This week in the guest chair we have visionary creator April Showers, the entrepreneurial expert behind Afro Unicorn. April became the first Black woman to own a fully licensed character brand, putting her with the likes of Disney. Afro Unicorn has rapidly expanded its footprint, being stocked in over 3,500 stores.

In this episode she shares:

• How she established a presence in seven major retailers across the U.S. and Canada including Walmart and Target
• The ins and outs to becoming a licensed character brand, and the major benefits that come along with it
• Why she doesn’t solely rely on social media for marketing and what really helped put her on the map

Check out this episode and others on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube

Links mentioned in this episode

• Afro Unicorn Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afrounicorn_official/
• April Showers Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gotaprilshowers/
• Afro Unicorn Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afrounicornofficial
• Afro Unicorn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/afro-unicorn/
• April Showers LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aprilshowers/
• Afro Unicorn Website: https://afrounicorns.com/

This episode is brought to you by Shopify. Go to shopify.com/hustlepro for a $1/month trial period and get full access to Shopify’s entire suite of features.

Click here to subscribe via RSS feed (non-iTunes feed): http://sidehustlepro.libsyn.com/rss

Join our Facebook Community

If 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

• April Showers Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gotaprilshowers/
• April Showers LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aprilshowers/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week I’m back for a solo episode, with my 2024 updates! As we wrap up Q2, I’m thinking about the impacts on my business from social platforms expanding and changing constantly, raising two littles, and making sure I honor my bandwidth. We’ll also dive into how I’m revamping and expanding my podcast coaching course, Podcast Moguls.

In this episode I’m sharing:

• My key habits to staying balanced in my work, motherhood, and self-care
• Mastering self-talk and how I filter out the negativity
• How I’m growing my brand awareness and focusing on solo content

Highlights Include:

00:00 Intro

03:12 Shifting from validation to impact

06:50 Eliminating negative self-talk

15:00 Balancing mom-mode and CEO-mode

19:13 The interview process as a podcaster

27:24 The changing podcast industry

30:05 The importance of multiple streams of income

33:34 Grow your brand awareness

36:20 Expanding my training course Podcast Moguls

45:11 Allowing myself to stay within my bandwidth

Check out episode 408 of Side Hustle Pro podcast out now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube

Links mentioned in this episode

• Riverside recording platform- use code ‘hustlepro’: https://riverside.fm/
• Get coaching with me through Podcast Moguls: sidehustlepro.co/join
• Sign up for my free newsletter: sidehustlepro.co/newsletter
• My Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sidehustlepro/
• You Are a Badass book: https://jensincero.com/
• Helena’s SHP episode: https://sidehustlepro.co/she-went-from-nicu-nurse-to-full-time-content-creator-and-published-author/
• Kristen’s SHP episode: https://sidehustlepro.co/her-plant-based-soaps-landed-her-on-shark-tank-and-on-the-path-to-1-2m-in-sales/
• Marty’s SHP episode: https://sidehustlepro.co/the-founder-of-boss-women-media-launched-a-second-business-while-pregnant-with-twins/
• Nicole’s SHP episode: https://sidehustlepro.co/she-took-her-upholstery-career-from-side-hustle-to-world-market-and-hbos-insecure-w-nicole-crowder/

Click here to subscribe via RSS feed (non-iTunes feed): http://sidehustlepro.libsyn.com/rss

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Helena Faustin is a Registered Nurse and content creator from New York City who has garnered an audience of millions by sharing her love and passion for cooking. As a mother of three, Helena inspires people with her massively popular food blog, That Nurse Can Cook, to get comfortable in the kitchen and cook delicious meals for their families.

