Side Hustle to Small Business

Bryson Tarbet is an elementary school teacher turned entrepreneur. While completing his Masters, Bryson discovered that many programs do not give you the necessary skills to become an elementary school teacher. To help solve this issue, Bryson founded That Music Teacher, an online platform that supplies elementary school music teachers with educational resources for their students and personal development content for themselves.

 

- Chapters -

00:00 - Intro

04:39 - Entrepreneurial background

07:08 - Overcoming nerves

08:31 - Family reaction

12:08 - Going all in

14:15 - Building a team

15:10 - Looking back on the business

17:17 - Advice for other entrepreneurs

18:56 - Determining the name of the business

20:10 - Monthly membership

25:05 - Closing and contact

Tim Holmes is the founder of Kingdom Quest, a toy company based in Columbus, Ohio. While working for another business, he discovered 3D printing and began creating small pieces that he would use dowel rods to connect. Initially, he didn’t think this would interest anyone, but after visiting local schools and STEAM events, the product, which is called Nurkl, gained traction fast and officially launched at the end of 2023.

 

- Chapters -

00:00 - Introduction

03:43 - Sports background

07:28 - Entrepreneurial background

08:58 - Start of business and issues with business partners

17:09 - Managing stress

20:38 - Setting boundaries

23:45 - Looking back and regrets

25:21 - Advice for fellow entrepreneurs

27:16 - Closing and connect

Matt Gluckman has worn many hats. From working at a produce stand to running a real estate company, Matt has always had an entrepreneurial spirit. Now, Matt owns Think Fitness Life, a remote personal training company, with his business partner Eric. From his past job experiences, Matt has mastered the skills of communication and thrives on helping individuals become their best selves through personal training.

 

- Chapters -

00:00 - Introduction

04:27 - Matt's work history and transferable skills

10:52 - Overcoming nerves

12:48 - Having a business partner in a different state

15:34 - Balancing stress

17:36 - Setting boundaries

22:40 - What Matt would have done differently

26:05 - Advice to other entrepreneurs

26:38 - Closing and contact information

D.R. Fay is the Founder of Mouthy Broad Media, a podcast production company that specializes in editing, graphic design and strategy. Beginning her career as a musician, D.R. travelled Asia for close to a decade before coming home to the States and transitioning into corporate roles. When she was 62, while those around her were retiring, D.R. ventured into entrepreneurship and hasn’t looked back.

 

- Chapters -

00:00 - Introduction

06:59 - First entrepreneurial venture later in life

09:37 - Overcoming nerves

11:29 - Managing stress & health problems

21:00 - Advice for other entrepreneurs

23:21 - Closing and contact

 

Paige Stuart had been renting a storage locker for eleven years when she decided it was time to sort through and organize her belongings. This experience left her feeling so inspired that she founded Neat Organizing. Neat Organizing specializes in decluttering spaces, providing unpacking assistance for those who have recently moved, transforming rooms into more functional and pleasing areas, and more. 

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[00:01:42] How Unpacking a Storage Unit Catalyzed a Business

[00:03:20] Learning Curve of Entrepreneurship

[00:05:32] Finding Clients: Social Media, Networking, Referrals

[00:07:06] Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

[00:09:32] Handling Client Emotions

[00:10:38] Six Weeks On, Six Days Off

[00:12:40] Building Her Team

[00:13:46] Finding Time for Sun and Socializing

[00:15:16] Managing Accounting, Bills, and Expenses

[00:17:10] Hindsight Advice? Delegate More.

[00:18:50] Paige’s Repeat Clients

[00:20:58] Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

[00:21:30] Connect with Paige

Nick Courtright envisioned a life for himself in academia. However, after losing out on a teaching position in 2018, he was forced to dive deeper into his side hustle, book publishing. From this, Nick founded Atmosphere Press, an author-forward publishing company that has published over 1200 books. Now, Nick says losing out on that position in 2018 was the best thing that could have happened to him.

