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

Are you tired of feeling stuck when it comes to Instagram? Not sure how to use it to promote your business effectively? If creating content feels overwhelming or you’re spinning your wheels trying to figure out what works, this is for you. The Master the Gram Challenge is designed to help you take control of Instagram and finally make it work for you. Join here: https://sidehustlepro.co/masterthegramIn Just 5 Days, You’ll Learn How To:Attract the right people to build a community (not just followers)Create content that makes people want to buy from youSave time with simple automation and scheduling toolsKnow when (and how) to hire so you can get off the content hamster wheelWe'll Cover:Day 1: FollowersDay 2: Content That ConvertsDay 3: Automation & PlanningDay 4: SalesDay 5: Outsourcing & ScalingPLUS! A BONUS live Q&A CallJoin me on Friday, Jan 17 at 1:00 PM ET for a live session to get your questions answeredYou'll Get:✔️ Daily bite-sized videos delivered straight to your inbox✔️ My step-by-step

This week in the guest chair we have Whitney Gates, an experienced marketing leader turned entrepreneur as co-founder and CEO of Wondry Wine. Her diversified skill set is driven by over 13 years of experience in brand management, shopper marketing and sales across Fortune 200 companies.Rejecting exclusivity, Wondry presents customers with a more approachable, stronger, semi-sweet wine. Drawing inspiration from her disabled uncle’s wine-making journey, Whitney’s hustled her way into becoming a multi-million dollar company in just a few years. In this episode she shares:How she went from making wine herself and doing door to door selling to launching Wondry online and expanding onto Target shelvesWhat it takes to stand out in a crowded market (and even get a deal with Mark Cuban on Shark Tank)The importance of understanding your customer and adjusting your pitch accordinglyHighlights include:0:00 – Introduction to Whitney Gates8:17 – Launching Wondry 11:20 – Defining Wondry’s category: wine vs. cockta

This week in the guest chair we have Melyssa Ford, media personality, actress, and advocate known for her dynamic presence in entertainment. With a career spanning television, film, and radio, she has captivated audiences as a host on the Joe Budden podcast and various TV appearances.As a seasoned veteran in media and entertainment, Melyssa mastered the art of pivoting and identifying viable opportunities to launch into new and exciting spaces.In this episode she shares:Her new podcast Hot and Bothered that fosters meaningful conversations about women’s wellness, intimacy, and health Overcoming depression, negative self-talk, and finding grace through personal healingThe many benefits to pivoting several times in her careerHighlights include:00:00 Intro02:00 Building a film/TV personality 06:00 Being an undocumented immigrant14:00 Creating her own path19:00 Battling mental health issues27:00 Navigating perimenopause40:00 The podcasting landscape47:00 Living with a brain injury1:00:00 Tips for e

This week in the guest chair we have Alexis Barber, a lifestyle influencer and founder of Too Collective, a modern wellness and loungewear brand. At just 25 years old, Alexis is the host of the top-rated Too Smart For This Podcast and has worked with brands like Lululemon, Rare Beauty, Microsoft, and Miss Dior as a content creator. In this episode she shares: How growing up low-income provided the foundation for having confidence and an ambitious mindset to overcome the limitations of her pastHer transformative experience as an MBA candidate at The Wharton School at UPennHow she makes a living off of content creation and the opportunities being an influencer has providedHighlights Include:00:00 Intro 03:00 Confidence and putting yourself out there09:55 Becoming a lifestyle influencer12:04 Navigating side hustling and a corporate role19:27 Collaboration with Rare Beauty 20:48 Launching a robe company 29:09 MBA program at Wharton39:20 Transparency in content creation44:07 The importance

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 offHow she differentiated her physical cookbook, The Soul of Scotchie, from others on the marketHow she diversified her revenue streams to triple her income and surpass her nursing paycheck Highlights include: 00:00 Intro05:22 Finding a path in nursing10:51 The goal of work-life balance11:52 Cooking as an outlet15:25 Intentional content creation19:24 Unlearning the idea of creating perfect content 27:21 Diversifying revenue streams33:38 Hiring a team for content creation41:09 Revenue from YouTube & brand partnerships43:42 Publishing a unique cookbook49:59 Take

