Side Hustle to Small Business

D'Nai Walker is not a naturally organized person. It wasn't until she discovered professional organizer Marie Kondo that she got into the practice. When she was laid off, she started doing it on the side, until she was encouraged to go all in. She founded D'Clutter by D'Nai, an organizing company that specializes in senior downsizing, home organization, and productivity solutions.   -Chapters- 00:00 Intro 5:52 Overcoming nerves 7:49 Determining your path 8:31 Finding your first clients 10:04 Navigating client work 13:58 Marketing tools 16:41 Staying organized in your small business 20:52 Setting boundaries 22:53 Health and Wellness 26:08 Technology and apps 27:37 Reflecting on the business 29:21 Advice  30:25 Closing and contact

Doug Bard and his father, Bob, have been inventing for most of their lives. However, their greatest idea yet is that of tape. Specifically, moving tape where you can always find the end of the roll. It's called Wave Tape. Now, as they reimagine a simple solution to a universal issue, the duo is continuing to find success in the market.   -Chapters- 00:00 Intro 6:02 - Entrepreneurial background 7:17 The history of Wave Tape 11:25 Sales and distribution 18:14 Overcoming nerves 19:28 Balancing full time work with a side hustle 21:48 Exercise routines 22:53 Helpful technology and apps 23:53 Marketing the product 27:34 Long term vision 29:19 Reflecting back on the business 30:22 Advice for other entrepreneurs 31:18 Closing and contact

Jordan Lawson has always loved drawing, coloring, and creating art as a whole. When he was in college, he was inspired by an art entrepreneurship class to start his own business. However, when he graduated, he started working for the government instead. After nine years there, he was ready to make the leap. Jordan founded Ground Zero Studios, a branding studio that helps organizations stand out from their competition.   -Chapters- 00:00 Intro 7:26 Overcoming nerves 11:36 Making the leap into entrepreneurship 14:16 Building a branding studio 18:37 Getting clients 22:31 Managing stress 25:11 Using AI as an artist 28:39 Reflecting back on the business 30:34 Closing and contact

After spending many years as an Executive Assistant, Ethan Bull unexpectedly faced layoffs, forcing him to reconsider his career path. With his severance package as a financial cushion, Ethan and his wife, Stephanie, launched ProAssisting, a fractional EA company. Their business focuses on connecting highly skilled EAs with top-level executives, offering flexible, high-quality support without the need for a full-time hire.   -Chapters- 00:00 Intro 4:32 Entrepreneurial background 6:35 Starting ProAssisting 14:51 Keeping up with technology 16:16 Using AI in the company 19:44 Delegating tasks to an assistant 22:16 The future of the business 28:17 Work-life balance 31:51 Looking back on the business 34:27 Advice to other entrepreneurs 36:23 Closing and contact

While browsing the Golf subreddit, David Paxton saw a lot of people posting deals on golf gear. Looking through these deals was fun, but it was also time-consuming if you were looking for a specific item. So Paxton created Daily Golf Steals, automating the deals to help golfers find what they wanted faster. He still runs the business as a side hustle while working a full-time job.   -Chapters- 00:00 Intro 2:52 - Entrepreneurial background 4:53 Building DailyGolfSteals  9:14 Overcoming nerves  10:27 Keeping costs low  12:13 Using  automation tools 16:30 Marketing tools 18:17 Managing work-life balance and setting boundaries 24:34 Looking to the future 27:07 Advice for other entrepreneurs  28:55 Closing and contact 

Kris Louis entered the world of audio/visual by chance while job hunting during the 2008 recession. After several years in the industry, his frustration with the way his employer operated pushed him to take the leap of quitting to start his own successful AV company. Kris credits failure for shaping his journey, teaching him to stay open to multiple paths rather than limiting himself to a single direction.   -Chapters- 00:00 intro 3:26 Entrepreneurial background 5:57 Starting the business 9:20 Failure within the business 11:45 Staying innovative in the AV industry 14:23 Transitioning from employee to business owner 17:09 Revenue 18:31 The impact of COVID-19 20:38 Challenges in the business 22:44 Team culture 27:31 Managing stress 30:05 Reflecting back on the business 31:06 Advice for other entrepreneurs 31:50 Closing and contact

Rachel Donnelly was just starting her career and raising two small children when her parents passed on. As she struggled with settling estates, bank accounts, and other various paperwork, she knew there had to be a better way. It was at this time that Rachel thought of the idea for After Light, an end-of-life and legacy planning service. With six years under her belt, Rachel has now written the book “Late To Your Own Funeral” which is out now.   -Chapters- 00:00 Intro 8:05 Finding the first client 10:13 Transitioning from side hustle to small business 11:42 Overcoming nerves 13:32 Balancing life and work 15:26 AD 15:48 Entrepreneurial past 16:43 The future of the business 20:02 Building potential competitors  23:48 Advice for other entrepreneurs  25:53 Reflecting on the business 26:52 Dealing with burnout 27:49 Contact and Rachel's new book

