Side Hustle Pro

Nicaila Matthews Okome | Side Hustle Pro Media

  • 49 minutes 49 seconds
    510: How I'm Rebuilding After A Hard Season (feat. Monique Shields)

    In this episode, I’m joined again by Monique Shields, and this conversation felt like therapy, coaching, and truth-telling all in one. We went deep into something I’ve personally been navigating: what it actually looks like to move out of survival mode as a high-achieving woman, especially when life has been life-ing.


    We talked about the invisible weight many of us carry, from parenting to business to unexpected life challenges, and how that impacts the way we show up, make decisions, and even spend money. One of the biggest shifts for me? Realizing I wasn’t telling myself the full story about what I had been carrying and surviving.


    Monique breaks down how our mindset around scarcity, energy, and outsourcing can keep us stuck, and what it really means to “resource yourself” instead of just pushing through. If you’ve been feeling stuck, foggy, or like you’re doing everything but still not moving forward, this episode will hit home.


    Main Takeaways

    • You’re not behind, you’re likely operating without acknowledging everything you’ve been carrying
    • Scarcity mindset after a hard season can quietly shape your decisions and keep you stuck
    • Your energy, not just your time, is one of your most valuable assets
    • Resourcing yourself (mentally, physically, strategically) is essential for growth


    Highlights Include

    • 00:00 – Reconnecting with Monique and what she’s been building
    • 02:30 – Why intimate spaces and coaching containers matter
    • 04:30 – Starting YouTube and breaking through creative burnout
    • 06:00 – The hidden impact of hard seasons on decision-making
    • 08:00 – Why you’re not telling yourself the full story
    • 10:00 – High-achievers and the trap of self-pressure
    • 12:30 – Why “feeling less overwhelmed” isn’t the right goal
    • 15:00 – Scarcity mindset after financial or life shocks
    • 18:00 – Why cost-first thinking keeps you stuck
    • 21:00 – The “delusional belief” successful people hold about their future
    • 27:00 – The real value of your time and energy
    • 33:30 – What actually changed after hiring support
    • 36:00 – Mental fog and why you don’t even realize you’re in it
    • 40:00 – Why stability is not the same as hoarding
    • 43:00 – What it really means to “resource yourself”
    • 46:00 – The importance of having multiple “brains” supporting you
    • 50:00 – Why your nervous system needs support in today’s world
    • 52:00 – Reframing “I can’t afford it” into a choice


    Links Mentioned in This Episode

    Save the Date: Start the Podcast That Builds Your Exit Plan (April 17)


    Watch & Listen

    Watch this episode on YouTube and listen on all podcast platforms:


    Announcements

    If you’re ready to build a podcast that becomes your exit plan from your 9-to-5, sign up for my next live class: Start the Podcast That Builds Your Exit Plan

    Save your seat here. 


    Social Media

    Instagram: @moniquershields

    Podcast: Ambition Without Compromise


    Side Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro

    #SideHustlePro

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    17 April 2026, 7:00 am
  • 32 minutes 2 seconds
    509: Opening Up About My Journey as an Autism Mom

    This episode is one of the most personal and vulnerable conversations I’ve ever shared. I’m opening up about my journey as an autism mom, from the early days of pregnancy and motherhood during the pandemic to navigating the realities of developmental delays, diagnoses, and advocacy.


    What started as subtle concerns about speech delays turned into a life-changing journey through early intervention, therapy, and eventually receiving an official autism diagnosis for my son. Along the way, I’ve had to learn how to advocate fiercely, navigate complex systems, and redefine what motherhood looks like for me and my family.


    This episode is about the hard moments, the emotional weight, and the unexpected beauty in this journey. It’s also about community, resilience, and learning to see strength in a path that looks different than what I once imagined.