When Dominique Elkind became a mother, she noticed a lack of third spaces available to parents of very young children. While on her second maternity leave, Dominique decided to take on a entrepreneurial venture vastly different from her career as a UX Designer, by founding Nixi City, a play centre for children aged 0-5. Not only is Nixi City a space for children, but includes a cafe for parents to meet and connect.

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[00:01:35] Dominique’s Design Background

[00:02:25] Side Hustling During Maternity Leave

[00:03:30] Entrepreneurial Experience at Google

[00:06:25] Founding Nixi City, a Children’s Play Space

[00:08:35] Identifying a Market Gap

[00:11:15] Scaling and Franchising

[00:12:37] Balancing Work and Family

[00:14:05] Setting Boundaries 

[00:17:25] Sleep and Wellness

[00:19:48] Challenges of a Physical Space 

[00:22:55] Finding Product/Market Fit

[00:24:35] Selecting Real Estate for Nixi City

[00:26:33] Dominique’s Advice: Find a Community of Potential Customers

[00:27:36] Utilizing Design Skills

[00:29:31] Connect with Dominque

David Gaz has always wanted to be a nice guy. As a partner at his previous branding firm, where his client base included many Fortune 500 companies, he quickly realized that he still wanted to provide branding services, but for organizations that he saw as doing good in the world. It was at that point that he started The Bureau of Small Projects, a branding company that provides services to entrepreneurs, non-profits, and small companies.

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[00:01:34] Meet David Gaz

[00:03:06] Kindness is Contagious

[00:04:46] The Bureau of Small Projects

[00:06:31] David’s Ice Cream Truck Venture

[00:10:23] Navigating a Non-Compete Contract

[00:15:51] Partnerships Vs. Solo Decision Makers

[00:17:36] Embrace the Stress

[00:20:20] Losing One Million Dollars

[00:24:33] Following a Path vs Chasing a Goal

[00:30:26] What would David re-do?

[00:33:53] David’s Advice: Just start

[00:35:13] Connect with David

It’s no wonder Joe Koufman sees himself as a matchmaker; three couples have gotten married after being introduced by Joe. In 2014, Joe realized that matchmaking is not only for couples, but can be used in the business world as well. Within 19 days of leaving his last job, Joe landed his first client for what would become Setup, an organization that matches marketing agencies to established brands. 

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[00:01:27] Joe Koufman’s Background

[00:03:47] How a Sales Background Influenced Joe

[00:06:01] A Family of Entrepreneurs

[00:07:51] A History of Matchmaking

[00:09:20] Turning Matchmaking Into a Business

[00:11:50] Early Days of Setup and First Customers

[00:14:35] Setup’s Revenue Model

[00:15:42] Pursuing Hobbies

[00:18:19] Setting Email Boundaries

[00:19:57] 50 Pull-Ups Each Morning

[00:21:35] Sleep Struggles

[00:22:56] Setup’s Growth and Team Structure 

[00:25:29] Writing a Book 

[00:30:00] Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs 

[00:32:19] Connect with Joe

COVID-19 was a turning point in many peoples lives, including Kate Jacoutot’s. After working as a marketing freelancer for various companies, Kate noticed that she was making more money and had more control over her schedule than working a traditional 9 to 5. However, to learn more, she worked at a few different marketing agencies until deciding to launch ModusMark, a brand and messaging consultancy in April 2020, in the midst of the pandemic.

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[00:01:33] Kate Jacoutot’s Background

[00:02:46] Stumbling Into Freelance Work

[00:06:33] Decision to Start Modus Mark in 2020

[00:09:26] Overcoming Fears and Discovering Her Worth

[00:11:00] Kate’s Entrepreneurial Support System

[00:13:07] Managing Stress While Starting a Business

[00:14:43] Prioritizing Date Nights

[00:16:44] Kate's Daily Routine

[00:18:48] ModusMark’s Growth: Team and Technology

[00:21:00] Growing From Mistakes

[00:23:30] Advice For Prospective Entrepreneurs

[00:25:48] Finding A Niche: Cybersecurity

[00:27:30] Connect with Kate