Side Hustle School

Chris Guillebeau / Onward Project
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Nov 25, 2025 • 5min

Ep. 3251 - Q&A: “Is my burnout a signal to pivot?”

A listener grapples with burnout from her calligraphy side hustle, realizing she dreads her once-loved orders. The host helps evaluate if it's time for a break or a significant pivot. They discuss pinpointing operational stressors like logistics and communication. Additionally, there's reassurance that side hustles aren't permanent; they can lead to personal evolution and new opportunities. The emphasis is on prioritizing enjoyable and meaningful work.
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Nov 24, 2025 • 6min

Ep. 3250 - First $1,000: Digital Window Menu Boards for Food Trucks

Discover how a designer transformed traditional chalkboard menus into sleek digital solutions for food trucks. Inspired by travel, she repurposed unused tablets and created an easy-to-use menu kit. With minimal costs and smart sales strategies, she sold her product directly during busy lunch hours, earning impressive profits. Learn how technology and design can turn spare resources into a reliable side income, all while covering rent! This episode dives into innovation, creativity, and the hustle behind turning ideas into cash.
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6 snips
Nov 23, 2025 • 7min

Ep. 3249 - Weekend Workshop: From Ski Bum to Six-Figure Teacher

Discover how a laid-off ski bum transformed his life by launching an online snowboarding school. Learn about his journey from in-person lessons to global digital teaching, leading to sales in 20 countries. Hear how he tripled revenue with affiliate marketing and expanded his reach by translating content into nine languages. Gain insights into essential business skills like marketing and accounting he mastered along the way. This inspiring story illustrates how to package local expertise for a world audience.
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Nov 22, 2025 • 5min

Ep. 3248 - Q&A: “Should I spend $2,000 on retention or acquisition?”

Santiago, a bootstrapped software founder from Miami, grapples with a $2,000 dilemma for his subscription app with 180 users. Should he spend it on retention strategies to reduce cancellations or chase new sign-ups? Chris advises prioritizing the churn rate first, highlighting the importance of fixing leaks before investing. If churn is low, acquisition could be the way to grow revenue. The discussion emphasizes focusing on existing customers while keeping an eye on scaling when metrics are favorable.
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Nov 21, 2025 • 5min

Ep. 3247 - Q&A: “Instagram, TikTok, or LinkedIn—how do I choose?”

Choosing the right platform for a side hustle can make all the difference. Instead of spreading yourself thin by posting everywhere, focus on where potential customers are most active. Native content is key—videos might shine on one platform while photos excel on another. Instagram is highlighted as a top choice for quickly driving sales, especially for custom products. The episode wraps up with a reminder to embrace experimentation, discard what doesn’t work, and keep well-being in mind.
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Nov 20, 2025 • 6min

Ep. 3246 - TBT: Recruiters Pay Me to Tear Apart Their Emails

Sean Markham, a marketing and copywriting expert, shares how he transformed a collection of standout recruiter outreach emails into a profitable business. He reveals the inspiration behind creating an organized swipe file of these emails, which he marketed as a subscription service. Transitioning to selling verified contact lists, he highlights the importance of targeting the right leads rather than merely offering templates. His journey exemplifies how a clever side hustle can flourish with the right approach and insights.
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Nov 19, 2025 • 7min

Ep. 3245 - STORY: Six-Figure Beekeeping Biz Buzzes for Minnesota Couple

Discover the inspiring story of a Minnesota couple transforming their passion for beekeeping into a six-figure business. Kiara's sustainability project sparked her interest in bees, while Travis dove in after caring for her hives. They cleverly built their inventory through trades and tackled winter survival challenges for their bees. By selling hives and honey, they found success and even reinvested profits to grow. Their journey highlights the rewards of following your passion and creating value.
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Nov 18, 2025 • 4min

Ep. 3244 - Q&A: “How do I upsell without sounding pushy?”

Discover how to upsell without coming off as pushy! Learn key principles such as timing and clear outcomes to make your offers feel natural. Hear a real-life dilemma from a copywriter about spotting client issues while fearing pressure tactics. Unlock a two-step framework that helps you diagnose problems before proposing solutions. It's all about making the upsell a win-win for both you and your clients!
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Nov 17, 2025 • 6min

Ep. 3243 - First $1,000: Cozy Reading Gadget Turns Pages and Profit

A bedtime reader turns a simple paperclip into a cozy reading gadget. Struggling to read one-handed, she sketches a page holder and finds a manufacturer to bring her idea to life. After launching on Amazon, a viral video skyrockets sales, leading to improvements based on customer feedback. She now sells 40 units weekly without spending on ads, relying on creative content and engagement to drive her success. This journey highlights the power of innovation and responding to customer needs.
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5 snips
Nov 16, 2025 • 8min

Ep. 3242 - Weekend Workshop: “Digital Documentation” Earns Passive Income

This segment reveals how a simple PDF guide generated $120,000 in its first year. It explores the gap in the market for comprehensive documentation, showcasing how Brett created a detailed Evernote guide. The story includes a pivotal moment when a $10,000 sales goal allowed his wife to quit her job, leading to daily passive income. The discussion emphasizes the model's success due to clear user needs and accessible pricing, encouraging listeners to apply similar tactics to their own projects.

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