    Highlights Include

    00:00 – Why this episode is deeply personal

    02:00 – Pregnancy, birth, and early milestones during the pandemic

    04:30 – First signs of speech delay and comparing developmental milestones

    06:30 – The emotional impact of early evaluations

    07:30 – Starting early intervention: speech and occupational therapy

    09:00 – Transition to specialized preschool and navigating the system

    11:00 – The hidden challenges of parenting a child with special needs

    12:30 – Communication barriers and emotional regulation as a parent

    14:00 – The moment I realized how much I’ve been carrying

    16:40 – Understanding gestalt language processing

    19:30 – Getting an official autism diagnosis

    21:00 – Advocating for my son within the school system

    23:30 – A “guardian angel” moment that changed everything

    27:00 – The role of faith in navigating this journey

    29:00 – Finding community and learning from other moms

    30:30 – Lessons autism has taught me about boundaries and perspective

    31:00 – A real-life parenting moment at the barbershop

    33:00 – Choosing celebration during Autism Awareness Month


    Links Mentioned in This Episode

    • Save the Date: Start the Podcast That Builds Your Exit Plan (Friday, April 17)


    Watch & Listen

    Watch this episode on YouTube and listen on all podcast platforms:


    Announcements

    If you’re ready to build a podcast that becomes your exit plan from your 9-to-5, sign up for my next live class: Start the Podcast That Builds Your Exit Plan

    Save your seat here. 


    Social Media

    Side Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro

    #SideHustlePro



    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    10 April 2026, 7:00 am
  • 34 minutes 11 seconds
    508: The Tax Mistakes Side Hustlers Make That Cost Them Thousands (And How to Avoid Them)

    If you’re a side hustler or solopreneur, taxes can go from simple to overwhelming real fast and the truth is, many entrepreneurs are quietly losing thousands of dollars just by not knowing what they don’t know. 


    In this episode, I sat down with CPA and TurboTax Expert Lisa Greene-Lewis to break down the most common tax mistakes side hustlers make, from choosing the wrong business structure too early to missing out on key deductions and failing to stay organized throughout the year. We also unpack what actually makes taxes more complex as your business grows and how to stay ahead of it before tax season hits.


    This conversation is all about helping you feel more confident, more prepared, and more in control of your finances. Because the goal is not just to make money in your business but to keep more of it.



    Main Takeaways

    • Lack of consistent tracking is the biggest mistake that leads to overpaying taxes
    • Many solopreneurs miss deductions simply because they are unaware of what qualifies
    • Staying organized year-round is the key to reducing stress and maximizing savings



    Highlights Include

    • 00:00 – Introduction to tax season for solopreneurs
    • 02:00 – Lisa’s journey into tax expertise and entrepreneurship
    • 05:20 – LLC vs S corp: what you actually need to know
    • 08:20 – When taxes start to feel complicated
    • 09:30 – Why tracking income and expenses is critical
    • 11:40 – Common deductions people miss
    • 13:00 – Home office deduction explained
    • 14:20 – Section 179 and equipment write-offs
    • 15:10 – What you can’t deduct (clothes, hair, makeup)
    • 16:40 – Business credit card interest deduction
    • 17:20 – Employing your kids as a tax strategy
    • 18:00 – SEP IRA and retirement savings for entrepreneurs
    • 19:00 – Qualified Business Income deduction
    • 20:10 – Key tax law updates and 1099-K changes
    • 23:20 – How to stay organized with QuickBooks
    • 25:40 – How TurboTax experts support business owners
    • 27:10 – Lisa’s personal system for staying organized 


    Links Mentioned in This Episode



    Watch & Listen

    Watch this episode on YouTube and listen on all podcast platforms:


    Announcements

    If you’re ready to build a podcast that becomes your exit plan from your 9-to-5, sign up for my next live class: Start the Podcast That Builds Your Exit Plan

    Save your seat here. 



    Social Media

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-greene-lewis-7721b815a 

    Website: https://turbotax.com/business 


    Side Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro

    #SideHustlePro

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    8 April 2026, 10:23 pm
  • 28 minutes 46 seconds
    507: The Hidden Cost of Waiting Until You're Ready

    If you’ve been waiting for the perfect moment to finally start that thing you said you’d do this year, this episode is your wake-up call. Because the truth is, that moment isn’t coming.


