Side Hustle Hero

Side hustles are no longer just about earning extra money. For many professionals, they've become a strategic part of modern career planning. Here we break down why side hustles are becoming a normal part of professional life. We look at how building something alongside your career can help you stay relevant, build real assets, and create options beyond a single employer. We walk through five reasons forward-thinking professionals are choosing to build side hustles intentionally. They can: Keep professional skills current, relevant, and adaptable Allow you to build assets you actually own Increase credibility and professional respectability Create a portable network that stays with you over time Provide leverage, flexibility, and long-term security This episode will help you take a more deliberate approach to building a side hustle, not as a hobby or a backup plan, but as a smart extension of your career. Do you like what you're hearing? Consider giving it a caffeinated thumbs up. We'd really appreciate it! Need a little (and sometimes big) push to start and stay focused to grow your side hustle? Dive into my online Masterclass: How To Turn Your Thoughts Into Wanted Things. For the full show notes head on over to the home of Side Hustle Hero. https://www.sidehustlehero.com/180 Connect with Joan: Instagram Facebook About Joan Be on the show! Tell us about your side hustle success story!      

Most people don't fail because they lack ideas, talent, or motivation. They stall because they're waiting to feel ready. In this episode, I revisit a powerful conversation from the very beginning of the Side Hustle Hero podcast with my first-ever guest, Joel Young. It opens with a simple but uncomfortable truth: you don't really grow until you're willing to fail ... in front of other people. Joel shares how he got started recording voiceovers in his closet with almost no experience, no studio, and no certainty about where it would lead. That willingness to start before he felt ready eventually helped him become one of Fiverr's all-time top earners, with $2.7 million in earnings at the time of our interview. In this conversation, we talk about: why waiting for confidence keeps most people stuck why practicing in private only gets you so far how starting before you feel ready builds real skill how reframing what you think of as "giving something up" can make working on a side hustle feel more empowering If you've been holding back because you don't want to look foolish, make mistakes, or put yourself out there before you feel ready, this conversation will help you rethink what it really takes to get started. Do you like what you're hearing? Consider giving it a caffeinated thumbs up. We'd really appreciate it! Need a little (and sometimes big) push to start and stay focused to grow your side hustle? Dive into my online Masterclass: How To Turn Your Thoughts Into Wanted Things. For the full show notes head on over to the home of Side Hustle Hero. https://www.sidehustlehero.com/179 Connect with Joel: Joel's Main Site JumpStart Video Connect with Joan: Instagram Facebook About Joan Be on the show! Tell us about your side hustle success story!      

Most "top 10 side hustle" lists recycle the same ideas with very little context. This episode takes a different approach. These 10 side hustles are drawn from real conversations with guests who are actually doing the work. Some are simple and inexpensive to start. Others require more capital or coordination. None are ranked, because the right side hustle depends on your situation and circumstances. The list includes mystery shopping, selling at farmers markets, printables, online courses, virtual assistant work, AI workflow consulting, fundraising, direct mail postcards, high-ticket dropshipping, and luxury restroom trailers. The focus is on what's working heading into 2026, what often flies under the radar, and how people are building income without chasing hype. Do you like what you're hearing? Consider giving it a caffeinated thumbs up. We'd really appreciate it! Need a little (and sometimes big) push to start and stay focused to grow your side hustle? Dive into my online Masterclass: How To Turn Your Thoughts Into Wanted Things. For the full show notes head on over to the home of Side Hustle Hero. https://www.sidehustlehero.com/178 Connect with Joan: Instagram Facebook About Joan Be on the show! Tell us about your side hustle success story!      

