The Side-Hustle Dad Transistor (https://transistor.fm) https://feeds.transistor.fm/the-side-hustle-dad We are helping dads find financial freedom without sacrificing their families in the process. You want to provide more for your kids and create a legacy of wealth, but the thought of starting a business feels overwhelming. You’re afraid that chasing financial freedom means missing out on bedtime stories, soccer games, and quality time with your wife. The Side-Hustle Dad is here to show you a different way. Hosted by Bryan Steele—entrepreneur and founder of Forge Podcast Co.—this show is a masterclass in building a profitable side-hustle without sacrificing the relationships that matter most. Each week, we cover the mindset, strategies and tactics needed to create a thriving side-hustle. Whether you want to get out of debt, save for your children’s college, or build enough passive income to choose how you spend your days, this podcast provides the blueprint. Subscribe to The Side-Hustle Dad and start building your extra income stream today. (c) 2026 Bryan Steele 9f76e9cf-c6fc-5af0-bb6a-90c651ccf189 yes Build A Side-Hustle, Without Sacrificing Your Family en Fri, 12 Jun 2026 03:00:13 -0500 Fri, 12 Jun 2026 03:01:37 -0500 https://sidehustle.dad https://img.transistorcdn.com/oorYxRqUJo_rK5wLbLXkWHHaq74wPSn6pypUNy3Lavg/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9hMWFj/NWQ0MjE1Zjk4YWU5/YmEzMDM4ZWJmZWU5/NTYwMy5qcGc.jpg The Side-Hustle Dad https://sidehustle.dad episodic Bryan Steele We are helping dads find financial freedom without sacrificing their families in the process. You want to provide more for your kids and create a legacy of wealth, but the thought of starting a business feels overwhelming. You’re afraid that chasing financial freedom means missing out on bedtime stories, soccer games, and quality time with your wife. The Side-Hustle Dad is here to show you a different way. Hosted by Bryan Steele—entrepreneur and founder of Forge Podcast Co.—this show is a masterclass in building a profitable side-hustle without sacrificing the relationships that matter most. Each week, we cover the mindset, strategies and tactics needed to create a thriving side-hustle. Whether you want to get out of debt, save for your children’s college, or build enough passive income to choose how you spend your days, this podcast provides the blueprint. Subscribe to The Side-Hustle Dad and start building your extra income stream today. We are helping dads find financial freedom without sacrificing their families in the process. Entrepreneur, small business, side-hustle, side hustle, gig economy, family, father, dad, growth Bryan Steele bryan@forgepodcast.co No No Overcoming Sales Anxiety: A Simple Framework for Success 17 17 Overcoming Sales Anxiety: A Simple Framework for Success full 5b13b976-df80-476f-9584-186ff85609a2 https://thesidehustle.dad/17 Why does selling feel so slimy — and why do prospects keep ghosting you after what seemed like a great conversation?


The truth is, most side hustlers walk into sales conversations completely unprepared. Not because they're bad at what they do, but because they're winging it. I've been there. You have a great coffee chat, you send the follow-up email, and then… crickets. The good news: this is fixable with a four-step framework called BANT — Budget, Authority, Need, and Timing. Once you start using it consistently, you'll know exactly where your sales process is breaking down, and you'll close more deals without ever feeling pushy or sleazy.


Highlights


  • Why selling feels uncomfortable — and why it doesn't have to
  • The "winging it" trap that causes most side hustlers to lose potential clients without knowing why
  • How to talk about money early without killing the conversation
  • Why talking to the wrong person first often leads to being ghosted
  • The discovery questions that uncover your prospect's real needs (and sometimes reveal a bigger opportunity)
  • How to read where a prospect is in their buying journey and match your energy to theirs
  • The bonus move that practically eliminates ghosting: always set the next commitment before ending any conversation


Chapters


0:19 – Why Selling Feels Sleazy

1:02 – The Ghosting Problem

1:55 – The BANT Framework Overview

2:27 – B: Budget — Talk About Money First

4:20 – A: Authority — Who Actually Makes the Decision?

6:45 – N: Need — Uncover What They're Really After

8:08 – T: Timing — Where Are They in the Process?

10:03 – Bonus: How to Never Get Ghosted Again

11:31 – Wrap Up & Next Steps


Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review!


For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad


Remember, build the business, but be the dad!


This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.


]]> Why does selling feel so slimy — and why do prospects keep ghosting you after what seemed like a great conversation?


The truth is, most side hustlers walk into sales conversations completely unprepared. Not because they're bad at what they do, but because they're winging it. I've been there. You have a great coffee chat, you send the follow-up email, and then… crickets. The good news: this is fixable with a four-step framework called BANT — Budget, Authority, Need, and Timing. Once you start using it consistently, you'll know exactly where your sales process is breaking down, and you'll close more deals without ever feeling pushy or sleazy.


Highlights


  • Why selling feels uncomfortable — and why it doesn't have to
  • The "winging it" trap that causes most side hustlers to lose potential clients without knowing why
  • How to talk about money early without killing the conversation
  • Why talking to the wrong person first often leads to being ghosted
  • The discovery questions that uncover your prospect's real needs (and sometimes reveal a bigger opportunity)
  • How to read where a prospect is in their buying journey and match your energy to theirs
  • The bonus move that practically eliminates ghosting: always set the next commitment before ending any conversation


Chapters


0:19 – Why Selling Feels Sleazy

1:02 – The Ghosting Problem

1:55 – The BANT Framework Overview

2:27 – B: Budget — Talk About Money First

4:20 – A: Authority — Who Actually Makes the Decision?

6:45 – N: Need — Uncover What They're Really After

8:08 – T: Timing — Where Are They in the Process?

10:03 – Bonus: How to Never Get Ghosted Again

11:31 – Wrap Up & Next Steps


Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review!


For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad


Remember, build the business, but be the dad!


This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.


]]> Fri, 12 Jun 2026 03:00:00 -0500 Bryan Steele Bryan Steele 788 Why does selling feel so slimy — and why do prospects keep ghosting you after what seemed like a great conversation?


The truth is, most side hustlers walk into sales conversations completely unprepared. Not because they're bad at what they do, but because they're winging it. I've been there. You have a great coffee chat, you send the follow-up email, and then… crickets. The good news: this is fixable with a four-step framework called BANT — Budget, Authority, Need, and Timing. Once you start using it consistently, you'll know exactly where your sales process is breaking down, and you'll close more deals without ever feeling pushy or sleazy.


Highlights


  • Why selling feels uncomfortable — and why it doesn't have to
  • The "winging it" trap that causes most side hustlers to lose potential clients without knowing why
  • How to talk about money early without killing the conversation
  • Why talking to the wrong person first often leads to being ghosted
  • The discovery questions that uncover your prospect's real needs (and sometimes reveal a bigger opportunity)
  • How to read where a prospect is in their buying journey and match your energy to theirs
  • The bonus move that practically eliminates ghosting: always set the next commitment before ending any conversation


Chapters


0:19 – Why Selling Feels Sleazy

1:02 – The Ghosting Problem

1:55 – The BANT Framework Overview

2:27 – B: Budget — Talk About Money First

4:20 – A: Authority — Who Actually Makes the Decision?

6:45 – N: Need — Uncover What They're Really After

8:08 – T: Timing — Where Are They in the Process?

10:03 – Bonus: How to Never Get Ghosted Again

11:31 – Wrap Up & Next Steps


Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review!


For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad


Remember, build the business, but be the dad!


This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.


]]> Entrepreneur, small business, side-hustle, side hustle, gig economy, family, father, dad, growth No The Marketing Mindset: Aligning Message, Timing, and Audience 16 16 The Marketing Mindset: Aligning Message, Timing, and Audience full 6f3f6d26-3820-4120-aa9c-313c49fb5551 https://thesidehustle.dad/16 Most service providers feel uncomfortable with marketing because they think it's about pushing products on people. But what if the real problem is simpler than that? Marketing is just about getting the right message to the right person at the right time — and when you nail all three, it stops feeling slimy and starts feeling like genuine service.


Today we break down a powerful three-part marketing framework you can apply immediately, whether you're posting on social media, running ads, or reaching out to potential clients. If your posts are getting crickets, this is likely why — and here's how to fix it.


Highlights


  • Marketing vs. sales: why these are two completely different conversations and why you need to treat them that way
  • You don't need a marketing budget to start — you need practice communicating your value
  • The biggest mindset shift: failing to tell people how you can help them is actually failing them
  • The "Right Person, Right Message, Right Time" framework — the lens for every piece of content you create
  • How to identify your ideal client by looking at the common threads among your existing customers
  • Why your message should focus on transformation — the before and after — not on being everything to everyone
  • Timing is everything: how to identify the exact moment a potential client is most ready to hear from you
  • Real examples: from music production to home renovation to wedding photography — how timing applies across industries
  • How to put all three pieces together when building a social media post, ad, or any marketing content


Chapters


  • 0:00 — Intro & Marketing Mindset Reset
  • 0:57 — Marketing vs. Sales: Understanding the Difference
  • 2:05 — No Budget Needed: Marketing Is About Practice
  • 2:55 — The Right Person, Right Message, Right Time Framework
  • 4:24 — Step 1: Finding the Right Person
  • 6:55 — Step 2: Crafting the Right Message
  • 9:20 — Step 3: Reaching Them at the Right Time
  • 13:18 — Putting It All Together
  • 13:52 — Wrap-Up & Next Episode Preview

Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review!


For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad


Remember, build the business, but be the dad!


This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.


]]> Most service providers feel uncomfortable with marketing because they think it's about pushing products on people. But what if the real problem is simpler than that? Marketing is just about getting the right message to the right person at the right time — and when you nail all three, it stops feeling slimy and starts feeling like genuine service.


Today we break down a powerful three-part marketing framework you can apply immediately, whether you're posting on social media, running ads, or reaching out to potential clients. If your posts are getting crickets, this is likely why — and here's how to fix it.


Highlights


  • Marketing vs. sales: why these are two completely different conversations and why you need to treat them that way
  • You don't need a marketing budget to start — you need practice communicating your value
  • The biggest mindset shift: failing to tell people how you can help them is actually failing them
  • The "Right Person, Right Message, Right Time" framework — the lens for every piece of content you create
  • How to identify your ideal client by looking at the common threads among your existing customers
  • Why your message should focus on transformation — the before and after — not on being everything to everyone
  • Timing is everything: how to identify the exact moment a potential client is most ready to hear from you
  • Real examples: from music production to home renovation to wedding photography — how timing applies across industries
  • How to put all three pieces together when building a social media post, ad, or any marketing content


Chapters


  • 0:00 — Intro & Marketing Mindset Reset
  • 0:57 — Marketing vs. Sales: Understanding the Difference
  • 2:05 — No Budget Needed: Marketing Is About Practice
  • 2:55 — The Right Person, Right Message, Right Time Framework
  • 4:24 — Step 1: Finding the Right Person
  • 6:55 — Step 2: Crafting the Right Message
  • 9:20 — Step 3: Reaching Them at the Right Time
  • 13:18 — Putting It All Together
  • 13:52 — Wrap-Up & Next Episode Preview

Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review!


For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad


Remember, build the business, but be the dad!


This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.


]]> Fri, 05 Jun 2026 03:00:00 -0500 Bryan Steele Bryan Steele 901 Most service providers feel uncomfortable with marketing because they think it's about pushing products on people. But what if the real problem is simpler than that? Marketing is just about getting the right message to the right person at the right time — and when you nail all three, it stops feeling slimy and starts feeling like genuine service.


Today we break down a powerful three-part marketing framework you can apply immediately, whether you're posting on social media, running ads, or reaching out to potential clients. If your posts are getting crickets, this is likely why — and here's how to fix it.


