
Belle51 (Instagram) – @belle51co
Side Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro
#SideHustlePro
Four years, and four million podcast downloads later, I’m continuing to share with you the lessons I have learned along this journey. I never thought I’d leave my job to do podcasting full-time, but I’ve grown a lot, personally and professionally, and am dedicated to helping you grow as well.
Of course I had dreams of success, but when I started, I just wanted to gain inspiration from my guests, and figure out how to use the talents and skills that I had. I didn’t know where my path would lead, but I tested things out and they didn’t always work. There was definitely a lot of trial and error involved, but that only lit a fire in me to succeed. I put what I learned from research, trainings, and conferences into practice immediately.
I’ve identified some of the key factors that have allowed me to have a successful podcast. In this episode, I discuss:
Check out this episode and others on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Soundcloud, and Stitcher.
This episode is brought to you by:
ACUITY
For a limited time, only, you can get 45 days of Acuity Scheduling free by going to acuityscheduling.com/hustlepro. No credit card required.
Links mentioned in this episode
Click here to subscribe via RSS feed (non-iTunes feed): http://sidehustlepro.libsyn.com/rss
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
Send questions to “Ask Nicaila”
You can now send questions for the new “Ask Nicaila” segment that’s coming to Side Hustle Pro. Once I get a critical mass of questions, I can start rolling out this segment. Just email hi@sidehustlepro.co and put hashtag #AskNicaila in the subject.
Side Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro
Let me let you in on a little secret, I first started side hustling to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. It was not to turn my side hustle into a full time job. But, I also want to assure you, there’s nothing wrong with the latter, either. In today’s episode, I take it all the way back! We’re talking childhood with pit stops at my first internship, ever, with HBO, the days of wanting to be a broadcast journalist in college, the dreaded post-grad life, finding my way to business school, and eventually creating what you now know as Side Hustle Pro. It’s been quite a journey!
I delve a bit deeper than I have in the past, of how I went from a side hustler to making my podcast into a full-time business. I wanted to go into as much detail as possible so I could help and inspire someone else. Let’s remember, not all stories are linear, and that’s okay.
In the midst of my story, I also highlight Black women who have helped me at pivotal moments along the way. It’s because of these relationships and sisterhood that I am the woman I am today.
Check out this episode and others on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Soundcloud, and Stitcher.
This episode is brought to you by:
As a Side Hustle Pro listener, you’ll get three months free when you roll your first payroll. Sign up, and give it a try at gusto.com/shp.
Thanks Bombas! Go to bombas.com/sidehustle today and get 20% off your first purchase.
Links mentioned in this episode
Click here to subscribe via RSS feed (non-iTunes feed): http://sidehustlepro.libsyn.com/rss
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
Send questions to “Ask Nicaila”
You can now send questions for the new “Ask Nicaila” segment that’s coming to Side Hustle Pro. Once I get a critical mass of questions, I can start rolling out this segment. Just email hi@sidehustlepro.co and put hashtag #AskNicaila in the subject.
Side Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro
Lately I’ve been reminiscing on the days when I was a certified side hustler. When I was working full time and working on Side Hustle Pro on nights and weekends, I lived a completely different life from the one I live now as a full-time entrepreneur (plus a full-time entrepreneur with a baby).
Being a new mom has reminded me of the side hustle mindset and all the principles that led me to be in a position of making the most out of the time that I have.
The key to the side hustle life is learning how to get a lot done with not a lot of time. I did it before (and am beginning to get back into doing it again) and you can too!
In this episode, I’m taking you through my seven tried and true tips that made me a side hustle queen.
Take a listen to this episode, so you can master the art of the side hustle, too.
Check out this episode and others on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Soundcloud, and Stitcher.
This episode is brought to you by:
As a Side Hustle Pro listener, you’ll get three months free when you roll your first payroll. Sign up, and give it a try at gusto.com/shp.
Get two free months of Premium Membership at skillshare.com/sidehustlepro.
