Side Hustle Pro

This week in the guest chair we have ​Kimberly Waters, founder of Modern Urban Sensory Experiences, or MUSE​, a luxury boutique fragrance house based in Harlem, NY. When Kimberly realized her role in corporate America was not providing her room to grow into her potential, she launched MUSE out of the parlor floor of a friend’s brownstone on Convent Ave in Harlem and has been growing ever since.​ I...

This week in the guest chair we have Amy Anaiz, a celebrated photographer turned product founder and the creator of OZAIZ, a sustainable home goods and fragrance brand. After building a successful wedding and portrait photography business for over a decade, Amy made a powerful pivot—launching a line of sculptural, multi-use glassware inspired by beauty, intention, and function. In this episode, Am...

This week in the guest chair we have Naseema McElroy, author and the founder of Financially Intentional, a platform about personal finance and living life intentionally. Starting with just under one million dollars in debt, Naseema taught herself financial literacy, paid off her debt, and started side hustling as a consultant teaching others to do the same.  In this episode she shares: How sh...

This week in the guest chair, I’m joined by Tisha Thompson, the founder and CEO of LYS Beauty, the first Black-owned clean cosmetics brand to be carried at Sephora. Tisha shares her inspiring path from staff accountant and part-time makeup artist to leading her own beauty brand that launched during the pandemic and quickly sold out in 10 days.  In this episode, Tisha breaks down how she strat...

This week in the guest chair, we’re spotlighting Marina Batliwalla, financial professional and host of the Banking on Girls podcast. Born in India, raised in Australia, and now based in LA, Marina joined Podcast Moguls to launch a show centered around financial literacy for women and girls—and she’s done just that, all while working full-time. Marina shares how she overcame mindset hurdles to get...

This week in the guest chair we have Marty McDonald, founder of Elle Olivia & Boss Women Media. Her background in corporate laid the foundation to launching Boss Women Media, the offline/online women’s empowerment community. After a challenging experience with giving birth to her first child, Marty translated that same idea of empowerment to launch Elle Olivia, a lifestyle brand for young Blac...

This week in the guest chair, we have Monique R. Shields, executive coach, entrepreneur, and founder of Claimed, a program dedicated to helping high-achieving Black mothers unlock their next chapter. In this episode, Monique shares her inspiring journey from corporate to coaching and the lessons she’s learned along the way. She discusses the power of releasing limiting beliefs, why investing in yo...

This week in the guest chair we have Maekaeda Gibbons, Trinidad-born founder & CEO of Brown Sugar Babe, the cult-favorite fragrance and body-care brand whose body oils like Wild Card and Rich Auntie just keep selling out.  In this episode she shares: Turning a $300 paycheck into a side hustle that now ships 10,000+ orders a month  Her exact growth playbook: pop-ups at Atlanta’s Ponce...

This week in the guest chair we have Raven Gibson, multidisciplinary designer and founder of the empowering apparel and lifestyle brand Legendary Roots. Getting her start in her dorm room, Raven takes us on her journey of delegation, negotiating with Fortune 500 retailers, and trusting that what’s for you will never pass you by. In this episode she shares: How she uses art to speak up and invites...

This week in the guest chair we have Rachel Rodgers—entrepreneur, coach, and bestselling author of We Should All Be Millionaires. She's back on the show with powerful insights to help side hustlers and full-time entrepreneurs alike build sustainable wealth and stop playing small. In this episode, she shares: How to make real “money moves” instead of hiding behind busy work The mindset shifts neede...

This week I’m excited to chat with someone I go way back with, Sheena McCullers. Sheena is the founder of Della’s Beauty Supply. Della’s was launched to bring a much-needed sense of belonging for BIPOC beauty lovers in Ann Arbor, MI. After moving from Brooklyn, Sheena saw a need for a place for people who look like her and took a chance on opening a storefront.  In this episode she shares: Ho...

This week in the guest chair we have Kristen Dunning, founder and CEO of Gently Soap - a bathing brand built on her self-developed herbal infusions.  An MBA grad, Kristen hails from a rare five generations of Black Alabama farmers, and she’s continuing the legacy by bringing joy back to bathing experiences for people with sensitive skin, using the medicinal properties of plants. In this episo...

This week I’m back with a solo episode where I’m giving you the tools to make money with your podcast. When I became a full-time podcaster in 2017, I focused on my revenue streams like brand partnerships, sponsorships, courses, and VIP programs, leading to having over 10 million episode downloads to date. I’m here to help you get your podcast to that same level.  In this episode I’m sharing:...

This week in the guest chair we have Julia Coney, award winning wine writer, speaker, & consultant.  Julia wears many hats, including being the Wine Consultant for American Airlines and Founder of Black Wine Professionals; a resource for Black professionals in the world of wine. In this episode she shares about: Being multi-passionate: how exploring a range of interests, from starting at...

This week we’re taking it back to my convo with Portia Obeng, social media strategist, LinkedIn coach, and former Side Hustle Pro social media manager!  With over 10 years of experience, Portia guides people through the ever-changing social media landscape to amplify their personal brands and make money. In this episode she shares about: The steps she’s taken to go from job hopping to helping...

This week in the guest chair, we have former Podcast Moguls student Zach Nunn, Founder and CEO of Living Corporate.  Zach unpacks how he turned his podcast into a thriving consulting business, landing brand partnerships with major corporations like Pfizer and more.  He talks about the strategies behind creating authentic, high-quality content, leveraging interviews as a networking channe...

This week we’re airing my first ever live podcast! I had the opportunity to sit down with author, journalist, and media powerhouse Demetria Lucas at the On Air Fest in Brooklyn, NY.  From launching A Belle in BK to building an empire that spans books, film, podcasting, and more, Demetria has mastered the art of evolving and thriving as a multi-hyphenate entrepreneur. Taking risks and flawless...

Are you ready to finally take the leap and start your side hustle, but don’t know where to start? This week we are outlining nine high-potential side hustles that can realistically scale to replace—or significantly supplement—your full-time income.  Now these are not quick-fix ideas, these are long-term businesses that can bring you recurring revenue by leveraging automation tools (especially...

Today I am back with a solo episode where I share my favorite techniques to get back on track when you're feeling stuck. It's time to take a step back, reflect on what has worked, what hasn't, and what we're going to do about it. Whether you're dealing with mid-year slumps or just need a boost, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you move forward. In this episode I share about: G...

This week in the guest chair we have Kareem Edwards, one of the very first men to grace the Side Hustle Pro guest chair! Hailing from Far Rockaway, Queens, Kareem got his start in major corporate roles at Lehman Brothers, Kraft Heinz, and Google—all while dreaming of owning a business. Kareem decided to pursue franchising and balanced a 9-to-5 at Google while working nights at a Chick-fil-A to mas...

Welcome back to the Side Hustle Pro podcast, your headquarters for turning passion projects into profitable businesses! I’m Nicaila, and today we’re talking about how to find (and protect) the time you need to build your side hustle.  I get it: Working a full-time job, juggling family commitments, and trying to live your life can make your side hustle goals feel impossible. But trust me, it’s...

Always wanted to start a side hustle but didn’t know what industry to try? This week I’m breaking down the exact process of identifying the skills you do effortlessly and turning them into a profitable side hustle.  In this episode I share: How to pinpoint the skills hiding in your “blind spot” The importance of surveying your network to confirm your strengths Different service-based ideas yo...

This week we’re changing it up and I’m sitting in the guest chair. In this special “podcast swap” episode of Side Hustle Pro, I’m sharing an interview from the podcast To Tell You The Truth with host—and Podcast Moguls student—Brittany Sharpton. We dive into the concept of self-imposed barriers and how they can prevent entrepreneurs, especially Black women, from realizing their full potential.&nbs...

This week in the guest chair we have a returning guest Brandice Daniel, founder and CEO of Harlem’s Fashion Row. Brandice launched Harlem’s Fashion Row to bridge the gap between multicultural fashion designers and major fashion brands. From producing top-tier runway events to groundbreaking collaborations—such as her famous partnership with Nike and LeBron James—Brandice ensures Black and Brown de...

This week we’re diving into how to shift your mindset to set yourself up for success. Here’s the thing—I’ve learned over the years that your mindset isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s the foundation for everything you’re trying to build. Whether it’s pushing past fear to finally launch your business, staying consistent when sales are slow, or silencing that little voice in your head saying, ‘Who are...