Side Hustle to Small Business

Creating inclusive spaces for women to collaborate

Eileen Lee is the founder of The Lola, a digital community and an all-inclusive co-working space in Atlanta. With a focus on diversity and inclusion, The Lola’s focus is on personal growth and development while providing meaningful networking opportunities for women. Sanjay and Eileen discuss starting a business just before the pandemic, the trouble with brick and mortars, and building inclusive spaces.

Going against the status quo when starting a business

Yvonne Mashburn Schmidt is the Founder of The Georgia Genealogist, a genealogy business that specializes in Georgia and Deep South Research, Genetic Genealogy, and Forensic Genealogy. Yvonne is certified by the Board for Certification of Genealogists and holds an additional certification from Boston University. Yvonne and Sanjay discuss charging the proper rates, accepting payments, and the challenges of a work-life balance.

Building your second business with intention

Daniel Roberts is the founder of VidLoft, a cloud-based video solution that includes gear, training, and editing at a tenth of the price of traditional video production, allowing more companies to be video-first organizations. Having formerly owned a video production company prior to founding VidLoft, Daniel shares what he learned about founding and selling a company, managing cashflow, and discovering your niche. 

When defeat becomes a blessing in disguise

Jaliyla Fraser is the Founder & CEO of Fraser’s Mathematics Solutions. What started as a STEAM summer camp for students, Fraser’s Mathematics Solutions now provides high-quality mathematics learning for administrators, teachers, and parents to help the students in their lives succeed. Fraser’s Mathematics Solutions also produces school supplies for students to help them reach their full potential.

Quitting your full-time job and taking the leap

Dr. Shinika McKiever is the Founder and Chief Creative Officer of The McKiever Group Creative Company, an agency that provides organizations with creative business solutions, including leadership development, non-profit management, and entrepreneurial solutions. Sanjay and Shinika discuss quitting your full-time job to take on entrepreneurship, setting boundaries, and rebuilding and rebranding your business.

Remote Work: How employers continue to evolve

Even before COVID, companies have been adopting and adapting the remote work model. In this episode, we dive deep into the world of remote work and speak with three different entrepreneurs who have had to evolve their businesses to fit the changing needs of their employees and clients. Join us as we uncover the opportunities and challenges of getting the job done remotely and embrace the future of work.

Where hospitality, wellness and business meet

Darius Davie is the Founder of Groom Guy, a wellness hospitality agency that specializes in everyday and special occasion self-care for men. With locations in Washington DC and Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, Groom Guy offers a fresh perspective on men’s grooming and wellness. Sanjay and Darius discuss the importance of cold emailing, understanding your employees, and managing multiple locations.

Risking everything by going all in on an idea

Co-Founders Robby, Billy, and Justin were running a successful web design agency when a client came to them with a very specific request for a website with a page builder tool. After discovering a market for this, the three founded Beaver Builder, a WordPress Page Builder Plugin in 2014. Robby McCullough joins Sanjay’s of today’s episode of Side Hustle to Small Business to discuss taking risks, finding your niche, and creating a work-life balance.

Knowing your worth after transitioning to self-employment

Hannah Smolinski has always had an entrepreneurial spirit. From selling homemade bracelets in the second grade, to founding her company Clara CFO Group in 2017, Hannah knows how to attract and retain clients. In this conversation, Hannah and Sanjay discuss burn out, managing cash flow, knowing your worth as a self-employed professional, and taking on additional side hustles to maximize profit.

A unique but unexpected business pursuit

During the early days of the pandemic, Nancy and Viviana Sisneros founded their pretzel company, "Knotty Chix," sparked by a random craving of Nancy's. After three attempts, they perfected their first creation: the Hot Cheeto pretzel. Encouraged by the positive feedback of Facebook friends, they started selling their pretzels to the public. Today, three years down the line, Knotty Chix thrives as a flourishing company.