

Side Hustle Pro
Nicaila Matthews Okome | Side Hustle Pro Media
Side Hustle Pro spotlights bold black women entrepreneurs who have scaled from side hustle to profitable business. Join Chief Side Hustler turned full-time entrepreneur Nicaila Matthews Okome for your weekly installment of Side Hustle Pro and learn actionable strategies to start small and get going–wherever and whoever you are. Side Hustle Pro features interviews with inspiring Black women entrepreneurs who started out as side hustlers, including interviews with Myleik Teele, Morgan DeBaun, Tiffany "The Budgetnista" Aliche, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 11, 2025 • 17min
492: Rebuilding My Business After Burnout
Rebuilding my business after burnout wasn’t one big breakthrough. It was a series of small, honest shifts that finally brought me back to myself.Rest. Prioritization. Time boundaries. Financial honesty. And the self-care I kept putting off because I felt guilty investing in myself.In today’s episode of The Expansion Era, I’m sharing what this rebuilding season has really looked like for me as a mom of two, a wife, and a founder trying to get her mojo back. This chapter isn’t about going back to who I was. It’s about becoming someone who doesn’t abandon herself on the way to her goals.If you're feeling depleted, questioning your confidence, or trying to rebuild your business after a hard season, this one’s for you.✨ Watch this whenever you need a reminder that you can rebuild without rushing yourself.RESOURCES MENTIONED► Join my newsletter for behind-the-scenes support as you rebuild your business: https://sidehustlepro.co/newsletter► Register for my next free Podcast Moguls training on how to start the podcast that builds your exit plan:https://podcastmoguls.comCONNECT WITH MEInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/sidehustleproPodcast: Side Hustle ProBusiness inquiries: hi@sidehustlepro.coCHAPTERS00:00 Realizing burnout01:20 When exhaustion becomes normal03:05 The power of rest04:40 Relearning prioritization06:30 Time boundaries and rebuilding my schedule09:30 Money, fear, and shrinking my confidence12:40 Self-care and putting myself back in the budget15:00 What rebuilding actually looks like17:00 Your next step Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 4, 2025 • 35min
491: 9 Side Hustles You Can Start Today That Could Replace Your 9-5
Explore nine scalable side hustles that can potentially replace your full-time job. Discover the benefits of starting a cleaning service with low costs and steady clients. Learn about creating faceless YouTube channels that monetize through ads and sponsorships. Dive into offering specialized virtual assistant services and social media management. Get insights on high-demand areas like short-form video editing and AI integration consulting. Finally, find out how to turn expertise into corporate training opportunities and take actionable steps to launch your hustle today!

Nov 26, 2025 • 55min
490: She Left Corporate and Built a 7-Figure Business
This week in the guest chair, Dr. Lakila Bowden shares her powerful journey from leading thousands inside Fortune 500 companies to co-founding ISee Technologies, a Black sister-owned, disability-led consulting firm now earning seven figures.After leaving corporate in 2019, Lakila teamed up with her sister, Camille, to build a company trusted by brands like Disney, Kraft Heinz, and the EPA for high-impact training, inclusion, and workforce wellness programs. What makes her work different is how she blends corporate strategy, healing, and public speaking to help organizations and people thrive without burnout.In this episode, Lakila opens up about the moment she walked away from the “known,” how she rebuilt her identity outside of corporate titles, and how speaking became a major accelerator in her business growth. She also breaks down the inner and outer transformation required to grow with your purpose, honor your well-being, and lead from a place of wholeness.In This Episode, Dr. Lakila Shares:The pivotal moment she knew she had to leave corporate AmericaHow she and her sister built ISee Technologies into a 7-figure consulting firmWhy public speaking became a core revenue driver in her businessHow personal healing shaped her approach to leadership and entrepreneurshipHer framework for helping organizations and individuals thrive without burning outHighlights Include00:00: Intro02:10: Starting IC Technologies with her sister Camille04:30: Becoming a speaker and author and how speaking scaled her impact08:20: Building a disability-led, wellness-centered company12:00: How corporate strategy + personal healing became her business superpower16:15: The growth that came after walking away from the “known”20:45: Helping organizations cultivate inclusion and sustainable wellness26:30: Advice for anyone ready to pivot from corporate into purposeWatch this episode