Side Hustle School

Chris Guillebeau / Onward Project
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7 snips
Dec 14, 2025 • 7min

Ep. 3270 - Weekend Workshop: From Rock Bottom to Business Empire

A British woman transforms her life from a homeless shelter to a million-dollar business. She launches IttyBiz with a focus on effective marketing sessions, charging clients $250 for actionable advice. Naomi's straightforward approach emphasizes profit over popularity, helping business owners succeed. She expands her services into courses and products, maintaining a strict rule of keeping only revenue-generating activities. The podcast highlights practical lessons that listeners can implement immediately to start their own side hustles.
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5 snips
Dec 13, 2025 • 5min

Ep. 3269 - Q&A: “What do I do if my partner doesn’t believe in my business?”

A listener grapples with a partner's skepticism about their business dream. The discussion emphasizes the importance of safety, trust, and respect in relationships. Suggestions include using an empathy-first approach to ease fears and proposing a trial period for the side hustle. Chris also recommends setting non-negotiable boundaries and having regular check-ins to evaluate progress. Tune in for practical advice on pursuing your passion while maintaining harmony at home!
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Dec 12, 2025 • 6min

Ep. 3268 - Q&A: “Are Instagram links killing my reach?”

A listener is concerned that posting external links on Instagram is harming her reach. The host explains how platforms often suppress posts with links to keep users engaged on-site. Alternatives like using bio links, Instagram Shopping, and comment-triggered DMs are suggested to enhance engagement and drive sales. Strategies to navigate potential shadowbans and diversify audiences beyond Instagram are also discussed. Tune in for tips that could boost your visibility and drive purchases without sacrificing your reach!
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Dec 11, 2025 • 6min

Ep. 3267 - TBT: Hand-Written Recipes Become Kitchen Wall Art

Discover how a maker turned stained recipe cards into beautiful kitchen art, rescuing memories and creating a heartwarming side hustle. This creative venture has already brightened over 150 homes! Learn about her first sales, including a paid request from a neighbor and selling prints on Etsy. Dive into the details of custom prints, pricing, and fulfillment. Plus, hear the host's inspiration for generating income from home while traveling. It's a delightful exploration of nostalgia and entrepreneurship!
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5 snips
Dec 10, 2025 • 7min

Ep. 3266 - STORY: Marathon Runner Earns Full-Time Income Trying On Shoes

A runner transforms a job loss into a thriving side hustle by launching a shoe review site. Starting with minimal investment, he gradually earns his first affiliate commission and expands his traffic to hundreds of thousands. Over the years, he embraces a remote testing team and ultimately makes the leap to run his business full-time after hitting major milestones. Now fifteen years in, the site thrives on in-depth shoe reviews, showcasing a remarkable journey of persistence and success.
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Dec 9, 2025 • 6min

Ep. 3265 - Q&A: “Should I add shipping to my Marketplace listings?”

A local seller grapples with the decision to offer shipping on Marketplace. Concerns about scams and returns arise, prompting a suggestion to pilot shipping with small, sturdy items. Emphasizing safety, advice includes requiring payment before shipping and utilizing protected checkouts. Packaging tips and label options enhance shipping efficiency. The potential of expanding sales to eBay for wider reach is also explored. Ultimately, the choice to ship remains in the seller's hands.
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Dec 8, 2025 • 7min

Ep. 3264 - First $1,000: Flipping Rolling Carts & Filing Cabinets

In this engaging segment, a small-scale reseller shares their journey flipping rolling carts and filing cabinets. They transformed dull, beige furniture into vibrant storage solutions using paint and savvy marketing. Discover how they sourced items cheaply through Craigslist and tailored listings for different buyers. By creatively adding locking casters, they catered to specific markets like tattoo artists. In just 19 days, they netted $912, all while maintaining a part-time hustle. Their experience highlights the potential of sustainable side gigs without quitting your day job.
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6 snips
Dec 7, 2025 • 8min

Ep. 3263 - Weekend Workshop: The Never Boss Philosophy

Discover the 'never have a boss, never be a boss' philosophy that promotes autonomy and personal branding. Learn about Brandy Egerbeck’s unique 'company of one' strategy and how she leverages graphic facilitation to serve diverse clients. Explore the benefits of solo work, such as creative freedom and flexible scheduling. Chris discusses the balance between premium services and scalability, encouraging listeners to embrace their authentic selves while targeting lucrative markets. Start small and build on your strengths!
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4 snips
Dec 6, 2025 • 5min

Ep. 3262 - Q&A: “Should I raise my coaching rates or add more clients?”

Today's caller, a solo lifestyle improvement coach, seeks advice on whether to raise her rates or take on more clients. Chris tackles the math behind both options and reveals how a small price increase often leads to greater net income without sacrificing time. They explore the importance of valuing one’s time and suggest using waitlists to enhance perceived value. Ultimately, Chris emphasizes that raising prices can be a smarter strategy for sustainable growth in the coaching business.
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8 snips
Dec 5, 2025 • 6min

Ep. 3261 - Q&A: “Is my struggling side hustle worth saving?”

A listener grapples with a slow-start side hustle in knitting pet sweaters. The host outlines a 90-day experiment to evaluate its viability. Key topics include defining motivations—hobby vs. income—and setting specific profit targets. They discuss diagnosing constraints like traffic and conversion rates. Listeners are encouraged to formulate a focused experiment, limit hours, and align their actions with their goals. In the end, it's all about deciding whether to push forward, pivot, or pull back.

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