    This week, I’m pulling back the curtain on a very real, very messy week in my life and sharing why I decided to hit record anyway. From sick kids to mental clutter to a house that is far from organized, I had every reason to wait. But instead, I leaned into a powerful reminder: progress doesn’t require perfection.


    In this episode, I walk you through the mindset shifts that have helped me move through overwhelm, take action with limited time and energy, and stop letting the idea of “feeling ready” delay my goals. Because sometimes the real work isn’t the task itself, it’s learning how to show up before everything feels aligned.



    Main Takeaways

    • Waiting for the perfect time will keep you stuck longer than just starting messy
    • You have to work with the time and energy you actually have, not what you wish you had
    • Naming what’s holding you back helps you move through it faster
    • The real growth often comes from managing your mindset, not completing the task



    Highlights Include

    00:00 – Why I recorded this episode despite not feeling ready


    02:10 – How “unexpected” life moments keep disrupting plans


    04:18 – Learning to work in chaos instead of waiting for order


    05:30 – Lowering the bar to get started


    06:10 – Work with the time you have, not the time you wish you had


    08:00 – Managing your energy to show up at your best


    10:15 – Why naming the problem helps you move forward


    11:43 – Recognizing the season you’re in and adjusting expectations


    14:00 – Are you truly blocked or just thrown off?


    16:12 – How accountability helped me launch Side Hustle Pro


    18:36 – Overcoming imposter syndrome in a career leap


    21:22 – The hidden cost of needing to “have it all together”


    23:21 – Why perfection delays your income and growth


    26:24 – Maybe the real goal is mastering your mindset


    29:19 – Adjusting expectations so you can move forward



    Links Mentioned in This Episode

    Save the Date: Start the Podcast That Builds Your Exit Plan (Friday, April 10th)


    Watch & Listen

    Watch this episode on YouTube and listen on all podcast platforms:


    Announcements

    If you’re ready to build a podcast that becomes your exit plan from your 9-to-5, sign up for my next live class: Start the Podcast That Builds Your Exit Plan

    Save your seat here. 


    Social Media

    Side Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro

    #SideHustlePro

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    27 March 2026, 7:00 am
  • 23 minutes 58 seconds
    506: 5 Simple Ways to Get Paid for What You Already Know

    One of the biggest misconceptions I see when it comes to making money is the belief that you need to start from scratch. A new certification, a brand new idea, or a completely different skill set. But the truth is, most of us already have everything we need. The real problem is not a lack of knowledge, it is not knowing how to package and position what we already know.


    In this episode, I break down five simple and practical ways to turn your existing skills, experiences, and knowledge into income. Whether you are in between roles, exploring a side hustle, or just trying to make extra money right now, this episode is your reminder that there is value in what you already bring to the table.


    I also walk through a key mindset shift. You do not need to be the top expert. You just need to be a few steps ahead of the person you are helping. People are not just paying for information. They are paying for clarity, speed, guidance, and confidence. And that is where your opportunity lies.


    Main Takeaways

    • You do not need new skills or certifications to start making money
    • There are five core ways to monetize what you already know
    • People pay for clarity, speed, and guidance, not just expertise
    • Start with one path and keep it simple instead of trying everything


    Highlights Include

    • 00:00 – The biggest misconception about making money
    • 01:30 – Why you already have valuable, monetizable knowledge
    • 02:00 – The 5 ways to make money with what you know
    • 03:00 – The mindset shift you need before starting
    • 04:00 – Service and coaching as the fastest path to income
    • 06:00 – Done-for-you services and why people pay for convenience
    • 08:00 – Creating simple digital products that sell
    • 10:30 – Workshops and why people pay for real-time learning
    • 13:00 – Why reminders are key when selling anything
    • 15:00 – Using content to create opportunities and income
    • 18:00 – How to use AI without losing your voice
    • 21:00 – Why you should pick ONE path and start now



    Links Mentioned in This Episode

    Save the Date: Start the Podcast That Builds Your Exit Plan (Friday, March 20)


    Watch & Listen

    Watch this episode on YouTube and listen on all podcast platforms:


    Announcements

    If you’re ready to build a podcast that becomes your exit plan from your 9-to-5, sign up for my next live class: Start the Podcast That Builds Your Exit Plan

    Save your seat here. 


