Empathy Rising: Side Hustles for Therapists in Private Practice

Every business owner eventually comes to a crossroads: Do I keep going the way I have been, or do I do it differently? This very first episode sets the stage for what you can expect from The Experienced Entrepreneur. Every Monday: raw, real conversations about the long game of entrepreneurship. Not the Instagram highlight reels, not hustle culture advice that burns you out, but the steady rhythm of showing up year after year and letting your wisdom lead the way. If you've ever felt unseen in the online business world — like the conversations happening out there don't reflect where you actually are anymore — this podcast is for you. The Experienced Entrepreneur is about creating space for those of us who have been around the block, who know the highs and lows, and who are ready to embrace a different way of running our businesses. In this episode, I share why I stepped away for a while, what made me come back, and the triple meaning of the word experienced: Established in business (this isn't for beginners). Lived experience as a true life asset. Enriched and resourced — letting business fund a full, vibrant life. So if you've been searching for a place that affirms the value of your wisdom, normalizes the messy in-between seasons, and encourages you to keep building a business that feels steady and sustainable, you're home. Subscribe now so you never miss an episode, and join me every Monday for cozy conversations that feel like pulling up a chair at the kitchen table with a friend who gets it.

Here's the truth: your experience — the years you've put in, the pivots you've made, the resilience you've built — all of that together makes up your edge. In this episode, I talk about why seasoned entrepreneurs have something no quick-fix hack or brand-new trend can give: perspective. We've lived through cycles. We've survived launches that flopped and offers that soared. We know what it means to weather uncertainty. That lived experience is what sets you apart. If you've ever looked around online and felt like the advice you're seeing is aimed at beginners — and left you wondering if your years of work even matter anymore — let this episode affirm what you already know deep down: you're not behind. You're not irrelevant. You're experienced. And that's the most valuable asset you bring into this next chapter of business. I'll also share stories from my own journey — from my first coaching program in 2014, through Side Hustle Support Group, into Vital, and beyond — and how each season added a layer of wisdom I couldn't have fast-tracked. This conversation is about shifting the narrative. Experience isn't a liability. It's your superpower. Tune in for encouragement, clarity, and a reminder that you already have what it takes to keep building something steady, sustainable, and deeply fulfilling.

Maybe you pivoted. Maybe you paused. Maybe you powered through because you didn't know what else to do. If you've been in business for more than a few years, you know exactly what the entrepreneurial rollercoaster feels like. There are highs that feel euphoric and lows that leave you questioning everything. And the last few years — with the COVID boom and bust — amplified that rollercoaster for so many of us. In this episode, I unpack the three paths most entrepreneurs take when things get wobbly: pivoting, pausing, or powering through. I'll share the pros and cons of each, how to know which one might be right for you right now, and why none of them are wrong. Pivoting shows you're flexible. Pausing shows you're wise enough to rest. Powering through shows you're resilient. The key is recognizing that these seasons don't mean you're failing — they mean you're experienced. And once you reframe the rollercoaster years as part of the natural cycle of business, you stop second-guessing yourself and start feeling steadier, no matter what season you're in. If you've been beating yourself up for not “having it all together,” this episode will feel like a deep breath. You'll leave with language for your current season, perspective on why it matters, and clarity on what's next. Tune in to learn how to reframe the rollercoaster years and steady yourself for the long game.

Feeling overwhelmed by life's emotional rollercoaster while in the trenches of launching or growing your side hustle? In this Side Hustle Support Group spotlight episode, I'm interviewing Joyce Agne about her rewilding methods and her experience inside the Side Hustle Support Group program. Learn more about Side Hustle Support Group and apply here: https://marissalawton.com/side-hustle

How do emotions and side hustles mix? In this Side Hustle Spotlight episode, I'm interviewing, Joanne Kim who built a side hustle around helping people transform emotional challenges into strengths. Learn more about Side Hustle Support Group and apply here: https://marissalawton.com/side-hustle

Feeling stuck with your side hustle? Tune in as Kristin Tand from "In the Kitchen with Kristin" shares her journey, struggles, and triumphs in this Side Hustle Support Group spotlight episode. Learn more about Side Hustle Support Group and apply here: https://marissalawton.com/side-hustle

Feel overwhelmed balancing a side hustle with life's ups and downs? Tune into this Side Hustle Support Group Spotlight Episode, where Edla Prevette shares her journey of building a side hustle while supporting aging parents and personal responsibilities.  Learn more about Side Hustle Support Group and apply here: https://marissalawton.com/side-hustle 

When you're building an online business, you need to consider which marketing strategies are going to suit you long-term. If you already know jumping into social media with both feet isn't something you can commit to, don't let the pressure get to you.  Tune into the latest podcast episode to find out.  If you want more resources and show notes, check out http://marissalawton.com/podcast  

Want to know my method for getting better results in less time? Tune into the latest podcast episode to learn about the cornerstone strategy I teach within Side Hustle Support Group. If you want more resources and show notes, check out http://marissalawton.com/podcast

Being in alignment means your authentic values are at the core of what you do. In my latest podcast episode, I go deep and share my own personal lesson in this and also talk about how you can cultivate a more intentional lifestyle.  If you want more resources and show notes, check out http://marissalawton.com/podcast

Rest is active. Rest is productive. Hard to believe in a time where output seems like the most important thing! Let's dive into this topic together in my latest episode, “How to Have Patience With Your Goals”

I'm getting personal and sharing how battling back from burnout has brought me to where I am now, and what I'm shifting for 2021 to make my business and life work seamlessly.  If you want more resources and show notes, check out http://marissalawton.com/podcast

