Side Hustle Pro

This week in the guest chair, we have Monique R. Shields, executive coach, entrepreneur, and founder of Claimed, a program dedicated to helping high-achieving Black mothers unlock their next chapter. In this episode, Monique shares her inspiring journey from corporate to coaching and the lessons she’s learned along the way. She discusses the power of releasing limiting beliefs, why investing in yourself is key to growth, and how motherhood led to her decision to take ownership of her time and career.In this episode she shares:The importance of creating space for Black women, especially mothers, to thrive and build without compromising themselvesThe mindset shifts needed to elevate your business and life to the next levelHow transitioning from corporate to entrepreneurship gave her the freedom she neededHighlights include:00:00 Intro05:00 The importance of relationships in early career transitions07:30 Background in publishing and banking 12:00 Transition into executive coaching & the influence of motherhood 19:00 Raising her rates and investing in herself24:35 How to navigate seasons of burnout and pressure29:03 Tips for women entrepreneurs transitioning into full-time business ownership34:20 The launch of her program, Claimed, for Black mothers40:00 The power of releasing limiting beliefs and moving beyond survival mode1:00:00 Tips for entrepreneursWatch episode 464 on YouTube and listen on all podcast appsLinks mentioned in this episodeMonique’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moniquershields/ Monique’s Website: https://moniquershields.com/ Monique’s Podcast: https://moniquershields.com/podcast/ Side Hustle Pro: https://sidehustlepro.co/ 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 InfoMonique’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moniquershields/ Monique’s Website: https://moniquershields.com/ 

This week in the guest chair we have Maekaeda Gibbons, Trinidad-born founder & CEO of Brown Sugar Babe, the cult-favorite fragrance and body-care brand whose body oils like Wild Card and Rich Auntie just keep selling out. In this episode she shares:Turning a $300 paycheck into a side hustle that now ships 10,000+ orders a month Her exact growth playbook: pop-ups at Atlanta’s Ponce City Market, a 20,000-member Facebook group, and influencer collaborations that went viral on the internetHow she approaches exploring various side hustle ideas as a multi passionate side hustlerHighlights Include:00:00 Intro06:00 Personal connection to scent09:00 Turning a business to a hobby15:00 Marketing strategies21:00 Financial growth and investment30:00 Importance of discipline in business40:00 Navigating debt46:00 Breaking the stigma around money53:00 Managing tariffs and business costs55:00 Tips for entrepreneursWatch episode 463 on YouTube and listen on all podcast appsLinks mentioned in this episodeBrown Sugar Babe Website: ttps://www.brownsugarbabe.net/ Shopify (e-commerce platform) – https://shopify.comPonce City Market Makers Market – https://poncecitymarket.comAsia Evans, Financial Therapist – @asiatherapy on InstagramBrown Sugar Babe Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brwnsugarbabe/ 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/facebook

This week in the guest chair we have Raven Gibson, multidisciplinary designer and founder of the empowering apparel and lifestyle brand Legendary Roots. Getting her start in her dorm room, Raven takes us on her journey of delegation, negotiating with Fortune 500 retailers, and trusting that what’s for you will never pass you by.In this episode she shares:How she uses art to speak up and invites her community to set healthy boundariesThe moment she got serious about QuickBooks, hired a CPA, learned her metrics, and embraced FIRE principles to build a sustainable, profitable business.The systems that keep burnout at bay, and her gratitude‑driven approach to growthHighlights include: 00:00 Intro3:50 Shifting from medicine to art10:00 Scaling a side hustle20:00 Importance of early support24:00 Managing and learning business finance33:00 Marketing strategies39:00 Retail partnerships43:00 Maintaining a work/life balance52:00 Tips for entrepreneurs Watch episode 462 on YouTube and listen on all podcast appsLinks mentioned in this episodeLegendary Rootz website – https://legendaryrootz.com Instagram / TikTok / Threads – @legendaryrootzTarget – https://www.target.com Shopify – https://www.shopify.com PayPal – https://www.paypal.com Figma – https://www.figma.com ClickUp – https://www.clickup.com QuickBooks – https://quickbooks.intuit.com Tumblr – https://www.tumblr.com Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes – https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Year-of-Yes/Shonda-Rhimes/9781476777122 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

