Side Hustle Pro: Women Entrepreneurs | Black Women Business Owners | Solopreneurs

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 Sug

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 app

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 Ti

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 E

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 S

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 Pract

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 writing27:0

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 mention

This week in the guest chair, we have former Podcast Moguls student Zach Nunn, Founder and CEO of Living Corporate. Zach unpacks how he turned his podcast into a thriving consulting business, landing brand partnerships with major corporations like Pfizer and more. He talks about the strategies behind creating authentic, high-quality content, leveraging interviews as a networking channel, and maximizing the value of a show’s back catalog.In this episode he shares:Why owning your IP is a game-changer for growing podcast revenueHow to repurpose past podcast episodes into new offers (and sell them)Why being transparent about your numbers, no matter how small, can still land you big corporate clientsHow he applied what he learned in Podcast Moguls to his business modelHighlights include: 00:00 Intro04:50 Centering marginalized voices in the workplace08:50 Side hustling while juggling a full-time job11:41 Developing a “bundle” approach to brand partnerships17:30 Expanding from a single podcast to a n

This week we’re airing my first ever live podcast! I had the opportunity to sit down with author, journalist, and media powerhouse Demetria Lucas at the On Air Fest in Brooklyn, NY. From launching A Belle in BK to building an empire that spans books, film, podcasting, and more, Demetria has mastered the art of evolving and thriving as a multi-hyphenate entrepreneur. Taking risks and flawlessly pivoting has paid off.In this episode she shares:How prioritizing steady income through podcasting, owning a travel company, and more gives her freedom to enjoy life outside of workingThe enormous impact traveling the world has had on her work, leading her to author three books on travel How she stayed resilient through personal challenges and self-doubtHighlights Include:00:00 Intro03:36 Breaking into the book industry08:20 Streams of steady income13:45 Building a personal brand and podcast24:08 Traveling the world27:00 The ups and downs of finances in freelancing36:15 Tips for entrepreneurs Check out ep

Are you ready to finally take the leap and start your side hustle, but don’t know where to start? This week we are outlining nine high-potential side hustles that can realistically scale to replace—or significantly supplement—your full-time income. Now these are not quick-fix ideas, these are long-term businesses that can bring you recurring revenue by leveraging automation tools (especially AI), and refining your marketing so clients find and trust you. Take it from someone who has built an entire brand on side hustling! In this episode I share:Nine unique and and high-profit side hustles that can fully replace your 9-5The side hustles former guests of Side Hustle Pro have had major success withWhy closing the gap between your ideas and actually starting is the key to your businessHighlights include:01:45 Cleaning services06:22 Faceless podcast07:57 Virtual assistant12:16 Social media marketing15:25 Short-form video editor 21:15 Podcast/YouTube channel manager22:30 AI integration specialist26:

Today I am back with a solo episode where I share my favorite techniques to get back on track when you're feeling stuck. It's time to take a step back, reflect on what has worked, what hasn't, and what we're going to do about it. Whether you're dealing with mid-year slumps or just need a boost, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you move forward.In this episode I share about:Getting in the spiritual gym: The importance of reconnecting with spirituality, physical activity, or changing your scenery to take care of yourself Focusing on what you can control: Set minimum and maximum goals and prioritize action over inactionPracticing gratitude: Using gratitude as a tool to shift perspective and boost motivationHighlights Include: 00:00 Intro02:36 The Importance of Mid-Year Reflection05:15 Get in the Spiritual Gym09:54 Move Your Body11:00 Get Some Sun13:32 Change Your Scenery15:58 Face the Facts20:42 Set Minimum and Maximum Goals26:01 Focus on What You Can Control32:50 Take a Step, Any

This week in the guest chair we have Kareem Edwards, one of the very first men to grace the Side Hustle Pro guest chair! Hailing from Far Rockaway, Queens, Kareem got his start in major corporate roles at Lehman Brothers, Kraft Heinz, and Google—all while dreaming of owning a business. Kareem decided to pursue franchising and balanced a 9-to-5 at Google while working nights at a Chick-fil-A to master the day-to-day operations.In this episode she shares:The importance of community impact, creating an empowering work culture, and leading with empathyKey lessons on staffing, building trust, and innovating with different revenue channelsThe art of balancing grit and grace when trying to grow your businessHighlights include: 00:00 Intro03:00 Early career in finance09:00 Discovering Chik-Fil-a franchising 17:00 Choosing the right location25:00 Opening during a pandemic34:00 Staffing strategies43:00 Leaving a steady paycheck46:00 Expanding sales methods52:00 Tips for entrepreneursCheck out episode 451 of S

Welcome back to the Side Hustle Pro podcast, your headquarters for turning passion projects into profitable businesses! I’m Nicaila, and today we’re talking about how to find (and protect) the time you need to build your side hustle. I get it: Working a full-time job, juggling family commitments, and trying to live your life can make your side hustle goals feel impossible. But trust me, it’s not. I used to think I had zero free hours, but as soon as I did a reality check, I found pockets of time I could reclaim. Here’s how you can do the same.In this episode I share about:The time you’re losing and how to identify your top time wastersThe 3-Step Hustler’s Time Plan: how to maximize your timeHow to build a system and schedule that work for youHighlights include: 00:00 Intro01:45 Identify your biggest time traps06:42 Reclaim your time12:35 Power hour: get more done in less time16:15 Leverage your days off18:30 Protect your side hustle hours21:20 Choose a schedule that fits your life23:40 Final thought