Links mentioned in this episode
Click here to subscribe via RSS feed (non-iTunes feed): http://sidehustlepro.libsyn.com/rss
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
Send questions to “Ask Nicaila”
You can now send questions for the new “Ask Nicaila” segment that’s coming to Side Hustle Pro. Once I get a critical mass of questions, I can start rolling out this segment. Just email hi@sidehustlepro.co and put hashtag #AskNicaila in the subject.
Side Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro
I’m coming to you live with another solo episode, and the topic of discussion: transitioning into motherhood and getting back into the entrepreneurship life.
I’m giving you a behind-the-scenes look into how I’m flowing in this new uncharted territory for my life and my career. I went from being an entrepreneur with no kids to a momtrepreneur with new expectations, some of which I've had to shift my gears about with regard to my new lifestyle. Because my old life was all I knew, I was subconsciously basing my post-maternity leave expectations on my old life, which didn’t leave room for the ebbs and flows of my new normal with baby and business.
And in the midst of it all, there were a few things I didn’t anticipate. Take a listen to this episode to find out how I had to re-frame my personal expectations for myself, re-learn how to set deadlines, and guard my priorities; adopt a new life and work style, and what I’m learning from the lives of other momtrepreneurs.
Check out this episode and others on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Soundcloud, and Stitcher.
This episode is brought to you by:
As a Side Hustle Pro listener, you’ll get three months free when you roll your first payroll. Sign up, and give it a try at gusto.com/shp.
ACUITY
For a limited time, only, you can get 45 days of Acuity Scheduling free by going to acuityscheduling.com/hustlepro. No credit card required.
Links mentioned in this episode
Click here to subscribe via RSS feed (non-iTunes feed): http://sidehustlepro.libsyn.com/rss
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
Send questions to “Ask Nicaila”
You can now send questions for the new “Ask Nicaila” segment that’s coming to Side Hustle Pro. Once I get a critical mass of questions, I can start rolling out this segment. Just email hi@sidehustlepro.co and put hashtag #AskNicaila in the subject.
Side Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro
Guys, I’m back! And if you’re asking yourself, ‘Back? Where did she go?’ then this is the episode for you to listen to.
I’m fresh off maternity leave.
My husband and I had our first child, a beautiful baby boy back in April, and despite all that’s going on, I couldn’t be happier and more grateful for how things turned out.
When we found out we were pregnant, we could have never imagined that we would be having a baby during a pandemic. The only Corona I knew about was the beer. But we did it and we made it through with God’s grace.
I was fortunate to be able to select and be seen by all Black women doctors for my prenatal care. My baby was even delivered by a Black woman (Nigerian!) doctor, so it was just #BlackGirlMagic throughout my entire experience.
In today’s episode, I’m sharing my:
✔︎ What it felt like having a baby shower one week and going into quarantine lockdown the next week
✔︎ My experiences, cravings, and symptoms during every trimester
✔︎ The ways Coronavirus impacted my pregnancy and postpartum experience
✔︎ How I prepared to take maternity leave as an entrepreneur
So what was it like having a baby during the COVID-19 pandemic? Take a listen. And share with all of your corona moms so they know they’ll be OK! Check out this episode and others on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Soundcloud, and Stitcher.
This episode is brought to you by:
Get two free months of Premium Membership at skillshare.com/sidehustlepro.
Links mentioned in this episode
Click here to subscribe via RSS feed (non-iTunes feed): http://sidehustlepro.libsyn.com/rss
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
Send questions to “Ask Nicaila”
You can now send questions for the new “Ask Nicaila” segment that’s coming to Side Hustle Pro. Once I get a critical mass of questions, I can start rolling out this segment. Just email hi@sidehustlepro.co and put hashtag #AskNicaila in the subject.
Side Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro
Melissa Mitchell is changing the way we view art. She’s an “accidental” artist with a love for vibrant colors, unique shapes, and bold dark lines. In 2014 when the infamous snow storm hit Atlanta, Melissa took to old arts and crafts and began to create. From there, she went on social media to showcase what she was doing, and to her surprise, people expressed their interest in her pieces of art. That birthed Abeille Creations.
