Side Hustle to Small Business

Have you ever wondered what would happen if you just quit your job with no plan for what you would do next? In this episode Sanjay talks with Jim Garrison who did just that. Thirty-two years later, Jim has a successful business and reflects on the twists, turns, and lessons he learned along the way. He also has great advice if you are thinking of making the same jump: “Don’t be afraid and start today.”

After getting his first computer at age 9, Larry Dukhovny began his life as a self-proclaimed computer geek. This passion for technology prompted his career path in IT consulting. After freelancing for six years, Larry founded MyBizGeek in 2013. Passionate about believing in yourself and the value of your service, Larry now advocates for building inner confidence to accelerate your business and attract new clients.

When it comes to personality types, there is Meyers Briggs and StrengthsFinder, among others. But Grant Nichols uses a more general term when describing himself: entrepreneurial. He constantly brainstorms new business ideas, researches their market potential, and vets the project’s viability with his friends and family. Grant founded his current business, BluWave Technologies, to help manufacturing companies increase operational efficiency.

Jacari Harris is an author, sought-after speaker, and social media influencer who uses his experience growing up in the foster care system to inspire hope and encourage transformation. As his tenure as Executive Director of the George Floyd Memorial Foundation closes, Jacari Harris is preparing for what’s next: increasing his influence at speaking engagements and growing his coaching business, Stimulating Success.

After spending ten years in the financial services industry, Jennifer Stine knew she wanted to create something of her own. Inspired by her entrepreneurial dad, she founded Fortune Web Marketing in 2007. Over the past 15 years, Jennifer’s company expanded outside her home state of New Jersey with a growing group of colleagues. As president of her company, Jennifer works to create an inclusive and non-corporate environment where her team can flourish.

Lloyd George, better known by his name on all social platforms, “Lloyd Not George,” is a podcast producer and social media influencer. He creates informative content for beginner podcasters and has accumulated over 300,000 views on TikTok. Lloyd balances his full-time job with his podcasting side hustle by using various systems to manage his time, automate sponsor outreach, and engage with fellow online creatives.

Do you think email is dead? Paige Parrino knows email marketing is alive and well. While working at her first corporate job after graduating, Paige saw firsthand the value of email marketing on a business and realized that her skills were in high demand. With her husband deployed and more free time on hand, Paige dreamed, researched, and started her company, Paige Parrino Marketing, which supports e-commerce businesses' marketing efforts.

Ali Green and Mickey Mellen had a history of outsourcing work to one another. After years of back and forth, they realized it would make sense to start a company together. In 2009, they founded GreenMellen Media, a digital marketing agency based in Marietta, Georgia. Since then, Ali and Mickey have opened a physical office, hired a team of six, adjusted their schedules to meet life’s changing demands, and become stronger partners in the process.

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.

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.