Why do so many people quit their side hustle, even when the idea itself isn't bad? Today I break down 3 real reasons most people walk away from their side hustle and why quitting is often more about behaviour than talent, motivation, or market demand. If you've ever started a side hustle, put in the effort, and then stopped (especially when the money didn't show up as quickly as you hoped,)  you're not alone. You'll learn: Why early income is a lagging indicator, not a verdict on your idea The three most common reasons people quit too soon How starting too big actually works against you Why lack of clarity around progress creates unnecessary doubt How isolation sabotages follow-through What to do differently next time so quitting isn't the default response This isn't about pushing harder or working longer hours. It's about setting yourself up with the right expectations, structure, and support so your side hustle has a real chance to grow. Do you like what you're hearing? Consider giving it a caffeinated thumbs up. We'd really appreciate it! Need a little (and sometimes big) push to start and stay focused to grow your side hustle? Dive into my online Masterclass: How To Turn Your Thoughts Into Wanted Things. For the full show notes head on over to the home of Side Hustle Hero. https://www.sidehustlehero.com/177  Share this with someone who's tried before and is thinking about giving it another shot. Connect with Joan: Instagram Facebook About Joan Be on the show! Tell us about your side hustle success story!    

Building a business that is a profitable side hustle from the start is not about luck. It comes down to the decisions you make early and the discipline to stick with them. Today I revisit my conversation with Mellisa Mills, founder and CEO of Millsie, formerly known as Spread'Em. Mellisa built her "cashew dip" company that has been profitable from day one and has grown into a multi million dollar business without outside investors. This episode pulls together the most valuable lessons from our original interview, including: How Melissa tested demand before scaling Why she prioritized margins and cash flow over rapid expansion How reinvesting profits allowed the business to grow steadily and sustainably Why slower, more intentional growth can outperform build fast strategies, especially in product based businesses Since this interview, Spread'Em has been rebranded to Millsie, a change driven by growth, clarity, and an expanding footprint in the United States. If you are building a business or thinking about starting one and want a grounded, real world perspective on profitability, decision making, and figuring things out as you go, this episode offers practical insights you can apply immediately. Do you like what you're hearing? Consider giving it a caffeinated thumbs up. We'd really appreciate it! Need a little (and sometimes big) push to start and stay focused to grow your side hustle? Dive into my online Masterclass: How To Turn Your Thoughts Into Wanted Things. For the full show notes head on over to the home of Side Hustle Hero. https://www.sidehustlehero.com/176 Connect with Mellisa & Millsie: LinkedIn Millsie website Connect with Joan: Instagram Facebook About Joan Be on the show! Tell us about your side hustle success story!      

If you keep telling yourself you want to start a side hustle, but weeks keep passing with no real movement, there's a reason. And it's not a lack of ideas, time, or talent. It's the silent mindset traps that play out in the background and quietly keep you stuck at the starting line. After interviewing more than 170 side hustle heroes, I've heard the same patterns again and again. Today we break down 7 of the most common thinking mistakes that stop people from ever getting traction: Waiting to feel ready Overlearning instead of acting Staying busy with low-impact tasks Underestimating the value of your skills Comparing your Day 1 to someone else's Year 5 Believing confidence must come first Falling into the all-or-nothing time trap You'll learn how each one shows up, how to spot it in yourself, and what small, practical shift gets you moving. By the end of this episode, you'll know exactly which mindset has been holding you back, and the next step that will move your side hustle forward today. Do you like what you're hearing? Consider giving it a caffeinated thumbs up. We'd really appreciate it! Need a little (and sometimes big) push to start and stay focused to grow your side hustle? Dive into my online Masterclass: How To Turn Your Thoughts Into Wanted Things. For the full show notes head on over to the home of Side Hustle Hero. https://www.sidehustlehero.com/175 Connect with Joan: Instagram Facebook About Joan Be on the show! Tell us about your side hustle success story!      

If you've been searching for remote side hustles but keep running into unrealistic promises of passive income and overnight success, this episode takes a different approach. Here Joan shares 10 real remote side hustles to make money from home, based on actual examples from her first hand experience and past Side Hustle Hero guests. These are practical ways to make money from home that fit around full-time jobs, family life, and real schedules, without shortcuts or hype. The side hustles are presented in no particular order and cover a mix of service-based work, creative income, digital products, and client-based roles. You'll also hear honest discussion about income ranges, startup costs, and what it actually takes to sustain each option. Do you like what you're hearing? Consider giving it a caffeinated thumbs up. We'd really appreciate it! Need a little (and sometimes big) push to start and stay focused to grow your side hustle? Dive into my online Masterclass: How To Turn Your Thoughts Into Wanted Things. For the full show notes head on over to the home of Side Hustle Hero. https://www.sidehustlehero.com/174 Connect with Joan: Instagram Facebook About Joan Be on the show! Tell us about your side hustle success story!    