on YouTube and listen on all podcast appsApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/side-hustle-pro/id1126021323Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/13qDj08lBR4ymzGhXIKy8t?si=8daf52a57e054042Links Mentioned in This EpisodeISee Technologies: https://www.iseetechinc.com/Achieve Work Life Alignment by Dr. Lakila Bowden http://www.lakilabowden.com/ Click here to subscribe via RSS feed (non-iTunes feed): http://sidehustlepro.libsyn.com/rssGuest Social Media InfoLakila's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lakilaj/ISee Technologies Website: https://www.iseetechinc.com/Side Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro#SideHustlePro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 19, 2025 • 58min
489: How to Start a Side Hustle with AI (feat. Nadeen Matthews Blair)
Nadeen Matthews Blair, founder of Crescent Advisory Group and former corporate executive, shares her transformative journey from the corporate world to entrepreneurship. She emphasizes the power of AI tools like ChatGPT, Namelix, and Looka in building a business quickly. Nadeen discusses how offering free workshops helped validate her services and highlights AI as a game changer for side hustlers. She also reflects on redefining success to prioritize flexibility and impact while encouraging others to engage with technology constructively.

Nov 12, 2025 • 52min
488: The Power in the Pivot: How Keewa Nurullah Is Rebuilding After Closing Her Dream Business
In this engaging discussion, Keewa Nurullah, an artist and small-business strategist known for founding the culturally rich children's boutique Kiddo, shares her entrepreneurial journey. She bravely closed her shop after significant success, reflecting on the emotional and financial factors behind that decision. Topics include adapting to post-pandemic customer behavior, the challenges of funding for small businesses, and her new initiative, Circulate, aimed at supporting local retailers. Keewa emphasizes the importance of community connection and redefining success on one's own terms.

Nov 5, 2025 • 27min
487: Mindset Hacks For Every Business Owner
This week we’re diving into how to shift your mindset to set yourself up for success. Here’s the thing I’ve learned over the years that your mindset isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s the foundation for everything you’re trying to build. Whether it’s pushing past fear to finally launch your business, staying consistent when sales are slow, or silencing that little voice in your head saying, ‘Who are you to do this?’ it all comes back to how you think and how you show up for yourself.In this episode I share:The mindset hacks I use, like reframing limiting beliefs, to conquer my goals How to break down your goals into actionable steps to avoid overwhelm My experience with imposter syndrome and how I continuously overcome itHighlights include:00:00 Intro01:00 Battling imposter syndrome04:14 Breaking free from overthinking08:05 Confidence is key14:05 Master Instagram Challenge17:50 Building mental resilience 21:28 Actionable steps to a mindset changeCheck out episode 487 of Side Hustle Pro podcast out now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTubeLinks mentioned in this episodeSide Hustle Pro YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SideHustlePro Side Hustle Pro Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sidehustlepro/ SHP Done Is Better Than Perfect Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naMuG3Abzmo SHP Denise Woodard Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjQqNBd8-xA Click here to subscribe via RSS feed (non-iTunes feed): http://sidehustlepro.libsyn.com/rssAnnouncementsJoin our Facebook CommunityIf 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: https://sidehustlepro.co/facebookGuest Social Media InfoSide Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro#SideHustlePro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 29, 2025 • 26min
486: How to Side Hustle With a Full-Time Job
Welcome back to the Side Hustle Pro podcast, your headquarters for turning passion projects into profitable businesses! I’m Nicaila, and today we’re talking about how to find (and protect) the time you need to build your side hustle. I get it: Working a full-time job, juggling family commitments, and trying to live your life can make your side hustle goals feel impossible. But trust me, it’s not. I used to think I had zero free hours, but as soon as I did a reality check, I found pockets of time I could reclaim. Here’s how you can do the same.In this episode I share about:The time you’re losing and how to identify your top time wastersThe 3-Step Hustler’s Time Plan: how to maximize your timeHow to build a system and schedule that work for youHighlights include: 00:00 Intro01:45 Identify your biggest time traps06:42 Reclaim your time12:35 Power hour: get more done in