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

For Alexia Grant aka “Chef Lex” aka “The Bubble Chef,” cooking was always a family affair, or how she puts it, “a collaborative effort.” And that motivation has taken her very far. She has cooked for the likes of Carmelo and LaLa Anthony, Malcolm Jenkins, Meek Mill, Angela Simmons and Lauryn Hill, and worked with brands like Lululemon and Verizon.  Growing up with a garden outside of her home, and a loving family who made sure she had a good breakfast in the morning, food was a big thing for her. Although Lex wasn’t sure of what she wanted to do post-high school, it was her grandfather who was her motivation to pursue a career in cooking. Before he passed, he had a real sit-down moment with her about next life steps, which encouraged her to eventually apply to culinary school. At 19, Lex got her first high paying catering job that catapulted her into the side hustle of catering, which ultimately led her to full-time entrepreneurship. Not to mention, after that catering job, she started telling everyone that s

Hey Guys, I'm excited to announce that my new side hustle is here. That's right, my new YouTube channel is live: https://www.youtube.com/c/nicailatv Check it out and like and subscribe! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marvina Robinson is the founder and CEO of her own boutique brand champagne company, B. Stuyvesant Champagne that was launched in February 2020. Her journey was anything but “ordinary.” She puts it this way: “There was no direct correlation.” With a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Master’s degree in Statistics, and the career path of working in finance on Wall Street for over 20 years, the entrepreneur bug hit her, big time. Prior to Stuyvesant (as it’s affectionately called), Marvina had her own indoor cycling studio, which she later converted into a café.  After the landlord of the building the café was hosted in wouldn’t allow her to sell beer or wine, she took his “no” as a lead to make her vision a reality, and open up a champagne bar. So she took the next lead, and ventured to France to make connections in the champagne and wine world. While sitting down eating crepes in France at 5 a.m., she met someone who would help her make the introductions she needed to succeed, and the outcome of that is what you s

You’d probably think that launching a new business in the middle of a pandemic wouldn’t be the most “received” idea, but for Temidayo Adedokun, she accepted the challenge. In 2020, Temidayo launched Ade + Ayo, a collection of beautifully crafted pieces that make the African aesthetic practical for even the littlest among us. Her pieces keep things modern and affordable for parents, too. Interestingly enough for Temidayo, she’s no stranger to the entrepreneur world as her parents paved their own way, although they encouraged her to take a more “traditional” path. And for her, that was law. While attending Yale for her studies, during her second semester, she became dissatisfied with the path she’d chosen. After Yale, the future entrepreneur decided to pursue corporate law to pay off debt (so relatable!), but ended up hating it and leaving that firm after nine months because she felt like she sold her life to the firm. Upon trying to figure things out and working at a boutique law firm, Temidayo became pregnant

If you’ve ever seen Canishiea J. Sams’ Instagram account, you know that her nail art style is far from basic colors and french tips. Her designs are fun, vibrant, eclectic and, most certainly, the future of nails. Canishiea is a nail artist and owner of “NailsbyCanishiea,” where she specializes in hand painted luxury press-on nails and nail care. What started as a hobby quickly turned into a passion for the nail art guru, and after much practice and encouragement from her sisters, friends, and husband, Canishiea decided to pursue her dreams and attend nail school. But get this, by day, she was still attending university and studying criminology, and by night, going after her dreams. Needless to say, everyone was questioning her life plan, except her. In 2016, Canishiea finished nail school, gave birth to her son, and graduated from college all in the span of months. With a move on the horizon, she took that as a sign to go after what she wanted and do the type of nails she wanted to do. Her step of faith, end

It’s the final week of the Side Hustle Pro Bootcamp, and we’re going to ACT! That’s right, you’ve officially entered a “no excuses allowed” zone. For the past three weeks, we’ve built up to this moment by getting in the zone, kicking our doubts to the curb, finding virtual mentors, starting to do the basics, and limiting the opinions of others. You’ve been equipped for this. You’re ready! In three tips, I’m sharing how to take action and get things done, and put your side hustle out in the open because like I’ve said before...2021 is the year that we’re talking our side hustle seriously. We want to launch that product, write that blog post, record that video, and tell the world about what we did. You can’t just keep it on your computer.  We want people to root for you when you’re starting, even if it’s not perfect, because it doesn’t have to be. Like we talked about in week one of the bootcamp, just start! You have to make your product or service in order to make it better. Think of it this way: you can be ma

You’ve already gotten the motivation you need to stop procrastinating and just go for it. We’ve even talked about pushing past the fear and doubts that might come from ourselves and others. So, this week, I want to tell you my 3-step process for taking action, making moves, and progressing on your side hustle. It’s a tried and true formula that I’ve been using for the past five years. When I looked back on how I approached creating my podcast as a side hustle, and now, how I’m approaching creating my YouTube channel as a side hustle, I recognize that there are three things I always do. In this episode, I’m sharing what those three things are. I’m giving you real-world examples that I’m implementing right now, and that you can start working on too! If you’re diligent with these steps, they will work for you too. Remember, we are making moves by any means necessary in 2021. This episode is brought to you by: Caveday Side Hustle Pro listeners can try a free three-hour cave with promo code ‘SIDEHUSTLE’ at caveday