From then, Melissa has created over 500 original art pieces, and has made her art come to life in the form of headwraps, home decor, textiles and more! She describes her experience as a “classic case of following God’s voice and never looking back,” which is so inspiring as she’s a self-taught artist. Her head wraps have graced Lupita Nyong'o in Vogue Magazine, and her work was also showcased in ESSENCE Magazine’s ‘My City, My Way.’ Melissa’s story is one that teaches us to not chase after money, but after influence.
Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Soundcloud, and Stitcher.
This episode is brought to you by:
As a Side Hustle Pro listener, you’ll get three months free when you roll your first payroll. Sign up, and give it a try at gusto.com/shp
For a limited time, only, you can get 45 days of Acuity Scheduling free by going to acuityscheduling.com/hustlepro. No credit card required.
Links mentioned in this episode
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
Send questions to “Ask Nicaila”
You can now send questions for the new “Ask Nicaila” segment that’s coming to Side Hustle Pro. Once I get a critical mass of questions, I can start rolling out this segment. Just email hi@sidehustlepro.co and put hashtag #AskNicaila in the subject.
Abeille Creations (Instagram) – @abeillecreations
Abeille Creations (Facebook) – @abeillecreations
Side Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro
An entrepreneur knows what it is to have a heart of a servant. Holli Draines had a desire to protect the vulnerable, which led to her career in law enforcement with 13 years as a secret service agent. For her, entrepreneurship came as a “blessing in disguise,” one she didn’t know she needed.
In 2014, Holli lost her mother and sister, which led to a shift, not only in her personal life, but her professional life as well. This unfortunate event led her to step down from her role as an agent and become a full-time guardian to her beloved sister’s son, which she felt was her calling.
Although she had left her position, people were still reaching out to her for advice and wisdom. With an impressive resume and reputable relationships, Holli was able to organically launch her own security consulting firm: Elite Strategy Global. Her services include personal security, data privacy, cybersecurity, investigation vetting, and more.
Get to know more about Holli and how she fell into entrepreneurship in this episode! Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Soundcloud, and Stitcher.
This episode is brought to you by:
As a Side Hustle Pro listener, you’ll get three months free when you roll your first payroll. Sign up, and give it a try at gusto.com/shp.
Get two free months of Premium Membership at skillshare.com/sidehustlepro.
Links mentioned in this episode
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
Send questions to “Ask Nicaila”
You can now send questions for the new “Ask Nicaila” segment that’s coming to Side Hustle Pro. Once I get a critical mass of questions, I can start rolling out this segment. Just email hi@sidehustlepro.co and put hashtag #AskNicaila in the subject.
Side Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro
“There’s so much more to being a boss than what’s on Instagram,” and Mielle Organics CEO Monique Rodriguez knows that all too well. Monique founded the company in 2014 after her healthy, hair care regimen for her tailbone-length hair became somewhat of a craze among her social media followers.
From living out her mother’s dream of being a nurse to pushing her own aspirations to the side, Monique decided that there had to be more than living paycheck-to-paycheck.
After making it to the top of her payscale in nursing with no room for growth, she knew that the entrepreneurial spirit that began in her at the age of seven had to make its debut. Combining her love for hair, science, health, and taking time to sit still and ask God for direction, Monique received a vision to create a hair product.
Little by little, she began to see what’s set in motion, now, come into play. The boss lady was already talking about hair care, hair health and her own mane journey on social media, which led to creating hair mixtures, to receiving a confirmation through DM that would propel her life purpose. Listen to this amazing story, and see how her popular natural hair care line came to be, just six short years ago.
Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Soundcloud, and Stitcher.
This episode is brought to you by:
As a Side Hustle Pro listener, you’ll get three months free when you roll your first payroll. Sign up, and give it a try at gusto.com/shp.
For a limited time, only, you can get 45 days of Acuity Scheduling free by going to acuityscheduling.com/hustlepro. No credit card required.
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
Send questions to “Ask Nicaila”
You can now send questions for the new “Ask Nicaila” segment that’s coming to Side Hustle Pro. Once I get a critical mass of questions, I can start rolling out this segment. Just email hi@sidehustlepro.co and put hashtag #AskNicaila in the subject.