Monisha Longacre has many titles. She is an author, a fractional COO at two different companies, and the founder of priorigami, a productivity app aimed at helping entrepreneurs be the most productive they can be. As an expert in productivity, Monisha shares her insights on timeblocking, managing multiple roles, and being transparent with your employees.   -Chapters- 00:00 Introduction 4:26 Launching a side hustle 6:18 Advice on delegating work 8:10 Balancing multiple part-time jobs and side hustles 9:53 Learning to say no 13:06 Timeblocking 16:30 Looking ahead in the long term 17:26 Comparing small and large organizations 19:39 Overcoming nerves 22:33 Managing time in a day 25:41 Advice to those wanting to start a side hustle 27:32 Reflecting back 28:56 Closing and contact

Bobby Aldridge, a sports kinesiologist based in California, has been an athlete and has worked with athletes for as long as he can remember. After having two hip replacement surgeries, Bobby was inspired to create his business BAMmetrics Systems, and within that, “The Bobby Aldridge Method”, a method he uses to help athletes alleviate pain, avoid injury, increase mobility, and improve functional movement.   -Chapters- 00:00 - Intro 4:30 - First entrepreneurial experience 9:36 - Starting BAM metrics 12:28 - Managing your time with a side hustle 14:51 - Exercise and wellbeing  16:05 - Details of BAM Metrics  20:34 - Marketing the business 22:45 - Moving the business online 24:35 - Building partnerships in business 25:45 - Overcoming nerves 28:00 - Reflecting on the business 32:38 - Closing and contact 

As an experienced marketer, Amy Moudy Comeau has seen her fair share of marketing emergencies. However, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit while Amy was working in health care marketing, it seemed like every day brought a new crisis. It was at this time that Amy started sending out weekly inspirational emails to her team, which lead to her writing the book Every Storm Runs Out of Rain, which offers a peek behind the curtain of these challenging times.   Chapters 00:00 - Intro and background 7:23 - Making the leap into entrepreneurship 16:08 - Building a personal brand 19:42 - Avoiding a personal crisis when leaving your company 21:31 - Overcoming nerves 23:15 - Dealing with self-doubt 26:07 - Advice for leading through a crisis 29:14 - Closing and contact

00:00 - Intro 7:38 - Entrepreneurial History 8:51 - Transition into a full-time business 10:56 - Finding your first customers 12:40 - Overcoming nerves 14:54 - Hiring staff members 18:47 - Balancing speed and creativity 21:23 - Implementing sketching into your business 23:24 - William's favorite stories 26:12 - Work-life balance 28:10 - Technology recommendations  30:12 - What would you do differently? 31:54 - Advice for other entrepreneurs 33:44 - Closing and contact

With a background in the nonprofit and fundraising space, Grace Nelson was pursuing her MBA when she started taking on consulting jobs on the side. After graduating, what started as a few side projects quickly grew into a full-fledged business. Now she is the CEO of Magenta Strategy, a consulting firm that specializes in helping nonprofits develop strategic, sustainable fundraising solutions that drive long-term impact.  00:00 intro 3:09 - entrepreneurial background 11:09 - Navigating the nonprofit world 13:35 - Challenge Forecast 17:25 - Nonprofits vs. For profit' 22:20 - Reflecting on entrepreneurial journey 24:38 - Growing as a leader 26:20 - Establishing boundaries 28:30 - What is one thing you would do differently? 30:20 - Advice for other entrepreneurs  32:34 - Closing and contact

Joselyne Walter has seen her fair share of corporate jobs. In these environments, even with large budgets, she found that there was a gap in resources. It was then that she got the idea for The Digg Agency, a marketing agency that helps organizations execute high scale projects. By leveraging AI, Joselyne efficiently scaled her business during its early stages, paving the way for long-term success.   Chapters 00:00 - Intro  4:44 - Starting the Digg Agency 9:03 - Managing work-life balance 10:12 - Maintaining exercise practices 12:17 - The impact of AI 13:52 - Challenges of incorporating AI  14:58 - Upcoming trends and tools in AI 16:10 - Impact of AI on teams 17:18 - Reflecting on past mistakes 18:18 - Advice from Jocelyn  20:45 - Encouraging words 21:53 - Closing and Contact

