Side Hustle Hero

It started as a little side hustle idea…create a souvenir cookbook for friends and guests at a ski hill. But little did Shelley Adams know this single cookbook would snowball into the bestselling series, "Whitewater Cooks." The 6 books have now sold over 280,000 copies. If you're not already a foodie, there's a pretty good chance you will be by the end of this episode. Partway through her cookbook journey, she decided to create a line of sauces, yet she knew nothing about bottling, labeling, or distribution, but she used a highly effective strategy that each of us can apply, to any industry. Catch today's end-of-episode takeaways to learn how to apply that strategy, and you'll also discover what the real purpose is, of having goals. And spoiler alert, it's not to get stuff! What You'll Hear: 03:49 From catering on location, to local ski hill food 04:24 Transforming a ski hill's cafeteria 07:12 Buying a ski hill! 08:04 A "scary amount of money" to buy Whitewater. 09:03 The idea for the first cookbook 10:35 The print order for the first book. 11:30 Being pushed for book #2 14:44 Shelley's book distributor now has a side hustle! 15:31 What it takes and the timeline from cookbook idea, to print 18:15 Biggest challenges - both physical and mental 19:40 Start where you can start 20:45 The food you see in the photos is all edible! 21:56 Juggling two kids, a ski resort, and a cookbook 22:50 10,000 book sales needed to break even 23:33 Learning what it takes to bottle sauces and asking for help 26:02 What's next for Shelley Adams & Whitewater Cooks 28:04 Her fav cookbook in the series 29:15 What she loves most about cooking and food 30:45 Best tip for overcoming fear and self-doubt? Keep it simple and chunk it down 2 Key Takeaways: 32:54 Begin with the research 33:41 A powerful question: "Can you help me get started?" 34:08 2 questions you'll want to ask 34:55 The real purpose of having a goal How To Find Shelley Adams & Whitewater Cooks: Whitewater Cooks Website Instagram Connect with Joan: Instagram Facebook Joan's Main Site Email Be on the show! Be Our Guest

Whatever your side hustle, chances are it could benefit from having sponsors - people paying you, supporting you, in what you're producing. That's only one reason why you'll want to catch this episode. Today's guest is going to help you with that, and he's both engaging and entertaining. After all, Todd Hancock was an on-air radio personality at a rock station for 14 years in a major market. Today he is a full-time Radio Arts & Entertainment instructor, and his side hustle is the Toddcast Podcast. He talks about how he calculates what to charge a sponsor, his motivation for making the podcast a success, why he doesn't have a problem with asking sponsors for support, and his brush with death involving a speeding train. What's in today's Wrap-Up? Tips to help you muster up the courage to charge for what you're worth - whether that's for a product, a service, or pitching a prospective sponsor. It's a challenge for a lot of creatives, so you're not alone! What You'll Hear: 02:37 The push to start a podcast 05:15 After the first sponsor signed, it can snowball 07:42 Multiple guests per episode = multiple sponsors per episode 10:20 Weekly time commitment for the podcast 10:50 Heavy on the social media to get the word out 12:01 From full-time job @BCIT to part-time side hustle 14:32 It was the podcast that landed him the full-time job, not his 20 years in radio! 16:13 Who to reach out to your first sponsors 16:44 You can receive product in lieu of money from sponsors 17:40 How Todd calculates what to charge a sponsor 19:20 The motivation for monetizing 23:19 The need to ensure your sponsors know how much exposure you're giving them 25:31 Why he continues to juggle both full-time work and his podcast side hustle 29:58 Todd's best tip to take action on your side hustle Key Takeaway 30:52 What to do if you're hesitant to charge what you're worth 31:12 Your offering is truly unique 32:38 Incorporate the "post-it note technique" for yourself 32:03 Begin to create your VR folder today Where to find Todd: Website Toddcast Podcast Instagram Twitter Facebook Connect with Joan: Instagram Facebook Joan's Main Site Email Be on the show! Be Our Guest