If you've ever wanted a simple side hustle with no upfront costs, this episode may spark something for you. Rachel Smith and Dalton Joyner break down how they run "Community Postcards," a direct-mail model where they sell ad space on physical postcards, design the layout, and mail them out … all after advertisers have already paid. You'll hear how the model works, why business owners say yes, and what you can realistically earn each month. In this episode, you'll learn: how to start a postcard side hustle with zero upfront expenses the exact pitch they use to land $150 advertisers what to expect in terms of time, income, and workflow how to keep your risk close to zero ways this simple project can lead to larger recurring clients If you enjoy connecting with local businesses and want something easy to test, this is a model worth considering. Do you like what you're hearing? Consider giving it a caffeinated thumbs up. We'd really appreciate it! Need a little (and sometimes big) push to start and stay focused to grow your side hustle? Dive into my online Masterclass: How To Turn Your Thoughts Into Wanted Things. For the full show notes head on over to the home of Side Hustle Hero. https://www.sidehustlehero.com/173 Connect with Rachel & Dalton: Free Community Card Playbook Mini Course Connect with Joan: Instagram Facebook About Joan Be on the show! Tell us about your side hustle success story!    

I've got photos scattered everywhere - on my desktop, laptop, phone, Dropbox, the cloud, and who knows how many memory sticks. Can you relate? Chances are, yes. Most people are drowning in decades of digital and printed photos… and here's the surprising part: many would happily pay someone to sort it all out. That's where a photo organizing side hustle comes in. Cathi Nelson is a pioneer in this field, having built a business that helps people take control of their scattered digital photos, printed collections, home movies, scrapbooks, and other keepsakes. In this rebroadcast episode, you'll discover: the multiple revenue streams within a photo organizing side hustle how to price a job (including complex digital cleanups) where to find your first paying clients the tools you need ... and the ones you don't simple steps Cathi uses to organize her own photos the traits that make someone successful in this work how to grow from a small project to ongoing referrals We're talking about working with people's most meaningful keepsakes, so it's a side hustle that can be personally fulfilling as well as financially rewarding. Do you like what you're hearing? Consider giving it a caffeinated thumbs up. We'd really appreciate it! Need a little (and sometimes big) push to start and stay focused to grow your side hustle? Dive into my online Masterclass: How To Turn Your Thoughts Into Wanted Things. For the full show notes head on over to the home of Side Hustle Hero. https://www.sidehustlehero.com/172 Connect with Cathi: The Photo Managers Academy - to learn how to organize your photos Photo Manager Training - Cathi's 1-year program to start and build this as a side hustle Connect with Joan: Instagram Facebook About Joan Be on the show! Tell us about your side hustle success story!      

Ever notice how one conversation can make you want to take on the world, and another can make you want a nap? Today I share a personal story from one of my own side hustles - buying a deli that was going out of business, to illustrate how the people you surround yourself with can directly shape your mindset, energy, and success. You'll learn how to recognize whether your current circle is fueling your vision or quietly holding you back, what to do when that negativity comes from someone you care about, and practical ways to intentionally build an environment that keeps you inspired and moving forward. If you've ever struggled to stay positive when those around you aren't quite on the same wavelength, this episode will help you protect your energy, upgrade your circle, and attract the kind of people who help you thrive. You'll Learn: How your environment and relationships directly influence your results Why even well-meaning people can unknowingly hold you back The story of how a struggling deli turned profitable through mindset and community What to do when a negative friend or family member drains your energy The five-step framework to intentionally upgrade your circle A simple trick Joan used to stay privately focused on her goals Why being the positive, encouraging person in someone else's life can elevate your own Listen to hear how surrounding yourself with success can completely change the trajectory of your side hustle — and your life. Do you like what you're hearing? Consider giving it a caffeinated thumbs up. We'd really appreciate it! Need a little (and sometimes big) push to start and stay focused to grow your side hustle? Dive into my online Masterclass: How To Turn Your Thoughts Into Wanted Things. For the full show notes head on over to the home of Side Hustle Hero. https://www.sidehustlehero.com/171  Connect with Joan: Instagram Facebook About Joan Be on the show! Tell us about your side hustle success story!    