Candess Correll started her career as a Software Engineer by day, and NFL cheerleader by night. However, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Candess found she was ready to retire from cheerleading. Around the same time, inspired by the reality television series “Selling Sunset”, she decided to make the leap into entrepreneurship by launching her real estate career. Now, Candess is a successful realtor with over $6 million in sales and mentors other young realtors.   - Chapters -  00:00:00 Introduction and Background 00:02:55 Computer Science to Cheer Captain 00:06:25 Transparency for Flexibility 00:08:53 Selling Sunset 00:11:03 Confidence in Corporate 00:14:44 Security in the Unknown 00:18:08 Building Hustle with Brand 00:19:56 Empowering Young Women 00:21:52 Opportunities Worth Chasing 00:24:34 Managing Expectations 00:26:58 Define Your WHY 00:28:38 Closing

Diane Helbig, the Founder of Helbig Enterprises and host of the Accelerate Your Business Growth podcast, specializes in helping small business owners achieve success. As an expert in business growth, Diane helps businesses that struggle with sales, accountability, systems and productivity. Tune is as she joins Sanjay to explore common business mistakes, how to decide whether to expand your business, hiring the right help, and more.   - Chapters -  00:00:00 Introduction and Background 00:03:55 Facing a Startup Head on 00:06:07 Systems and Structure for Growth 00:12:24 Common Revenue Mistakes 00:15:06 How to Let Go of the Reigns 00:17:14 Market Expansion 101 00:21:10 Slow-Walk Responsibilities 00:26:26 Be Particular with Partnerships 00:30:55 Closing

In 2007, Sarah Martin McConnell founded Music for Seniors, a Nashville-based nonprofit, inspired by her mother's diagnosis with Alzheimer's disease. Recognizing that older adults often experience greater isolation than other groups, Sarah, a musician herself, saw an opportunity to make a difference. The organization offers live, interactive music programs designed to engage, entertain, and educate seniors, fostering health and well-being.   - Chapters -  00:00:00 Introduction and Background 00:03:09 Writing with Walter Hyatt 00:06:22 Caroling for Profit 00:08:17 Tumbling Staircases 00:14:28 Charge for Your Creativity 00:18:13 Follow Your Bliss 00:21:24 Support of Music City 00:25:27 COVID Courtyard Concerts 00:28:45 Finding the Experts 00:31:00 Closing

Today we are joined by two entrepreneurs to discuss work-life balance. Dr. Alice Rizzi is a Psychologist based in New York City, specializing in helping individuals overcome fear and self-doubt, manage their stress, and gain confidence. Adam Walker is a long-time entrepreneur, having founded multiple companies over his career. Join us as we discuss determining your values, setting boundaries, and useful tips on achieving work-life balance.   - Chapters -  00:00:00 Introduction and Background 00:04:58 Defining Work-Life Balance 00:06:33 Personal Values Impact Life 00:08:38 Getting Out of Sync 00:09:41 Physical Health Issues 00:12:52 Does Tech Affect Work-Life? 00:15:03 Finding Balance in Busy-ness 00:17:22 Tools for Task Management 00:19:55 Less Work = Higher Quality 00:20:38 Reflect for Successful Balance 00:21:36 Closing

Kevin Sandlin is a Serial Entrepreneur based in Atlanta, Georgia. Over the course of his career, he has started eleven businesses, and as a result, is no stranger to failure. Currently, Kevin is the Chief Operating Officer of Transcend LV, a low-voltage wiring and cabling business. In today's episode Sanjay and Kevin take a deep dive into what failure means for an entrepreneur, how to overcome it, and mistakes to avoid going forward.    Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Entrepreneurial Background 3:33 - History of Failure 10:14 - Changing outlook on failure 13:15 - An investor's role in overcoming failure 18:00 - Support for entrepreneurs around failure 22:36 - Managing risk 27:03 - Closing and contact    

Josh Russell is a musician-turned-photographer. After touring for ten years in the country rap space, building his skills as a musician, as well as photographer and videographer, Josh decided to go all in on photography. Now he owns Josh Russell Photography, a photography company based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Plus, through his coaching business, Josh teaches other photographers on how to overcome Imposter Syndrome and build their businesses. - Chapters -  00:00:00 Introduction and Background 00:04:33 The Hustler Mentality 00:06:28 Genres of Entrepreneurship 00:07:56 Shedding a Business 00:11:07 Get Rid of Imposter Syndrome 00:13:34 “If You're Not Terrified, You're Not Charging” 00:17:04 Entrepreneurialism and ADHD 00:22:14 Comfort in the Uncomfortable 00:24:33 Extensions of AI 00:26:45 Side Hustling with an iPhone  00:27:51 Focus = Fast Growth 00:31:08 Closing