Ever wonder what it takes to be a successful content creator? Today's guest knows! Biohacker Brittany Ford was working with clients one-on-one as a nutritionist until she realized that increasingly it was her skill as a content creator that people were reaching out to her for and in this episode, you'll get an insider's look behind the scenes. Also, you'll hear how she's making "deep work" a priority, and it's something that we all need to integrate to grow our side hustles. One of the end-of-episode takeaways I share is a highly effective tool called the "Friday Box" that you'll want to employ when facing a pressing problem that is keeping you from focusing on your business. There's also a nice little (and often needed) reminder about the difference between "urgent" vs "important" tasks and how to take back control. What You'll Hear: 05:34 One way to force a change - move to a different country! 07:35 Several health-related side hustle offerings come together 09:01 The wisdom of having an income source to support the growth of your side hustle 15:02 The need to create space for "deep work" 16:50 Multitasking and deep work don't mix 20:09 Definition of Biohacking: Holistic self-care for optimal health…everything that makes you, you! 23:42 The work involved in content creation 25:00 Hours of work for a 30-second video 25:55 Influencer affiliate work, UGC (user-generated content) 26:54 Understand the profits being made from your content 29:16 Narrowing the niche 30:01 Raw milk, plant medicine, and ancestral nutrition 32:27 The sooner you take action, the better! 2 Key Takeaways: 33:49 The difference between "urgent" and "important" 34:10 How to set up your environment for a successful "deep work" session 35:25 Take back control of your activities 35:54 The Friday Box - a highly effective strategy for moving forward when you're needing to deal with BIG problems 36:48 Take back control! How to Find Brittany Ford: Website Biohacking Brittany Instagram Facebook TikTok Connect with Joan: Instagram Facebook Joan's Main Site Email Be on the show! Be Our Guest

Today's guest has been dubbed, the Queen of Side Hustle. It's no wonder…she's been a beekeeper for 7 years, a cheese monger for 11 years, and she's sprinkled in a lot of other side hustles along the way. Whether or not you've ever thought about beekeeping as a side hustle, Nicole Buergers' journey is sure to inspire! While laughing a lot through this episode, we unpack lessons that apply to every industry. Nicole is authentic, passionate, open, and uplifting. Be sure to catch my wrap-up at the end where I drill down on imposter syndrome (you're not alone) and, why you need to question where you're spending your time. Did I mention that early in her beekeeping venture, Nicole endured over 50 bee stings to the face in a single bee incident? I can't imagine. Yet she kept going. You're sure to "bee" inspired by today's guest, Nicole Buergers. Full show notes available here: https://www.sidehustlehero.com/9-inspiring-beekeepers-hard-won-wisdom/ Where to find Nicole & Bee2Bee Website Instagram Facebook Twitter Let's Connect Instagram Facebook Joan's Main Site Email Be on the show! Be Our Guest

While managing a full-time career as a professional magician, entertainer, and working the fairs, Will Roya started his side hustle selling items on eBay, and magic tricks off his own website. Business was good! But things really took off when he launched and focused on, playingcarddecks.com Seriously, who better to sell playing cards than a magician, right?? Will's story provides pragmatic, thoughtful, and lucrative $$$ advice on how to build a successful side hustle. Home base for Will is Las Vegas Nevada, where today he owns the office and warehouse that allows him to offer customers over 2500 unique products (mostly playing cards, of course.) It was interesting to learn the real reason behind his interest in backing over 350 Kickstarter projects. Be sure to catch the "Takeaways" at the end where I'll tell you the quickest and most efficient way to immerse yourself in a new industry, and how to make the idea of earning $1M per year…look small! What You'll Hear: 02:20 The playing card community & the Kickstarter influence 04:20 The beginning of Will's career as a magician 07:17 The 2008 recession caused Will to change his hustle 08:55 Selling in person, online, wholesale, retail? Depends on the product 09:22 When it's okay for a magician to reveal how the trick works 12:06 Success with proof of concept - playingcarddecks.com 12:58 First major test - Black Friday sales 13:45 Inventory - The more you have, the more you'll sell 14:55 Will's superpower! 15:45 The value of being a backer in Kickstarter projects 16:28 The Pip Box Club, a subscription service 17:28 A new product may require you reach out to a different market 18:09 Pandemic sales 18:33 Staffing….includes family! 20:58 Have the end goal in mind. Break down the $1 million. 21:48 Will's goal achievement map 22:25 Where to spend your time? Take a look at what gives you the best ROI. 23:26 Keep the focus on your golden goose 2 Key Takeaways 24:11 One of the quickest ways to learn about an industry 25:03 The benefit of having the end goal in mind 25:03 Making $1 million look small-er 25:41 Linking your big vision to your daily tasks 26:06 A brilliant definition of "discipline" How To Find Will Roya: Play Card Decks website Instagram Facebook Youtube Let's Connect Instagram Facebook Joan's Main Site Email Be on the show! Be Our Guest