Highlights


  • Marketing vs. sales: why these are two completely different conversations and why you need to treat them that way
  • You don't need a marketing budget to start — you need practice communicating your value
  • The biggest mindset shift: failing to tell people how you can help them is actually failing them
  • The "Right Person, Right Message, Right Time" framework — the lens for every piece of content you create
  • How to identify your ideal client by looking at the common threads among your existing customers
  • Why your message should focus on transformation — the before and after — not on being everything to everyone
  • Timing is everything: how to identify the exact moment a potential client is most ready to hear from you
  • Real examples: from music production to home renovation to wedding photography — how timing applies across industries
  • How to put all three pieces together when building a social media post, ad, or any marketing content


Chapters


  • 0:00 — Intro & Marketing Mindset Reset
  • 0:57 — Marketing vs. Sales: Understanding the Difference
  • 2:05 — No Budget Needed: Marketing Is About Practice
  • 2:55 — The Right Person, Right Message, Right Time Framework
  • 4:24 — Step 1: Finding the Right Person
  • 6:55 — Step 2: Crafting the Right Message
  • 9:20 — Step 3: Reaching Them at the Right Time
  • 13:18 — Putting It All Together
  • 13:52 — Wrap-Up & Next Episode Preview

Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review!


For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad


Remember, build the business, but be the dad!


This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.


]]> Entrepreneur, small business, side-hustle, side hustle, gig economy, family, father, dad, growth No The Perfectionism Trap | Why Your Logo is Keeping You Broke 15 15 The Perfectionism Trap | Why Your Logo is Keeping You Broke full eebe6b8d-dee2-4733-80ee-90287fb1a2c5 https://thesidehustle.dad/15 Are you building your side hustle — or just staying busy?


There's a sneaky trap that catches almost every new entrepreneur, and chances are you've already fallen into it at least once. It's called perfectionism, and it's costing you more than time. That logo you've been tweaking for three hours, the website that has to be just right before you launch — none of that is actually building your business. Perfectionism is procrastination in disguise, and underneath it is the one thing none of us want to admit: fear of rejection. The good news? You don't have to be perfect to make progress. You just have to be willing to be bad at something long enough to get good at it. This episode is a mindset reset for every side-hustle dad who knows what they need to do — but keeps finding something else to do instead.


Highlights


  • Perfectionism isn't about quality — it's a socially acceptable mask for procrastination and fear of failure
  • Busywork (tweaking logos, color palettes, websites) feels productive but doesn't move the needle
  • The tasks you avoid — sales calls, follow-ups, networking — are the ones that actually grow your business
  • Your brain is wired to protect you from rejection, and it will spin wild stories to keep you "safe"
  • Embracing imperfect reps is the only way to improve at the things that matter
  • Setting a rejection goal reframes failure as progress and builds momentum
  • Small, consistent actions beat sporadic bursts of "perfect" effort every single time
  • Next up: a miniseries on marketing and sales — foundational frameworks for side-hustle dads who feel lost in that world


Chapters


0:19 – The Perfectionism Trap

2:26 – Busywork vs. Real Progress

3:37 – Fear of Rejection

4:49 – How Your Brain Creates Safety Stories

6:32 – Why the Risk Is Worth It

7:53 – Embracing Imperfection

9:43 – Five Seconds of Crazy Courage

10:37 – Setting Rejection Goals

11:52 – Consistency Wins

13:11 – Weekly Challenge

13:46 – What's Next: Marketing & Sales Miniseries


Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review!


For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad


Remember, build the business, but be the dad!


This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.


]]> Are you building your side hustle — or just staying busy?


There's a sneaky trap that catches almost every new entrepreneur, and chances are you've already fallen into it at least once. It's called perfectionism, and it's costing you more than time. That logo you've been tweaking for three hours, the website that has to be just right before you launch — none of that is actually building your business. Perfectionism is procrastination in disguise, and underneath it is the one thing none of us want to admit: fear of rejection. The good news? You don't have to be perfect to make progress. You just have to be willing to be bad at something long enough to get good at it. This episode is a mindset reset for every side-hustle dad who knows what they need to do — but keeps finding something else to do instead.


Highlights


  • Perfectionism isn't about quality — it's a socially acceptable mask for procrastination and fear of failure
  • Busywork (tweaking logos, color palettes, websites) feels productive but doesn't move the needle
  • The tasks you avoid — sales calls, follow-ups, networking — are the ones that actually grow your business
  • Your brain is wired to protect you from rejection, and it will spin wild stories to keep you "safe"
  • Embracing imperfect reps is the only way to improve at the things that matter
  • Setting a rejection goal reframes failure as progress and builds momentum
  • Small, consistent actions beat sporadic bursts of "perfect" effort every single time
  • Next up: a miniseries on marketing and sales — foundational frameworks for side-hustle dads who feel lost in that world


Chapters


0:19 – The Perfectionism Trap

2:26 – Busywork vs. Real Progress

3:37 – Fear of Rejection

4:49 – How Your Brain Creates Safety Stories

6:32 – Why the Risk Is Worth It

7:53 – Embracing Imperfection

9:43 – Five Seconds of Crazy Courage

10:37 – Setting Rejection Goals

11:52 – Consistency Wins

13:11 – Weekly Challenge

13:46 – What's Next: Marketing & Sales Miniseries


Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review!


For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad


Remember, build the business, but be the dad!


This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.


]]> Fri, 29 May 2026 03:00:00 -0500 Bryan Steele Bryan Steele 906 Are you building your side hustle — or just staying busy?


There's a sneaky trap that catches almost every new entrepreneur, and chances are you've already fallen into it at least once. It's called perfectionism, and it's costing you more than time. That logo you've been tweaking for three hours, the website that has to be just right before you launch — none of that is actually building your business. Perfectionism is procrastination in disguise, and underneath it is the one thing none of us want to admit: fear of rejection. The good news? You don't have to be perfect to make progress. You just have to be willing to be bad at something long enough to get good at it. This episode is a mindset reset for every side-hustle dad who knows what they need to do — but keeps finding something else to do instead.


Highlights


  • Perfectionism isn't about quality — it's a socially acceptable mask for procrastination and fear of failure
  • Busywork (tweaking logos, color palettes, websites) feels productive but doesn't move the needle
  • The tasks you avoid — sales calls, follow-ups, networking — are the ones that actually grow your business
  • Your brain is wired to protect you from rejection, and it will spin wild stories to keep you "safe"
  • Embracing imperfect reps is the only way to improve at the things that matter
  • Setting a rejection goal reframes failure as progress and builds momentum
  • Small, consistent actions beat sporadic bursts of "perfect" effort every single time
  • Next up: a miniseries on marketing and sales — foundational frameworks for side-hustle dads who feel lost in that world


Chapters


0:19 – The Perfectionism Trap

2:26 – Busywork vs. Real Progress

3:37 – Fear of Rejection

4:49 – How Your Brain Creates Safety Stories

6:32 – Why the Risk Is Worth It

7:53 – Embracing Imperfection

9:43 – Five Seconds of Crazy Courage

10:37 – Setting Rejection Goals

11:52 – Consistency Wins

13:11 – Weekly Challenge

13:46 – What's Next: Marketing & Sales Miniseries


Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review!


For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad


Remember, build the business, but be the dad!


This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.


]]> Entrepreneur, small business, side-hustle, side hustle, gig economy, family, father, dad, growth No Raise Your Prices! 14 14 Raise Your Prices! full dec9daac-576e-4ae4-b134-9e7256808ab0 https://thesidehustle.dad/14 You're busy — but is your side hustle actually making you money? There's a big difference between being booked solid and being profitable. If you've been afraid to raise your rates, this episode gives you the exact framework to know when it's time, how to do it, and how to silence the inner voice that says you're not worth it.


Highlights


  • Why being "busy" is not the goal — profitability is
  • How to calculate your conversion rate with a dead-simple formula
  • The 30–50% conversion rate sweet spot and what it means for your pricing
  • Why a high conversion rate (above 50%) is actually a warning sign you're undercharging
  • The math that shows how raising prices and working less can earn you the same income
  • What to do when your conversion rate is too low — and why slashing prices is the wrong move
  • How to define your Unique Selling Proposition (USP) to command higher rates
  • How to ask clients who say "no" for feedback (without it being awkward)
  • Using your "evidence folder" — testimonials and reviews — to overcome imposter syndrome
  • Why pricing is not permanent and iteration is part of the process


Chapters


0:00 – Why Raise Prices

1:31 – Measure Conversion Rate

4:20 – Healthy Benchmarks

5:20 – When Yes Is Too Easy

9:08 – Test Higher Rates

9:57 – Fix Low Conversions

14:26 – Imposter Syndrome Proof

16:50 – Final Challenge


Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review!


For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad


Remember, build the business, but be the dad!


This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.


]]> You're busy — but is your side hustle actually making you money? There's a big difference between being booked solid and being profitable. If you've been afraid to raise your rates, this episode gives you the exact framework to know when it's time, how to do it, and how to silence the inner voice that says you're not worth it.


Highlights


  • Why being "busy" is not the goal — profitability is
  • How to calculate your conversion rate with a dead-simple formula
  • The 30–50% conversion rate sweet spot and what it means for your pricing
  • Why a high conversion rate (above 50%) is actually a warning sign you're undercharging
  • The math that shows how raising prices and working less can earn you the same income
  • What to do when your conversion rate is too low — and why slashing prices is the wrong move
  • How to define your Unique Selling Proposition (USP) to command higher rates
  • How to ask clients who say "no" for feedback (without it being awkward)
  • Using your "evidence folder" — testimonials and reviews — to overcome imposter syndrome
  • Why pricing is not permanent and iteration is part of the process


Chapters


0:00 – Why Raise Prices

1:31 – Measure Conversion Rate

4:20 – Healthy Benchmarks

5:20 – When Yes Is Too Easy

9:08 – Test Higher Rates

9:57 – Fix Low Conversions

14:26 – Imposter Syndrome Proof

16:50 – Final Challenge


Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review!


For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad


Remember, build the business, but be the dad!


This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.


]]> Fri, 22 May 2026 03:00:00 -0500 Bryan Steele Bryan Steele 1089 You're busy — but is your side hustle actually making you money? There's a big difference between being booked solid and being profitable. If you've been afraid to raise your rates, this episode gives you the exact framework to know when it's time, how to do it, and how to silence the inner voice that says you're not worth it.


Highlights


  • Why being "busy" is not the goal — profitability is
  • How to calculate your conversion rate with a dead-simple formula
  • The 30–50% conversion rate sweet spot and what it means for your pricing
  • Why a high conversion rate (above 50%) is actually a warning sign you're undercharging
  • The math that shows how raising prices and working less can earn you the same income
  • What to do when your conversion rate is too low — and why slashing prices is the wrong move
  • How to define your Unique Selling Proposition (USP) to command higher rates
  • How to ask clients who say "no" for feedback (without it being awkward)
  • Using your "evidence folder" — testimonials and reviews — to overcome imposter syndrome
  • Why pricing is not permanent and iteration is part of the process


Chapters


0:00 – Why Raise Prices

1:31 – Measure Conversion Rate

4:20 – Healthy Benchmarks

5:20 – When Yes Is Too Easy

9:08 – Test Higher Rates

9:57 – Fix Low Conversions

14:26 – Imposter Syndrome Proof

16:50 – Final Challenge


Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review!


For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad


Remember, build the business, but be the dad!


This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.


]]> Entrepreneur, small business, side-hustle, side hustle, gig economy, family, father, dad, growth No Confident Quoting | Smart Pricing Strategies for Side-Hustles 13 13 Confident Quoting | Smart Pricing Strategies for Side-Hustles full b74b02bd-f736-413f-ac97-97679450b668 https://thesidehustle.dad/13 What do you charge when you've never run a business before — and everything you know about pay comes from a day job where someone else set the number? That question paralyzes so many side hustlers before they ever land their first client. Let's cut through the anxiety and build a real pricing framework you can use starting today.


Hourly rates feel safe because that's how employees think — but they secretly punish you for getting better. Project-based pricing flips the equation and focuses on what your client actually cares about: the result, not the clock. Whether you're offering a service, selling handmade goods, or building a digital product like an ebook or online course, you'll walk away with a starting point, a formula for building in margin, and the confidence to quote your price without flinching.