    Social Media

    Side Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro

    #SideHustlePro

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    20 March 2026, 2:43 pm
  • 1 hour 9 minutes
    505: From YouTube Exec to Full-Time Creator: How Chanel Tyler Turned Content Creation Into 5-Figure Passive Income

    This week in the guest chair is Chanel Tyler, a strategist, creator, and self-described “contentpreneur” who has worked across investment banking, luxury marketing, and YouTube before stepping fully into entrepreneurship.


    Chanel built her reputation online by sharing trusted product recommendations and insights from her background in beauty marketing. But after years of consulting with a creator commerce platform that generated over 80% of her income, everything changed when the company suddenly shut down.


    In this episode, Chanel opens up about what it really looks like to rebuild after losing the majority of your income overnight. She shares how she pivoted by diversifying her platforms, leaning deeper into affiliate marketing, launching new creator education programs, and embracing the vulnerability of sharing her personal story — including her journey with hearing loss.


    If you’ve ever worried about relying on a single income stream or wondered how creators actually make money online, Chanel breaks down the strategy behind building a sustainable creator business.


    In this episode, Chanel shares:

    • How she built a creator business by combining corporate strategy, content creation, and affiliate marketing
    • What happened when the platform responsible for 80% of her income shut down overnight and how she rebuilt
    • Why diversification across platforms, income streams, and partnerships is essential for creators and entrepreneurs
    • How affiliate marketing works and how creators can use performance data to negotiate higher-paying brand deals


    Highlights Include

    00:00 – Introduction

    02:10 – Chanel’s career path from investment banking to luxury beauty marketing

    05:10 – Building an audience through skincare and product recommendations

    09:00 – Landing a role at YouTube working with top creators

    15:00 – Saving a year of income before leaving corporate

    19:00 – The moment she lost 80% of her income overnight

    24:30 – Why diversification is critical for creators and entrepreneurs

    27:00 – Building content series that grow an audience

    32:00 – Affiliate marketing vs. brand partnerships explained

    37:00 – Sharing her journey with hearing loss and disability

    40:00 – How statement earrings became part of her empowerment story

    43:00 – Affiliate income strategies for creators


    Links Mentioned in This Episode

    • Substack: Sensible

    • Julia Broome

    • Check out the Networth and Chill Podcast;Creator Economy & Brand Deals with Victoria Paris

    • ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/home/creators

    • MagicLinks: https://www.magiclinks.com/creators

    • BrandCycle: https://brandcycle.com/

    • LTK: https://company.shopltk.com/en/creator

    • Nordstrom Affiliate Program: https://www.nordstromcreators.com/

    Check out Chanel’s Creator Profit Lab’s interest form & course registration

    Save the Date: Start the Podcast That Builds Your Exit Plan (Friday, March 20)


    Watch & Listen

    Watch this episode on YouTube and listen on all podcast platforms:


    Announcements

    If you’re ready to build a podcast that becomes your exit plan from your 9-to-5, sign up for my next live class: Start the Podcast That Builds Your Exit Plan

    Save your seat here.


    Social Media

    Instagram: @thecreatorprofitlab

    Instagram: @buymechanel


    Side Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro

    #SideHustlePro


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    13 March 2026, 7:00 am
  • 1 hour 6 minutes
    504: How to Go From Side Hustle to $1 Million | My Coaching Session with Dielle Charon

    This week in the guest chair is sales and business coach Dielle Charon, founder of For the 23%, where she helps women of color build profitable businesses and grow their income through coaching and entrepreneurship.


    Dielle shares how she went from earning $2,500 a month as a social worker with six-figure student loan debt to building a multi-seven-figure coaching business. Along the way, she explains why traditional jobs often undervalue your skills, how to identify the expertise you can monetize, and why the coaching industry continues to grow despite criticism.