Starting or scaling your side hustle can be a stressful experience, right? So it's a good thing that Corporate Stress Coach and wellness educator Nicole Porter is today's guest. In addition to her knowledge of stress, and what it does to our body and mind, she understands it from the perspective of someone who has started, grown, and successfully scaled a side hustle. She shares with us what she did right that enabled her to work 100+ hours when she needed to, and what she did very wrong that added undue stress to her body. Nicole also shares some guidance on what to do about credit cards and lines of credit if you're thinking about leaving your "9-5." She reveals that there are 10, count 'em, 10! unhealthy habits that most people do every day that add "Hidden Stress" to the body and brain. These contribute to weight gain, fatigue, anxiety, sugar cravings, sleep issues…and that's just the shortlist. Be sure to catch the wrap-up at the end of the show, for a highlight of 3 key takeaways, one of which I guarantee is a factor in your stress level, and I'll give you a tip that'll help you instantly improve how you feel, the next time you feel stressed. What You'll Hear: 02:48 Learning how to sell thickens your skin 04:20 Leap and the net will appear 06:40 The first one through the wall always gets bloodied 08:40 Healthy brands didn't have the budget 10:17 Leaving the corporate job 11:11 … but not until you establish your credit resources 14:13 How you'll know you've made the right decision 14:40 Don't be afraid to laser focus on your niche market 17:12 Selling her home to move forward was a…no brainer? 19:18 There are "hidden" stressors we put on the body every day 20:00 The consequences of stress on the body 20:54 Stress and perception 21:39 Dehydration starts…in the brain!!! 23:30 Why Nicole was able to work 100+ hours per week 24: 00 What you're consuming may be draining your energy 25:25 Major mistake Nicole made when growing her side hustle 27:35 Lack of sleep and the negative effect on your body 28:29 A skill you CAN learn to lower stress 31:35 Experiencing doubt is absolutely normal 34:42 The eggnog story 3 Key Takeaways 39:08 Sometimes, done is better than perfect 39:55 What to do if you're a perfectionist 40:00 Hearing "no" is just part of the process 40:35 The role of perception in your mental and emotional stress 42:26 What to do next time you're feeling stressed How to Find Nicole Nicole Porter Wellness website Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Where the eggnog money went to: Backpack Buddies Let's Connect Instagram Facebook Joan's Main Site Email Be on the show! Be Our Guest

Are you thinking about making your side hustle your full-time work? If so, when's the best time? Today's guest has some words of wisdom to share. Len Pierre is Coast Salish from Katzie First Nation and is an educator, consultant, TEDx Speaker, social activist, and traditional knowledge keeper. Often times we choose a side hustle because we are striving for an additional source of income, or we know that our current full-time work is just not what we want to do for the long term. But in the case of Len, I truly believe that what began for him as a side hustle, is actually blossoming to be his life's work. I met Len by way of one of my side hustles! After nurturing his side hustle for a year and a half, he quit his secure, government pension, full-time job, in order to grow his business. That's gutsy! Now leading a team of 15 people, he scrambles to keep up with demand. He's got a lot of knowledge to share about what it takes to create a successful side hustle and when and if to make it your full-time work. Be sure to catch the wrap up at the end of the show, where I drill down on 2 key takeaways from what Len shares. One will inspire you to reach out for advice, and the other will cause you see the distortion behind the feeling that you get when you think you can't do something that you really want to achieve. What You'll Hear: 03:30 Len describes his Indigenous leadership, innovation, & transformation consulting group 04:16 A pivotal moment - A tsunami of clients 06:20 Len's first side hustle attempt 09:28 A short prayer before going on stage (Note to Listener: Do your version of this before your next presentation) 11:09 First side hustle fell through the cracks 13:11 Someone found his side hustle website!!! 14:22 How the pandemic helped grow Len's side hustle 15:03 What it means to Indigenize 17:55 Giving up a pension and government-funded 9-5 job 18:58 The experience of finally quitting your 9-5 21:41 The moment Len made the decision to quit his corporate job 24:33 How a moment in my story and Len's are so aligned 26:50 Keeping up with demand, the most important element of growing his business! 27:25 The decision to start hiring and the business grows 29:06 An online course is a way for more people to receive your services (Note to Listener: Can what you do be taught in an online course?) 31:06 When to take action? Listen to your gut 32:06 Build your network with like-minded, like-hearted people 2 Key Takeaways 33:04 Build your network. The first step? ASK! Here's how to start 33:37 A life-changing realization…get this!!!! 34:24 Are your beliefs the truth? Nope. Not necessarily 34:30 The wisdom of Len's grandmother 35:54 Why you experience self-doubt How to find Len Pierre: Len Pierre Consulting website Instagram Facebook Connect With Joan: Instagram Facebook Joan's Main Site Email Be on the show! Be Our Guest

From selling fresh flowers on the side of the road, to pop-up Christmas Tree lots, to selling Phantom of the Opera jewelry at country markets, my side hustle journey has been diverse, to say the least. Today I answer the question, "Hey Joan, what's your side hustle story?" In today's episode, I share with you some of those stories, lessons learned, and a key action I've taken for every side hustle and business success I've achieved. Actually, it's more than just a key…it's vital to success. What You'll Hear: 01:56 Sell Christmas trees? Really? 03:58 The end of the tree side hustle 04:49 A life-changing perspective you've got to hear! 05:50 My first BIG goal 06:55 You have no idea of the depth of your potential 07:11 Who NOT to share your dreams with 08:40 Opportunities out West…or not? 09:49 The "Deli" side hustle 11:21 There is a creative process we can follow to achieve any result 13:40 Connecting with what you need 15:30 Launching a new concept 16:48 A key to every major success I've achieved 18:00 Turn your thoughts into Wanted things! Online Course: Turn Your Thoughts Into WANTED Things Let's Connect Instagram Facebook Joan's Main Site Email Be on the show! Be Our Guest