Mielle Organics // Michelle Rodriguez (Instagram) – @mielleorganics // @exquisitemo
Mielle Organics (Facebook) – @mielleorganicsllc
Mielle Organics (Twitter) – @mielleorganics
Side Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro
Jessica O. Matthews has covered every part of the side hustle sphere. She is the Founder & CEO of Uncharted Power, an award-winning, full-service power and data infrastructure company. At the age of 19, Jessica invented the SOCCKET ball, an energy generating soccer ball that provides off-grid power for the developing world. At the age of 22, she founded Uncharted Power (previously Uncharted Play), a global full-service power technology company that builds, owns, and operates renewable power infrastructure.
Growing up, Jessica loved the idea of tinkering, science and invention. That, paired with seeing her family in Nigeria affected by not having access to reliable, cost-effective power inspired her to do something about it and make an impact, even if it wasn’t linear. After side hustling for five years before running her business full time, Jessica shows that you don’t have to have the roadmap before you start.
Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Soundcloud, and Stitcher.
This episode is brought to you by:
Get two free months of Premium Membership at skillshare.com/sidehustlepro.
Links mentioned in this episode
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
Send questions to “Ask Nicaila”
You can now send questions for the new “Ask Nicaila” segment that’s coming to Side Hustle Pro. Once I get a critical mass of questions, I can start rolling out this segment. Just email hi@sidehustlepro.co and put hashtag #AskNicaila in the subject.
Jessica O. Matthews (Instagram) – @jessomatt
Uncharted Power (Facebook) – @unchartedpower
Jessica O. Matthews // Uncharted Power (Twitter) – @jessomatt // @upowerco
Side Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro
Questions, questions, questions! I know you’re probably wondering, ‘Should I start a podcast? Should I turn my blog into a podcast? Should I start a podcast to support my business or personal brand?’ Well, I’m here to answer all those questions and more, today!
I’ll dig into how to actually make money from your podcast and how to make an informed decision about the idea you might have. Trust me, I launched Side Hustle Pro in June 2016, and made zero dollars in the first few months. I had no idea my podcast itself would turn into my business, a six-figure business! I had no blueprint and had to learn by trial and error. That’s why I’m sharing everything I’ve learned to help you start making money podcasting as well.
Grab your free recap and sponsorship calculator for this episode, here: sidehustlepro.co/183
Listen to this episode and others on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Soundcloud, and Stitcher.
This episode is brought to you by:
For a limited time only, you can get 45 days of Acuity Scheduling absolutely free - no credit card required - by going to acuityscheduling.com/hustlepro.
Links mentioned in this episode
Click here to subscribe via RSS feed (non-iTunes feed): http://sidehustlepro.libsyn.com/rss
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
Send questions to “Ask Nicaila”
You can now send questions for the new “Ask Nicaila” segment that’s coming to Side Hustle Pro. Once I get a critical mass of questions, I can start rolling out this segment. Just email hi@sidehustlepro.co and put hashtag #AskNicaila in the subject.
Side Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro
Some of you might not know that I was an MBA intern for a summer at Google when I was working towards my business degree at the University of Michigan. And usually, the summer before your second year in business school is when most people receive job offers from their temporary employer to come back after graduation and work full-time. But, plot twist, I didn’t receive an offer.
That rejection, eventually, led me on the path to side hustling. I side hustled for over a year and a half until I was able to quit my full-time job, and pursue Side Hustle Pro full time. In this episode, I get honest about how I went from rejection to running my own six-figure business. Let’s rewind the tape!
Listen to this episode and others on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Soundcloud, and Stitcher.
This episode is brought to you by:
Get 2 free months of Premium Membership at skillshare.com/sidehustlepro.
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.
Click here to subscribe via RSS feed (non-iTunes feed): http://sidehustlepro.libsyn.com/rss
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
Send questions to “Ask Nicaila”
You can now send questions for the new “Ask Nicaila” segment that’s coming to Side Hustle Pro. Once I get a critical mass of questions, I can start rolling out this segment. Just email hi@sidehustlepro.co and put hashtag #AskNicaila in the subject.