This week we have a special student spotlight featuring Hiwote Getaneh, an audio producer curious about human-centered, emotion-driven storytelling. We first met when she joined my Podcast Moguls accelerator program, and it’s been so awesome to follow her journey from working in social policy research, to growing her own podcast, to actually changing her career path to work in podcasting full time, to moving to Portugal to live and work full time, to now launching her Emerging Voices, a podcasting accelerator for aspiring creators who want to start a podcast that is unique to them and build their creative resilience along the way.In this episode she shares:How identifying a niche audience transformed her podcast and entrepreneurial journeyHer focus on helping first and second-generation immigrant women find confidence in their stories Balancing financial stability after leaving her full time job and moving abroad to PortugalHighlights include:00:00 Intro03:00 From analyst to podcaster07:45 Mastering stor

This week in the guest chair we are back for an update episode with Arsha Jones, founder of Capital City- the DC-based company behind the wildly popular Mambo Sauce. Stemming from Arsha's desire to create a product that she could sell multiples of, Arsha describes her journey from starting as a web designer, shifting into e-commerce, and finally venturing into entrepreneurship.In this episode Arsha shares:How starting an income-driven business, Tees In The Trap, helped to fund ventures for Capital City How she got Mambo sauce onto shelves of major businesses like Papa Johns, Walmart, and Target The importance of legacy and how embedding the culture of the community she serves has opened up unique opportunities Highlights Include: 07:07 Leaving The Service Industry10:44 Launching Multiple Businesses At Once 17:14 Creating Multiple Revenue Streams19:50 Being The Face Of Your Brand29:33 Creating a Premium Product30:48 Getting Into Retail35:33 Creating Brand Partnerships41:11 Selling On A

This week in the guest chair we have fellow podcaster Les Alfred, content creator and host of the Balanced Black Girl podcast. Les shares her journey from blogging to launching her podcast, driven by the realization that there were few Black women discussing wellness on her social feeds. Les highlights the importance of relatability and audience connection in content creation, emphasizing that consumers today want to feel a personal connection to the creator behind a brand. By 2021, consistent monetizing and growth led her to partner with an agency, and later a podcast network, allowing her to scale ads and go full time as a podcaster.In this episode she shares:How following her curiosity and having the bravery to allow herself to be widely seen set her up for successHer methods to creating inspiring, approachable wellness content covering everything from wellness, to productivity, to personal finance, to self-careThe need for financial stability before quitting her corporate job by budgeting, saving, pa

Jamila Souffrant is the author of the book Your Journey To Financial Freedom, and the host of the Journey To Launch podcast. As a go-to thought leader in the personal finance field, her podcast has amassed over 4+ million total downloads. Starting her journey by saving over $100K in two years, she is now financially free. In this episode she shares:How she went from aggressive saving to over $400K years and becoming debt-freeThe best and easiest way to traditionally publish your bookWhat methods of income-earning have failed her and how she helps others find what works best for them, and moreHighlights include:00:00 Intro07:00 Mindset is the key to success 14:00 Revenue milestones25:00 Financial freedom30:15 Understanding life priorities38:10 Creating wealth for side hustlers42:30 Silent wealth  45:30 Tips for entrepreneurs Check out episode 436 of Side Hustle Pro podcast out now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTubeLinks mentioned in this episodeJamila’s 1st Side Hustle Pro episode

This week we are getting a masterclass in content-based business with Bola Sokunbi. Bola is a finance expert, 4-time bestselling author, and founder of Clever Girl Finance, one of the largest personal finance media/education platforms for women in the U.S.In this episode she shares:Her start as a financial advisor while side hustling Clever Girl Finance How she expanded past 1 to 1 business by creating courses and repeatable content How she was able to financially thrive while making her platforms free and accessible Highlights include:00:00 Intro07:15 Becoming a financial expert12:35 Initial business investments20:30 Determining target audience 25:18 Building a team32:40 Making the platform free and accessible36:53 Benefits and challenges of brand partnerships44:20 Being a content-first business57:00 Tips for entrepreneursCheck out this episode of Side Hustle Pro podcast and others out now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTubeThis episode is brought to you by: Shopify. Go to shopif