less time16:15 Leverage your days off18:30 Protect your side hustle hours21:20 Choose a schedule that fits your life23:40 Final thoughts and recapCheck out episode 486 of Side Hustle Pro podcast out now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTubeLinks mentioned in this episodeNicaila’s Website: https://sidehustlepro.co/Nicaila’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sidehustlepro/ Nicaila’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicailamatthewsokome Brown Ambition Podcast: https://brownambitionpodcast.com/ Click here to subscribe via RSS feed (non-iTunes feed): http://sidehustlepro.libsyn.com/rssAnnouncementsJoin our Facebook CommunityIf 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: https://sidehustlepro.co/facebookGuest Social Media InfoSide Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro#SideHustlePro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 24, 2025 • 23min
485: How to Turn Your Skills Into a Side Hustle
Always wanted to start a side hustle but didn’t know what industry to try? This week I’m breaking down the exact process of identifying the skills you do effortlessly and turning them into a profitable side hustle. In this episode I share:How to pinpoint the skills hiding in your “blind spot”The importance of surveying your network to confirm your strengthsDifferent service-based ideas you can launch todayHow to validate your offers quickly and start getting paid soonerHighlights include:00:00 Intro02:00 Three key steps05:30 Monetizable skills09:30 How to get paid sooner, not later15:00 Actionable homeworkCheck out episode 485 of Side Hustle Pro podcast out now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTubeLinks mentioned in this episodePortia Obeng SHP episode: https://youtu.be/4qkgObsQ7pA?si=BySviTQaeTqgVa01 Nicaila’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sidehustlepro/ Nicaila’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicailamatthewsokome FREE Survey Template: https://sidehustlepro.lpages.co/side-hustle-survey/ Click here to subscribe via RSS feed (non-iTunes feed): http://sidehustlepro.libsyn.com/rssAnnouncementsJoin our Facebook CommunityIf 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: https://sidehustlepro.co/facebookGuest Social Media InfoSide Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro#SideHustlePro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 16, 2025 • 42min
484: Demetria Lucas on Taking Career Risks and Embracing Pivots
This week we’re airing my first ever live podcast! I had the opportunity to sit down with author, journalist, and media powerhouse Demetria Lucas at the On Air Fest in Brooklyn, NY. From launching A Belle in BK to building an empire that spans books, film, podcasting, and more, Demetria has mastered the art of evolving and thriving as a multi-hyphenate entrepreneur. Taking risks and flawlessly pivoting has paid off.In this episode she shares:How prioritizing steady income through podcasting, owning a travel company, and more gives her freedom to enjoy life outside of workingThe enormous impact traveling the world has had on her work, leading her to author three books on travel How she stayed resilient through personal challenges and self-doubtHighlights Include:00:00 Intro03:36 Breaking into the book industry08:20 Streams of steady income13:45 Building a personal brand and podcast24:08 Traveling the world27:00 The ups and downs of finances in freelancing36:15 Tips for entrepreneurs Check out episode 484 of Side Hustle Pro podcast out now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTubeLinks mentioned in this episodeDemetria’s Website: https://www.demetriallucas.com/ Demetria’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/demetriallucas Demetria’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/demetriallucas Ratchet and Respectable Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ratchet-respectable/id1449001372 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/ Click here to subscribe via RSS feed (non-iTunes feed): http://sidehustlepro.libsyn.com/rssAnnouncementsJoin our Facebook CommunityIf 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/facebookGuest Social Media InfoSide Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro#SideHustlePro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 10, 2025 • 23min
483: The First 3 Moves I’d Make If I Were Starting a Side Hustle Today
Discover the key first moves to kickstart a side hustle, focusing on the problem you solve and your target audience. Learn why validation calls are crucial for testing your ideas and adjusting your approach. Uncover the difference between a website and a funnel, and why a simple funnel can boost your sales. Find out how launching an initial low-cost offer helped build confidence and client engagement. Embrace the 'Do It Ugly' philosophy to gain experience and credibility quickly!