Side Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro
If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my entrepreneurship journey, it’s that “no one is going to ride harder for you than you will for yourself.” That’s a fact. In this episode, I’m giving you the real on Side Hustle Pro becoming an LLC after months of side hustling and landing my first podcast sponsor. We’ll also take an inside look into my business process for goal setting and accomplishing tasks, step-by-step.
Get your pen and paper ready because you’re going to want to take notes!
Click here to grab your 12-Week Goal Getter Worksheet (as I mentioned in this episode). Listen to this episode and others on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Soundcloud, and Stitcher.
This episode is brought to you by:
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.
For a limited time only, you can get 45 days of Acuity Scheduling absolutely free - no credit card required - by going to acuityscheduling.com/hustlepro.
Links mentioned in this episode
Click here to subscribe via RSS feed (non-iTunes feed): http://sidehustlepro.libsyn.com/rss
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
Send questions to “Ask Nicaila”
You can now send questions for the new “Ask Nicaila” segment that’s coming to Side Hustle Pro. Once I get a critical mass of questions, I can start rolling out this segment. Just email hi@sidehustlepro.co and put hashtag #AskNicaila in the subject.
Side Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro
It’s May! And that means it’s time for a rewind. Every week this month, I’m resharing an episode that gives you a behind-the-scenes look at how I turned my side hustle into my main hustle. In this first episode, I talk about how when I started my side hustle, I didn’t read business plan books or follow a business plan template. I just started. Shocking, I know!
I share the six steps you can take, now, to start building your business as a side hustle. Let’s jump in!
Click here to grab your recap (as I mentioned in this episode). Listen to this episode and others on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Soundcloud, and Stitcher.
This episode is brought to you by:
Get 2 free months of Premium Membership at skillshare.com/sidehustlepro.
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.
Go to causebox.com/hustlepro and use the code HUSTLEPRO to get your first box for 30% off.
Links mentioned in this episode
Click here to subscribe via RSS feed (non-iTunes feed): http://sidehustlepro.libsyn.com/rss
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
You can now send questions for the new “Ask Nicaila” segment that’s coming to Side Hustle Pro. Once I get a critical mass of questions, I can start rolling out this segment. Just email hi@sidehustlepro.co and put hashtag #AskNicaila in the subject.
Side Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro
Imagine being neighbors with the same person in multiple cities for the majority of your life. Well, that’s the story of the women behind Neighborly Paper—Robin Beck and Carmelle Kendall. Neighborly Paper is a paper goods brand dedicated to, in the founders’ own words, serving all the realness for all the occasions.
Carmelle is an art director, illustrator, and filmmaker. She now resides in Atlanta where she’s working as an art director and growing the Neighborly business. And Robin is the writer behind Neighborly Paper cards. In the daytime, she creates content for Salesforce and at night, it’s all about Neighborly. These ladies took their experience in the workplace and used it to create a business together that is successful and thriving. Take a listen to how these lifelong friends became business partners, and are taking over the greeting card business in such a #BlackGirlMagic way!
Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Soundcloud, and Stitcher.
This episode is brought to you by:
For a limited time, only, you can get 45 days of Acuity Scheduling free by going to acuityscheduling.com/hustlepro. No credit card required.
Click here to subscribe via RSS feed (non-iTunes feed): http://sidehustlepro.libsyn.com/rss
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
Send questions to “Ask Nicaila”
You can now send questions for the new “Ask Nicaila” segment that’s coming to Side Hustle Pro. Once I get a critical mass of questions, I can start rolling out this segment. Just email hi@sidehustlepro.co and put hashtag #AskNicaila in the subject.
Neighborly Paper (Instagram) – @neighborlypaper
Neighborly Paper (Facebook) – @neighborlypaper
Neighborly Paper (Twitter) – @neighborlypaper
Side Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro
Did you like this episode? If you did give it a 5 star rating and share it with your friends.