This week we’re back for a very exciting update episode with Denise Woodard is the Founder and CEO of Partake Foods, the allergy-friendly packaged food company inspired by her daughter’s experience with food allergies. Created in 2016, Denise started the business by self-distributing cookies around NYC, eventually becoming a Certified B Corporation and raising millions of dollars in investment capital. In this episode she shares:Her strategies to getting investors interested, including big names like HER and RihannaHow she became the first Black woman to raise more than $1 Million publicly for a CPG food startup, accumulating more than $20MHow she is continuing to inspire other entrepreneurs while growing her own businessHighlights include:00:00 Intro03:30 Partake’s rise to success07:15 Raising capital with huge companies14:50 Partnerships and rapid expansion23:40 Managing personal finances in the start-up phase29:06 Aligning with your true passions38:21 Work-life balance44:45 Tips for entrepreneursCheck

This week I sat down for a very inspiring chat with Mignon François, the #1 national best-selling author of Made from Scratch: Finding Success Without a Recipe, and founder of a multi-million dollar cupcake empire, The Cupcake Collection. In this episode she shares:Why having a great product and determination got her community to support her visionThe different financial methods she used, like cash stuffing, to reinvest into her business and employeesHow she leveraged $5 and turned it into a legacy with over five million cupcakes sold And much more, you don’t want to miss the gems she’s dropping!Highlights include:00:00 Intro04:30 Learning to bake from grandma10:53 The struggle to make ends meet15:09 Turning $5 into $60020:27 Humble beginnings32:50 Low margins, high profit from day one37:30 Benefits of profit sharing with employees42:00 Scaling to $10,000 days48:20 Tips for entrepreneurs Check out this episode of Side Hustle Pro podcast out now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTubeLinks menti

This week in the guest chair we’re taking it back to Donyale Walton, founder of Hoop Mobb, Home of the Hoop Earring. Coming from Flint, Michigan, Donyale made her way to New York to learn the business ropes and was inspired to pursue her own ventures. In this episode she shares:How she went outside of the box of where she’s from and gained unique skills by working in fashion Her process of finding and working with the best manufacturers How she’s able to build the best team and balance hiring family and friends Highlights include:00:00 Intro05:30 Getting her start in fashion15:30 Determining a niche24:50 Acquiring vendors and manufacturers 30:53 Focusing on serving a community 38:20 Profitability and hiring strategically 49:09 Marketing and growth strategies56:22 Tips for entrepreneurs  Check out episode 432 of Side Hustle Pro podcast out now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTubeLinks mentioned in this episodeThe Hoop Mob Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theh

You’ve done your research, gathered your materials and you’re ready to launch your side hustle. Now what? Keep GOING. This is the time to reevaluate, regroup, and dig deeper. A lot of side hustlers who get to this point will start to lose the spark they had when they first started. In episode 431, I’m giving you the tips to keep that same energy and build your side hustle into a sustainable business. Tips shared include:How to affirm yourself to build confidence The next steps to stay on track with your goalsHow to continue to find inspiration Highlights include:00:00 Intro04:00 Get down to business05:30 Determine what your impactful tasks are08:30 Get your schedule down10:00 Affirm your journey13:00 Time to get vulnerable15:30 Find your calling20:00 Limit outside opinionsI’m also hosting a live Side Hustle Bootcamp next week. Whether you’ve started your side hustle or are still trying to get it off the ground, this challenge is designed to help you get out of your head and into action. Go to s

This week in the guest chair we have Vanessa James, the dynamic founder of Vanessa James Media. Known as "the voice you hear everywhere," Vanessa is a seasoned Caribbean voice-over actress whose captivating voice has graced numerous iconic brands, including Netflix, Amazon, and the new promo voice for the nationally syndicated "Tamron Hall" daytime talk show.In this episode she shares about:How she uses her media company Vanessa James Media to advocate for diversity, inclusion, entrepreneurship, and creative collaborationThe groundbreaking events she leads each year like Food, Wine, and Fete—an all-inclusive Soca experience celebrating Caribbean cultureHow she scaled Vanessa James Media from side hustle to a profitable businessHighlights include: 00:00 Intro04:30 Corporate roles and burnout13:30 Side hustling in V.O.18:00 Understanding the voiceover industry22:50 Overcoming a stutter27:30 Stabilizing income as a side hustler33:30 Scaling a media business39:11 Food, Wine and Fete43:21 How to break into vo

