Side Hustle Hero

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!    

Save time. Make progress faster. Here Joan shares five ready-to-use ChatGPT-5 prompts you can try tonight to save hours each week and move your side hustle forward, without working more hours. You'll hear real examples, tips to get the most from GPT-5, and how to avoid common pitfalls. Here's what's inside: Opportunity Radar – Spot quick wins without months of testing Rapid Repackage – Turn one piece of content into a month's worth of posts Time Trader Analyzer – Free up billable hours by delegating the right tasks Test Market in a Box – Pressure test your idea before you build On-Demand Micro Mentor – Get an expert-level growth plan instantly Whether you're running an Etsy shop, coaching clients, or launching a new service, these prompts are your shortcut to faster wins, less busywork, and the firepower to stand toe-to-toe with bigger competitors. 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/160 Connect with Joan: Instagram Facebook About Joan Be on the show! Tell us about your side hustle success story!      

Welcome to a rebroadcast of a popular episode featuring Jonathan Schuit, who makes a comfortable living selling popcorn… just one day a week. But this episode isn't just about popcorn - it's about smart business thinking, small changes that lead to big wins, and spotting opportunities hiding in plain sight. Whether you're already running a side hustle or just looking for one that works, Jonathan shares insights you can apply to almost any business. You'll discover, How Jonathan turned a teenage side gig into a high-profit business The small pricing change that boosted revenue by 50% overnight Why fewer options can lead to more sales The psychology behind lineups, product pricing, and buyer behavior What most farmers' market vendors get wrong Why simple, low-cost businesses (like snow cones!) can outperform "cooler" jobs The real-life numbers behind a one-day-a-week business model Stick around after the main interview for a bonus convo on how a snow cone stand could pull in $20K in five days… ..and the margins? Seriously impressive. 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/159 Be sure to sign up to our Side Hustle Hero community to grab a copy of my 28-page guide, called, Smart Start: From Idea to It's Live in 7 Steps. It walks you through the core things to focus on, including a checklist of 8 essentials you need to launch. The guide is free for now...but not forever.   Connect with Joan: Instagram Facebook About Joan Be on the show! Tell us about your side hustle success story!    

Debra Erickson lost her vision — but definitely not her drive. What started as a side hustle has blossomed into a full-time mission: The Blind Kitchen - a thriving business that sells adaptive kitchen tools and teaches blind and vision-impaired people how to cook safely, confidently, and independently. Debra shares the inspiring journey of how she transitioned from student to teacher to entrepreneur, and how she built a business with impact, despite the obstacles. From attending a regular culinary school as a blind student, to sourcing and testing dozens of tools, to launching an accessible e-commerce site, Debra has done what many only dream of. But this isn't just a story of perseverance, it's packed with insights for anyone building a business. You'll learn: Tips for juggling a side hustle alongside full-time work Why delegating and building a team can unlock growth How to market to a niche audience and build trust And how to stay motivated on the hard days If you're in the early stages of your side hustle or wondering if you have what it takes, this episode will leave you thinking: if she can do it, I can too. 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. Be sure to grab a copy of my 28-page guide, called, Smart Start: From Idea to It's Live in 7 Steps. It walks you through the core things to focus on, including a checklist of 8 essentials you need to launch. It's free for now at Side Hustle Hero but not forever. For the full show notes head on over to the home of Side Hustle Hero. https://www.sidehustlehero.com/158 Connect with Debra: The Blind Kitchen Website Instagram Facebook Connect with Joan: Instagram Facebook About Joan Be on the show! Tell us about your side hustle success story!        

Ever thought about launching your own beverage brand? It might sound like a far-fetched idea, but after hearing this conversation with Dr. Roger Wu, you might just find yourself thinking, "Hey… maybe I could do this." Roger shares how he turned a recurring problem he saw in his patients into an innovative eye-health drink. He walks us through how he went from an idea in his head to a finished product in hand, while still working his day job. You'll learn: What a formulation lab is and why it's a key early step How he found a startup-friendly co-packer willing to take a chance (and it's name!) What kind of budget you might need to go from concept to first batch The often-overlooked costs involved in getting your product noticed What he did when his first samples tasted so bad even his kids refused them How he attracted a top beverage industry veteran to join his startup Then in the wrap up, I share a true, inspiring story of how one 18-year-old with no funding, managed to get his jam product onto the shelves of a major grocery chain. 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. Have you grabbed my 28-page guide, Smart Start: From Idea to It's Live in 7 Steps, A Beginner's Guide to Launching Your Side Hustle With Confidence? If it's still free, you'll find it at our website. It's your complete roadmap to finally launching your side hustle. For the full show notes head on over to the home of Side Hustle Hero. https://www.sidehustlehero.com/157 Connect with Roger: LinkedIn The Eye Drink Website Connect with Joan: Instagram Facebook About Joan Be on the show! Tell us about your side hustle success story!          

Ever feel like you're the one standing in your own way? This episode dives deep into the mental blocks and hidden habits that silently sabotage your side hustle, often before it even begins. If you've ever hesitated to start, stalled out after launching, or pulled back right when things were getting good… this one's for you. You'll discover: Why self-sabotage isn't a flaw — it's conditioning The 3 key stages where it sneaks in and how to spot it What imposter syndrome, hesitation, and "being too busy" have in common Practical strategies to break the cycle and move forward with confidence A surprising (and empowering) truth about how your subconscious actually runs the show Plus: You'll hear how to get free access to my 28-page guide, Smart Start: From Idea to It's Live in 7 Steps, A Beginner's Guide to Launching Your Side Hustle With Confidence. You're not stuck because you're unmotivated — you're stuck because you're human. But once you see what's happening, you can change everything. 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/156 Connect with Joan: Instagram Facebook About Joan Be on the show! Tell us about your side hustle success story!      

Want a flexible side hustle you can do from anywhere? (Even if you don't think you have the "right" skills?) Today we break down how to start as a virtual assistant, even if you've never worked online before. You'll hear from VA coach Laura Nicole Jennings, who shares: What services are most in demand right now How to identify skills you already have that clients will pay for How much you can realistically earn in your first 3–6 months Where and how to find your first paying client What AI is not replacing — and why VA work is still in demand The difference between hourly and retainer contracts Who pays for what when it comes to software and subscriptions How to build recurring income with built-in compensation reviews If you're looking for a part-time income stream with full-time flexibility — or you're just VA-curious — this episode is packed with practical insights to help you explore the option. Free Resource! Grab my 28-page guide, Smart Start: From Idea to It's Live in 7 Steps, at Side Hustle Hero. It's your complete roadmap to launching your side hustle with confidence. 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/155 Connect with Laura: Instagram Connect with Joan: Instagram Facebook About Joan Be on the show! Tell us about your side hustle success story!      

Can you really start a side hustle while traveling — and run it from thousands of miles away? David Schafran did. What began as a one-month salsa sabbatical in Colombia turned into a passion-fueled income stream. David shares how he went from health tech founder in Boston to launching Somoloco, a remote-friendly dance immersion business — all while keeping things lean and intentional. In this episode, you'll learn: How to build a side hustle while living abroad (or just working remotely) Why you don't need to "go big" to get started How David tested his idea with a simple prototype The marketing strategies that helped him grow — including paid ads, partnerships, and influencer collabs Why strong relationships are crucial to running a side hustle from another city or country Whether you're thinking of building something creative, travel-based, or just want extra income on your terms, this episode shows you what's possible. 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/154 Connect with David: Instagram Somoloco website Connect with Joan: Instagram Facebook About Joan Be on the show! Tell us about your side hustle success story!