Ashley Mikkelsen is passionate about teaching Spanish. However, when she had her first child, she realized that it was difficult to balance teaching and motherhood. It was at this point that she transitioned her side hustle of creating educational resources for other Spanish teachers to her full-time job. Srta Spanish looks to provide Spanish teachers with resources to amplify their classes through reading, games, lesson plans, and more. - Chapters - 00:00:00 Introduction and Background 00:02:23 Long Lines of Educators 00:04:30 Impact of Great Teachers 00:06:20 Professional Learning Communities 00:08:49 Budgeting in Your Side Hustle 00:12:34 Side Hustle to Full-Time Hustle 00:15:18 Data Tools for SEO 00:18:15 Learning other Languages 00:22:07 Bumping Elbows with Elites 00:27:03 Balancing Business at Home 00:28:59 Outsourcing for Optimization 00:32:24 Closing

This episode kicks off a three-part series where we take a deep dive into a topic alongside seasoned professionals. In this episode, we're focusing on marketing strategies for small businesses. We are joined by Jon Katinsky, the President of Hothouse, a branding and design house, as well as Javier Santana, the Chief Experience Officer of Chemistry Agency. We discuss social media marketing, influencer marketing, and emerging marketing trends.   - Chapters -  00:00:00 Introduction and Background 00:07:44 The Attention Economy 00:09:02 Unify Your Marketing Voice 00:13:44 Balance Between Branding and Performance 00:20:08 Competitive Audits and Analysis 00:25:39 The Affect of Influencer Marketing 00:34:28 Enhancing Customer Experience 00:36:07 Marketing Mistakes 00:39:39 QA & QC for Marketing Process 00:42:46 Emerging Strategies 00:45:38 Closing

Brian Parenteau never wanted to work weekends. However, when he found himself bartending at a local restaurant, he quickly fell in love with the industry. As he rose the ranks within the restaurant space and found himself helping organizations open new restaurants, he realized he could do it on his own. Fast-forward to today, Brian is the owner of four restaurants and bars in Florida, with hopes of expanding into other states.   - Chapters-  00:00:00 Introduction and Background 00:05:13 Humbling Roots 00:07:55 Buying VS Starting Businesses 00:10:04 First Year Losses 00:12:42 Pandemic Pivots 00:16:14 Elevated And Edgier Concepts 00:18:36 Bartender to Entrepreneur 00:23:34 Sam Malone at Cheers 00:26:42 Living Humble 00:29:07 The Best Apps 00:30:29 Closing

D.R. Fay is the Founder of Mouthy Broad Media, a podcast production company that specializes in editing, graphic design and strategy. Beginning her career as a musician, D.R. travelled Asia for close to a decade before coming home to the States and transitioning into corporate roles. When she was 62, while those around her were retiring, D.R. ventured into entrepreneurship and hasn't looked back.   - Chapters - 00:00 - Introduction 06:59 - First entrepreneurial venture later in life 09:37 - Overcoming nerves 11:29 - Managing stress & health problems 21:00 - Advice for other entrepreneurs 23:21 - Closing and contact  

Matt Gluckman has worn many hats. From working at a produce stand to running a real estate company, Matt has always had an entrepreneurial spirit. Now, Matt owns Think Fitness Life, a remote personal training company, with his business partner Eric. From his past job experiences, Matt has mastered the skills of communication and thrives on helping individuals become their best selves through personal training.   - Chapters - 00:00 - Introduction 04:49 - Matt's work history and transferable skills 11:14 - Overcoming nerves 12:47 - Having a business partner in a different state 15:32 - Balancing stress 17:33 - Setting boundaries 22:37 - What Matt would have done differently 26:02 - Advice to other entrepreneurs 26:35 - Closing and contact information

Aaron Ryan loves all things creative, but has found that writing has been his number one source of inspiration and drive. He is the author of The Dissonance series, a science fiction series based on the idea of aliens visiting earth. Since having started writing a year ago, Aaron has already penned six books in the series. Writing has not only become his creative passion but also the driving force that propels him forward in his life and career.   - Chapters - 00:00:00 Introduction and Background 00:03:35 What's A Kool Aid Stand? 00:05:57 The 80's Comic Books 00:11:29 Writing A Book Every Sixty Days 00:15:24 Dissonance: The Lack Of Harmony 00:17:19 Do You Believe? 00:21:48 Pear-Shaped Men 00:25:36 Entrepreneurial Blurred Lines 00:27:02 Listening To The Voice Within 00:30:15 Endorsement Does Not Equal Trajectory 00:33:10 Closing Remarks