Highlights


  • Hourly rates create an "efficiency penalty" — the better and faster you get, the less you earn
  • Shift from selling your time to selling the transformation and result you deliver
  • Use a price floor formula: estimated hours × $25/hr + materials, then add 20–30% buffer for margin and surprises
  • Keep your math private — clients don't need to see your cost breakdown, just the total
  • Never negotiate down from your quoted price; discounting attracts the wrong clients
  • Before sending any quote, do the "dad math" — is this project worth the time away from your family?
  • Physical goods have hidden costs (listings, packing, shipping runs) that must be factored into pricing
  • Digital products like ebooks and online courses should be priced on the time savings and transformation they provide — not the cost to create them
  • Your day job is a strength here: you're not desperate, so you don't have to take every project


Chapters


0:19 — Pricing anxiety intro: what do I even charge?

1:32 — Why you should switch to project-based pricing

2:28 — Recording studio example: selling results, not hours

4:13 — The hourly rate trap and the efficiency penalty

5:34 — How to set your price floor

7:25 — Adding a buffer and profit margin

8:31 — Quote confidently — no discounts, no negotiating

9:56 — Do the "dad math" before you send the quote

11:37 — Hidden costs in physical goods

12:51 — Pricing digital products by value, not cost

15:28 — Wrap up and next steps


Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review!


For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad


Remember, build the business, but be the dad!


This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.


]]> What do you charge when you've never run a business before — and everything you know about pay comes from a day job where someone else set the number? That question paralyzes so many side hustlers before they ever land their first client. Let's cut through the anxiety and build a real pricing framework you can use starting today.


Hourly rates feel safe because that's how employees think — but they secretly punish you for getting better. Project-based pricing flips the equation and focuses on what your client actually cares about: the result, not the clock. Whether you're offering a service, selling handmade goods, or building a digital product like an ebook or online course, you'll walk away with a starting point, a formula for building in margin, and the confidence to quote your price without flinching.


Highlights


  • Hourly rates create an "efficiency penalty" — the better and faster you get, the less you earn
  • Shift from selling your time to selling the transformation and result you deliver
  • Use a price floor formula: estimated hours × $25/hr + materials, then add 20–30% buffer for margin and surprises
  • Keep your math private — clients don't need to see your cost breakdown, just the total
  • Never negotiate down from your quoted price; discounting attracts the wrong clients
  • Before sending any quote, do the "dad math" — is this project worth the time away from your family?
  • Physical goods have hidden costs (listings, packing, shipping runs) that must be factored into pricing
  • Digital products like ebooks and online courses should be priced on the time savings and transformation they provide — not the cost to create them
  • Your day job is a strength here: you're not desperate, so you don't have to take every project


Chapters


0:19 — Pricing anxiety intro: what do I even charge?

1:32 — Why you should switch to project-based pricing

2:28 — Recording studio example: selling results, not hours

4:13 — The hourly rate trap and the efficiency penalty

5:34 — How to set your price floor

7:25 — Adding a buffer and profit margin

8:31 — Quote confidently — no discounts, no negotiating

9:56 — Do the "dad math" before you send the quote

11:37 — Hidden costs in physical goods

12:51 — Pricing digital products by value, not cost

15:28 — Wrap up and next steps


Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review!


For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad


Remember, build the business, but be the dad!


This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.


]]> Fri, 15 May 2026 03:00:00 -0500 Bryan Steele Bryan Steele 1031 What do you charge when you've never run a business before — and everything you know about pay comes from a day job where someone else set the number? That question paralyzes so many side hustlers before they ever land their first client. Let's cut through the anxiety and build a real pricing framework you can use starting today.


Hourly rates feel safe because that's how employees think — but they secretly punish you for getting better. Project-based pricing flips the equation and focuses on what your client actually cares about: the result, not the clock. Whether you're offering a service, selling handmade goods, or building a digital product like an ebook or online course, you'll walk away with a starting point, a formula for building in margin, and the confidence to quote your price without flinching.


Highlights


  • Hourly rates create an "efficiency penalty" — the better and faster you get, the less you earn
  • Shift from selling your time to selling the transformation and result you deliver
  • Use a price floor formula: estimated hours × $25/hr + materials, then add 20–30% buffer for margin and surprises
  • Keep your math private — clients don't need to see your cost breakdown, just the total
  • Never negotiate down from your quoted price; discounting attracts the wrong clients
  • Before sending any quote, do the "dad math" — is this project worth the time away from your family?
  • Physical goods have hidden costs (listings, packing, shipping runs) that must be factored into pricing
  • Digital products like ebooks and online courses should be priced on the time savings and transformation they provide — not the cost to create them
  • Your day job is a strength here: you're not desperate, so you don't have to take every project


Chapters


0:19 — Pricing anxiety intro: what do I even charge?

1:32 — Why you should switch to project-based pricing

2:28 — Recording studio example: selling results, not hours

4:13 — The hourly rate trap and the efficiency penalty

5:34 — How to set your price floor

7:25 — Adding a buffer and profit margin

8:31 — Quote confidently — no discounts, no negotiating

9:56 — Do the "dad math" before you send the quote

11:37 — Hidden costs in physical goods

12:51 — Pricing digital products by value, not cost

15:28 — Wrap up and next steps


Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review!


For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad


Remember, build the business, but be the dad!


This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.


]]> Entrepreneur, small business, side-hustle, side hustle, gig economy, family, father, dad, growth No CRM Solutions for Side-Hustles | From Spreadsheet to Software 12 12 CRM Solutions for Side-Hustles | From Spreadsheet to Software full bf890f05-87d3-49e1-bada-2cbb56c4e659 https://thesidehustle.dad/12 Are you lying awake at night wondering if you forgot to follow up with that potential client from Tuesday? If you're trying to run your business from your head, you're leaving money on the table — and opportunities are slipping through the cracks every single day.


This episode is your step-by-step guide to building a simple, effective customer relationship management system from scratch — no expensive software required. We break down exactly what a CRM is, why you need one, and how to build your first pipeline using nothing more than a free spreadsheet. Whether you're just landing your first clients or starting to feel overwhelmed by your growing list of leads, this episode will give you a clear, actionable system to stay organized, follow up consistently, and close more business.


HIGHLIGHTS

  • You don't need expensive software to get started — a simple Google Sheet or Excel spreadsheet is the best first CRM for most new side hustlers
  • The exact columns you need in your spreadsheet: name, contact info, last interaction, next interaction date, pipeline stage, project value, and won/lost
  • The five pipeline stages every service-based business needs: marketing lead, sales lead, offer made, committed, and project complete
  • Why checking your spreadsheet just once a week puts you ahead of 80% of your competition
  • How to know when it's time to upgrade from a spreadsheet to dedicated CRM software
  • A breakdown of CRM tools worth considering: Capsule CRM (free tier), HoneyBook (best for service providers), Pipedrive, HubSpot, and Go High Level

CHAPTERS


0:00 – Why You Need a CRM

2:28 – Start With a Spreadsheet

3:20 – Must Have Columns

4:10 – Pipeline Stages Explained

6:57 – Tracking Value and Wins

8:08 – Weekly Follow Up Habit

10:28 – When to Upgrade Tools

11:12 – CRM Software Options

16:10 – Switching and Next Steps

18:31 – Final Encouragement


RESOURCES MENTIONED

Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review!


For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad


Remember, build the business, but be the dad!


This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.

]]> Are you lying awake at night wondering if you forgot to follow up with that potential client from Tuesday? If you're trying to run your business from your head, you're leaving money on the table — and opportunities are slipping through the cracks every single day.


This episode is your step-by-step guide to building a simple, effective customer relationship management system from scratch — no expensive software required. We break down exactly what a CRM is, why you need one, and how to build your first pipeline using nothing more than a free spreadsheet. Whether you're just landing your first clients or starting to feel overwhelmed by your growing list of leads, this episode will give you a clear, actionable system to stay organized, follow up consistently, and close more business.


HIGHLIGHTS

  • You don't need expensive software to get started — a simple Google Sheet or Excel spreadsheet is the best first CRM for most new side hustlers
  • The exact columns you need in your spreadsheet: name, contact info, last interaction, next interaction date, pipeline stage, project value, and won/lost
  • The five pipeline stages every service-based business needs: marketing lead, sales lead, offer made, committed, and project complete
  • Why checking your spreadsheet just once a week puts you ahead of 80% of your competition
  • How to know when it's time to upgrade from a spreadsheet to dedicated CRM software
  • A breakdown of CRM tools worth considering: Capsule CRM (free tier), HoneyBook (best for service providers), Pipedrive, HubSpot, and Go High Level

CHAPTERS


0:00 – Why You Need a CRM

2:28 – Start With a Spreadsheet

3:20 – Must Have Columns

4:10 – Pipeline Stages Explained

6:57 – Tracking Value and Wins

8:08 – Weekly Follow Up Habit

10:28 – When to Upgrade Tools

11:12 – CRM Software Options

16:10 – Switching and Next Steps

18:31 – Final Encouragement


RESOURCES MENTIONED

Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review!


For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad


Remember, build the business, but be the dad!


This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.

]]> Fri, 08 May 2026 03:00:00 -0500 Bryan Steele Bryan Steele 1247 Are you lying awake at night wondering if you forgot to follow up with that potential client from Tuesday? If you're trying to run your business from your head, you're leaving money on the table — and opportunities are slipping through the cracks every single day.


This episode is your step-by-step guide to building a simple, effective customer relationship management system from scratch — no expensive software required. We break down exactly what a CRM is, why you need one, and how to build your first pipeline using nothing more than a free spreadsheet. Whether you're just landing your first clients or starting to feel overwhelmed by your growing list of leads, this episode will give you a clear, actionable system to stay organized, follow up consistently, and close more business.


HIGHLIGHTS

  • You don't need expensive software to get started — a simple Google Sheet or Excel spreadsheet is the best first CRM for most new side hustlers
  • The exact columns you need in your spreadsheet: name, contact info, last interaction, next interaction date, pipeline stage, project value, and won/lost
  • The five pipeline stages every service-based business needs: marketing lead, sales lead, offer made, committed, and project complete
  • Why checking your spreadsheet just once a week puts you ahead of 80% of your competition
  • How to know when it's time to upgrade from a spreadsheet to dedicated CRM software
  • A breakdown of CRM tools worth considering: Capsule CRM (free tier), HoneyBook (best for service providers), Pipedrive, HubSpot, and Go High Level

CHAPTERS


0:00 – Why You Need a CRM

2:28 – Start With a Spreadsheet

3:20 – Must Have Columns

4:10 – Pipeline Stages Explained

6:57 – Tracking Value and Wins

8:08 – Weekly Follow Up Habit

10:28 – When to Upgrade Tools

11:12 – CRM Software Options

16:10 – Switching and Next Steps

18:31 – Final Encouragement


RESOURCES MENTIONED

Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review!


For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad


Remember, build the business, but be the dad!


This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.

]]> Entrepreneur, small business, side-hustle, side hustle, gig economy, family, father, dad, growth No Identifying the Ideal Client 11 11 Identifying the Ideal Client full 59553751-b5a2-4527-9c6f-7306a3100121 https://thesidehustle.dad/11 What if the biggest mistake in your side hustle isn't what you're selling — it's who you're trying to sell it to? Trying to reach everyone is one of the most common traps side hustlers fall into. When you're chasing every dollar, you end up connecting with no one. This episode is about getting razor sharp on your Ideal Client Profile (ICP) — and why going narrower actually makes you more powerful, not less. We walk through a simple but transformational exercise called the Five Whys that takes you from surface-level demographics to the deep human motivations that actually drive buying decisions. Whether you're a consultant, a web developer, or someone who builds backyard patios, this concept will change the way you market and sell.


