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

This week in the guest chair we have Robiar Smith, CEO of R.B. Pest Solutions. In a male-dominated field, she is trailblazing her way to the top and building a legacy business for her family and community. Juggling two rapidly growing companies in an unexpected industry, she's redefining success and breaking barriers.In this episode she shares:How she developed an exclusive retail deal with Home DepotWhat skills from her background in corporate America and MBA program she applied to being an entrepreneur Her transition into scaling a product-based business into a multi-million dollar company Highlights include:00:00 Intro2:30 Following the pest control legacy 6:34 How an MBA helped launch the business12:57 Acquiring customers and making them long time clients21:34 Phases of scaling a business25:41 Developing and testing retail products29:37 Difference in service-based and product-based business32:44 Maintaining profitability 35:48 Tips for entrepreneurs  Check out episode 399 of

Today we have in the guest chair Selina Howard, founder and CEO of Vanglorious Brides. Getting her start as a teacher and side hustling as a wedding planner, Selina found her passion and niche in dressing brides. Today, Vainglorious Brides offers custom bridal shopping experiences, day of dressing services, bridal fashion event production, and more. In this episode she shares:How she went from working for free and building her network to booking celebrity clientsHow fostering strong relationships in the industry gave her the upper handHow she pioneered bridal styling and created her own nicheHighlights Include: 00:00 Intro5:08 Becoming a bridal stylist11:22 The business of working with brides18:58 Building relationships in the industry26:07 Creating a niche in the market33:20 Recovering from COVID impact39:38 Scaling A Team43:02 Booking clients from social media 47:17 Expanding Black bridal market’s reach53:48 Advice for entrepreneursCheck out episode 398 of Side Hustle Pro podcast out now on A

This week in the guest chair we have DeNeitra Burnett, the Founder and CEO of Savvy Events, a Los-Angeles based event production and creative agency. DeNeitra has used her creativity and grit to climb to the top of the events industry, working closely with entertainment titans and Fortune 500 companies like HBO, Netflix, and Hulu, among others.DeNeitra shares how when the events business was shut down during the Pandemic, she pivoted her business to custom mailers, leading to her scaling Savvy Events to a 7-Figure Business.In this episode DeNeitra shares:How she made her first custom mailer during the pandemic and created a whole new division in her businessHow she structures her pricing to make sure she is fairly compensatedHow she’s expanding her business and team to incorporate both event production and creative mailer productionHighlights Include:00:00 Intro04:16 Event planning09:22 Work-life balance18:10 Percentage-based pricing23:57 Pivoting to mailers31:13 Adapting staffing structure34:50 Tips for entr

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

This week in the guest chair we have Reyna Noriega, a multifaceted visual artist. Being encouraged to pursue her talents by her parents, she was led to become an art teacher. It was there she discovered her true passion for art and a confidence in herself that would lead her to becoming a full-time artist. With her newfound belief in herself, she began manifesting dream projects and securing brand partnerships with big names like Apple, American Express, and Warby Parker.In this episode she shares:How she determined she can pursue art as a viable career path How staying consistent and continually reevaluating her skill set allows her to be price herself and her art accordingly Her ability to fully commit to side hustling and successfully overcoming financial obstacles that come with that pathHighlights include: 2:45 Figuring out a career path6:57 Juggling multiple side hustles14:32 Brand partnerships 16:40 Trusting your intuition and having confidence 23:56 leveraging social media37:5

This week we are back with Wilglory Tanjong, the Founder and CEO of Anima Iris, a technology-driven luxury bag brand that is industrializing Africa through retail. Starting with a personal investment of $5K, in under two years Wilglory has scaled Anima Iris into a multimillion-dollar valued company. In this episode she shares:How she worked alongside artisans in Dakar, Senegal for their craftsmanship and ended up supporting their livelihoods and familiesHer advice on keeping the faith and betting on yourself and your business every timeHow she got Beyoncé to rock an Anima Iris bag and post about it on InstagramHighlights Include:4:39 Establishing business in Senegal12:19 Financial readiness and having a mentor 19:31 Juggling grad school and launching a business24:35 Building a reliable team in Senegal35:54 Paying yourself in your business43:06 Standing out through marketing 47:34 Working with Beyoncé59:05 Meeting growing fulfillment needs1:04:13 Top tips for entrepreneursCheck out episode 394 o

This week in the guest chair we have Ashley Reynolds, Founder of Cloth & Paper. After Ashley left her corporate finance job of 9 years, she decided to take a chance on herself. She started designing planner inserts from scratch with no previous background or education in graphic design. Shortly after, a stationery business blossomed and the line grew to offer leather planners, luxury pens, and more quintessential styles. Today Cloth & Paper is a brand with over 40 employees, over 130K Instagram followers, and thousands of passionate customers. In this episode she shares:How she discovered a gap in her niche and built her business around filling it Her journey from creating her first planner on Microsoft Word to becoming a high-end, sought-after brand How her organic approach to marketing supported the growth of her business & so much moreHighlights Include:4:15 Transitioning to entrepreneurship9:35 Authenticity in marketing16:55 The manufacturing process20:39 Maintaining low margins