Kate Wallace and Blake Chasen first met while working at the same startup. Through their work together, not only did they come to realize that they have great synergy in the office, but also personally as well. With a background in writing, Blake found his niche in custom storytelling online during the pandemic. Now, the couple owns Avenue Stories, an AI-powered storytelling app for children that allows you to custom build characters and stories.    - Chapters -  00:00:00 Introduction and Background 00:02:24 Side Hustle, Small Business, Marriage 00:05:41 Peddling Up The Ladder 00:09:57 Excitement Outweighing Risk 00:10:50 Burning Out And Growing Up 00:14:38 NFTs Are A NO 00:16:51 Shifting The Infield 00:20:43 Failure Will Fix It 00:24:39 Fundraising Frenzy 00:30:52 Opportunity In AI 00:34:08 Closing

Winnifred Tataw has been writing for as long as she can remember, and has been a professional author for eight years. During the pandemic, Winnifred was looking for ways to better support the indie publishing industry. It was then that she decided to launch Win's Books Publishing, which officially opened in April of 2024. Now, Winnifred and her team support a handful of authors through their publishing process.

Dawn Kennedy is an attorney, author, and podcaster. In 2020, her husband Mike received a roaster and some coffee beans for Christmas. After tasting his coffee, Dawn bet him he could sell it online. Not expecting much, they made a Facebook post and ended up selling eleven bags. From there, Convoy Road Coffee Roasters was born. Fast-forward to this year, Dawn and Mike have five employees and bring in six-figures of revenues annually.    - Chapters - 00:00:00 Introduction and Background 00:02:23 Coffee: The Cottage Food 00:04:40 Bottlenecks of Business 00:08:18 Transitioning from Side Hustle 00:10:10 Illicit Deals 00:12:27 Growing Organically 00:15:33 Certified Coffee Cuppers 00:19:29 Working hard or hardly working? 00:21:10 Origin of the Month 00:23:10 Overcoming Fear, Moving Forward 00:25:10 “Well, that's cute.” 00:26:58 The ROASTMASTER 00:30:04 Closing

When Michelle Choairy's son was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder, she found that there were not enough resources out there for parents going through the same thing as her. This is when she founded Wisdom4ComplexKids, an organization focused on providing resources and building community with parents of children with similar needs. Now, Michelle's goal is to create the best life for her family and other families who have complex children.   - Chapters -  00:00:00 Introduction and Background 00:03:14 A Lack of Resources 00:05:26 The Catalyst for Change 00:08:55 “This is Awful” 00:10:57 Complex Kids 00:12:18 Deep Dive on Diagnosis 00:15:19 Putting Yourself Out There 00:16:57 The Big Picture 00:19:47 It Takes a Village 00:23:42 Misinformation 00:28:05 They Need You 00:29:40 Closing

Stephanie Shanks has always had an entrepreneurial spirit, from selling livestock in her youth to owning a message therapy practice. It wasn't until her first child was born that she discovered her passion for photography. With the encouragement of her community, she founded Staphanie Shanks Photography in 2011. When she realized she wasn't charging enough, she changed her rates and increased her revenue tenfold.    Chapters 00:00 Introduction and background 5:56 Photography background 7:54 Going all in 9:17 Setting rates 12:47 Overcoming nerves 14:38 Investing back in the business 16:25 Balancing life and the business 18:04 Finding your personal style 21:11 Managing stress 23:37 Setting boundaries 25:15 Looking back 25:50 Advice for other entrepreneurs 26:28 Closing

Jeff Revilla started his entrepreneurial journey in the early 2000's by opening a mail order skateboard shop. After that business went under during the 2008 financial crisis, Jeff's entrepreneurial spirit never went away. In June of 2024, he opened Poduty Live, a podcasting and live event theater based in Tarentum, Pennsylvania. This space allows Jeff to connect podcasters and local and virtual talent to excited audience members.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction and background 6:02 Finding the right space for your new business 11:43 Overcoming nerves 13:23 Revenue 18:02 Managing a side hustle while working full-time 21:18 Looking back on the business 22:57 Advice for other entrepreneurs 26:28 Technology recommendations 28:07 Closing and contact

Formally a courtroom attorney, Amity Gleason first gained an interest in jewelry design when she was getting married. As someone with an appreciation of gothic style, she found most jewelry on the market didn't match this style and instead followed the same cookie cutter patterns. This inspired her to start Amity Alexandra Jewelry Design, a jewelry company focused on making one-of-a-kind pieces that don't break the bank.   Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and background 6:57 - Jewelry making process 10:35 - Overcoming fears and finding clients 14:11 - Work-life balance 16:14 - Building your brand 18:58 - Saving money 22:08 - Entrepreneurship and parenthood 25:39 - Setting boundaries 27:36 - Looking back 28:30 - Advice for other entrepreneurs 30:05 - Closing and contact  