This week in the guest chair we have Rachel Rodgers—entrepreneur, coach, and bestselling author of We Should All Be Millionaires. She's back on the show with powerful insights to help side hustlers and full-time entrepreneurs alike build sustainable wealth and stop playing small.In this episode, she shares:How to make real “money moves” instead of hiding behind busy workThe mindset shifts needed to overcome imposter syndrome and take bold actionWhy outsourcing your life first can unlock growth in your businessHer step-by-step approach to building a million-dollar business with a strong team and systems to build wealth with confidenceHighlights include: 00:00 Intro04:00 Transitioning from law to passion projects11:40 Building life and business teams14:00 Balancing outsourcing and income16:45 Reframing selling as helping24:00 Importance of announcing your business30:00 Embracing growth and change37:00 Structuring a mastermind program46:00 Investing in yourself is key50:00 Helping Gen Z build wealth53:00 Tips for entrepreneursWatch episode 461 on YouTube and listen on all podcast appsLinks mentioned in this episodeRachel’s first SHP episode: https://youtu.be/a_8Kyku41GE Rachel’s website: https://rachelrodgers.com/Rachel’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachrodgersesq/ Future Millionaire book: https://futuremillionairebook.com/ The Four Hour Work Week: https://www.amazon.com/4-Hour-Workweek-Escape-Live-Anywhere/dp/0307465357 The Big Leap: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-big-leap-gay-hendricks We Should All Be Millionaires: https://www.harpercollinsleadership.com/9781400221684/we-should-all-be-millionaires/ 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 InfoRachel’s website: https://rachelrodgers.com/Rachel’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachrodgersesq/ 

This week I’m excited to chat with someone I go way back with, Sheena McCullers. Sheena is the founder of Della’s Beauty Supply. Della’s was launched to bring a much-needed sense of belonging for BIPOC beauty lovers in Ann Arbor, MI. After moving from Brooklyn, Sheena saw a need for a place for people who look like her and took a chance on opening a storefront. In this episode she shares:How intentionally creating a community through word of mouth was the foundation to building her customer baseThe startup costs and how she’s been able to be profitable in the first yearThe importance of working a full-time job where she was supported enough to be transparent about needing space to focus on expanding Della’s Highlights Include: 00:00 Intro08:16 Exploring different side hustles14:16 Navigating a new city18:43 Filling the need for a beauty supply23:18 Startup planning and costs27:55 Creating a community 30:01 Curating events and collaborations35:02 Running a storefront as a side hustle41:20 Expanding and creating a cultural hub46:43 Setting the tone for the future of the store56:19 Tips for entrepreneursCheck out episode 460 of Side Hustle Pro podcast out now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTubeLinks Mentioned: Auntie Della’s Website: https://auntiedellas.com/Auntie Della’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/auntiedellas/ Auntie Della’s TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@auntiedellas Virtual Assistant: https://theindemandva.com/ Listen on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/side-hustle-pro/id1126021323Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/13qDj08lBR4ymzGhXIKy8t?si=8daf52a57e054042 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/sidehustleproClick here to subscribe via RSS feed (non-iTunes feed): http://sidehustlepro.libsyn.com/rssAffiliate Disclosure: I may be an affiliate for products that I recommend or share. If you purchase those items through my links, I may earn a commission. You will not pay more when you use my links.

This week in the guest chair we have Kristen Dunning, founder and CEO of Gently Soap - a bathing brand built on her self-developed herbal infusions. An MBA grad, Kristen hails from a rare five generations of Black Alabama farmers, and she’s continuing the legacy by bringing joy back to bathing experiences for people with sensitive skin, using the medicinal properties of plants.In this episode she shares:Her vigorous passion and research that landed her on Shark TankHer secret sauce to having a rate of 78% repeat customersHow she won over 300K in investment capital and has a trajectory of $1.2M in salesHighlights Include:00:00 Intro03:24 Generations of Black farmers06:38 Struggle with eczema08:45 Studying horticulture and agriculture14:10 Staring Gently Soaps18:03 Transitioning to selling at markets21:31 Importance of formulating for sensitive skin28:56 Sales growth and Shark Tank impact32:55 High margins and sales 39:49 Marketing strategies44:03 Tips for entrepreneurs Check out episode 459 of Side Hustle Pro podcast out now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTubeLinks mentioned in this episodeGently Soap Website: https://gentlysoap.com/ Gently Soap Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gentlysoap/Kristen’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/professionalplantgirl/ Kristen’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristendunning/  Shark Tank episode: https://gentlysoap.com/pages/shark-tank Aveeno start-up pitch competition: https://www.aveeno.com/startup-collective Thirteen Lune: https://thirteenlune.com/ Tech Stars: https://www.techstars.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/facebook