Have you ever wondered if you're charging too little for what you do? Or caught yourself thinking that lowering your price will make it easier to sell? This episode could change that, and quite possibly make you more money. Author, coach, and 6-figure artist Miriam Schulman joins us to share her five-part framework that helps creatives and business owners turn their passion into profit. We dive into what those five parts are, how you can apply them to confidently charge what you're worth, stop undervaluing your work, and be ready when the right customer walks in — whether that's online or in person. You'll learn: The mindset shift behind charging premium prices with confidence The five core areas that drive creative income Why lowering your prices doesn't make sales easier — and what actually does How to believe in your customer even more than they believe in themselves Practical ways to turn your creative passion into sustainable profit Do you like what you're hearing? Consider giving it a caffeinated thumbs up. We'd really appreciate it! Need a little (and sometimes big) push to start and stay focused to grow your side hustle? Dive into my online Masterclass: How To Turn Your Thoughts Into Wanted Things. For the full show notes head on over to the home of Side Hustle Hero. https://www.sidehustlehero.com/170 Connect with Miriam: Free Masterclass Connect with Joan: Instagram Facebook About Joan Be on the show! Tell us about your side hustle success story!    

What if you could earn $2K–$5K a month using skills you already have, while helping causes you care about at the same time? Most people assume fundraising means simply asking for donations. This episode shows you how it actually becomes a paid side hustle by improving a nonprofit's messaging, website, email strategy, and storytelling so donors want to give. Fundraising pro, Elaine Allan, explains; what the work looks like, what to charge when starting out, how to land your first client, and why this is one of the few side hustles where your income and your impact show up in the same place. If you want a side income that is both profitable and meaningful, this conversation will show you a path most people never consider. Do you like what you're hearing? Consider giving it a caffeinated thumbs up. We'd really appreciate it! Need a little (and sometimes big) push to start and stay focused to grow your side hustle? Dive into my online Masterclass: How To Turn Your Thoughts Into Wanted Things. For the full show notes head on over to the home of Side Hustle Hero. https://www.sidehustlehero.com/169 Connect with Elaine: Inbox Impact website Connect with Joan: Instagram Facebook About Joan Be on the show! Tell us about your side hustle success story!      

That system is EOS® - the Entrepreneurial Operating System. It's often seen as a system for big companies, but it can be adapted to give a solo side hustle the same benefits; clarity, structure, and follow-through. It gives you a simple structure to decide what matters, turn it into concrete 90-day priorities, and hold yourself accountable so the right work actually gets done. I tested it inside Side Hustle Hero and it immediately reduced noise, eliminated guesswork, and pushed the truly important work into my week. EOS Implementer Rani Dabrai explains how to apply EOS even if you're a team of one, so you can: stop reacting and start running with a plan replace intention with measurable execution make visible progress on a 10-year vision using 90-day moves Links to the downloadable VTO (Vision Traction Organizer) are in the show notes (which live at our website - link below), so you can start working through EOS for your own side hustle. Gain clarity, focus, and follow-through instead of overwhelm. Do you like what you're hearing? Consider giving it a caffeinated thumbs up. We'd really appreciate it! Need a little (and sometimes big) push to start and stay focused to grow your side hustle? Dive into my online Masterclass: How To Turn Your Thoughts Into Wanted Things. For the full show notes (which contain the VTO link) head on over to the home of Side Hustle Hero. https://www.sidehustlehero.com/168 Connect with Rani: LinkedIn Her EOS website page Connect with Joan: Instagram Facebook About Joan Be on the show! Tell us about your side hustle success story!      