Always wanted to start a side hustle but didn’t know what industry to try? This week I’m breaking down the exact process of identifying the skills you do effortlessly and turning them into a profitable side hustle. In this episode I share:How to pinpoint the skills hiding in your “blind spot”The importance of surveying your network to confirm your strengthsDifferent service-based ideas you can launch todayHow to validate your offers quickly and start getting paid soonerHighlights include:00:00 Intro02:00 Three key steps05:30 Monetizable skills09:30 How to get paid sooner, not later15:00 Actionable homeworkCheck out episode 449 of Side Hustle Pro podcast out now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTubeThis episode is brought to you by: Skillshare: Take Nicaila’s class and explore thousands more hands-on classes taught by creative experts from around the world. Get one month free at sidehustlepro.co/skillshare.Links mentioned in this episodePortia Obeng SHP episode: https://youtu.be/4qkgObsQ7pA?si=BySv

This week we’re changing it up and I’m sitting in the guest chair. In this special “podcast swap” episode of Side Hustle Pro, I’m sharing an interview from the podcast To Tell You The Truth with host—and Podcast Moguls student—Brittany Sharpton. We dive into the concept of self-imposed barriers and how they can prevent entrepreneurs, especially Black women, from realizing their full potential. In this episode I share:My journey to reclaiming my power in spaces where Black women aren’t usually empowered- and why I’m constantly reminding myself that I’m that girlSteps to take to combat the fear and negative self-talk that often creep inWhat feeds my soul and the lessons I’m learning every day- even as a seasoned entrepreneur Insights from my Podcast Moguls course and how I’ve seen Brittany grow after being a student Highlights Include:00:00 Intro03:30 From corporate to entrepreneur 09:55 The importance of having a side hustle 11:45 Overcoming biases17:30 How to show up as a working mom2

This week in the guest chair we have a returning guest Brandice Daniel, founder and CEO of Harlem’s Fashion Row. Brandice launched Harlem’s Fashion Row to bridge the gap between multicultural fashion designers and major fashion brands. From producing top-tier runway events to groundbreaking collaborations—such as her famous partnership with Nike and LeBron James—Brandice ensures Black and Brown designers receive the visibility, mentorship, and retail opportunities they deserve. Growing her business has made Brandice a sponsor and brand partnership expert, and gave me a masterclass for my own sponsorship journey.In this episode she shares:Her road to becoming a household name and partnering with huge names like Nike, LVMH, and GapHow to transition your business from relying on event sponsorships to forming robust partnerships that provide a more stable revenue flowHow she expanded her mission by founding ICON 360, a nonprofit that has raised over $2 millionHighlights include: 00:00 Intro02:05 The evo

This week we’re diving into how to shift your mindset to set yourself up for success. Here’s the thing—I’ve learned over the years that your mindset isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s the foundation for everything you’re trying to build. Whether it’s pushing past fear to finally launch your business, staying consistent when sales are slow, or silencing that little voice in your head saying, ‘Who are you to do this?’—it all comes back to how you think and how you show up for yourself.In this episode I share:The mindset hacks I use, like reframing limiting beliefs, to conquer my goals How to break down your goals into actionable steps to avoid overwhelm My experience with imposter syndrome and how I continuously overcome itHighlights include:00:00 Intro01:00 Battling imposter syndrome04:14 Breaking free from overthinking08:05 Confidence is key14:05 Master Instagram Challenge17:50 Building mental resilience 21:28 Actionable steps to a mindset changeCheck out episode 446 of Side Hustle Pro podcast out

This week we’re diving into one of my favorite mantras: Done is better than perfect.I was inspired by my decision to relaunch my Master the Gram Challenge. It’s been years since I last did it, and I had to remind myself to push forward without overthinking. I’m breaking down how I got it off the ground and the lessons I’ve learned along the way. In this episode I share:How to break out of the cycle of overthinking or perfectionism and take actionWhy clarity is key and how to make sure your audience knows what your product is, who it's for, and how it helpsThe step by step process of setting up operations for your products, including exactly what resources I used to set up the Master The Gram landing pageHighlights include: 00:00 Intro03:00 Setting up operations06:00 Setting up marketing09:30 Taking action is better than perfect12:00 Tweaking after feedback16:00 Having an accountability partner20:00 Mastering self-talk25:00 Walking through a sales page33:00 Setting goals for the yearCheck out episode

We’re kicking off this new year by welcoming new and returning listeners to Side Hustle Pro with a reminder that it’s never too late—or too early—to pursue a side hustle. Inspired by an email from a listener, I was reminded that my focus on Black women entrepreneurs still resonates with a wide audience, proving that clarity in your target listener doesn’t exclude anyone else who might benefit.In this episode I share the five areas of focus for starting or growing your business in 2025:Get clear on your main priority Choose a channel to showcase your expertiseOrganize your content (you likely have more than you realize!)Trust yourself to figure things out, even when you get stuckInvest in education and resources that level up you and your businessHighlights include:00:00 Intro03:00 Uplifting women entrepreneurs 05:00 Setting goals for the year10:30 Five areas of focus for 202518:00 The power of sharing your journey23:00 Overcoming content overwhelm29:00 Trusting yourself and investing in growth35:00