Wouldn't you love to wake up each morning with a joyful hunger and passion for your work? Today's Side Hustle Hero has found a way. Lauren Eckhardt was really good at her day job in human resources and was being promoted up through the ranks, but she knew her heart was elsewhere. She had tried a number of side hustles that didn't bring her the success AND fulfillment she sought. It took a "triple meltdown moment" in her kitchen, and a bout of covid to cause her to break through the chains of her old habit patterns which freed her to express her true gifts and finally start her dream side hustle. You'll hear that it took her less than a year to see her company grow from 0 to 6-figures. Her company Burning Soul Collective turns clients' life stories into powerful books that spark change. Be sure to catch the wrap-up at the end of the show, where I drill down on 2 key takeaways from what Lauren shares. Both have to do with you checking in on the congruence between what you're saying and what you're doing. Aligning those may be just what you need to jump to the level of success you know you can achieve. What You'll Hear: 02:29 Great reasons to start a side hustle! 03:20 Trying 5 different side hustles 04:31 Wanting success AND fulfillment 06:00 Being discouraged to follow what lights her up! 07:00 The consequence of not following your dream 07:42 The importance of your "why" 07:55 What it takes to change behaviour and why it's so difficult 10:09 The importance of leading by example 11:17 Lauren's life-changing triple meltdown moment 12:41 The one thing you can control 14:20 Can you actually get paid doing something you love??? 15:25 Her Covid silver lining 18:01 What happened the following week after making the decision to pursue her dream 25:50 Are we even going to survive this? 27:30 Wait until your company can afford to hire, or jump in anyway? 28:45 Hire contractors or employees? 31:26 Reaching the point where you can't imagine doing anything else 32:06 Lauren's #1 tip to help you take action 33:38 It took her months to go public with the news she started her company 34:58 Screw the fears! 35:19 The ripple effect of your decisions 37:30 When you make the decision and act to start your side hustle, you really don't appreciate how great your life can get 2 Key Takeaways: 37:57 We need to walk our talk. Actions do speak louder than words 39:00 Are you telling yourself a story? 39:41 Once a decision is made, the universe conspires to make it happen How To Find Lauren Eckhardt: Website - Burning Soul Collective Instagram Facebook Let's Connect Instagram Facebook Joan's Main Site Email Be on the show! Be Our Guest

It's hard to be online these days and not see ads from people on sailboats or standing next to their luxury cars claiming to make hundreds of thousands of dollars a month in e-commerce...they make it sound so easy, right? Today's guest is the perfect person to speak to the reality of what it takes to start and run a successful side hustle in e-commerce. But spoiler alert, her answer is sage advice for whatever is your industry of choice. By day, twenty-something Melissa Ng is a certified professional accountant working in Mergers & Acquisitions for a multinational company. Her side hustle is helping entrepreneurs get to where they want to be in their e-commerce businesses, through her company Launchers Academy. Not only can she speak to this from a numbers standpoint, she herself has successfully built a number of e-commerce stores, and has been able to remove herself from their day-to-day operations. Be sure to catch the wrap-up at the end of the show, where I hone in on 2 gems that Melissa shares. One is an attribute you've just got to embrace if you want to obtain the success you seek and the other is about why you really want to take stock of who you're spending your time with! What You'll Hear: 02:50 Having a steady income is a great time to start a side hustle 04:45 Active vs passive when choosing a side hustle 06:58 A potential life-changing gift you can give 08:13 Milestones achieved at Launchers Academy 10:58 The truth about e-commerce success 12:02 Shiny object syndrome 12:48 The secret sauce of e-commerce success 14:45 The value of community 16:40 Another benefit of starting your own business 17:24 What stops most people from starting their side hustle? 19:00 When I first started, "I had absolutely no idea what I was doing." 19:58 Be open to how you'll get to where you want to go 21:25 The reason you'll want to suspend judgment 2 Key Takeaways: 22:14 Be willing to put in the work & what's your motivation? 23:00 The value of a mastermind 23:20 Remember you are at choice 23:56 Thriving in uncertain times 24:35 Who are you surrounded by? How To Find Melissa Ng: Instagram TikTok Let's Connect Instagram Facebook Joan's Main Site Email Be on the show! Be Our Guest