Highlights


  • Why trying to sell to everyone is a fast track to selling to no one
  • What an Ideal Client Profile (ICP) actually is — and what it isn't
  • Why demographics are a starting point, not the destination
  • The Five Whys method: a simple framework for uncovering what really drives your ideal client
  • Real-world examples: a business consultant, a web developer, and a patio builder — all using the Five Whys to find the human story behind the sale
  • Why ROI isn't always about money — and how to communicate peace, joy, and ease as real value
  • A 10-minute action step to create your first ICP today


Chapters


  • 0:00 — The Big Mistake
  • 1:02 — Why You Need an ICP
  • 2:09 — Focus Beats Scattered Marketing
  • 4:15 — Demographics Aren't Enough
  • 5:14 — The Five Whys Method
  • 5:31 — Example: Consultant to Family Time
  • 7:24 — Example: Web Developer to Survival
  • 8:23 — Example: Patio Builder to Community
  • 10:35 — Speak to Emotion, Not Price
  • 12:10 — ROI Beyond Money — Peace and Joy
  • 14:52 — Your 10-Minute ICP Exercise
  • 16:09 — Name Your Avatar and Take Action
  • 16:59 — Wrap Up and Next Time


Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review!


For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad


Remember, build the business, but be the dad!


This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.


]]> What if the biggest mistake in your side hustle isn't what you're selling — it's who you're trying to sell it to? Trying to reach everyone is one of the most common traps side hustlers fall into. When you're chasing every dollar, you end up connecting with no one. This episode is about getting razor sharp on your Ideal Client Profile (ICP) — and why going narrower actually makes you more powerful, not less. We walk through a simple but transformational exercise called the Five Whys that takes you from surface-level demographics to the deep human motivations that actually drive buying decisions. Whether you're a consultant, a web developer, or someone who builds backyard patios, this concept will change the way you market and sell.


Highlights


  • Why trying to sell to everyone is a fast track to selling to no one
  • What an Ideal Client Profile (ICP) actually is — and what it isn't
  • Why demographics are a starting point, not the destination
  • The Five Whys method: a simple framework for uncovering what really drives your ideal client
  • Real-world examples: a business consultant, a web developer, and a patio builder — all using the Five Whys to find the human story behind the sale
  • Why ROI isn't always about money — and how to communicate peace, joy, and ease as real value
  • A 10-minute action step to create your first ICP today


Chapters


  • 0:00 — The Big Mistake
  • 1:02 — Why You Need an ICP
  • 2:09 — Focus Beats Scattered Marketing
  • 4:15 — Demographics Aren't Enough
  • 5:14 — The Five Whys Method
  • 5:31 — Example: Consultant to Family Time
  • 7:24 — Example: Web Developer to Survival
  • 8:23 — Example: Patio Builder to Community
  • 10:35 — Speak to Emotion, Not Price
  • 12:10 — ROI Beyond Money — Peace and Joy
  • 14:52 — Your 10-Minute ICP Exercise
  • 16:09 — Name Your Avatar and Take Action
  • 16:59 — Wrap Up and Next Time


Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review!


For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad


Remember, build the business, but be the dad!


This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.


]]> Fri, 01 May 2026 03:00:00 -0500 Bryan Steele Bryan Steele 1074 What if the biggest mistake in your side hustle isn't what you're selling — it's who you're trying to sell it to? Trying to reach everyone is one of the most common traps side hustlers fall into. When you're chasing every dollar, you end up connecting with no one. This episode is about getting razor sharp on your Ideal Client Profile (ICP) — and why going narrower actually makes you more powerful, not less. We walk through a simple but transformational exercise called the Five Whys that takes you from surface-level demographics to the deep human motivations that actually drive buying decisions. Whether you're a consultant, a web developer, or someone who builds backyard patios, this concept will change the way you market and sell.


Highlights


  • Why trying to sell to everyone is a fast track to selling to no one
  • What an Ideal Client Profile (ICP) actually is — and what it isn't
  • Why demographics are a starting point, not the destination
  • The Five Whys method: a simple framework for uncovering what really drives your ideal client
  • Real-world examples: a business consultant, a web developer, and a patio builder — all using the Five Whys to find the human story behind the sale
  • Why ROI isn't always about money — and how to communicate peace, joy, and ease as real value
  • A 10-minute action step to create your first ICP today


Chapters


  • 0:00 — The Big Mistake
  • 1:02 — Why You Need an ICP
  • 2:09 — Focus Beats Scattered Marketing
  • 4:15 — Demographics Aren't Enough
  • 5:14 — The Five Whys Method
  • 5:31 — Example: Consultant to Family Time
  • 7:24 — Example: Web Developer to Survival
  • 8:23 — Example: Patio Builder to Community
  • 10:35 — Speak to Emotion, Not Price
  • 12:10 — ROI Beyond Money — Peace and Joy
  • 14:52 — Your 10-Minute ICP Exercise
  • 16:09 — Name Your Avatar and Take Action
  • 16:59 — Wrap Up and Next Time


Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review!


For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad


Remember, build the business, but be the dad!


This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.


]]> Entrepreneur, small business, side-hustle, side hustle, gig economy, family, father, dad, growth No Get More Reviews with Strategies to Make It Easy 10 10 Get More Reviews with Strategies to Make It Easy full 0fee1d98-c370-4f9a-b3d3-4267091d2f88 https://thesidehustle.dad/10 What if the reason your side hustle isn't growing has nothing to do with your skills — and everything to do with what happens after you deliver great work?


Your Google listing is a ghost town. Two reviews, one of them your uncle. Sound familiar? The good news: getting five-star reviews isn't about being pushy or salesy. It's about timing, simplicity, and a system that takes less than 30 seconds to use. This episode breaks down exactly how to ask for reviews the right way — and how to make it so easy that people actually follow through.


Highlights


  • Reviews are the social proof that bridges your side hustle to a real, inbound business
  • The #1 mistake people make is asking at the wrong moment (like when the invoice is due)
  • Ask when the dopamine is hitting — when your client is experiencing the win
  • Real examples: asking after a studio session, sending a first mix, or including a handwritten note with an Etsy order
  • In-person ask tip: explain why reviews matter for small businesses — don't just casually throw it out there
  • Eliminate all friction by using a direct review link from your Google Business listing
  • A QR code by the door is a game-changer for in-person businesses
  • Treat your review asks like an email drip — identify 2–3 moments in the client journey and ask at each one
  • Homework: generate your direct review link, create a QR code, and write an email template with the link already in it


Chapters


0:00 — Why Reviews Matter

2:16 — Ask at the Peak Moment

3:03 — Real World Timing Examples

6:14 — Make the Ask In Person

7:41 — Remove Review Friction

8:52 — Use Links and QR Codes

11:53 — Follow Up Without Nagging

13:23 — Homework and Simple System

15:24 — Wrap Up and Next Steps


Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review!


For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad


Remember, build the business, but be the dad!


This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.


]]> What if the reason your side hustle isn't growing has nothing to do with your skills — and everything to do with what happens after you deliver great work?


Your Google listing is a ghost town. Two reviews, one of them your uncle. Sound familiar? The good news: getting five-star reviews isn't about being pushy or salesy. It's about timing, simplicity, and a system that takes less than 30 seconds to use. This episode breaks down exactly how to ask for reviews the right way — and how to make it so easy that people actually follow through.


Highlights


  • Reviews are the social proof that bridges your side hustle to a real, inbound business
  • The #1 mistake people make is asking at the wrong moment (like when the invoice is due)
  • Ask when the dopamine is hitting — when your client is experiencing the win
  • Real examples: asking after a studio session, sending a first mix, or including a handwritten note with an Etsy order
  • In-person ask tip: explain why reviews matter for small businesses — don't just casually throw it out there
  • Eliminate all friction by using a direct review link from your Google Business listing
  • A QR code by the door is a game-changer for in-person businesses
  • Treat your review asks like an email drip — identify 2–3 moments in the client journey and ask at each one
  • Homework: generate your direct review link, create a QR code, and write an email template with the link already in it


Chapters


0:00 — Why Reviews Matter

2:16 — Ask at the Peak Moment

3:03 — Real World Timing Examples

6:14 — Make the Ask In Person

7:41 — Remove Review Friction

8:52 — Use Links and QR Codes

11:53 — Follow Up Without Nagging

13:23 — Homework and Simple System

15:24 — Wrap Up and Next Steps


Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review!


For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad


Remember, build the business, but be the dad!


This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.


]]> Fri, 24 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0500 Bryan Steele Bryan Steele 997 What if the reason your side hustle isn't growing has nothing to do with your skills — and everything to do with what happens after you deliver great work?


Your Google listing is a ghost town. Two reviews, one of them your uncle. Sound familiar? The good news: getting five-star reviews isn't about being pushy or salesy. It's about timing, simplicity, and a system that takes less than 30 seconds to use. This episode breaks down exactly how to ask for reviews the right way — and how to make it so easy that people actually follow through.


Highlights


  • Reviews are the social proof that bridges your side hustle to a real, inbound business
  • The #1 mistake people make is asking at the wrong moment (like when the invoice is due)
  • Ask when the dopamine is hitting — when your client is experiencing the win
  • Real examples: asking after a studio session, sending a first mix, or including a handwritten note with an Etsy order
  • In-person ask tip: explain why reviews matter for small businesses — don't just casually throw it out there
  • Eliminate all friction by using a direct review link from your Google Business listing
  • A QR code by the door is a game-changer for in-person businesses
  • Treat your review asks like an email drip — identify 2–3 moments in the client journey and ask at each one
  • Homework: generate your direct review link, create a QR code, and write an email template with the link already in it


Chapters


0:00 — Why Reviews Matter

2:16 — Ask at the Peak Moment

3:03 — Real World Timing Examples

6:14 — Make the Ask In Person

7:41 — Remove Review Friction

8:52 — Use Links and QR Codes

11:53 — Follow Up Without Nagging

13:23 — Homework and Simple System

15:24 — Wrap Up and Next Steps


Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review!


For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad


Remember, build the business, but be the dad!


This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.


]]> Entrepreneur, small business, side-hustle, side hustle, gig economy, family, father, dad, growth No Don’t Burn the Boats | Leverage Your Day Job 9 9 Don’t Burn the Boats | Leverage Your Day Job full 876f3ee2-a4a0-4f08-b688-1d952db57c1c https://thesidehustle.dad/9 What if you are thinking about your day job all wrong?


Most dads building a side hustle feel the pull to go all-in — quit the job, burn the boats, and bet everything on the dream. But that impulse, as exciting as it sounds, could be the very thing that kills the business before it has a chance to breathe. Your nine-to-five isn't your enemy. It's your greatest asset. It's the venture capital funding your future, the shield protecting your family, and the reason you get to say no to the wrong clients. The path to freedom isn't reckless — it's strategic. Let's reframe everything.


Highlights

  • Why "burning the boats" is less brave and more careless — and what to do instead
  • How your day job gives you the power to say no to nightmare clients
  • The financial safety net that allows you to experiment, pivot, and innovate without pressure
  • Why innovation requires low stakes — and how a nine-to-five creates that space
  • The danger of "golden handcuffs" and how to escape them on your own terms
  • How to define your personal "launch number" so leaving feels intentional, not impulsive
  • Bryan's personal story: the moment his daughter's words changed everything
  • How Bryan and his wife Abby paid off all debt — including their mortgage — before he made the leap
  • The mindset shift from seeing your job as a cage to seeing it as a launchpad


Chapters


0:00 – Burn the Boats Myth

2:09 – Day Job as Shield

5:31 – Experiment Without Pressure

8:30 – Escape Golden Handcuffs

10:19 – Set Your Launch Number

11:02 – Family-Driven Milestones

13:30 – Be Strategic, Not Impulsive

15:23 – Wrap Up and Next Steps


Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review!


For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad


Remember, build the business, but be the dad!


This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.


]]> What if you are thinking about your day job all wrong?