Every side hustle comes with challenges, but what if the problem isn't really the problem? Here you'll discover why problems are not the problem, and how growing your capability changes everything. You'll learn how to: Reframe setbacks so they fuel your progress Strengthen your scale of capability to handle pressure Stay calm and confident when plans go sideways Turn obstacles into opportunities for growth If you're starting or scaling a side hustle, this conversation will help you build the mindset to face challenges head-on, and grow bigger than your problems. Do you like what you're hearing? Consider giving it a caffeinated thumbs up. We'd really appreciate it! Need a little (and sometimes big) push to start and stay focused to grow your side hustle? Dive into my online Masterclass: How To Turn Your Thoughts Into Wanted Things. For the full show notes head on over to the home of Side Hustle Hero. https://www.sidehustlehero.com/167 Connect with Joan: Instagram Facebook About Joan Be on the show! Tell us about your side hustle success story!      

Think you need to be a guru to sell an online course? Not true! Dan Henry explains why focusing on solving problems, and not teaching topics, is the real key to making your course sell. You don't need to be a world-class expert to create an online course people will pay for. Dan shows us how to stop obsessing over "topics" and instead focus on solving real problems … the kind that people will gladly spend money to fix. From doing a simple "brain dump" on your phone and running it through AI to uncover profitable course ideas, to understanding why solving an "insomnia" or even "bleeding neck" problem is far more valuable than teaching just another skill, Dan breaks it all down with clarity and candor. He also shares how his $37 mini-course turned into $150,000 in sales, and why shifting from "information" to "problem-solving" can completely change the way you approach creating your own course. Do you like what you're hearing? Consider giving it a caffeinated thumbs up. We'd really appreciate it! Need a little (and sometimes big) push to start and stay focused to grow your side hustle? Dive into my online Masterclass: How To Turn Your Thoughts Into Wanted Things. For the full show notes head on over to the home of Side Hustle Hero. https://www.sidehustlehero.com/166 Connect with Dan: Instagram YouTube Connect with Joan: Instagram Facebook About Joan Be on the show! Tell us about your side hustle success story!        

You're about to hear how to start a litter cleanup service, which is a low-cost, flexible business where you can literally get paid to go for a walk through parking lots and outside of commercial properties. Brian Winch (author of Clean Lots) returns to share the exact steps: which properties to target first, how to reach the decision maker at property management companies (and who not to pitch), what to say, how to handle the most common objection, and the simple free reporting add-on that helps you stand out. We also talk startup costs (basic hand tools + insurance), pricing and routes, why early morning is the sweet spot, and free publicity moves that have landed Brian media coverage. For context, Brian has grown this business to gross over $600,000 a year, and for beginners he explains how 2–3 hours a day can translate into $2K–$3K/month in extra income. If you want a simple, service-based side hustle with early-morning hours and room to scale, this episode gives you a practical blueprint. You'll learn: Best starter properties to pitch How to connect with the right decision maker What to say on first contact (and what to avoid) A low-effort value add that wins clients (free reporting) How to start smart so you don't get discouraged Free publicity tactics to grow faster Do you like what you're hearing? Consider giving it a caffeinated thumbs up. We'd really appreciate it! Need a little (and sometimes big) push to start and stay focused to grow your side hustle? Dive into my online Masterclass: How To Turn Your Thoughts Into Wanted Things. For the full show notes head on over to the home of Side Hustle Hero. https://www.sidehustlehero.com/165 Connect with Brian: CleanLots website Connect with Joan: Instagram Facebook About Joan Be on the show! Tell us about your side hustle success story!      

