Side Hustle Pro

Side Hustle Pro spotlights bold black women entrepreneurs who have scaled from side hustle to profitable business. Join Chief Side Hustler turned full-time entrepreneur Nicaila Matthews Okome for your weekly installment of Side Hustle Pro and learn actionable strategies to start small and get going–wherever and whoever you are. Side Hustle Pro features interviews with inspiring Black women entrepreneurs who started out as side hustlers, including interviews with Myleik Teele, Morgan DeBaun, Tiffany "The Budgetnista" Aliche, and more!

385: Finding Financial Balance While Side Hustling w/ Tiffany The Budgetnista 01/03/2024

385: Finding Financial Balance While Side Hustling w/ Tiffany The Budgetnista 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 12:46 Navigating Low Income While Side Hustling 22:02 Transitioning and Scaling in Business 24:01 The Importance of Having Integrity 35:44 The Importance of Personal Financial Health 49:28 Transitioning Out of A CEO Role 57:12 Transparency In Payroll Check out episode 385 of Side Hustle Pro podcast out now on , , and This episode is brought to you by: offers modern, easy payroll, benefits, and HR to small businesses across the country. Sign up and give it a try at . Links mentioned in this episode Tiffany’s First SHP Episode: Tiffany’s Second SHP Episode: Tiffany’s Website: Tiffany’s Instagram: Tiffany’s Podcast: Tiffany's Book, Made Whole: Live Rich Academy: IDA Program: Click here to subscribe via RSS feed (non-iTunes feed): Announcements Join our Facebook Community If you’re looking for a community of supportive side hustlers who are all working to take our businesses to the next level, join us here: Guest Social Media Info Tiffany’s Instagram: /episode/index/show/sidehustlepro/id/29315348

384: How To Make It In The Toy Industry W/ Azhelle Wade 12/27/2023

384: How To Make It In The Toy Industry W/ Azhelle Wade 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 Industry 08:40 The Transition from Corporate to Entrepreneurship 17:15 The Benefits of Having a Podcast 25:05 What Sets The Toy Coach Apart 32:25 The Stress of Running a Hands-On Course 34:47 The Strategy of the Evergreen Model & Seasonal Webinars 40:20 The Importance of Promoting Your Course 46:25 The Strategy of Targeting Local Stores First 53:20 The Challenges and Opportunities of B2B Consulting 55:48 Advice for Side Hustlers Transitioning to Full-Time Entrepreneurs Check out episode 384 of Side Hustle Pro podcast out now on , , and This episode is brought to you by: - 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 . offers modern, easy payroll, benefits, and HR to small businesses across the country. Sign up and give it a try at . Links mentioned in this episode Azhelle’s Website: Website: Azhelle’s Instagram: Afro Unicorn SHP Episode: Easy Webinar: Amy Porterfield: Click here to subscribe via RSS feed (non-iTunes feed): Announcements Join our Facebook Community If you’re looking for a community of supportive side hustlers who are all working to take our businesses to the next level, join us here: Guest Social Media Info Azhelle’s Instagram: /episode/index/show/sidehustlepro/id/29238588

383: How to Build a Sticky Brand: Insights from Sassy Jones CEO Charis Jones 12/20/2023

383: How to Build a Sticky Brand: Insights from Sassy Jones CEO Charis Jones 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 Importance of Recognizing Strengths 45:30 The Importance of Consistency and Staying Hungry 48:28 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs Check out episode 383 of Side Hustle Pro podcast out now on , , and This episode is brought to you by: - 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 . Links mentioned in this episode Charis’ Original SHP Episode: Sassy Jones Website: Sassy Jones’ Instagram: Rich Paul’s Book: Click here to subscribe via RSS feed (non-iTunes feed): Announcements Join our Facebook Community If you’re looking for a community of supportive side hustlers who are all working to take our businesses to the next level, join us here: Guest Social Media Info Charis’ Instagram: Sassy Jones’ Instagram: /episode/index/show/sidehustlepro/id/29160793

382: How Dawn Kelly Went From PR Mogul To The Nourish Spot CEO 12/13/2023

382: How Dawn Kelly Went From PR Mogul To The Nourish Spot CEO 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 So much more, you don’t want to miss this episode! Check out episode 382 of Side Hustle Pro podcast out now on , , and This episode is brought to you by: Go to for a free fourteen-day trial and get full access to Shopify’s entire suite of features. - 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 . Links mentioned in this episode The Nourish Spot Instagram: The Nourish Spot Website: The Nourish Spot Facebook: The Nourish Spot LinkedIn: Dawn’s Instagram: Queens Economic Development: Score Business Mentoring: Streetwise MBA: LegalZoom: Small Business Services NYC: M/WBE Certification: ACDBE Certification: Queens Chamber Of Commerce: Goldman Sachs 10K SB Program: Hello Alice: NAACP Grants: Click here to subscribe via RSS feed (non-iTunes feed): Announcements Join our Facebook Community If you’re looking for a community of supportive side hustlers who are all working to take our businesses to the next level, join us here: Guest Social Media Info The Nourish Spot Instagram: Dawn’s Instagram: /episode/index/show/sidehustlepro/id/29052148