Side Hustle to Small Business

Having courage to fail, reassess, and move forward

For Matt Davis, Man Cave Basics Plus began as a hobby when he would peruse outdoor flea markets and vintage shows. Three years ago, Matt started developing the Man Cave brand in earnest. Throughout his career - from joining and then leaving the family business, to monetizing his fascination with patent prints, to now growing Man Cave Basics - Matt has taken some risks that paid off and some that didn’t, but he learned from all of them.

From trading stock options to mastering money mindsets

Brie Sodano taught herself to trade stock options on the side, while working as a director at a Boys and Girls Club. This hobby inspired Brie to become a financial advisor. As she grew her advising practice, Brie realized most of her clients struggled with issues like credit card debt, student loans, and feeling perpetually broke. In response, Brie founded Sheep to Shark, where she helps women take control of their money and find freedom in the process.

Inspiring athletes to harness their strengths

Maureen Monte is a Leadership & Team Consultant. In Season 1, Episode 4, she shared her story of transitioning from a career in IT consulting to running her own business. Maureen is back to answer the question, “Where is she now?” Monte is passionate about optimizing sports teams’ outcomes by focusing on each athlete and their unique strengths. This passion inspired Monte’s new book, which focuses on her work with over 1,400 athletes and coaches.

Using entrepreneurship as a self-development tool

At 29 years old, Ben Knegendorf was driving a forklift at a Walmart Distribution Center and needed to make a change. He’s had quite the journey since then —from flipping real estate sale items on eBay, to selling tiny house products, to his newest business, Dropship Breakthru. Ben believes becoming an entrepreneur helped him overcome imposter syndrome. Hear how he built his confidence as he built his business.

Utilizing skill-based volunteering in The Underdog Family

The Underdog Family, or TUF, is a nonprofit based in Denver, Colorado, that provides website design services to small businesses 100% free of charge. TUF utilizes a team of highly skilled professionals as pro bono volunteers. Leading The Underdog Family is founder Chin Weerappuli, who believes that skill-based volunteering is one of the best ways to keep volunteers engaged with the mission of any organization.

Creating a private online community of global travelers

Shaina Shiwarski is an avid traveler. Friends would ask her about her latest adventure whenever she returned from a trip, and a lengthy WhatsApp exchange would follow. Shiwarski knew there had to be a better way to share ideas and create friendships across the globe. Shaina created Legends, a private community of global travelers inspired by individual experiences. Legends’ mission is to give people the power to authentically connect with themselves, each other, and the world.

Changing course and inspiring inclusion in auctioneering

TiWanna Kenney is the founder of Astounding Auctions and shared the story of her side hustle turned small business in Season 1, Episode 5. In this episode, TiWanna is back to answer the question, “Where is she now?” Kenney shares how her business adapted to the COVID-19 event climate, when in-person auctions couldn’t take place and how she continues to be an advocate for diversity in the auction industry.

Customizing small spaces with bespoke hardware

Priya Vij is the founder of Hapny Home, a new home accessories brand focused on the small design details that have the power to transform your space, starting with cabinet hardware. The name Hapny comes from the names of all the cities where founder Priya has lived and rented apartments - Houston, Austin, Portland, and New York. The Hapny Home launch collection includes solid brass knobs, cabinet pulls, and appliance pulls.

Making it convenient for people to be healthy

Leslie Zinn is the co-founder and CEO of Arden's Garden - a cold-pressed juice, smoothie, and vegan foods company on a mission to cultivate an oasis of health and wellness. Arden's Garden started in Leslie's mother Arden's kitchen in the early 90s. Twenty-five years later, Arden’s Garden has two production facilities in East Point, Georgia, 17 retail store locations throughout Metro Atlanta, and more than 1,000 partners in the Southeast region.

A serial entrepreneur advocating for other entrepreneurs

The tables are turned as host Sanjay Parekh is interviewed by friend, colleague, and podcast cohost Adam Walker. Sanjay started his first entrepreneurial venture in 2000 and has lived in the startup world ever since. Riding the ups and downs of startup culture, securing funding, and hiring staff, Sanjay has focused on being an advocate for other entrepreneurs in his roles as a VC, mentor, speaker, and podcast host.