How do you know which side hustle idea is right for you? Jason VanDevere, the author of Dream Driven, shares how to uncover an idea that actually fits your life, and how to test it before you sink time or money into it. You'll learn: Why dreaming daily can reveal the ideas that truly stick Jason's "3 L's" test (Longing, Lifting, Light) to know if an idea is right for you How to validate that your idea solves a real problem The best way to confirm demand: pre-selling vs. surveys The role of mentors, and creative ways to find them — even if you're starting from zero Why setting boundaries around your work time makes you more productive Get clear on a side hustle that lights a fire inside you, and not just one that looks good on paper. Do you like what you're hearing? Consider giving it a caffeinated thumbs up. We'd really appreciate it! Need a little (and sometimes big) push to start and stay focused to grow your side hustle? Dive into my online Masterclass: How To Turn Your Thoughts Into Wanted Things. For the full show notes head on over to the home of Side Hustle Hero. https://www.sidehustlehero.com/164 Connect with Jason:  Goal Crazy website His book, Dream Driven Connect with Joan: Instagram Facebook About Joan Be on the show! Tell us about your side hustle success story!    

What happens when you walk away from the family business to chase an idea of your own? Jason VanDevere did exactly that, and grew his planner idea to a six figures business. Here in Part 1, he shares how the Goal Crazy Planner went from rough draft, to a product that has gained real traction. You'll learn: How he set up zero-cost focus groups Simple ways to recruit testers for free His launch & traction strategy How he went from idea to 6-figures If you're building something tangible and want real-world ways to test it, launch it, and get those first waves of customers, here Jason shares how. Do you like what you're hearing? Consider giving it a caffeinated thumbs up. We'd really appreciate it! Need a little (and sometimes big) push to start and stay focused to grow your side hustle? Dive into my online Masterclass: How To Turn Your Thoughts Into Wanted Things. For the full show notes head on over to the home of Side Hustle Hero. https://www.sidehustlehero.com/163 Connect with Jason: Goal Crazy website His book, Dream Driven Connect with Joan: Instagram Facebook About Joan Be on the show! Tell us about your side hustle success story!    

What if you trained yourself to see side hustle opportunities everywhere? Bart Merrill, author of Monetize Your Mindset, is wired to always ask: "Can I monetize this?" That single question has led him to side hustles as varied as exporting trucks to Japan, building a successful dog training business, and even creating income from life's toughest setbacks. You'll discover: The question that can help you spot hidden opportunities Why diversifying income streams builds security and flexibility How to reframe setbacks into launching pads instead of roadblocks Bart's Acres of Pig Poop story, a modern twist on Acres of Diamonds, that shows how opportunities can be hiding in plain sight So to  sharpen your "opportunity radar" and find ways to monetize what you already know or do, this episode will point you in the right direction. Do you like what you're hearing? Consider giving it a caffeinated thumbs up. We'd really appreciate it! Need a little (and sometimes big) push to start and stay focused to grow your side hustle? Dive into my online Masterclass: How To Turn Your Thoughts Into Wanted Things. For the full show notes head on over to the home of Side Hustle Hero. https://www.sidehustlehero.com/162 Connect with Bart Website Bart's side hustle ideas for 2025 Connect with Joan: Instagram Facebook About Joan Be on the show! Tell us about your side hustle success story!      

Can a simple printable really become a six-figure side hustle? Becky Beach proves it can. Starting with just one product on Etsy, Becky has grown her digital downloads business into more than $100K a year, and that's just from printables. Becky walks us through the entire process step by step - from getting your first idea, to researching demand and competition, to creating the product itself, and finally how to drive traffic on both Etsy and Shopify. You'll also learn: How to stand out in a crowded Etsy marketplace The surprising printable that became her top seller Smart tools to spot trending products before you create them Do's and don'ts when working with Canva templates Why persistence is the real key to growth Whether you're looking for your very first income stream or want to add a new digital product to your lineup, Becky's story will show you what's possible ... and how to get started. Do you like what you're hearing? Consider giving it a caffeinated thumbs up. We'd really appreciate it! Need a little (and sometimes big) push to start and stay focused to grow your side hustle? Dive into my online Masterclass: How To Turn Your Thoughts Into Wanted Things. For the full show notes and links to sites mentioned: $100K Selling Printables on Etsy & Shopify Connect with Becky: Becky's Website Connect with Joan: Instagram Facebook About Joan Be on the show! Tell us about your side hustle success story!