The truth is there's no such thing as a saturated market - it's a myth! Listen in on the podcast to learn more. If you want more resources and show notes, check out http://marissalawton.com/podcast

Is Side Hustle a good fit for you, or should you just do more therapy? The latest podcast episode can help you decide just that. Listen now.   If you want more resources and show notes, check out http://marissalawton.com/podcast

Knowing how to identify your ideal customer the right way is the key to a successful online income stream. Listen to learn why and what you can do about it.  If you want more resources and show notes, check out http://marissalawton.com/podcast

Why create a membership offer in your online biz? Because it offers camaraderie for your clients and consistent income for you. Learn more about the ins and outs of membership offers here. If you want more resources and show notes, check out http://marissalawton.com/podcast

Like all offers, courses have their pros and cons. The question is: Do the pros outweigh the cons for you? Find out here.  If you want more resources and show notes, check out http://marissalawton.com/podcast

Are group programs a perfect-fit offer for you? Discover the pros and cons of running a group program in your side hustle here. If you want more resources and show notes, check out http://marissalawton.com/podcast

Psst! .. did you know you can raise your income simply by utilizing skills you already possess? Tune into this episode to find out how you can turn your know-how into a lucrative coaching business. If you want more resources and show notes, check out http://marissalawton.com/podcast

Ready to take on a role that allows you to take ownership of your work and allows for inspired action? Learn more about reclaiming your career autonomy in this latest podcast episode. If you want more resources and show notes, check out http://marissalawton.com/podcast

You don't need a permission slip to go after what you want … but if you need a reminder of why starting a side hustle and increasing your income isn't selfish, it's right here. If you want more resources and show notes, check out http://marissalawton.com/podcast  

Whether you've started a side hustle already or still thinking about it, there's an underlying factor that's driving you. Curious what yours is? Tune in to the latest podcast episode and find out. If you want more resources and show notes, check out http://marissalawton.com/

Two things that are really amazing to get when starting your side hustle: customer validation and a cash injection. Find out how to get BOTH in my latest podcast episode. If you want more resources and show notes, check out http://marissalawton.com/podcast 

The type of side hustle you create will dictate how you spend your time within it. Find out how in this podcast episode. If you want more resources and show notes, check out http://marissalawton.com/podcast

As a therapist, you already have transferable skills that make you the perfect candidate for starting a side hustle. Tune in to the latest podcast episode to learn more. If you want more resources and show notes, check out http://marissalawton.com/podcast

Ready to get your side hustle off the ground? Let's talk numbers so you can learn the math behind shrinking your caseload.  If you want more resources and show notes, check out http://marissalawton.com/podcast

Is Side Hustle a good fit for you, or should you just do more therapy? The latest podcast episode can help you decide just that. If you want more resources and show notes, check out http://marissalawton.com/podcast

Are arbitrary rules running your business, or are you? In this Q4 Biz Bestie chat, Marissa and Lee share their stories on reconstructing what full-time work is. Tune in here.  If you want more resources and show notes, check out http://marissalawton.com/podcast

I became a side hustle beginner…again! Check out the latest podcast episode to hear what it was like for me to build a new side hustle from the ground up in 2022. 

Kaci took her passion for finance and blended it with her therapy background to create a profitable side hustle! Discover how here.  If you want more resources and show notes, check out http://marissalawton.com/podcast

Is your role in traditional therapy keeping you from making the impact you desire? Discover how an online business could help you help even more people.  If you want more resources and show notes, check out http://marissalawton.com/podcast

Is your gut telling you to start a side hustle? Jenny's did, and now her online business supports trauma therapists and helps them avoid burnout. Hear her business-building journey here.  If you want more resources and show notes, check out http://marissalawton.com/podcast

Does your online business serve the BIPOC population? Don't miss this recent podcast episode with Abby and Grace who built complementary BIPOC-focused side hustles. If you want more resources and show notes, check out http://marissalawton.com/podcast

Ready to go BIG with your side hustle? Listen to the recent podcast episode to find out the specific aspects of Side Hustle Support Group that helped Jen bring her exciting idea to life.   If you want more resources and show notes, check out http://marissalawton.com/podcast

Pssst: Side Hustle Support Group isn't just for therapists! Tune into the podcast and learn how Annie, a behaviour analyst/IEP advocate applied the principles and techniques she learned in Side Hustle to get more out of her offer.  If you want more resources and show notes, check out http://marissalawton.com/podcast

If your goal is to build a “perfect” side hustle, you may be circumventing the most profound parts of the process. Don't miss out!  If you want more resources and show notes, check out http://marissalawton.com/podcast

Can fear low-key sabotage the success of your side hustle? Discover how it could be holding you back on the most recent episode of Empathy Rising.  If you want more resources and show notes, check out http://marissalawton.com/podcast

How can you protect your financial security during an economic recession or other unpredictable circumstance? Find out on the latest podcast episode. If you want more resources and show notes, check out http://marissalawton.com/podcast

If you've been waiting to start your own side hustle because you're hesitant to invest in yourself, tune into the latest podcast episode and find out why investing in you is always a safe bet.  If you want more resources and show notes, check out http://marissalawton.com/podcast

Where should you start in building your first offer? Start with the 5 Ps. Find out what those are and how to use them in the latest podcast episode.

How can you quickly and easily build trust around the selling feature of your online biz? Listen to the latest podcast episode and find out. If you want more resources and show notes, check out http://marissalawton.com/podcast

What are you REALLY selling? Learn the key differences between selling yourself and selling your offers in the latest podcast episode.  If you want more resources and show notes, check out http://marissalawton.com/podcast

Like the idea of making more money? Tune into the latest podcast episode to get your side hustle motivation activated. If you want more resources and show notes, check out http://marissalawton.com/podcast