Today in the Side Hustle Pro guest chair, we welcome Monique Greenwood, owner and CEO (Chief Enjoyment Officer) of Akwaaba Bed & Breakfast Inns, a collection of upscale B&Bs in Brooklyn, NY; Washington, DC; Cape May, NJ; Philadelphia, PA and a boutique resort in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains.
After graduating from Howard University, Greenwood became a fashion journalist, eventually becoming an intrapreneur while working for Women’s Wear Daily by launching her own magazine about children’s fashion. And after a six-year stretch at Essence, leading her to Editor-in-Chief, Monique took on her side hustle, Akwaaba Bed & Breakfast Inns, and made it her main source of income. After 25 years, she’s expanded, now, with five locations, and hasn’t looked back since. In addition to talking about her journey to being a successful entrepreneur, we also talk about her journey from experiencing early professional success in magazine publishing and overcoming difficult moments like opening a Bed & Breakfast property in New Orleans right before Hurricane Katrina hit, how she’s tackling the COVID-19 crisis of 2020, and more.
Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Soundcloud, and Stitcher.
This episode is brought to you by:
Go to causebox.com/hustlepro and use the code HUSTLEPRO to get your first box for 30% off.
Click here to subscribe via RSS feed (non-iTunes feed): http://sidehustlepro.libsyn.com/rss
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
Send questions to “Ask Nicaila”
You can now send questions for the new “Ask Nicaila” segment that’s coming to Side Hustle Pro. Once I get a critical mass of questions, I can start rolling out this segment. Just email hi@sidehustlepro.co and put hashtag #AskNicaila in the subject.
Akwaaba Bed & Breakfast Inns (Instagram) – @akwaabainns
Akwaaba Bed & Breakfast Inns (Facebook) – @akwaabainns
Monique Greenwood (Twitter) – @moniqueakwaaba
Side Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro
Did you like this episode? If you did give it a 5 star rating and share it with your friends.
Today in the Side Hustle Pro guest chair is Dionna M. Dorsey, a gifted designer and brand development strategist and the creator of apparel line DISTRICT of CLOTHING.
After graduating from Villanova University in 2002, Dionna moved to Italy to study fashion design and pursue a job in the fashion industry.
She ended up relocating to New York City and designed outerwear for Oscar de la Renta and men's apparel for several other licenses. After rocky times hit the retail industry, she was eventually laid off from her job. She applied for job after job, but no one would hire her, so she made a decision to hire herself.
She went on to open Dionna Dorsey Design, a design boutique that specializes in being creative – from graphic design to art direction, brand strategy, and website development. Then, she launched DISTRICT of CLOTHING, a signature apparel line developed with the conventional and avant-garde dreamers and doers in mind. The rest is HERstory.
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Dionna Dorsey (Instagram) - @dionnadorsey
Dionna Dorsey (Twitter) - @dionnadorsey
DISTRICT of CLOTHING (Instagram) - @districtofclothing
DISTRICT of CLOTHING (Facebook) - @districtofclothingco
Side Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro
Today in the Side Hustle Pro guest chair we welcome Lorraine West, the Founder of Lorraine West Jewelry.
Lorraine developed an affinity for creating and donning unique jewelry at a young age and says she’s been an artist since she was in the 1st grade. Her mother's love for ornate pieces was the inspiration for her to delve into jewelry design while studying Illustration at the Fashion Institute of Technology.
After teaching herself how to manipulate various metals into beautiful original jewelry pieces, and with the increasing demand from family and friends to create custom designs, Lorraine West Jewelry was conceived. Understanding that she needed a steady income to support herself as she grew her business, she worked for 4 years as a full-time employee then another 6 years freelancing as an illustrator, as an assistant fashion and prop stylist on video shoots and through other part time gigs besides selling her own work on the side. She became a full-time entrepreneur in 2010.
Lorraine met Erykah Badu, early in her career, who attended the same poetry event as her. Lorraine’s work spoke for itself and she was commissioned to make pieces for Erykah Badu, Andre 3000, Common, among many other artists.