In this Flashback Friday episode, we’re taking it back to the steps to take when starting your side hustle, specifically how to test it out. All the research in the world can’t compare to actually launching and testing your side hustle out. This may feel like the hardest part, but don’t let perfectionism get in the way. You’ve already done all the prep work, now it’s time to see the fruit of your labors. You’ll learn the steps needed to launch the side hustle of your dreams. In the episode I discuss:How to put yourself out there and get your side hustle recognized as a brandWhat platforms you’ll need to set up How to be brave and just startHighlights include: 00:00 Intro03:22 Naming your podcast05:00 Importance of domain names and websites09:30 The starting elements 12:30 Refine your starting steps15:30 Block out the noiseThe Side Hustle Bootcamp is designed to help busy, multi-passionate professionals just like you discover your perfect side hustle and get it up and running. Join us over

This week in the guest chair I have Philomina Kane, Ghanaian-American entrepreneur and content creator. In 2017, she graduated from Princeton University and began to cement herself as a haircare YouTuber. Garnering a following of nearly 200,000 subscribers, Philomina became a guiding force, empowering Black women to embrace and care for their natural hair. After building a strong brand and loyal following, Philomina founded KIN Apparel, a brand dedicated to crafting satin lined hoodies and hats for both hair protection and comfort. In this episode she shares about:How the innovative approach of KIN Apparel caught the attention of Shark Tank landed a six-figure deal with SKIM’s founding partner Emma GredeHer desire-driven approach to marketing and how leading with offering a solution to a problem has hooked her audience Reaching over $10M in revenue while continuously navigating challenges like fulfillment centers and a changing financial landscapeHighlights include: 00:00 Intro03:15 From the Br

So, you’ve figured out the side hustle you want to pursue. Now what’s the next step? Hint: It’s finding your audience.I’m not talking about just anyone who might come across your side hustle, I’m talking about the specific person who needs and wants what you’re offering! It’s time to get creative and identify who it is you’re talking to, and I’ve got a roadmap to help you do so. This episode is part two of the Side Hustle Pro Bootcamp series, where I teach you how to start your side hustle. In this episode we discuss:How to identify your customer/audience by understanding their habitsThe benefits of getting hyper-specific in your research How to reach out to the customer you identify as your target audience\Highlights include:00:00 Intro01:57 Identify target audience 06:12 Writing out your target listener attributes12:30 Get on the phone with potential audience17:30 Secondary audience’Check out episode 427 of Side Hustle Pro podcast out now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTubeLinks mentioned

This week in the guest chair we have Tricia Lee, powerhouse real estate broker, star of Netflix’s Owning Manhattan, and founder and leader of the highly talented Tricia Lee Team at Serhant. Tricia sold over $200M in her solo career before joining Serhant and simultaneously joining forces with her partner, Jeffrey St. Arromand. Through the power of partnership, authenticity, and personal branding, Tricia has become a household name in real estate and media.In this episode, Tricia shares:How she successfully managed the pivot from beauty to real estate and television Why she makes it a point to share her journey while also marketing her businessHow content creation has helped her close real estate dealsHow she has stayed true to herself and blocked out opinions, jobs, and people who don’t align with her goalsAnd so much more!Highlights Include:00:00 Intro 03:14 Discovering identity13:00 Navigating real estate16:50 Polish Bar success23:08 Transferring skills from previous industries34:19 Navigatin

If you’re still struggling to discover your perfect side hustle, you’re not alone. It’s because you’re good at more than one thing. But here’s a tip: just because you enjoy something, doesn’t mean it needs to be your side hustle! Let’s get into how to take all of your many ideas, and truly determine if it’s the best side hustle for you.In this episode we discuss: Taking my revenue streams to the next level with one-on-one coachingHow marketing advice may be holding you back, and how to figure out what works for your side hustle Discovering the power of charging what I’m worth, and how I shifted my mindset to get thereCheck out this episode and others on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and watch on YouTube Links mentioned in this episodeBootcamp: https://sidehustlepro.co/bootcampSample Poll: https://sidehustlepro.co/pollAffiliate 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