Most dads building a side hustle feel the pull to go all-in — quit the job, burn the boats, and bet everything on the dream. But that impulse, as exciting as it sounds, could be the very thing that kills the business before it has a chance to breathe. Your nine-to-five isn't your enemy. It's your greatest asset. It's the venture capital funding your future, the shield protecting your family, and the reason you get to say no to the wrong clients. The path to freedom isn't reckless — it's strategic. Let's reframe everything.


Highlights

  • Why "burning the boats" is less brave and more careless — and what to do instead
  • How your day job gives you the power to say no to nightmare clients
  • The financial safety net that allows you to experiment, pivot, and innovate without pressure
  • Why innovation requires low stakes — and how a nine-to-five creates that space
  • The danger of "golden handcuffs" and how to escape them on your own terms
  • How to define your personal "launch number" so leaving feels intentional, not impulsive
  • Bryan's personal story: the moment his daughter's words changed everything
  • How Bryan and his wife Abby paid off all debt — including their mortgage — before he made the leap
  • The mindset shift from seeing your job as a cage to seeing it as a launchpad


Chapters


0:00 – Burn the Boats Myth

2:09 – Day Job as Shield

5:31 – Experiment Without Pressure

8:30 – Escape Golden Handcuffs

10:19 – Set Your Launch Number

11:02 – Family-Driven Milestones

13:30 – Be Strategic, Not Impulsive

15:23 – Wrap Up and Next Steps


Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review!


For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad


Remember, build the business, but be the dad!


This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.


]]> Fri, 17 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0500 Bryan Steele Bryan Steele 998 What if you are thinking about your day job all wrong?


Most dads building a side hustle feel the pull to go all-in — quit the job, burn the boats, and bet everything on the dream. But that impulse, as exciting as it sounds, could be the very thing that kills the business before it has a chance to breathe. Your nine-to-five isn't your enemy. It's your greatest asset. It's the venture capital funding your future, the shield protecting your family, and the reason you get to say no to the wrong clients. The path to freedom isn't reckless — it's strategic. Let's reframe everything.


Highlights

  • Why "burning the boats" is less brave and more careless — and what to do instead
  • How your day job gives you the power to say no to nightmare clients
  • The financial safety net that allows you to experiment, pivot, and innovate without pressure
  • Why innovation requires low stakes — and how a nine-to-five creates that space
  • The danger of "golden handcuffs" and how to escape them on your own terms
  • How to define your personal "launch number" so leaving feels intentional, not impulsive
  • Bryan's personal story: the moment his daughter's words changed everything
  • How Bryan and his wife Abby paid off all debt — including their mortgage — before he made the leap
  • The mindset shift from seeing your job as a cage to seeing it as a launchpad


Chapters


0:00 – Burn the Boats Myth

2:09 – Day Job as Shield

5:31 – Experiment Without Pressure

8:30 – Escape Golden Handcuffs

10:19 – Set Your Launch Number

11:02 – Family-Driven Milestones

13:30 – Be Strategic, Not Impulsive

15:23 – Wrap Up and Next Steps


Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review!


For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad


Remember, build the business, but be the dad!


This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.


]]> Entrepreneur, small business, side-hustle, side hustle, gig economy, family, father, dad, growth No Making Your First Dollar: Embracing Sales and Taking Action 8 8 Making Your First Dollar: Embracing Sales and Taking Action full 853f66a1-1996-42af-989b-fc3774a077be https://thesidehustle.dad/8 What's standing between you and your first paying customer?


You've put in the work. You've served your beta clients, collected your reviews, and proven you can deliver. Now it's time to stop practicing and start getting paid. This episode is graduation day, and it's time to take those receipts and turn them into real revenue. Whether you're building a service business or selling a physical product, the path to your first dollar is closer than you think, and it starts with the people already in your corner.


HIGHLIGHTS


• Why your beta clients are the easiest first paying customers — and how to approach them without the awkward money conversation

• The one question that removes pressure from your sales pitch: "Who do you know?"

• How to use a warm introduction to instantly build credibility with someone who's never heard of you

• Why you need a before-and-after post on Facebook and LinkedIn (and you don't need a website to do it)

• The best platforms to sell physical products (Etsy, eBay, Facebook Marketplace) — and why you shouldn't build your own store yet

• The "gut check": why selling at a farmer's market or craft fair can be a massive mindset shift for new entrepreneurs

• The 90-day rule: how long to commit to one approach before you pivot

• Why celebrating small wins — even a $5 sale — is essential to long-term momentum

• Done is better than perfect: why your minimum viable product is already good enough to sell


CHAPTERS


0:00 – Graduation Day Mindset

0:19 – Service Business First Clients

1:01 – Warm Referrals: Who Do You Know?

3:08 – Ask for Introductions

4:46 – Show Social Proof Posts

8:08 – Embrace Sales Discomfort

9:49 – Product Business Selling Channels

12:41 – In Person Markets: The Gut Check

15:56 – 90 Day Consistency & Pivot

18:05 – Celebrate First Dollar Wins

19:50 – Done Beats Perfect

20:51 – Final Pep Talk & Next Steps


RESOURCES MENTIONED


• Etsy – https://www.etsy.com

• eBay – https://www.ebay.com

• Facebook Marketplace – https://www.facebook.com/marketplace

• Episode 5: Prove Your Worth: Building a Solid Portfolio | https://thesidehustle.dad/5

• Squarespace – https://www.squarespace.com

• Facebook – https://www.facebook.com

• LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com


Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review!


For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad


Remember, build the business, but be the dad!


This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.


]]> What's standing between you and your first paying customer?


You've put in the work. You've served your beta clients, collected your reviews, and proven you can deliver. Now it's time to stop practicing and start getting paid. This episode is graduation day, and it's time to take those receipts and turn them into real revenue. Whether you're building a service business or selling a physical product, the path to your first dollar is closer than you think, and it starts with the people already in your corner.


HIGHLIGHTS


• Why your beta clients are the easiest first paying customers — and how to approach them without the awkward money conversation

• The one question that removes pressure from your sales pitch: "Who do you know?"

• How to use a warm introduction to instantly build credibility with someone who's never heard of you

• Why you need a before-and-after post on Facebook and LinkedIn (and you don't need a website to do it)

• The best platforms to sell physical products (Etsy, eBay, Facebook Marketplace) — and why you shouldn't build your own store yet

• The "gut check": why selling at a farmer's market or craft fair can be a massive mindset shift for new entrepreneurs

• The 90-day rule: how long to commit to one approach before you pivot

• Why celebrating small wins — even a $5 sale — is essential to long-term momentum

• Done is better than perfect: why your minimum viable product is already good enough to sell


CHAPTERS


0:00 – Graduation Day Mindset

0:19 – Service Business First Clients

1:01 – Warm Referrals: Who Do You Know?

3:08 – Ask for Introductions

4:46 – Show Social Proof Posts

8:08 – Embrace Sales Discomfort

9:49 – Product Business Selling Channels

12:41 – In Person Markets: The Gut Check

15:56 – 90 Day Consistency & Pivot

18:05 – Celebrate First Dollar Wins

19:50 – Done Beats Perfect

20:51 – Final Pep Talk & Next Steps


RESOURCES MENTIONED


• Etsy – https://www.etsy.com

• eBay – https://www.ebay.com

• Facebook Marketplace – https://www.facebook.com/marketplace

• Episode 5: Prove Your Worth: Building a Solid Portfolio | https://thesidehustle.dad/5

• Squarespace – https://www.squarespace.com

• Facebook – https://www.facebook.com

• LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com


Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review!


For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad


Remember, build the business, but be the dad!


This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.


]]> Fri, 10 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0500 Bryan Steele Bryan Steele 1341 What's standing between you and your first paying customer?


You've put in the work. You've served your beta clients, collected your reviews, and proven you can deliver. Now it's time to stop practicing and start getting paid. This episode is graduation day, and it's time to take those receipts and turn them into real revenue. Whether you're building a service business or selling a physical product, the path to your first dollar is closer than you think, and it starts with the people already in your corner.


HIGHLIGHTS


• Why your beta clients are the easiest first paying customers — and how to approach them without the awkward money conversation

• The one question that removes pressure from your sales pitch: "Who do you know?"

• How to use a warm introduction to instantly build credibility with someone who's never heard of you

• Why you need a before-and-after post on Facebook and LinkedIn (and you don't need a website to do it)

• The best platforms to sell physical products (Etsy, eBay, Facebook Marketplace) — and why you shouldn't build your own store yet

• The "gut check": why selling at a farmer's market or craft fair can be a massive mindset shift for new entrepreneurs

• The 90-day rule: how long to commit to one approach before you pivot

• Why celebrating small wins — even a $5 sale — is essential to long-term momentum

• Done is better than perfect: why your minimum viable product is already good enough to sell


CHAPTERS


0:00 – Graduation Day Mindset

0:19 – Service Business First Clients

1:01 – Warm Referrals: Who Do You Know?

3:08 – Ask for Introductions

4:46 – Show Social Proof Posts

8:08 – Embrace Sales Discomfort

9:49 – Product Business Selling Channels

12:41 – In Person Markets: The Gut Check

15:56 – 90 Day Consistency & Pivot

18:05 – Celebrate First Dollar Wins

19:50 – Done Beats Perfect

20:51 – Final Pep Talk & Next Steps


RESOURCES MENTIONED


• Etsy – https://www.etsy.com

• eBay – https://www.ebay.com

• Facebook Marketplace – https://www.facebook.com/marketplace

• Episode 5: Prove Your Worth: Building a Solid Portfolio | https://thesidehustle.dad/5

• Squarespace – https://www.squarespace.com

• Facebook – https://www.facebook.com

• LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com


Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review!


For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad


Remember, build the business, but be the dad!


This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.


]]> Entrepreneur, small business, side-hustle, side hustle, gig economy, family, father, dad, growth No Build A Side-Hustle, Without Sacrificing Your Family 1 1 Build A Side-Hustle, Without Sacrificing Your Family trailer 2bc688ba-b0bf-439f-9c15-8b0e23074099 https://thesidehustle.dad/trailer1 Want to build financial freedom and legacy for your family? Join us every episode as we explore the mindset, strategy and tactics of a profitable side-hustle. Build your business without sacrificing your family.

]]> Want to build financial freedom and legacy for your family? Join us every episode as we explore the mindset, strategy and tactics of a profitable side-hustle. Build your business without sacrificing your family.

]]> Mon, 06 Apr 2026 10:17:38 -0500 Bryan Steele Bryan Steele 37 Want to build financial freedom and legacy for your family? Join us every episode as we explore the mindset, strategy and tactics of a profitable side-hustle. Build your business without sacrificing your family.

]]> Entrepreneur, small business, side-hustle, side hustle, gig economy, family, father, dad, growth No Avoid Tax Season Chaos: Set Up Business Finances for Success 7 7 Avoid Tax Season Chaos: Set Up Business Finances for Success full 68dc8eb4-f911-4e18-af3f-38df61eee781 https://thesidehustle.dad/7 What if the one thing standing between you and tax season chaos is something you could set up in 10 minutes for free?


Running a side hustle without a dedicated bank account is like trying to run a business out of your back pocket — everything gets tangled, confusing, and expensive come April. The single non-negotiable for every business, no matter how small, is a separate checking account just for your business. It doesn't matter if you're a sole proprietor making a few hundred dollars a month or scaling toward something bigger — this one move brings clarity, protects your personal finances, and shifts your mindset from "person with a hobby" to business owner.