As a full-time entrepreneur, Lorraine started bringing in consistent income by selling her jewelry at the Brooklyn Flea from 2010-2014, launched her brand e-commerce website in 2015, launched the custom fine jewelry division in 2011 which grew the business exponentially since.
In episode 195 of Side Hustle Pro, Lorraine shares:
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Lorraine West Jewelry (Instagram) - @lorrainewestjewelry
Side Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro
Petrushka’s Co-Founder is her husband, Nicholas, and prior to opening the shop, she worked as Vice President for Programs & Education at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum and Program Director at the Laundromat Project. Even with her successful career, she had dreams of being an entrepreneur that started when she was in the 3rd grade and those dreams remained with her as she got older.
The opportunity for entrepreneurship eventually presented itself when her husband unexpectedly lost his job in the culinary industry. They began thinking about how to develop a business based on foods they love, and it was an experience at a pop-up ice cream shop while on a trip in Washington, DC, that sparked the idea to open an ice shop in Harlem. Petrushka and her husband went all in and found a location, secured a loan, got permits, and opened Sugar Hill Creamery in only 10 months!
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Sugar Hill Creamery (Instagram) - @sugarhillicecream
Sugar Hill Creamery (Facebook) - @sugarhillicecream
Sugar Hill Creamery (Twitter) - @sugarhillcream
Side Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro
Today in the guest chair we welcome Kesha Watkins, a true side hustler! Although she has a successful 13-year career in the Human Resource profession, she is also passionate about entrepreneurship and being her own boss.
Her latest venture, BPolished Beauty Supply offers an array of hair care needs and provides an unparalleled level of beauty experience to customers in Arlington, TX and online. Kesha’s hope in opening BPolished Beauty Supply is to provide representation as an African American Owner in the beauty supply industry and promote entrepreneurship to other women.
Prior to opening, Kesha didn’t have any experience in beauty retail, so she decided to work at Sally’s Beauty Supply to learn the ins and out of running a store. She knew she was heading in the right direction because she loved the in-store experience, especially interacting with customers. Only a few months later, she was able to leverage her learnings and open a store that her community loves.
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BPolished Beauty Supply (Instagram) - @bpolishedbeautysupply
BPolished Beauty Supply (Facebook) - @BPolishedBeautySupply
Kesha Watkins (Instagram) - @bpolished_ceo
Side Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro
Today in the guest chair we welcome Kyara Uqdah, the Co-Founder of Charm City Buyers. Her Co-Founder is also her husband, Khalil Uqdah and they started investing in real estate only one year after graduating college.
They had an idea that they wanted to build their own empire, so they developed a plan to do it! They’ve gone from that first investment in a property in a depressed neighborhood in Connecticut to investing in over 20 properties in Baltimore. They are literally buying the block.
Almost eight years later they have been able to officially retire from their jobs and focus all of their efforts on maintaining their empire and helping others to build their own, in addition to being loving parents to their beautiful daughter.
They aren’t just keeping the knowledge to themselves, they lead a coaching program that teaches fellow Millennials and Gen Xers how to build a tremendous amount of wealth in a very short period of time as well.
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You can now send questions for the new “Ask Nicaila” segment that’s coming to Side Hustle Pro. Once I get a critical mass of questions, I can start rolling out this segment. Just email hi@sidehustlepro.co and put hashtag #AskNicaila in the subject.
Charm City Buyers (Instagram) - @charmcitybuyers
Charm City Buyers (Facebook) - @charmcitybuyers
Charm City Buyers (Twitter) - @CharmCityBuyers
Side Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro
Today in the guest chair we welcome Brittani Allen, a Professional Home Organizer, and CEO and Founder of Pinch of Help-Home Organization based in Atlanta, Georgia.
I came across Brittani’s business on Instagram and was instantly hooked! She is passionate about creating environments her clients love living in, with her expert ability to match functional organization with aesthetically pleasing solutions.
The entrepreneur bug hit her while she was studying biomedical science in graduate school and substituting teaching. It was an overheard conversation between high school students that sparked the idea for her first business, Strategic Academic Planning. She eventually pivoted to blogging but was still feeling stuck until she read the book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing.