    In this conversation, we also dive deep into the mindset shifts needed to move from six-figure income to seven-figure business growth, including overcoming people-pleasing, claiming your expertise, and stepping fully into your authority.


    If you’ve been thinking about turning your knowledge into income, starting a side hustle, or scaling your existing business, this episode will help you see what’s possible.





    Highlights Include

    00:00 – Why Dielle realized her corporate career wasn’t the life she wanted

    05:30 – Testing multiple side hustles before finding the right one

    08:00 – How to identify skills you can monetize

    12:00 – Why the coaching industry gets criticism and why it’s still growing

    16:30 – The truth about selling and why everyone is already selling themselves

    20:00 – Why your job isn’t amazing — you are

    23:45 – Breaking the mindset barriers around charging for your expertise

    25:50 – The biggest blocks women hit going from six figures to seven figures

    31:00 – Visibility, people-pleasing, and identity shifts in business growth

    36:00 – Why most successful businesses focus on beginners

    41:00 – The simple seven-figure business model (and why it’s simpler than you think)

    47:00 – Improving messaging and positioning for entrepreneurs




    Links Mentioned in This Episode

    https://forthe23percent.com/

    Save the Date: Start the Podcast That Builds Your Exit Plan (Friday, March 13)




    Watch & Listen

    Watch this episode on YouTube and listen on all podcast platforms:


    Announcements

    If you’re ready to build a podcast that becomes your exit plan from your 9-to-5, sign up for my next live class:: Start the Podcast That Builds Your Exit Plan

    Save your seat here: 




    Social Media

    Instagram: @forthe23percent

    Side Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro

    #SideHustlePro

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    6 March 2026, 8:00 am
  • 56 minutes 35 seconds
    503: She Got Laid Off…Then Built a YouTube Income to Pay Her Bills

    This week in the guest chair, Symone' Austin shares her powerful journey from being laid off to building a thriving YouTube platform.


    After recording and posting her layoff conversation, her video went viral and became the turning point in her entrepreneurial journey. In this episode, she breaks down how she built multiple income streams through YouTube ad revenue, brand partnerships, digital products, virtual assistant work, and strategic financial decisions like bringing on a roommate.


    If you’ve been navigating uncertainty, considering content creation, or wondering how to turn a setback into leverage, this episode will show you how.




    Highlights Include

    00:00 – Recording the layoff conversation that changed everything

    04:30 – Growing from 10K to 60K+ subscribers in one year

    08:20 – Making $5,900 in one month from YouTube ad revenue

    13:00 – Cutting expenses and surviving without touching savings

    18:10 – Turning skills into income: photography, digital products, VA work

    24:00 – Why personal finance has one of the highest CPMs on YouTube

    29:00 – Replacing a corporate salary through content creation

    35:00 – The reality of working 7 days a week as a full-time creator

    38:00 – Getting a roommate as a financial reset strategy

    43:00 – Navigating job offers after deciding to go all-in




    Links Mentioned in This Episode

    Life and Numbers YouTube Channel

    Read Successful Failure by KevOnStage

    Watch Symone's YouTube video "I Got Laid Off From My 6 Figure Tech Job"

    Save the Date: Start the Podcast That Builds Your Exit Plan (Friday, March 13)




    Watch & Listen

    Watch this episode on YouTube and listen on all podcast platforms:




    Announcements

    If you’re ready to build a podcast that becomes your exit plan, attend my next live class: Start the Podcast That Builds Your Exit Plan

    Save your seat here: https://sidehustlepro.lpages.co/your-first-1000-downloads/




    Social Media

    YouTube: Life and Numbers: https://www.youtube.com/lifeandnumbers

    Instagram: @lifeandnumbers: http://instagram.com/lifeandnumbers

    Side Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro

    #SideHustlePro

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    27 February 2026, 8:00 am
  • 30 minutes 57 seconds
    502: My 12-Week Reset: Health, Money & Business

    This week on Side Hustle Pro, I’m sharing how I’m structuring my year through 12-week sprints,  focusing on my health, my money, and elevating my Podcast Moguls program. 