This week I’m back with a solo episode where I’m giving you the tools to make money with your podcast. When I became a full-time podcaster in 2017, I focused on my revenue streams like brand partnerships, sponsorships, courses, and VIP programs, leading to having over 10 million episode downloads to date. I’m here to help you get your podcast to that same level. In this episode I’m sharing:Effective Marketing: How you’re going to optimize content planning and to get people to consistently see what you are offering Thinking Outside the Box: Exploring non-traditional sponsorships and multi-channel packages like retreats to generate revenue beyond just downloadsCreating Value: How to produce content and services that your audience genuinely wants to pay forHighlights Include: 00:00 Intro02:49 The Importance of Podcast Setup05:15 Narrowing Down Your Podcast Topics09:50 Understanding and Serving Your Audience14:33 Creating a Content Plan16:39 Effective Marketing Strategies19:00 Consistent Marketing Practices21:24 Thinking Outside the Box for Sponsorships25:54 Create Content People Want to Pay For28:17 Recap and Action StepsTo learn more about making money from your podcast, join my next live class. Register at sidehustlepro.co/class.Check out episode 458 of Side Hustle Pro podcast out now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTubeLinks mentioned in this episodeRiverside (Use code ‘hustlepro’): https://riverside.fm/ Podcast Moguls: http://sidehustlepro.co/join  Lori Tharps SHP episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3EsWprSGu4 Launching Podcast Moguls 2.0: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3d-wkYAcsLo&t=1s Free newsletter: http://sidehustlepro.co/newsletter You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero: https://jensincero.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

This week in the guest chair we have Julia Coney, award winning wine writer, speaker, & consultant. Julia wears many hats, including being the Wine Consultant for American Airlines and Founder of Black Wine Professionals; a resource for Black professionals in the world of wine.In this episode she shares about:Being multi-passionate: how exploring a range of interests, from starting at a law firm to writing a beauty blog, has elevated her career Paving the way for diversity: how starting honest conversations about racism, equity, and inclusion in the wine industry led to being the recipient of Wine Enthusiast's 2020 Social Visionary Award Winner The power of putting yourself out there on social media: How she has created opportunities for herself like being the first Black woman to run a wine program for American AirlinesHighlights include: 00:00 Intro04:42 Original career path and intro to wine13:00 Navigating a switch in careers21:39 Transition from beauty blogging to wine writing27:06 Addressing racism in the wine industry29:40 Sustaining financially as a freelance writer35:00 Providing a niche wine service 41:30 Unlocking networking opportunities 45:07 Running a wine program for American Airlines 54:16 Tips for entrepreneurs Watch episode 457 on YouTube and listen on all podcast appsLinks mentioned in this episodeJulia’s Substack: https://juliaconey.substack.com/ Julia’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliaconey/ Julia’s email: hello@juliaconey.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 InfoJulia’s Substack: https://juliaconey.substack.com/ Julia’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliaconey/ Julia’s email: hello@juliaconey.com 

This week we’re taking it back to my convo with Portia Obeng, social media strategist, LinkedIn coach, and former Side Hustle Pro social media manager! With over 10 years of experience, Portia guides people through the ever-changing social media landscape to amplify their personal brands and make money.In this episode she shares about:The steps she’s taken to go from job hopping to helping people optimize their LinkedIn Her focus on the niche of creating “ LinkedIn superstars” who advocate for the company they work forHow she’s been able to maintain financially on a non-traditional path Highlights Include:00:00 Intro02:00 Early career experience08:00 Helping women level up in LinkedIn13:30 The importance of consistency on LinkedIn16:20 Building a LinkedIn profile24:00 Optimizing content on LinkedIn29:25 Using LinkedIn to build a personal brand37:00 How to connect in the best way on LinkedIn50:00 Tips for entrepreneurs Watch episode 456 on YouTube and listen on all podcast appsLinks mentioned in this episodePortia’s Website: https://www.portiaobeng.com/Portia’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/portiaobeng/ Portia’s TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@portia.o Muoyo’s Website: https://myvoterstatus.com/Verizon Small Business Program: https://digitalready.verizonwireless.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 InfoPortia’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/portiaobeng/ Portia’s TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@portia.o