As a military spouse, Bonnie Conrad was tired of starting at a new job everywhere she moved. In 2018, she decided to take the leap into entrepreneurship by founding I Built This, a furniture building company. Through selling furniture, she discovered digital marketing and decided to dive into it full-time by founding Second You. In 2023, she merged her business with Inn8ly, a website technology company, to expand her impact in the digital space.   Chapters   00:00 - Introduction and background 8:10 - Entrepreneurial background 10:59 - Overcoming nerves and starting the business 13:15 - Balancing life and entrepreneurship  15:31 - Merging with another business 20:00 - Helpful technology and apps 20:40 - Looking back 23:46 - Advice for other entrepreneurs  25:53 - Social media strategy advice 26:49 - Closing and contact

Ryan Klee is the Co-Founder of Rootstock, an organization dedicated to helping ambitious leaders and businesses expand their brands and scale their operations. Rootstock achieves this by harnessing the power of strategic thinking, refining compelling narratives, and sharing those stories with broader audiences. With a background in PR, Ryan grew tired of the traditional 9 to 5 routine and, along with a colleague, launched the business in 2021.   Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and background 3:30 - Venturing into entrepreneurship 7:46 - Finding clients 9:18 - Origin of the company name 10:13 - Shifting business models 17:41 - Resonating with clients 22:30 - Looking back 26:31 - Advice for fellow entrepreneurs 28:34 - Closing and contact

With a background in marketing, Chris Van Nostrand never envisioned himself becoming an entrepreneur. It wasn't until his late 30s, seeking a change, that he decided to transform his lifelong passion for powerlifting into a full-time career. This shift coincided with the pandemic, bringing numerous learning opportunities along the way, including owning a virtual business and customer acquisition.   - Chapters -  00:00 - Introduction 3:10 - Entrepreneurial background 6:22 - Funding the business 7:30 - Impact of the pandemic 8:50 - Overcoming nerves 10:28 - Finding your market and services offered 14:55 - Tracking costs and customer acquisition 17:52 - Making the leap into full-time entrepreneurship 26:58 - Health and Wellness 29:47 - Reflecting back on the business 32:00 - Closing and contact

When Samantha Mittman Besnoff started college, she had dreams of being an accountant at a one of the big 6 firms. However, after having children, she discovered that she wanted the flexibility that a traditional 9 to 5 cannot offer. She then turned her side hustle of helping folks with their taxes into her full-time gig. Now, Samantha runs Your Financial Maven, a successful accounting business. She also hosts the Your Financial Maven podcast.   - Chapters - 00:00 - Intro 4:15 - Entrepreneurial Background 8:28 - Overcoming nerves 12:10 - Your Financial Maven podcast 14:49 - Managing stress 20:12 - Looking back on the business 23:44 - Technology recommendations 25:02 - Advice for other entrepreneurs 26:46 - Closing and contact

Monica Helvie started her career as a licensed therapist in community mental health, but found it challenging to balance her personal life with her work, causing her to experience intense burnout. In 2018, she decided to open her own private practice, giving her the freedom to set her own hours and choose her clients. Using the skills she learned with her burnout experience, Monica specializes in helping clients navigate their own experiences with burnout.   - Chapters - 00:00 - Intro 3:02 - Entrepreneurial background 4:44 - Community Mental Health 5:41 - Making the leap into entrepreneurship 8:09 - Overcoming nerves and managing stress 14:17 - Setting boundaries 19:30 - Looking back on the business 22:20 - Advice for other entrepreneurs 23:50 - Closing and connect

Tiffany Hopkins is a certified health coach and nutrition specialist. Having experienced substance abuse in the past, Tiffany has found her passion in helping individuals, and more specifically mothers, take back control of their lives by quitting alcohol. She is the founder of two companies: her own private counseling practice and Mind and Body Restoration LLC, a sober health coaching business.   - Chapters - 00:00 - Introduction 4:21 - Entrepreneurial background 8:52 - Business challenges and nerves 12:35 - Looking back on the business 16:36 - Advice for other entrepreneurs 21:22 - Closing and Connect with Tiffany

Bryson Tarbet is an elementary school teacher turned entrepreneur. While completing his Masters, Bryson discovered that many programs do not give you the necessary skills to become an elementary school teacher. To help solve this issue, Bryson founded That Music Teacher, an online platform that supplies elementary school music teachers with educational resources for their students and personal development content for themselves.   - Chapters - 00:00 - Intro 04:39 - Entrepreneurial background 07:08 - Overcoming nerves 08:31 - Family reaction 12:08 - Going all in 14:15 - Building a team 15:10 - Looking back on the business 17:17 - Advice for other entrepreneurs 18:56 - Determining the name of the business 20:10 - Monthly membership 25:05 - Closing and contact