HIGHLIGHTS


  • Every business — from a tiny side hustle to a large enterprise — needs its own dedicated bank account
  • You do NOT need an LLC, an EIN, or a fancy business account to get started — a second personal checking account works perfectly
  • Keeping business and personal expenses separate creates a "firewall" that makes tax season dramatically simpler
  • Routing all payments (PayPal, Venmo, Stripe, etc.) to one account keeps your financial picture clean and easy to audit
  • Never spend personal money directly from your business account — always transfer to your personal account first, then spend
  • A separate account creates a mental shift: you stop treating your business like a hobby and start acting like an owner
  • It should cost you nothing — look for a free account that fits your needs
  • Complexity is the enemy of execution: keep it simple and get started now


CHAPTERS


0:00 – Introduction: There Is One Absolute in Business

0:19 – Welcome & Why This Episode Is Different

1:08 – Tax Season Receipt Chaos

1:52 – The One Must-Have: A Separate Business Account

2:27 – Mindset Shift: From Hobbyist to Owner

3:26 – Easy Setup — No LLC Needed

4:43 – Creating a Firewall for Clarity and Taxes

6:26 – How to Open the Account

7:35 – Route All Payments to One Place

8:52 – Pay Yourself the Right Way

9:45 – Stop Overthinking — Just Start

10:44 – Wrap Up & Listener Requests


RESOURCES MENTIONED



Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review!


For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad


Remember, build the business, but be the dad!


This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.


]]> What if the one thing standing between you and tax season chaos is something you could set up in 10 minutes for free?


Running a side hustle without a dedicated bank account is like trying to run a business out of your back pocket — everything gets tangled, confusing, and expensive come April. The single non-negotiable for every business, no matter how small, is a separate checking account just for your business. It doesn't matter if you're a sole proprietor making a few hundred dollars a month or scaling toward something bigger — this one move brings clarity, protects your personal finances, and shifts your mindset from "person with a hobby" to business owner.


HIGHLIGHTS


  • Every business — from a tiny side hustle to a large enterprise — needs its own dedicated bank account
  • You do NOT need an LLC, an EIN, or a fancy business account to get started — a second personal checking account works perfectly
  • Keeping business and personal expenses separate creates a "firewall" that makes tax season dramatically simpler
  • Routing all payments (PayPal, Venmo, Stripe, etc.) to one account keeps your financial picture clean and easy to audit
  • Never spend personal money directly from your business account — always transfer to your personal account first, then spend
  • A separate account creates a mental shift: you stop treating your business like a hobby and start acting like an owner
  • It should cost you nothing — look for a free account that fits your needs
  • Complexity is the enemy of execution: keep it simple and get started now


CHAPTERS


0:00 – Introduction: There Is One Absolute in Business

0:19 – Welcome & Why This Episode Is Different

1:08 – Tax Season Receipt Chaos

1:52 – The One Must-Have: A Separate Business Account

2:27 – Mindset Shift: From Hobbyist to Owner

3:26 – Easy Setup — No LLC Needed

4:43 – Creating a Firewall for Clarity and Taxes

6:26 – How to Open the Account

7:35 – Route All Payments to One Place

8:52 – Pay Yourself the Right Way

9:45 – Stop Overthinking — Just Start

10:44 – Wrap Up & Listener Requests


RESOURCES MENTIONED



Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review!


For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad


Remember, build the business, but be the dad!


This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.


]]> Fri, 03 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0500 Bryan Steele Bryan Steele 740 What if the one thing standing between you and tax season chaos is something you could set up in 10 minutes for free?


Running a side hustle without a dedicated bank account is like trying to run a business out of your back pocket — everything gets tangled, confusing, and expensive come April. The single non-negotiable for every business, no matter how small, is a separate checking account just for your business. It doesn't matter if you're a sole proprietor making a few hundred dollars a month or scaling toward something bigger — this one move brings clarity, protects your personal finances, and shifts your mindset from "person with a hobby" to business owner.


HIGHLIGHTS


  • Every business — from a tiny side hustle to a large enterprise — needs its own dedicated bank account
  • You do NOT need an LLC, an EIN, or a fancy business account to get started — a second personal checking account works perfectly
  • Keeping business and personal expenses separate creates a "firewall" that makes tax season dramatically simpler
  • Routing all payments (PayPal, Venmo, Stripe, etc.) to one account keeps your financial picture clean and easy to audit
  • Never spend personal money directly from your business account — always transfer to your personal account first, then spend
  • A separate account creates a mental shift: you stop treating your business like a hobby and start acting like an owner
  • It should cost you nothing — look for a free account that fits your needs
  • Complexity is the enemy of execution: keep it simple and get started now


CHAPTERS


0:00 – Introduction: There Is One Absolute in Business

0:19 – Welcome & Why This Episode Is Different

1:08 – Tax Season Receipt Chaos

1:52 – The One Must-Have: A Separate Business Account

2:27 – Mindset Shift: From Hobbyist to Owner

3:26 – Easy Setup — No LLC Needed

4:43 – Creating a Firewall for Clarity and Taxes

6:26 – How to Open the Account

7:35 – Route All Payments to One Place

8:52 – Pay Yourself the Right Way

9:45 – Stop Overthinking — Just Start

10:44 – Wrap Up & Listener Requests


RESOURCES MENTIONED



Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review!


For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad


Remember, build the business, but be the dad!


This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.


]]> Entrepreneur, small business, side-hustle, side hustle, gig economy, family, father, dad, growth No The "Fraud" in the Mirror 6 6 The "Fraud" in the Mirror full 79b02224-a612-478c-b6e6-e906f09272fe https://thesidehustle.dad/6 That voice in your head that says you're not qualified enough, not experienced enough, or not successful enough to put yourself out there? It has a name: imposter syndrome. And it shows up for almost everyone — even the most seasoned CEOs. A 2024 Korn Ferry study found that 71% of CEOs report feeling like an imposter. If it's happening at the top, it's definitely happening to the rest of us.


The good news? There are practical strategies to push back against it and keep moving forward. From reframing what it means to be an "expert," to building a file of your wins, to getting around the right people — you have more than enough to work with. You don't have to wait until you've "arrived."


Highlights


  • 71% of CEOs report experiencing imposter syndrome (Korn Ferry, 2024)
  • You don't have to be the best in the world — you just have to be two steps ahead of the person you're helping
  • The "barrel of monkeys" framework: your job is to get someone to the next step, not pull them all the way to the top
  • Real talk from helping a local musician who later appeared on The Voice
  • Build an evidence folder: screenshots, reviews, emails, and testimonials to revisit when doubt creeps in
  • Community is a secret weapon — surrounding yourself with other entrepreneurs pours courage into you
  • You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with — choose your circle intentionally


Chapters


0:00 – Introduction & Story Setup

1:19 – The Doubt Shows Up

2:15 – Imposter Syndrome Stats

3:15 – Redefine the Expert

4:44 – Two Steps Ahead Story

7:03 – Keep an Evidence Folder

9:28 – Power of Community

10:00 – Program Acceptance Lesson

12:50 – Three Tips Recap

13:36 – Final Encouragement & Share


Resources Mentioned


Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review!


For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad


Remember, build the business, but be the dad!


This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.


]]> That voice in your head that says you're not qualified enough, not experienced enough, or not successful enough to put yourself out there? It has a name: imposter syndrome. And it shows up for almost everyone — even the most seasoned CEOs. A 2024 Korn Ferry study found that 71% of CEOs report feeling like an imposter. If it's happening at the top, it's definitely happening to the rest of us.


The good news? There are practical strategies to push back against it and keep moving forward. From reframing what it means to be an "expert," to building a file of your wins, to getting around the right people — you have more than enough to work with. You don't have to wait until you've "arrived."


Highlights


  • 71% of CEOs report experiencing imposter syndrome (Korn Ferry, 2024)
  • You don't have to be the best in the world — you just have to be two steps ahead of the person you're helping
  • The "barrel of monkeys" framework: your job is to get someone to the next step, not pull them all the way to the top
  • Real talk from helping a local musician who later appeared on The Voice
  • Build an evidence folder: screenshots, reviews, emails, and testimonials to revisit when doubt creeps in
  • Community is a secret weapon — surrounding yourself with other entrepreneurs pours courage into you
  • You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with — choose your circle intentionally


Chapters


0:00 – Introduction & Story Setup

1:19 – The Doubt Shows Up

2:15 – Imposter Syndrome Stats

3:15 – Redefine the Expert

4:44 – Two Steps Ahead Story

7:03 – Keep an Evidence Folder

9:28 – Power of Community

10:00 – Program Acceptance Lesson

12:50 – Three Tips Recap

13:36 – Final Encouragement & Share


Resources Mentioned


Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review!


For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad


Remember, build the business, but be the dad!


This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.


]]> Fri, 27 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0500 Bryan Steele Bryan Steele 906 That voice in your head that says you're not qualified enough, not experienced enough, or not successful enough to put yourself out there? It has a name: imposter syndrome. And it shows up for almost everyone — even the most seasoned CEOs. A 2024 Korn Ferry study found that 71% of CEOs report feeling like an imposter. If it's happening at the top, it's definitely happening to the rest of us.


The good news? There are practical strategies to push back against it and keep moving forward. From reframing what it means to be an "expert," to building a file of your wins, to getting around the right people — you have more than enough to work with. You don't have to wait until you've "arrived."


Highlights


  • 71% of CEOs report experiencing imposter syndrome (Korn Ferry, 2024)
  • You don't have to be the best in the world — you just have to be two steps ahead of the person you're helping
  • The "barrel of monkeys" framework: your job is to get someone to the next step, not pull them all the way to the top
  • Real talk from helping a local musician who later appeared on The Voice
  • Build an evidence folder: screenshots, reviews, emails, and testimonials to revisit when doubt creeps in
  • Community is a secret weapon — surrounding yourself with other entrepreneurs pours courage into you
  • You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with — choose your circle intentionally


Chapters


0:00 – Introduction & Story Setup

1:19 – The Doubt Shows Up

2:15 – Imposter Syndrome Stats

3:15 – Redefine the Expert

4:44 – Two Steps Ahead Story

7:03 – Keep an Evidence Folder

9:28 – Power of Community

10:00 – Program Acceptance Lesson

12:50 – Three Tips Recap

13:36 – Final Encouragement & Share


Resources Mentioned


Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review!


For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad


Remember, build the business, but be the dad!


This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.


]]> Entrepreneur, small business, side-hustle, side hustle, gig economy, family, father, dad, growth No Prove Your Worth: Building a Solid Portfolio 5 5 Prove Your Worth: Building a Solid Portfolio full 7b1ddb37-4aa6-4660-9604-06295f7e9ec5 https://thesidehustle.dad/5 How do you go from brand new business to getting where strangers are willing to hire you? The answer is a portfolio — and building one doesn't mean working for free.


This week we're tackling one of the biggest hurdles for anyone launching a service-based side hustle: how do you prove you can deliver results when you haven't had a single client yet? We walk through a step-by-step approach to finding your first beta clients, delivering like a pro, protecting yourself from scope creep, and collecting the testimonials and case studies that will do your selling for you.


Highlights

  • Why "free work" is the wrong mindset — and what to call it instead
  • How to think about your first clients as beta testers, not charity cases
  • The right way to find people who actually match your ideal customer
  • A real story about approaching a stranger at a food truck rally to land a music production client
  • The "cost of materials only" rule for service businesses that involve physical products
  • Why you must define a clear scope of work before you start — and how to handle scope creep
  • The three things you must collect at the end of every beta project: brutal feedback, a testimonial, and before/after documentation
  • How to ask for referrals at exactly the right moment
  • What a minimum viable product looks like for a service business

Chapters


0:00 — The Service Hustle Problem

1:22 — Portfolio, Not Free Work

2:23 — Beta Clients & the Value Swap

3:59 — Deliver Like a Pro

5:25 — How to Pick Your Ideal Beta Clients

6:41 — A Bold Outreach Story

9:24 — The Materials-Only Offer

10:54 — Setting Scope Boundaries

13:45 — How to Collect Feedback & Proof

17:50 — Permission, Referrals & the MVP

20:23 — Homework & Wrap-Up


Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review!


For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad


Remember, build the business, but be the dad!


This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.

]]> How do you go from brand new business to getting where strangers are willing to hire you? The answer is a portfolio — and building one doesn't mean working for free.


This week we're tackling one of the biggest hurdles for anyone launching a service-based side hustle: how do you prove you can deliver results when you haven't had a single client yet? We walk through a step-by-step approach to finding your first beta clients, delivering like a pro, protecting yourself from scope creep, and collecting the testimonials and case studies that will do your selling for you.