Life happens, right? So here we are with Week 2 of the Side Hustle Pro Bootcamp! I’m sharing my thought process and tips on how to push past the doubt and move forward with your side hustle idea.  After Week 1 of the Side Hustle Pro Bootcamp, a lot of people reached out to me to share the doubts and fears that have been holding them back.  I get it. Starting a new hustle is 90% mental in the beginning.  You’ve got to work up the mental courage, because staying in the “indecision zone” is NOT beneficial to where you want to be. Plus, you’re withholding your greatness from the world.  Why not you?  You’re just as capable, talented, and dedicated as anyone else. Your idea and side hustle are worthy of your attention and focus. In this episode I’m sharing real practices I use to break out of analysis paralysis and get down to business. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Soundcloud AND join the bootcamp for accountability: sidehustlepro.co/bootcamp This episode is brought to you by: FreshBooks Try FreshBooks fre

For the next four weeks, you’ll have a chance to be a part of the Side Hustle Pro Bootcamp. Don’t worry, there are no pushups, workout plan, or anything of the sort, but what you will get a grasp of is how to break things down into super small achievable steps to actually achieve your side hustle dreams. This week’s episode is all about how to START. No more procrastination. No more playing around. In 2021, we’re going to commit and do this! Besides, the hardest part of the battle is actually starting your side hustle, but after that, it gets easier. And to be honest, you’re probably stalling because of the drive to be perfect. Stalling and overthinking can create a hamster wheel effect that’s very hard to get out of, even when you know it’s counterproductive and not necessary. Instead of focusing on the wrong things, let’s focus on the right things. I’m taking you through the journey of: saying “no” to your own stall tactics and saying “later” to your own excuses, all while giving you three tips to actually

The phrase “side hustle” has become such a buzz word these days, but I’ve learned that “side hustle” means different things to different people. I, personally, define it as a passion project you’d do even if you don’t make money from it. That’s how I got here with Side Hustle Pro.  In this week’s episode, we look into how to figure out what your side hustle should be, right in time for 2021! For me, it took a lot of figuring out and stumbling, but I got it together and was able to cultivate it into what you see today. If I can do it, so can you, and I’m walking you through how to do it. And it starts with these three questions: What am I good at? What do I enjoy doing in my spare time? What would I do even if I wasn’t getting paid for it? I even touch on unlearning internalized messages we’ve believed about ourselves, and doing away with boxes we’ve been placed in, in order to succeed. Your 2021 side hustle is waiting for you to start, so go get it! Check out this episode and others on Apple Podcasts, Spo

In this week’s episode, we talk about building and leaving lasting generational wealth in the African-American community. Dr. Pamela Jolly shares how our human, cultural, intellectual, social, and spiritual capital all play a part in the fulfilled life we should all strive for when it comes to wealth.  She also explains how her various educational experiences and degrees (MBA, Ed.D, Th.M, and more) allowed her to assist minority business enterprises to grow, and redefine the way they saw money. But, her journey wasn’t always this stable. Her journey with learning about money started when her dad withdrew all financial support from her in college (á la Whitley Gilbert). It forced her to understand what money really is, and set her on the path to learning all about wealth. In this episode, you’ll hear: ⦿ Why you need to have a good relationship with time to have a good relationship with money,  ⦿ How we can all begin to build and chart our path to wealth, and ⦿ The importance of understanding history as it rela

Whether you’re thinking about starting a podcast or already have one, one of the biggest questions that you might have is: “Will I even make money doing this?” And the short answer is: “yes!” After a year of earning consistent revenue with my podcast, I was able to quit my job to focus on Side Hustle Pro full-time, all in the name of monetization. I didn’t start out with the mindset of making money off my podcast, but I quickly began to test and see that it was possible. Trust me, I secured a $4,000 multi-month sponsorship contract on my first try. In this week’s episode, I help you set realistic expectations when it comes to podcast monetization. I also breakdown how, exactly, to make money podcasting, and how and when I started earning revenue. There are tons of ways to do it, and we’ll focus on the big three: Creating valuable content for future clients Developing products listeners love and need, and  All things sponsorships  Check out this episode and others on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Soundcloud, an

Have you been thinking about starting a podcast? Pondering on if it’s the right move for you? If you’re worried that the industry is too saturated, let me tell you...there’s always going to be competition. If there isn’t any demand, you don’t want to be there. I want to encourage you that what’s in your mind hasn’t yet come into the atmosphere. And that’s okay because podcasting is exponentially growing, and it’s going to grow when you release your show. In this week’s episode, I’m here to help you figure out if it’s time to stop sitting on that idea, press record, and start the podcast you’ve always wanted to. Here’s a hint: you have to start before you’re ready. Check out this episode and others on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Soundcloud, and Stitcher.   This episode is brought to you by: Native Give the gift of Native and get 20% off your first order by going to nativedeo.com/sidehustle or by using the promo code “sidehustle” at the website checkoutComcast RISETo apply today for marketing, media and tech mak