Tim Holmes is the founder of Kingdom Quest, a toy company based in Columbus, Ohio. While working for another business, he discovered 3D printing and began creating small pieces that he would use dowel rods to connect. Initially, he didn't think this would interest anyone, but after visiting local schools and STEAM events, the product, which is called Nurkl, gained traction fast and officially launched at the end of 2023.   - Chapters - 00:00 - Introduction 03:43 - Sports background 07:28 - Entrepreneurial background 08:58 - Start of business and issues with business partners 17:09 - Managing stress 20:38 - Setting boundaries 23:45 - Looking back and regrets 25:21 - Advice for fellow entrepreneurs 27:16 - Closing and connect

Matt Gluckman has worn many hats. From working at a produce stand to running a real estate company, Matt has always had an entrepreneurial spirit. Now, Matt owns Think Fitness Life, a remote personal training company, with his business partner Eric. From his past job experiences, Matt has mastered the skills of communication and thrives on helping individuals become their best selves through personal training.   - Chapters - 00:00 - Introduction 04:27 - Matt's work history and transferable skills 10:52 - Overcoming nerves 12:48 - Having a business partner in a different state 15:34 - Balancing stress 17:36 - Setting boundaries 22:40 - What Matt would have done differently 26:05 - Advice to other entrepreneurs 26:38 - Closing and contact information

D.R. Fay is the Founder of Mouthy Broad Media, a podcast production company that specializes in editing, graphic design and strategy. Beginning her career as a musician, D.R. travelled Asia for close to a decade before coming home to the States and transitioning into corporate roles. When she was 62, while those around her were retiring, D.R. ventured into entrepreneurship and hasn't looked back.   - Chapters - 00:00 - Introduction 06:59 - First entrepreneurial venture later in life 09:37 - Overcoming nerves 11:29 - Managing stress & health problems 21:00 - Advice for other entrepreneurs 23:21 - Closing and contact  

Paige Stuart had been renting a storage locker for eleven years when she decided it was time to sort through and organize her belongings. This experience left her feeling so inspired that she founded Neat Organizing. Neat Organizing specializes in decluttering spaces, providing unpacking assistance for those who have recently moved, transforming rooms into more functional and pleasing areas, and more.  --- [00:01:42] How Unpacking a Storage Unit Catalyzed a Business [00:03:20] Learning Curve of Entrepreneurship [00:05:32] Finding Clients: Social Media, Networking, Referrals [00:07:06] Overcoming Imposter Syndrome [00:09:32] Handling Client Emotions [00:10:38] Six Weeks On, Six Days Off [00:12:40] Building Her Team [00:13:46] Finding Time for Sun and Socializing [00:15:16] Managing Accounting, Bills, and Expenses [00:17:10] Hindsight Advice? Delegate More. [00:18:50] Paige's Repeat Clients [00:20:58] Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs [00:21:30] Connect with Paige

Nick Courtright envisioned a life for himself in academia. However, after losing out on a teaching position in 2018, he was forced to dive deeper into his side hustle, book publishing. From this, Nick founded Atmosphere Press, an author-forward publishing company that has published over 1200 books. Now, Nick says losing out on that position in 2018 was the best thing that could have happened to him.

When Dominique Elkind became a mother, she noticed a lack of third spaces available to parents of very young children. While on her second maternity leave, Dominique decided to take on a entrepreneurial venture vastly different from her career as a UX Designer, by founding Nixi City, a play centre for children aged 0-5. Not only is Nixi City a space for children, but includes a cafe for parents to meet and connect. --- [00:01:35] Dominique's Design Background [00:02:25] Side Hustling During Maternity Leave [00:03:30] Entrepreneurial Experience at Google [00:06:25] Founding Nixi City, a Children's Play Space [00:08:35] Identifying a Market Gap [00:11:15] Scaling and Franchising [00:12:37] Balancing Work and Family [00:14:05] Setting Boundaries  [00:17:25] Sleep and Wellness [00:19:48] Challenges of a Physical Space  [00:22:55] Finding Product/Market Fit [00:24:35] Selecting Real Estate for Nixi City [00:26:33] Dominique's Advice: Find a Community of Potential Customers [00:27:36] Utilizing Design Skills [00:29:31] Connect with Dominque