In this episode she shares:

• The ways she stayed consistent in content creation, and why it paid off
• How she differentiated her physical cookbook, The Soul of Scotchie, from others on the market
• How she diversified her revenue streams to triple her income and surpass her nursing paycheck

Highlights include:

00:00 Intro

Finding a path in nursing

The goal of work-life balance

Cooking as an outlet

Intentional content creation

Building a content creation business while working full time

Diversifying revenue streams

The importance of discipline and showing up

The power of storytelling

Take control of your inner voice

Tips for entrepreneurs

Check out episode 407 of Side Hustle Pro podcast out now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube

Links mentioned in this episode

• Helena’s Website: Https://www.thatnursecooks.com
• Helena’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatnursecancook/
• Helena’s TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thatnursecancook
• Helena’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThatNurseCanCook
• Grace Foods: https://www.instagram.com/gracefoods/
• Capcut: https://www.capcut.com/

Click here to subscribe via RSS feed (non-iTunes feed): http://sidehustlepro.libsyn.com/rss

Join our Facebook Community

If 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

• Helena’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatnursecancook/
• Helena’s TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thatnursecancook
• Helena’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThatNurseCanCook

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. A recent 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 Tank
• Her secret sauce to having a rate of 78% repeat customers
• How she won over 300K in investment capital and has a trajectory of $1.2M in sales

Highlights Include:

00:00 Intro

03:24 Generations of Black farmers

06:38 Struggle with eczema

08:45 Studying horticulture and agriculture

14:10 Staring Gently Soaps

18:03 Transitioning to selling at markets

21:31 Importance of formulating for sensitive skin

28:56 Sales growth and Shark Tank impact

32:55 High margins and sales

39:49 Marketing strategies

44:03 Tips for entrepreneurs

Check out episode 406 of Side Hustle Pro podcast out now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube

Links mentioned in this episode

• Gently 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/rss

Join our Facebook Community

If 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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

So you’ve thought about it forever, but actually launching your side hustle is the hardest part. I’m here to remind you that it’s OK to try things out, start over, and then try again!

In this episode I share:

• The first side hustle I tried and why I quickly learned it wasn’t for me
• How to find the entry point to break into your side hustle’s industry
• How taking my time allowed to me prove the concept of my products
• Five steps to getting your side hustle off the ground and more

Highlights include:

00:00 Intro

01:23 The value of side hustling

03:21 How to organize your thoughts

06:07 Research your market

09:00 Product-based vs service-based

11:31 Narrow down to one thing when launching

14:36 Collect feedback after launching

Check out episode 405 of Side Hustle Pro podcast out now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube

Links mentioned in this episode

• FREE side hustle guide: https://sidehustlepro.co/startyoursidehustle
• Sign up for my newsletter: https://sidehustlepro.co/newsletter
• Podcast Moguls: https://www.sidehustlepro.co/podcast-moguls/
• Curlbox: https://curlbox.com/
• Myleik Teele’s SHP Episode: https://youtu.be/FtJgMJXpUPY

Click here to subscribe via RSS feed (non-iTunes feed): http://sidehustlepro.libsyn.com/rss

Join our Facebook Community

If 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

Side Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro

#SideHustlePro

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week in the guest chair we have Marty McDonald, founder of Elle Olivia & Boss Women Media. Her background in corporate laid the foundation to launching Boss Women Media, the offline/online women’s empowerment community. After a challenging experience with giving birth to her first child, Marty translated that same idea of empowerment to launch Elle Olivia, a lifestyle brand for young Black and Brown girls.

In this episode she shares:

• How she landed her brand Elle Olivia in over 400 Target locations nationwide within the first year of launching
• How she strategically re-invested revenue from side hustling into her businesses
• How she oversees a multi-city Black Girl Magic Tour, the annual Boss Woman of the Year Summit, and serves a loyal community of more than 100,000 women

Highlights Include:

00:00 Intro

02:38 Navigating corporate America

11:30 Pitching to Sugarfina

14:32 Launching Boss Women Media

16:52 Monetizing the business & impactful collaboration

27:43 Staying nimble and pivoting at the right time

34:02 Navigating a challenging pregnancy

38:10 Creating a brand for Black and Brown girls

48:18 The power of a strong team

54:00 Tips for entrepreneurs

Check out episode 404 of Side Hustle Pro podcast out now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube

Links mentioned in this episode

• Boss Women Media Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bosswomenmedia/
• Elle Olivia Website: https://shopelleolivia.com/
• Elle Olivia at Target: https://www.target.com/b/elle-olivia/-/N-q643le95h07
• Sugarfina: https://www.sugarfina.com/
• Power Thoughts Devotional: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/power-thoughts-devotional/id715337851

Click here to subscribe via RSS feed (non-iTunes feed): http://sidehustlepro.libsyn.com/rss

Join our Facebook Community

If 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

• Marty’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martytmcdonald/
• Boss Women Media Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bosswomenmedia/
• Elle Olivia Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopelleolivia/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As an entrepreneur, content creation has become a huge part of expanding a business. Let me tell you: there are no rules when it comes to content creation. So this week I’m sharing 4 tips that have helped me take the pressure off creating awesome content while running a business.

In this episode I’m sharing:

• How to optimize your recording sessions to get content done quicker
• My favorite content creation tech and tools, and much more!

Highlights include:

00:00 Intro

03:58 Let go of expectations and have confidence to start

06:58 Envision your ideal audience

09:00 How to batch content

12:11 Create your on-camera uniform

16:05 Best tools to make content

Check out episode 403 of Side Hustle Pro podcast out now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube

Links mentioned in this episode

• Free Side Hustle Guide: https://www.sidehustlepro.co/startyourhustle/
• Favorite Ring Light: https://a.co/d/c5u9zFP
• Nicaila’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sidehustlepro/
• Content Tools Amazon List: https://www.amazon.com/shop/influencer-37ba1da3/list/WQ7ES8GSRRBH?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsflist_aipsfinfluencer-37ba1da3_W25J5W3V6YHVBHKAAQFT
• Side Hustle Pro Newsletter: https://sidehustlepro.co/newsletter/

Click here to subscribe via RSS feed (non-iTunes feed): http://sidehustlepro.libsyn.com/rss

Join our Facebook Community

If 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

Side Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro

#SideHustlePro

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This multi-hyphenate artist is the best example as to how pursuing that side hustle you’ve always dreamed about can pay off.

In the guest chair this week we have Nicole Crowder, an acclaimed designer, upholsterer, editor/writer, and curator. After her first custom furniture collection launched in 200 World Market US retail stores, Nicole continues to expand and now collaborates with brands that span across advertising, hospitality, fashion and television to create modern heirlooms and redefine space making.

In this episode she shares:

• How she balances the titles of editor, designer, curator and artist
• Where her work has been featured, from the HBO television series Insecure, to being acquired by historical museums
• The number one way she ensured high profits while working with brands
• How she lands huge publications like Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, and Better Homes & Gardens

Highlights include:

00:00 Intro

02:30 Building a photography portfolio

08:49 Discovering the world of upholstery

11:43 Researching and fine-tuning the craft

13:14 Landing contracts with huge brands

19:48 Navigating negotiations for maximum profit

25:34 Building a pay structure

31:07 Being featured on HBO’s Insecure

41:58 Tips for entrepreneurs

Check out episode 402 of Side Hustle Pro podcast out now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube

Links mentioned in this episode

• Nicole’s Website: https://www.nicolecrowderupholstery.com/
• Nicole’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolemcrowder
• Upholstery Retreats: https://www.theupholsteryretreat.com/
• World Market: https://www.worldmarket.com/
• Vixer app: https://www.vixerapp.com/
• The Remedy Affirmation Cards: https://www.themelanatedremedy.com/

Click here to subscribe via RSS feed (non-iTunes feed): http://sidehustlepro.libsyn.com/rss

Join our Facebook Community

If 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

Nicole’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolemcrowder

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.