Honesty is the new mantra for me. I’m bringing you the real in this week’s episode. Trust me, I’m not holding back with this Behind the Hustle update. I wasn’t emotionally ready to discuss everything yet, but I felt like there is no discussing my personal experience of juggling being a new mom, and having my own business without sharing a bit about what I’ve been going through. If you’re ready for it, I’m sharing what I’ve learned, and what has helped me navigate through this time in this solo episode. Here’s a sneak peek: ⦿ Why it does no good, for new moms like me, to keep how we’re feeling to ourselves ⦿ How exclusive pumping saved my postpartum life ⦿ My challenges with breastfeeding (don’t @ me) ⦿ How I found my mom tribe, and my newfound boundaries, and ⦿ How my plans were shot once the realness of postpartum life set in Check out this episode and others on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Soundcloud, and Stitcher.   This episode is brought to you by: NativeGive the gift of Native and get 20% off your first o

Today in the guest chair we have Grace Eleyae, the Founder of Grace Eleyae Inc.  Grace Eleyae Inc. began with their now trademark product, the Original Slap, which stands for (Satin-Lined Cap)®. The Slap is a stylish cap that retains moisture (satin-lining), stays on your head at night (with its signature elastic band) and is fashionable enough to wear outside. It all started in 2014 when Grace took a trip to Kenya that changed her life.  During a bumpy 8-hour car ride, all the hair on the back of her head broke off - the result of her chemically straightened hair and constant friction against the headrest. And the rest would be history. Later that year, Grace started working on a solution to her completely damaged, broken and dry chemically straightened hair, and the first prototype of the Slap was created.  In this episode, Grace shares: How a bumpy car ride and hair breakage led her to develop a prototype for her ideal cap What happened after she created that prototype, including the reaction from her fam

Caroline Owusu-Ansah is the Founder and Smooth Operating Officer at LUV SCRUB, which is a company that focuses on smooth skin by the way of exfoliation.  The LUV SCRUB is an exfoliating mesh sheet that will have you trading in your rags, wash cloths and loofahs. It was a staple in Caroline’s home growing up.  Born to Ghanaian parents, she graduated from UMass Amherst with a degree in Apparel Marketing and went into a career of Branding and Retail Merchandising.  With the skills she learned from her career, she was able to bring LUV SCRUB to life. In this episode, I really appreciate what Caroline had to share about: Her approach to branding her packaging for the LUV SCRUB The starts and stops of entrepreneurship (she took a four year break after launching!) Going back to work for someone else for a while, and then returning to her business once she was better equipped to scale the company and so much more! Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more: sidehustlepro.co/luvscrub Links mentioned in this episo

It’s not often that you hear about two co-founders meeting on Tinder. But that’s actually the business origin story of this week’s Side Hustle Pro guest, Angela Jennings of BOOMBOX Boxing Club. BOOMBOX is a boxing-inspired, hip-hop-fueled fitness studio.  A finance professional at a global accounting firm by day, Angela always knew she wanted to tap into her interest in food or fitness.  After being introduced to boxing three years ago by Tinder match and co-founder, Reggie Smith, Angela became passionate about the sport's potential to be a fun and powerful workout to people of all fitness levels and backgrounds.  The pair launched their first studio in Washington, DC in 2019 and it's now host to members who sweat through themed boxing workouts or private training with coaches.  In this episode, I really love what Angela had to share about: Deciding on a location when each co-founder lives in a different city Building buzz leading up to opening day Navigating the fitness industry during covid and how they ar

Vera Moore always had an interest in creating something of her own.  Like many of us, she didn’t know what that would look like, but she knew that she wanted to take ownership of her future. After dabbling in other hustles, from a swimwear line to a tax business, Vera was drawn to creating her own lingerie line. She saw the lack of representation of Black women and women of all sizes from the brands on the market, and knew there was a great opportunity for something better. So she created her own inclusive lingerie line: Love, Vera. All while side hustling. In this episode, I really love what Vera had to share about: Her experience taking a sourcing trip to look for products Creating the brand identity for Love, Vera Storing inventory in her parents basement and fulfilling orders herself until 1AM in the morning! Transitioning to custom creating private label designs for Love, Vera And so much more! Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more: sidehustlepro.co/lovevera Links mentioned in this episode: Ca

Hey Guys, This message was on my heart so I decided to record a quick #hustlebomb for my younger self. Hope this helps you too! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever gone to the store looking for a product only to find that it doesn’t even exist?  That’s what Jacquelyn Rodgers, Founder of Greentop Gifts, experienced one Christmas season when she went looking for wrapping paper featuring a Black Santa.  Frustrated and surprised, Jacquelyn decided she would make her own. But not only that, she realized the gap in the market and got to work building a company that could fill this need. What started as a side hustle took off like a rocket, with features by ESSENCE, PEOPLE, NBC News, and recently Beyonce’s Black Parade, and more! This year, she finally had to leave the side hustle behind and take it full time. In episode 221 of Side Hustle Pro, find out how Jacquelyn started the company along with her husband, navigated the challenges of finding the right fulfillment partner, and what’s next for Greentop Gifts. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more! This episode is brought to you by: Skillshare Explore your creativity at skillshare.com/hustle. The first 1