This week in the guest chair we have Jasmine Taylor, founder & owner of Baddies and Budgets, a financial education platform that aims to make products & provide a community for black women who are struggling with their finances. By addressing her own personal finance issues and sharing her experiences on TikTok, Jasmine built a strong audience of people who resonated with her journey. In this episode she shares about:How she turned her $1200 stimulus check into a $1M business Using social media as her sole marketing platform to build a strong following and community Her top tips and the resources she provides to take control of your moneyCheck out this episode and others on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, & YouTubeThis episode is brought to you by: Shopify. Go to shopify.com/hustlepro for a free fourteen-day trial and get full access to Shopify’s entire suite of features.Gusto offers modern, easy payroll, benefits, and HR to small businesses across the country. Give it a try at gusto.

This week I’m back to give you an inside look at a new marketing strategy I’m testing out. You guys know, I love to try new ways to provide value and keep my audience updated. One of the best resources I have is my email list, a valuable way to connect with my audience outside of social media.  In this episode I’m sharing:How to cultivate an email list of your own, and continuously grow itHow to figure out the best content and offerings you can give your audience How to automate emails, freebies, and paid products Highlights Include:1:22 The Value of an Email List4:56 How To Connect With Your Audience 9:12 Automating DM Responses 17:50 Testing Out Ads23:11 Connecting On Different Platforms26:43 Creating Freebies and Paid ProductsCheck out episode 391 of Side Hustle Pro podcast out now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTubeLinks mentioned in this episodeSHP Poll Freebie: sidehustlepro.com/poll SHP Newsletter: sidehustlepro.co/newletter Leadpages: https://www.leadpages.c

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 Amazon

This week I’m back with a solo episode to share some insights on finding your niche to help you narrow down your side hustle. There are endless paths you can take with side hustling, it’s important to get specific. Finding your niche will put you in line with your ideal audience or help you discover where you need to pivot and make changes. In this episode I share:The best place to start deciding what niche will work for youHow to get over the fear of putting yourself out thereThe power of feedback and how to use it to move your business forwardHighlights include:2:01 The Benefits of Polling and Asking for Help6:10 Picking One Niche to Focus On16:07 The Value of Getting Feedback19:02 Embracing Change and SimplifyingCheck out episode 389 of Side Hustle Pro podcast out now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTubeLinks mentioned in this episodeSample SHP Poll: https://sidehustlepro.co/poll Google Survey: https://www.google.com/forms/about/ Newsletter: https://sidehustlepro.co/newsletter/ Nicai

If you’re looking for a sign to finally start that podcast you’ve been dreaming about, this is it. In this week’s episode, I’m sharing tips I’ve tested to grow my podcast to millions of downloads. I’ve been able to gain sponsorship, grow an audience of over 160K across social platforms, and even appear on a magazine cover.In this episode I share about:Building an audience and how to keep them coming backOvercoming the challenges of being on videoHow to use social media for promotion and engaging with your audience Highlights Include: 1:38 Branding Your Podcast6:43 Building Your Audience 8:54 Keeping Overhead Low15:29 How To Stay Consistent23:33 Podcast Moguls CourseCheck out episode 388 of Side Hustle Pro podcast out now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube This episode is brought to you by:  Gusto offers modern, easy payroll, benefits, and HR to small businesses across the country. Sign up and give it a try at gusto.com/shp.Links mentioned in this episodeRiverside Video Recording: http

There is an overload of info and tips for entrepreneurs on the internet, it can be hard to filter through what is actually helpful. In this week’s episode, I’m giving you the real deal with 7 tangible tips to scale your side hustle to a full time business. Having been at this for over 7 years now, I’ve learned that scaling a side hustle is a journey of constant learning and pivoting, but having a solid starting point is key. In this episode I share about:Recognizing the seeds that were being planted in my life that led me to entrepreneurshipHow I used my 9-5 background in social media to launch my side hustle How I took my “failures” as lessons and improved in my next stepsHighlights Include: 2:30 The Power of Believing In Yourself 6:02 Find The Easiest Entry Point9:26 How To Re-invest In Yourself 15:06 Testing Out Your Side Hustle17:40 How To Leverage Social Media23:20 Figuring Out What To Sell25:04 When To Quit Your 9-5Check out episode 387 of Side Hustle Pro podcast out now on Appl

This week I’m back with some life updates, and yes, that includes me having a baby on y’all! Time can move so quickly, it’s so important to take time to reflect on the challenges, milestones and accomplishments in life. I’ve learned to tune out other opinions and appreciate my own journey in motherhood and entrepreneurship. In this episode I share about:Now being a mom of 2 and how entrepreneurship has allowed more freedom to parent Personal finance taking the forefront and which books are helping me to reach my financial goalsThe importance of showing up and expressing myself authentically on social media platformsHighlights Include:03:04 Motherhood Reflections25:50 Financial Planning 27:46 Outsourcing Financial Bookkeeping 34:50 Business GoalsCheck out episode 386 of Side Hustle Pro podcast out now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTubeLinks mentioned in this episodeNewsletter: https://sidehustlepro.co/newsletter/ NicailaTV Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@NicailaTV Side Hust

Third time’s a charm with 'The Budgetnista’, Tiffany Aliche. We’ve been able to witness her journey from unemployed and living with family at 30, to having multi-million dollar years as a full-time entrepreneur. She returns to the guest chair to discuss the maintenance of side-hustles while advancing as a business owner, and her focus on achieving financial wholeness and the critical role of intentionality in success. Her new book, Made Whole, serves as a workbook companion to her previous text, Get Good With Money.  In this episode she shares about: Her strategies to balancing her margins to maintain profit in her business How she successfully transitioned out of the role of CEO in her subscription-based business, Live Richer Academy  The importance of personal financial health while side hustling, and how living below her means helped her achieve that Why transparency and creativity are key to continue providing for and retaining her team  Highlights include:  04:17 Changing Dynamics in Business

This episode we’re getting a masterclass from The Toy Coach herself, Azhelle Wade. At first second-guessing herself, Azhelle eventually found confidence in her talent, leading to her working for big toy companies like Mattel and Toys R Us. She's climbed up and across the ladder in the toy world, starting out as a designer, later gaining 3 toy patents, and eventually becoming a VP at a toy company. Her online course, Toy Creators Academy empowers newbies in the toy industry with step-by-step  guidance, downloadable worksheets, and group coaching. In this episode she shares about: Choosing between the corporate path vs inventor path vs entrepreneur path in the toy industry How she found her niche of coaching toy makers while also pursuing her own toy aspirations The success she has found in marketing through her podcast Making It In the Toy Industry and maintaining an Evergreen model for her courses Highlights include: 04:14 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome 06:56 Understanding the Different Paths in the Toy

It’s always a great episode when we get to see the evolution a previous guest has made in their business. We’re back with Charis Jones, CEO of Sassy Jones, an empowering fashion and beauty brand. She shares how she prioritized impact over traditional business metrics, establishing a colorful and elegant brand with a loyal following, or as she calls it, a “sticky” brand.  In this episode she shares about: Opening a physical store, noting the distinct experiences offered in-person versus e-commerce  Managing work-family dynamics with her husband as company president How to build a disciplined marketing practice Her hiring approach and how she makes sure to prioritize her team’s strengths Highlights include:  01:58 Transition to Physical Store 03:47 The Challenges of Running an E-commerce Business 06:42 Scaling Without Investors 11:10 The Importance of Rest and Balance 20:48  Marketing Strategies and Execution 30:58 The Role of Experience in Hiring 34:26 Managing Family Dynamics in Business 39:46 The I

What started as unexpected unemployment at 52 years old turned into an incredible journey of finding purpose and alignment through absolute self-confidence. Dawn Kelly masterfully tells the story of how she became CEO of The Nourish Spot, a family owned, quick serve healthy food, smoothie and natural juice bar located in Jamaica, Queens, NYC. Relying upon her determination, faith and own resources, Dawn is now a courageous entrepreneur providing healthier beverage and food options in the food desert of Southeast Queens.  In this episode she shares: How important it was to grieve her lost position in the PR world so that she could later pivot and use her acquired skills as an entrepreneur How she has made it a point to expand her business beyond her storefront, leading her to opportunities like vending in Citi Field and The US Open Why she is committed to lifelong learning and the many wonderful resources she has found along the way, you can find a list of her resources at https://sidehustlepro.co/nouris

In the world of consultants and career developers, it can feel impossible to find the right fit. Kimberly Brown stands out as an expert whose leadership development company, Manifest Yourself, helps women and people of color navigate the workplace, make more money and become industry leaders. She’s the author of bestselling book, Next Move, Best Move: Transitioning Into a Career You'll Love and the host of the Your Next Move Podcast.  In this episode she shares: The steps she took to determine when it was time to leave her 9-5 Her simple yet powerful methods to attracting her ideal clients How she exceedingly surpassed her six figure goal in her first year  Check out episode 381 of Side Hustle Pro podcast out now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube This episode is brought to you by:  HubSpot Podcast Network- The audio destination for business professionals with content designed to help you listen, learn, and grow. Listen to Side Hustle Pro and more shows on the HubSpot Podcast Network, at https:

This week we are returning with an update episode with Jamila Souffrant. She 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, The Journey To Launch Podcast has over 4+ million total downloads and was listed by the NYTimes as a podcast to help you get better with your money. 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-free The best and easiest way to traditionally publish your book What methods of income-earning have failed her and how she helps others find what works best for them, and more Check out episode 380 of Side Hustle Pro podcast out now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube This episode is brought to you by:  HubSpot Podcast Network- The audio destination for business professionals with content designed to help you listen, learn, a