    I open up about navigating motherhood, sleep deprivation, and mindset work while still executing on big goals. Most importantly, I reflect on how my podcast has been the one constant through every season becoming my bridge out of corporate and my foundation for long-term leverage.


    Highlights Include

    00:00: Why I use 12-week sprints

    02:15: Rebuilding my health after six years

    06:30: Accountability and investing in myself

    14:00: Emotional spending and financial clarity

    18:45: Auditing my business finances

    21:30: Updating Podcast Moguls

    25:00: Managing mindset during execution

    28:00: Why my podcast became my bridge out of corporate

    31:00: Building leverage and long-term positioning


    Links Mentioned in This Episode

    Podcast Moguls: Start the Podcast That Builds Your Exit Plan


    Watch & Listen

    Watch this episode on YouTube and listen on all podcast platforms:


    Announcements

    If you’re ready to build a podcast that becomes your exit plan, attend my next live class: Start the Podcast That Builds Your Exit Plan

    Save your seat here: 


    Social Media

    Side Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro

    #SideHustlePro



    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    21 February 2026, 12:17 am
  • 21 minutes 27 seconds
    501: Laid Off: Now What? 5 Ways to Generate Income While You’re Unemployed

    In this solo episode, I’m sharing five real, practical ways to generate income during your in-between season. If you’re asking yourself, “I got laid off… now what? This episode will give you grounded, actionable steps to move forward and even some side hustle ideas!


    Highlights Include

    00:00 – If you’ve been laid off, you are not alone

    02:30 – Why invisibility is the real danger during unemployment

    04:05 – Using content creation as a visibility tool

    07:20 – Turning alumni and professional networks into income

    09:10 – Short-term projects using skills you already have

    13:10 – Becoming a LifeOps consultant

    16:50 – Short-term rental support as seasonal leverage

    19:30 – Creating a premium career support retreat experience

    21:40 – Why you should always keep side hustling

    23:30 – How my unemployment season planted the seed for Side Hustle Pro


    Links Mentioned in This Episode

    Podcast Moguls: Start the Podcast That Builds Your Exit Plan


    Watch & Listen

    Watch this episode on YouTube and listen on all podcast platforms:


    Announcements

    If you’re ready to build a podcast that becomes your exit plan, attend my next live class: Start the Podcast That Builds Your Exit Plan

    Save your seat here.


    Social Media

    Side Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro

    #SideHustlePro

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    13 February 2026, 8:00 am
  • 26 minutes 41 seconds
    500: I've Recorded 500 Podcast Episodes: Here's What I've Learned

    Side Hustle Pro is officially 500 episodes deep, and in this milestone episode, I’m taking time to reflect on what this journey has really taught me.


    I share the biggest lessons I’ve learned about consistency, networking, monetization, and why the podcast itself was never the end goal, the platform was. I also talk about what I wish I knew when I started, how podcasting helped me grow as a speaker and business owner, and why playing the long game has paid off in ways I never could have planned.


    If you’re thinking about starting a podcast, growing a side hustle, or building something meaningful over time, this episode is a reminder that you don’t have to rush, you just have to keep going.


    Highlights Include

    • 00:00 – Welcome to the 500th episode of Side Hustle Pro
    • 02:10 – Starting with what I had and recording from home
    • 04:30 – Why trying to predict the end can stop you from starting
    • 06:45 – Why the podcast was never the point, the platform was
    • 09:30 – How podcasting transformed my network
    • 12:50 – Keeping costs low and thinking like a business owner
    • 16:30 – The power of consistency and playing the long game
    • 18:45 – How podcasting improved my confidence as a speaker
    • 21:00 – Giving myself grace through different seasons of life
    • 24:45 – Final lessons I’d tell my earlier self


    Links Mentioned in This Episode


    Watch & Listen

    Watch this episode on YouTube and listen on all podcast platforms:

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    6 February 2026, 8:39 pm
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