Highlights

  • Why "free work" is the wrong mindset — and what to call it instead
  • How to think about your first clients as beta testers, not charity cases
  • The right way to find people who actually match your ideal customer
  • A real story about approaching a stranger at a food truck rally to land a music production client
  • The "cost of materials only" rule for service businesses that involve physical products
  • Why you must define a clear scope of work before you start — and how to handle scope creep
  • The three things you must collect at the end of every beta project: brutal feedback, a testimonial, and before/after documentation
  • How to ask for referrals at exactly the right moment
  • What a minimum viable product looks like for a service business

Chapters


0:00 — The Service Hustle Problem

1:22 — Portfolio, Not Free Work

2:23 — Beta Clients & the Value Swap

3:59 — Deliver Like a Pro

5:25 — How to Pick Your Ideal Beta Clients

6:41 — A Bold Outreach Story

9:24 — The Materials-Only Offer

10:54 — Setting Scope Boundaries

13:45 — How to Collect Feedback & Proof

17:50 — Permission, Referrals & the MVP

20:23 — Homework & Wrap-Up


Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review!


For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad


Remember, build the business, but be the dad!


This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.

]]> Fri, 20 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0500 Bryan Steele Bryan Steele 1308 How do you go from brand new business to getting where strangers are willing to hire you? The answer is a portfolio — and building one doesn't mean working for free.


This week we're tackling one of the biggest hurdles for anyone launching a service-based side hustle: how do you prove you can deliver results when you haven't had a single client yet? We walk through a step-by-step approach to finding your first beta clients, delivering like a pro, protecting yourself from scope creep, and collecting the testimonials and case studies that will do your selling for you.


Highlights

  • Why "free work" is the wrong mindset — and what to call it instead
  • How to think about your first clients as beta testers, not charity cases
  • The right way to find people who actually match your ideal customer
  • A real story about approaching a stranger at a food truck rally to land a music production client
  • The "cost of materials only" rule for service businesses that involve physical products
  • Why you must define a clear scope of work before you start — and how to handle scope creep
  • The three things you must collect at the end of every beta project: brutal feedback, a testimonial, and before/after documentation
  • How to ask for referrals at exactly the right moment
  • What a minimum viable product looks like for a service business

Chapters


0:00 — The Service Hustle Problem

1:22 — Portfolio, Not Free Work

2:23 — Beta Clients & the Value Swap

3:59 — Deliver Like a Pro

5:25 — How to Pick Your Ideal Beta Clients

6:41 — A Bold Outreach Story

9:24 — The Materials-Only Offer

10:54 — Setting Scope Boundaries

13:45 — How to Collect Feedback & Proof

17:50 — Permission, Referrals & the MVP

20:23 — Homework & Wrap-Up


Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review!


For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad


Remember, build the business, but be the dad!


This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.

]]> Entrepreneur, small business, side-hustle, side hustle, gig economy, family, father, dad, growth No Finding Your Path: Defining the Side Hustle with Ikigai 4 4 Finding Your Path: Defining the Side Hustle with Ikigai full 5a1211ac-5a74-481f-9651-f3f728a84f3c https://thesidehustle.dad/4 Struggling to figure out what your side hustle should actually be? You're not alone. Sometimes the hardest part isn't finding the time or motivation—it's identifying the right business opportunity that fits your unique situation. Today, I'm giving you a proven framework to discover your ideal side hustle using the Japanese concept of Ikigai. This four-circle Venn diagram helps you find where what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what people will pay for all intersect. I'll walk you through each circle, share real examples from my own journey, and help you decide whether a service-based or product-based business is the right starting point. By the end, you'll have a clear path to identifying what you're going to build.


Highlights:


• Why imperfect action beats perfect planning every time—and how to course-correct if you've already started

• The power of blocking time on your calendar (not just "finding" time) to protect your hustle hours from Netflix and doom scrolling

• Why gig economy jobs like Uber and DoorDash aren't building real assets—and what you should focus on instead

• The Ikigai framework: Four circles that reveal your ideal side hustle (love, skills, market needs, and monetization)

• A real example from my own journey: How I turned my love of music and technical mind into a recording business

• Service vs. product businesses: The benefits and drawbacks of each, plus which one gets you paid faster

• How to identify if you should start with services (quick money, higher margins) or products (scalable, but longer runway)


Chapters:


[0:00] Reset and Refocus

[2:18] Schedule Your Hustle Time

[3:36] Avoid the Second Job Trap

[5:50] Ikigai Framework Overview

[6:47] Circle One: What You Love

[8:42] Circle Two: What You're Good At

[10:18] Circles Three and Four: Market and Money

[12:21] Find the Overlap: Story Example

[17:16] Service vs Product Businesses

[23:38] Weekly Action Plan and Wrap Up


Resources Mentioned


• Time Study Spreadsheet (Google Sheet): https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/18NEeqC7ktsuqRxG2rI4aOifsrbYp_ZoSHBD8tcIpNMs/


Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review!


For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad


Remember, build the business, but be the dad!


This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.


]]> Struggling to figure out what your side hustle should actually be? You're not alone. Sometimes the hardest part isn't finding the time or motivation—it's identifying the right business opportunity that fits your unique situation. Today, I'm giving you a proven framework to discover your ideal side hustle using the Japanese concept of Ikigai. This four-circle Venn diagram helps you find where what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what people will pay for all intersect. I'll walk you through each circle, share real examples from my own journey, and help you decide whether a service-based or product-based business is the right starting point. By the end, you'll have a clear path to identifying what you're going to build.


Highlights:


• Why imperfect action beats perfect planning every time—and how to course-correct if you've already started

• The power of blocking time on your calendar (not just "finding" time) to protect your hustle hours from Netflix and doom scrolling

• Why gig economy jobs like Uber and DoorDash aren't building real assets—and what you should focus on instead

• The Ikigai framework: Four circles that reveal your ideal side hustle (love, skills, market needs, and monetization)

• A real example from my own journey: How I turned my love of music and technical mind into a recording business

• Service vs. product businesses: The benefits and drawbacks of each, plus which one gets you paid faster

• How to identify if you should start with services (quick money, higher margins) or products (scalable, but longer runway)


Chapters:


[0:00] Reset and Refocus

[2:18] Schedule Your Hustle Time

[3:36] Avoid the Second Job Trap

[5:50] Ikigai Framework Overview

[6:47] Circle One: What You Love

[8:42] Circle Two: What You're Good At

[10:18] Circles Three and Four: Market and Money

[12:21] Find the Overlap: Story Example

[17:16] Service vs Product Businesses

[23:38] Weekly Action Plan and Wrap Up


Resources Mentioned


• Time Study Spreadsheet (Google Sheet): https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/18NEeqC7ktsuqRxG2rI4aOifsrbYp_ZoSHBD8tcIpNMs/


Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review!


For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad


Remember, build the business, but be the dad!


This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.


]]> Fri, 13 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0500 Bryan Steele Bryan Steele 1545 Struggling to figure out what your side hustle should actually be? You're not alone. Sometimes the hardest part isn't finding the time or motivation—it's identifying the right business opportunity that fits your unique situation. Today, I'm giving you a proven framework to discover your ideal side hustle using the Japanese concept of Ikigai. This four-circle Venn diagram helps you find where what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what people will pay for all intersect. I'll walk you through each circle, share real examples from my own journey, and help you decide whether a service-based or product-based business is the right starting point. By the end, you'll have a clear path to identifying what you're going to build.


Highlights:


• Why imperfect action beats perfect planning every time—and how to course-correct if you've already started

• The power of blocking time on your calendar (not just "finding" time) to protect your hustle hours from Netflix and doom scrolling

• Why gig economy jobs like Uber and DoorDash aren't building real assets—and what you should focus on instead

• The Ikigai framework: Four circles that reveal your ideal side hustle (love, skills, market needs, and monetization)

• A real example from my own journey: How I turned my love of music and technical mind into a recording business

• Service vs. product businesses: The benefits and drawbacks of each, plus which one gets you paid faster

• How to identify if you should start with services (quick money, higher margins) or products (scalable, but longer runway)


Chapters:


[0:00] Reset and Refocus

[2:18] Schedule Your Hustle Time

[3:36] Avoid the Second Job Trap

[5:50] Ikigai Framework Overview

[6:47] Circle One: What You Love

[8:42] Circle Two: What You're Good At

[10:18] Circles Three and Four: Market and Money

[12:21] Find the Overlap: Story Example

[17:16] Service vs Product Businesses

[23:38] Weekly Action Plan and Wrap Up


Resources Mentioned


• Time Study Spreadsheet (Google Sheet): https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/18NEeqC7ktsuqRxG2rI4aOifsrbYp_ZoSHBD8tcIpNMs/


Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review!


For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad


Remember, build the business, but be the dad!


This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.


]]> Entrepreneur, small business, side-hustle, side hustle, gig economy, family, father, dad, growth No Getting Your Biggest Champion On Board 2 2 Getting Your Biggest Champion On Board full 1fae1904-fdce-45fc-a91e-ddc8c2cf2259 https://thesidehustle.dad/2 What's the number one reason side hustles fail before they even start? Your partner isn't on board. You can have the clearest vision, the best business plan, and unstoppable motivation—but without your spouse's support, you're building on sand. This episode walks you through exactly how to get your partner excited about your side hustle instead of resistant to it. You'll learn how to present your vision in a way that addresses their legitimate concerns about time, money, and commitment, while turning them into your biggest champion. Whether you're facing skepticism or just haven't had the conversation yet, this is your roadmap to bringing your partner along for the journey.


Highlights


  • Why partner resistance isn't about doubting you—it's about protecting the family
  • The three universal objections every spouse has (and how to address each one)
  • How to start the conversation without sounding defensive or confrontational
  • The "stop loss" strategy that gives your partner confidence and control
  • Why you need to give your spouse an "emergency brake" for the business
  • The 90-day trial period that proves you're serious about follow-through
  • How Bryan's wife became his champion during a moment of doubt
  • Special guidance for single fathers building a side hustle


Chapters


[00:00] Why Partner Support Matters

[01:26] Story Recording Studio Lessons

[04:03] Lead With Your Why

[07:07] Three Common Objections

[11:53] Objection One Time Scarcity

[14:31] Objection Two Money Risk

[16:55] Objection Three Shiny Objects

[17:38] How To Start The Talk

[21:49] Safety Nets And Emergency Brake

[24:50] Single Dads And Accountability

[26:52] Homework 20 Minute Chat

[28:19] Final Story And Wrap Up


Resources Mentioned


  • The $100 Startup (book)
  • Kickstarter (crowdfunding platform)
  • ChatGPT (business planning tool)

Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review!


For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad


Remember, build the business, but be the dad!


This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.


]]> What's the number one reason side hustles fail before they even start? Your partner isn't on board. You can have the clearest vision, the best business plan, and unstoppable motivation—but without your spouse's support, you're building on sand. This episode walks you through exactly how to get your partner excited about your side hustle instead of resistant to it. You'll learn how to present your vision in a way that addresses their legitimate concerns about time, money, and commitment, while turning them into your biggest champion. Whether you're facing skepticism or just haven't had the conversation yet, this is your roadmap to bringing your partner along for the journey.


Highlights


  • Why partner resistance isn't about doubting you—it's about protecting the family
  • The three universal objections every spouse has (and how to address each one)
  • How to start the conversation without sounding defensive or confrontational
  • The "stop loss" strategy that gives your partner confidence and control
  • Why you need to give your spouse an "emergency brake" for the business
  • The 90-day trial period that proves you're serious about follow-through
  • How Bryan's wife became his champion during a moment of doubt
  • Special guidance for single fathers building a side hustle


Chapters


[00:00] Why Partner Support Matters

[01:26] Story Recording Studio Lessons

[04:03] Lead With Your Why

[07:07] Three Common Objections

[11:53] Objection One Time Scarcity

[14:31] Objection Two Money Risk

[16:55] Objection Three Shiny Objects

[17:38] How To Start The Talk

[21:49] Safety Nets And Emergency Brake

[24:50] Single Dads And Accountability

[26:52] Homework 20 Minute Chat

[28:19] Final Story And Wrap Up


Resources Mentioned


  • The $100 Startup (book)
  • Kickstarter (crowdfunding platform)
  • ChatGPT (business planning tool)

Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review!