Would you believe that Brittani used to struggle with keeping her house clean and organized? She used the processes and tips from the book to declutter her home, and friends started to take notice. As she continued to help friends and family, she realized she could turn her side hustle into a profitable full-time business.
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HoneyBook is offering Side Hustle Pro listeners 50% off when you visit tryhoneybook.com/hustlepro. Payment is flexible, and this promotion applies whether you pay monthly or annually.
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You can now send questions for the new “Ask Nicaila” segment that’s coming to Side Hustle Pro. Once I get a critical mass of questions, I can start rolling out this segment. Just email hi@sidehustlepro.co and put hashtag #AskNicaila in the subject.
Pinch of Help (Instagram) - @pinchofhelp
Pinch of Help (Facebook) - @Pinchofhelp
Side Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro
Today in the guest chair we welcome Mattie James, a full-time content creator and the influencer behind MattieJames.com.
After being crowned Miss Liberia USA in 2009, Mattie started her blog as a hobby, but it was consistency and a great first hire that helped her grow her blog into the business it is today. She now creates lifestyle content for her blog, podcast and YouTube channel while working with brands like Samsung, TJ MAXX and J. Crew.
In addition to blogging, she has taught over 1,000 bloggers and entrepreneurs the business of blogging with her online courses and masterclasses.
In this episode, Mattie shares a ton of information about how to approach brand partnerships, the difference between a content creator and influencer, and how to share your story.
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Send questions to “Ask Nicaila”
You can now send questions for the new “Ask Nicaila” segment that’s coming to Side Hustle Pro. Once I get a critical mass of questions, I can start rolling out this segment. Just email hi@sidehustlepro.co and put hashtag #AskNicaila in the subject.
Mattie James (Instagram) - @ themattiejames
Mattie James (Twitter) - @themattiejames
Side Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro
Today in the guest chair we welcome Tammeca Rochester, the owner and founder of Harlem Cycle, Harlem's 1st and only indoor cycling studio.
Tammeca's journey to opening an indoor cycling studio in Harlem started when she was looking to find a workout that would both get her back in shape while putting her in a positive frame of mind. After exploring the various workout options, she found herself drawn to indoor cycling.
Her entrepreneurial spirit and her passion for all things Harlem inspired her to start researching how to open a cycling studio. Her entrepreneurial spirit and her passion for all things Harlem inspired her to open the doors to Harlem Cycle in 2016.
In episode 189 of Side Hustle Pro, Tammeca talks about:
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This episode is brought to you by:
HoneyBook is offering Side Hustle Pro listeners 50% off when you visit tryhoneybook.com/hustlepro. Payment is flexible, and this promotion applies whether you pay monthly or annually.
Try FreshBooks FREE for 30 days. Go to freshbooks.com/sidehustlepro and enter SIDE HUSTLE PRO in the how did you hear about us section to get started.
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You can now send questions for the new “Ask Nicaila” segment that’s coming to Side Hustle Pro. Once I get a critical mass of questions, I can start rolling out this segment. Just email hi@sidehustlepro.co and put hashtag #AskNicaila in the subject.
Tammeca Rochester (Instagram) - @tammeca_rochester
Harlem Cycle (Instagram) - @harlemcycle
Harlem Cycle (Twitter) - @harlemcycle
Side Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro
As a busy working mom and wife, Chantel Powell found herself shuttling her son Kameron between summer basketball camp and football practice. She quickly noticed that he was starting to smell like a grown man because he was sweating buckets under his armpits, and that’s when her innovative mindset kicked in.
Chantel decided to develop an all-natural deodorant for her son. And so Play Pits the brand was born.
Play Pits is a 100% all-natural deodorant for active kids. It’s free of aluminum, parabens, synthetic fragrances and other harsh chemicals. While it can be used on the most gentle skin types, it also packs a strong punch against odors.
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This episode is brought to you by:
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Play Pits (Instagram) - @playpits
Creator (Instagram) - @chantellovestyling
Side Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro