“Your business is at the exact right point for YOUR journey.” 💗 ~Gieselle Allen
Introducing...Side Hustle Convos 🎉 (#313)
Have you ever had an idea that won’t let you go, but for some reason, you can’t get it started?
Well, that has been me with the idea of creating a side hustler interview series. I have wanted to do it for years and came close a couple of years ago. I even sent questions to folks!
But, ultimately, I wasn’t able to make it happen.
At the time, it felt like a ton of work. And I’m sure a lot of it was the impostor syndrome of it all: “well, who am I to be the one to put this out there?” and “if I do it, it probably won’t be as good as [insert big name here]?”
Not to mention the unknowns of how to even go about it.
And I felt the external pressure to make it a podcast, which I didn’t have the capacity for (and still don’t, tbh).
So it was put on the back burner. But the idea would resurface every once in a while. It never left me, which was a sign that this needed to happen.
And now it has…
I’m so, so proud to announce that the first interview was published this week 🎉 (see #sidehustleconvos below)!
A friend asked me, “Well, what made you decide to do it now?” A few things made it feel more possible:
So many folks want to keep their jobs and start businesses. These stories are out there, and I would love to help share them.
Thanks to my day job, I learned a bit about the logistics of running an interview series a couple of years ago, and I knew that knowledge would help me figure out a plan to get started.
I have a virtual assistant (hey Alice!) that can help with graphics, social media, and some logistics of pulling off a series like this. ←this is a biggie
Then, towards the end of last year, I posted in my friend Saya’s group, letting folks know that this is something I had wanted to do but struggled to get it going. I asked if anyone would be interested in being interviewed, which would help me know if it was really the right time to move forward.
I had five people respond right away. Some knew me. Some didn’t. But they were willing to take a chance on this not-fully-formed idea.
So then I got to work. I already had an idea of questions to ask and a loose process to kick things off.
After that, the pieces started falling into place, including the name (thanks, Vanessa, for helping me with that!).
I hope these interviews provide advice, inspiration, and resources for you to know what’s possible and to keep going.
On to the picks!
Note: This email may contain affiliate links. If you click through my link and make a purchase, I may receive “thank you money” at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products that I use and love.
#loves 😍
📺. Watching: Bros. I had a rough ending to last week - #caregiverlife has been tough lately. And I asked my FB friends for some suggestions of funny things to watch. One suggested Bros (thanks, Magda!), and it’s a hilarious rom-com about two dudes who are afraid of commitment but may want to commit to each other. Maybe? Possibly? 🥰 Laugh out loud moments and loved the chemistry between the two.
🎧. Listening: How to Double Your Income (Without Working Harder). Revisiting this podcast episode from Denise Duffield-Thomas. She gives some great ideas for making more $$ from raising your prices to creating VIP offers to thinking about passive income ideas. I would love to get to a place where I can take some commitments off my plate this year without sacrificing income.
#sidehustleconvos
Entrepreneur: Jenn Vyenielo
Biz: Emaloe’s Thingys
A few tidbits:
Jenn started working with clay to maintain her mental health during the pandemic - this led her to find an activity she was super passionate about that she then turned into a business.
Even with dealing with creative blocks and struggling to find time for administrative work, Jenn journals her thoughts so that she can reframe them. And realizes that sometimes stepping away is the best option.
Jenn’s advice for starting a side hustle: “Know that is ok to rest, be mindful of your energy & take a break /pause (short or long) if you need to.”
Learn more about Jenn’s journey creating a product-based side hustle.
#reads
Try things
Love this quote and sentiment that my friend L’Oreal shared in her recent newsletter:
“At this point in the game, I think you should be spending less time asking what you should be doing, & more time simply trying things. You can get all the advice you want, but you only know what works or doesn’t once you actually start working it.” ~ Junae Brown
As a recovering perfectionist, I sometimes get stuck trying to make things perfect the first time. So, instead, I’m trying to get better at going into projects with an experimentation mindset. A “let’s try this and see how it goes” and an “I can tweak later” approach. This way, I can get data and insight to help us continue moving forward. So, over this next month, what’s on your list that you can try?
—
#icymi
😍. Last issue’s top pick was: Adulting Kit (two weeks in a row! 🎉)
#classifieds 🗞
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#lifevibes
#supporters ☕️
Thank you, Ayana, Krista, Jessica, Annetta, Constance, Tunde, Jen, Michelle, Emile, Bex, Kim, Angela G., Lauren B., Chelsea, Amy, Ricky, Kirsten, Vin, Julie, Nicole, Humza, Greg, Kristin, Kirstyn, Jess, Cheryl, Krysta, Adrena, Vidya, Kristyn, Danielle, Keryn, Terry, Vanessa, Meredith, Lauren, Meg, Maria J., Chivon, Kim, Luciano, Colie, Chasity, Laurie, Latienda, Collette, Anne, Kristen, Liz, Katherine, Monale, Betsy, Melissa, Lindsay, Jennifer, Kayla, Madison, Rae, Stephanie, Christine R., Christine M., Frances, Hannah, Chris, Brandy, Mea, Kristian, Maria K. Avery, Adam, Barbara, Shenee, Desiree, Lisa, Kandice, L’Oreal, and LaVerne for being #jesspicks supporters!! ❤️
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You’re one of my MOST favourite long-form newsletter writers and I absolutely adore that you keep it like that. Love it. 🫶🏻✨
P.S. The side-hustler interviews are gonna be fucking intriguing to read! Can’t wait. :)
Great piece!