David Gaz has always wanted to be a nice guy. As a partner at his previous branding firm, where his client base included many Fortune 500 companies, he quickly realized that he still wanted to provide branding services, but for organizations that he saw as doing good in the world. It was at that point that he started The Bureau of Small Projects, a branding company that provides services to entrepreneurs, non-profits, and small companies. --- [00:01:34] Meet David Gaz [00:03:06] Kindness is Contagious [00:04:46] The Bureau of Small Projects [00:06:31] David's Ice Cream Truck Venture [00:10:23] Navigating a Non-Compete Contract [00:15:51] Partnerships Vs. Solo Decision Makers [00:17:36] Embrace the Stress [00:20:20] Losing One Million Dollars [00:24:33] Following a Path vs Chasing a Goal [00:30:26] What would David re-do? [00:33:53] David's Advice: Just start [00:35:13] Connect with David

It's no wonder Joe Koufman sees himself as a matchmaker; three couples have gotten married after being introduced by Joe. In 2014, Joe realized that matchmaking is not only for couples, but can be used in the business world as well. Within 19 days of leaving his last job, Joe landed his first client for what would become Setup, an organization that matches marketing agencies to established brands.  --- [00:01:27] Joe Koufman's Background [00:03:47] How a Sales Background Influenced Joe [00:06:01] A Family of Entrepreneurs [00:07:51] A History of Matchmaking [00:09:20] Turning Matchmaking Into a Business [00:11:50] Early Days of Setup and First Customers [00:14:35] Setup's Revenue Model [00:15:42] Pursuing Hobbies [00:18:19] Setting Email Boundaries [00:19:57] 50 Pull-Ups Each Morning [00:21:35] Sleep Struggles [00:22:56] Setup's Growth and Team Structure  [00:25:29] Writing a Book  [00:30:00] Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs  [00:32:19] Connect with Joe

COVID-19 was a turning point in many peoples lives, including Kate Jacoutot's. After working as a marketing freelancer for various companies, Kate noticed that she was making more money and had more control over her schedule than working a traditional 9 to 5. However, to learn more, she worked at a few different marketing agencies until deciding to launch ModusMark, a brand and messaging consultancy in April 2020, in the midst of the pandemic. --- [00:01:33] Kate Jacoutot's Background [00:02:46] Stumbling Into Freelance Work [00:06:33] Decision to Start Modus Mark in 2020 [00:09:26] Overcoming Fears and Discovering Her Worth [00:11:00] Kate's Entrepreneurial Support System [00:13:07] Managing Stress While Starting a Business [00:14:43] Prioritizing Date Nights [00:16:44] Kate's Daily Routine [00:18:48] ModusMark's Growth: Team and Technology [00:21:00] Growing From Mistakes [00:23:30] Advice For Prospective Entrepreneurs [00:25:48] Finding A Niche: Cybersecurity [00:27:30] Connect with Kate

Justus Hillebrand never planned on becoming an entrepreneur. After graduating from a Ph.D. program, he had wanted to become a history professor. However, after becoming a research assistant, Justus found himself doing contract work for large-scale clients such as the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. After falling in love with the work, in 2022, he decided to incorporate his business, Digital History Consulting Inc.  --- [00:01:16] Justus Hillebrand's Background [00:05:07] Early Entrepreneurial Experiences [00:07:24] Transition to Entrepreneurship [00:11:31] Balancing Work and Family Life [00:14:01] Managing Workspaces and Time [00:16:12] Reflections on Entrepreneurship [00:19:33] Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs [00:22:59] Connect with Justus

When Kera Sanchez's mother passed away in 2022, she felt that there was much left unsaid and grieved the conversations her and her mother would never get to have. After jotting down some topics she felt she will miss out on, Kera decided to build and publish a journal specifically for those grieving, the Letters Legacy Journal. In February, Kera also published the first edition of her magazine, Get Griefy Magazine. --- [00:00:00] Introduction [00:01:13] Kera's Background [00:05:22] Entrepreneurial Beginnings [00:06:25] Teaching and Entrepreneurship [00:08:05] Publishing Journey [00:09:27] Overcoming Nerves [00:11:02] Balancing Teaching and Business [00:14:24] Handling the Weight of Grief [00:16:00] Learning and Support Systems [00:18:04] Authenticity in Business [00:20:28] Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs [00:21:47] Connect with Kera [00:22:29] Closing Remarks  

After the birth of her first daughter, as well as the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Nivia Lopez knew that she didn't want to go back to her in-person 9 to 5. After trying a few different gigs, such as dropshipping and virtual assisting, Nivia realized her passion lies in digital marketing. Now, Nivia has grown a company where she has the freedom to work remotely and have a healthy work-life balance.