For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad


Remember, build the business, but be the dad!


This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.


]]> Fri, 06 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0600 Bryan Steele Bryan Steele 1922 What's the number one reason side hustles fail before they even start? Your partner isn't on board. You can have the clearest vision, the best business plan, and unstoppable motivation—but without your spouse's support, you're building on sand. This episode walks you through exactly how to get your partner excited about your side hustle instead of resistant to it. You'll learn how to present your vision in a way that addresses their legitimate concerns about time, money, and commitment, while turning them into your biggest champion. Whether you're facing skepticism or just haven't had the conversation yet, this is your roadmap to bringing your partner along for the journey.


Highlights


  • Why partner resistance isn't about doubting you—it's about protecting the family
  • The three universal objections every spouse has (and how to address each one)
  • How to start the conversation without sounding defensive or confrontational
  • The "stop loss" strategy that gives your partner confidence and control
  • Why you need to give your spouse an "emergency brake" for the business
  • The 90-day trial period that proves you're serious about follow-through
  • How Bryan's wife became his champion during a moment of doubt
  • Special guidance for single fathers building a side hustle


Chapters


[00:00] Why Partner Support Matters

[01:26] Story Recording Studio Lessons

[04:03] Lead With Your Why

[07:07] Three Common Objections

[11:53] Objection One Time Scarcity

[14:31] Objection Two Money Risk

[16:55] Objection Three Shiny Objects

[17:38] How To Start The Talk

[21:49] Safety Nets And Emergency Brake

[24:50] Single Dads And Accountability

[26:52] Homework 20 Minute Chat

[28:19] Final Story And Wrap Up


Resources Mentioned


  • The $100 Startup (book)
  • Kickstarter (crowdfunding platform)
  • ChatGPT (business planning tool)

Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review!


For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad


Remember, build the business, but be the dad!


This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.


]]> Entrepreneur, small business, side-hustle, side hustle, gig economy, family, father, dad, growth No Starting Your Side-Hustle Begins with One Question 1 1 Starting Your Side-Hustle Begins with One Question full 385c6346-269c-420f-b285-426debe8d5e2 https://thesidehustle.dad/1 Why are so many dads struggling to balance ambition with family presence? If you're feeling the pull between providing an amazing life for your family and actually being there to enjoy it with them, this episode is your starting point. I'm sharing why I created this podcast specifically for dads who want to build something of their own without sacrificing what matters most. We're cutting through the noise of generic side hustle advice to focus on what actually works when you're juggling business dreams and bedtime stories. Today, we're tackling the most critical question you need to answer before launching anything: What's your why? Without a clear answer, your side hustle can quickly take on a life of its own and pull you away from the very reasons you started. I'll walk you through the three core categories of "why" and show you how defining yours will become your compass for every decision ahead.


Highlights


• Why this podcast exists specifically for dads (not just another generic side hustle show)

• The most critical question to answer before starting any business: What's your why?

• The three categories of "why": financial, relational, and personal

• Why your side hustle needs a specific "job" to do

• How knowing your why helps you make better decisions and know when to pivot or quit

• Why honesty (not altruism) is what matters when defining your why


Chapters


00:19 - Welcome & Introduction to The Side Hustle Dad

00:49 - Why This Podcast Exists for Dads

01:12 - The Importance of Balance: Business & Presence

02:56 - Starting with Your "Why"

03:49 - My Personal Why: Debt & Financial Freedom

04:41 - The Three Categories of Why

05:01 - Category 1: Financial Reasons

05:44 - Category 2: Relational Reasons

06:57 - Examples of Relational Why (T-shirt Store Failure)

07:22 - Category 3: Personal Reasons

08:57 - Why Your Side Hustle Needs a Job

09:51 - Making Informed Decisions Based on Your Why

10:38 - Your Action Step: Write Down Your Why

11:07 - Subscribe & Find Resources


Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review!


 For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad


Remember, build the business, but be the dad!


This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.


]]> Why are so many dads struggling to balance ambition with family presence? If you're feeling the pull between providing an amazing life for your family and actually being there to enjoy it with them, this episode is your starting point. I'm sharing why I created this podcast specifically for dads who want to build something of their own without sacrificing what matters most. We're cutting through the noise of generic side hustle advice to focus on what actually works when you're juggling business dreams and bedtime stories. Today, we're tackling the most critical question you need to answer before launching anything: What's your why? Without a clear answer, your side hustle can quickly take on a life of its own and pull you away from the very reasons you started. I'll walk you through the three core categories of "why" and show you how defining yours will become your compass for every decision ahead.


Highlights


• Why this podcast exists specifically for dads (not just another generic side hustle show)

• The most critical question to answer before starting any business: What's your why?

• The three categories of "why": financial, relational, and personal

• Why your side hustle needs a specific "job" to do

• How knowing your why helps you make better decisions and know when to pivot or quit

• Why honesty (not altruism) is what matters when defining your why


Chapters


00:19 - Welcome & Introduction to The Side Hustle Dad

00:49 - Why This Podcast Exists for Dads

01:12 - The Importance of Balance: Business & Presence

02:56 - Starting with Your "Why"

03:49 - My Personal Why: Debt & Financial Freedom

04:41 - The Three Categories of Why

05:01 - Category 1: Financial Reasons

05:44 - Category 2: Relational Reasons

06:57 - Examples of Relational Why (T-shirt Store Failure)

07:22 - Category 3: Personal Reasons

08:57 - Why Your Side Hustle Needs a Job

09:51 - Making Informed Decisions Based on Your Why

10:38 - Your Action Step: Write Down Your Why

11:07 - Subscribe & Find Resources


Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review!


 For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad


Remember, build the business, but be the dad!


This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.


]]> Fri, 06 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0600 Bryan Steele Bryan Steele 772 Why are so many dads struggling to balance ambition with family presence? If you're feeling the pull between providing an amazing life for your family and actually being there to enjoy it with them, this episode is your starting point. I'm sharing why I created this podcast specifically for dads who want to build something of their own without sacrificing what matters most. We're cutting through the noise of generic side hustle advice to focus on what actually works when you're juggling business dreams and bedtime stories. Today, we're tackling the most critical question you need to answer before launching anything: What's your why? Without a clear answer, your side hustle can quickly take on a life of its own and pull you away from the very reasons you started. I'll walk you through the three core categories of "why" and show you how defining yours will become your compass for every decision ahead.


Highlights


• Why this podcast exists specifically for dads (not just another generic side hustle show)

• The most critical question to answer before starting any business: What's your why?

• The three categories of "why": financial, relational, and personal

• Why your side hustle needs a specific "job" to do

• How knowing your why helps you make better decisions and know when to pivot or quit

• Why honesty (not altruism) is what matters when defining your why


Chapters


00:19 - Welcome & Introduction to The Side Hustle Dad

00:49 - Why This Podcast Exists for Dads

01:12 - The Importance of Balance: Business & Presence

02:56 - Starting with Your "Why"

03:49 - My Personal Why: Debt & Financial Freedom

04:41 - The Three Categories of Why

05:01 - Category 1: Financial Reasons

05:44 - Category 2: Relational Reasons

06:57 - Examples of Relational Why (T-shirt Store Failure)

07:22 - Category 3: Personal Reasons

08:57 - Why Your Side Hustle Needs a Job

09:51 - Making Informed Decisions Based on Your Why

10:38 - Your Action Step: Write Down Your Why

11:07 - Subscribe & Find Resources


Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review!


 For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad


Remember, build the business, but be the dad!


This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.


]]> Entrepreneur, small business, side-hustle, side hustle, gig economy, family, father, dad, growth No Finding Time: Unlocking the Margins 3 3 Finding Time: Unlocking the Margins full ba0d4ec7-9ad3-4963-97bb-bbc6acf4a8a4 https://thesidehustle.dad/3 Ever wondered how you can possibly fit a side hustle into your already packed schedule without sacrificing family time? The truth is, you probably have more available time than you realize—you just haven't captured it yet. As dads, we tend to think our schedules are maxed out, but when we take an honest look at where our time actually goes, opportunities start to emerge. The margins are there, hidden between the bedtime chaos and when you actually go to sleep, scattered throughout your lunch breaks, and yes, even tucked into those doom scrolling sessions. Finding sustainable time for your business isn't about working yourself to exhaustion or neglecting your family—it's about intentionally reclaiming small pockets of time that already exist in your week. With the right approach and a practical time study, you can identify your first five hours per week to start building something meaningful without turning your life upside down.


Highlights


• Most podcasts release mid-week, but this one comes out on Fridays—the day when dads typically have the most control over their schedule heading into the weekend

• A time study spreadsheet broken into 15-minute blocks helps you see what you actually do with your time, not just what's on your calendar

• Honesty is essential—track everything including phone usage, doom scrolling, and "nothing box" time without guilt or judgment

• Log two weeks of activity to normalize your schedule and account for the variations that happen week to week

• The goal is to identify your "first five"—five hours per week you can dedicate to your side hustle without negatively impacting your family

• Communicate your plan with your spouse once you've identified those time margins to ensure you have their support

• Small steps lead to sustainable businesses—starting with just a few hours per week can eventually lead to significant results


Chapters


00:00 Why Friday Releases
01:48 Finding Time Margins
03:07 Time Study Spreadsheet
04:14 Be Honest, No Guilt
05:45 How to Log Two Weeks
08:30 Spot Hidden Gaps
10:03 Find Your First Five
10:57 Communicate With Spouse
12:37 Turn Time Into Action
13:51 Challenge and Wrap Up


Resources Mentioned


• Time Study Spreadsheet (Google Sheet): https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/18NEeqC7ktsuqRxG2rI4aOifsrbYp_ZoSHBD8tcIpNMs/


Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review!


For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad


Remember, build the business, but be the dad!


This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.


]]> Ever wondered how you can possibly fit a side hustle into your already packed schedule without sacrificing family time? The truth is, you probably have more available time than you realize—you just haven't captured it yet. As dads, we tend to think our schedules are maxed out, but when we take an honest look at where our time actually goes, opportunities start to emerge. The margins are there, hidden between the bedtime chaos and when you actually go to sleep, scattered throughout your lunch breaks, and yes, even tucked into those doom scrolling sessions. Finding sustainable time for your business isn't about working yourself to exhaustion or neglecting your family—it's about intentionally reclaiming small pockets of time that already exist in your week. With the right approach and a practical time study, you can identify your first five hours per week to start building something meaningful without turning your life upside down.


Highlights


• Most podcasts release mid-week, but this one comes out on Fridays—the day when dads typically have the most control over their schedule heading into the weekend

• A time study spreadsheet broken into 15-minute blocks helps you see what you actually do with your time, not just what's on your calendar

• Honesty is essential—track everything including phone usage, doom scrolling, and "nothing box" time without guilt or judgment

• Log two weeks of activity to normalize your schedule and account for the variations that happen week to week

• The goal is to identify your "first five"—five hours per week you can dedicate to your side hustle without negatively impacting your family

• Communicate your plan with your spouse once you've identified those time margins to ensure you have their support

• Small steps lead to sustainable businesses—starting with just a few hours per week can eventually lead to significant results


Chapters


00:00 Why Friday Releases
01:48 Finding Time Margins
03:07 Time Study Spreadsheet
04:14 Be Honest, No Guilt
05:45 How to Log Two Weeks
08:30 Spot Hidden Gaps
10:03 Find Your First Five
10:57 Communicate With Spouse
12:37 Turn Time Into Action
13:51 Challenge and Wrap Up


Resources Mentioned


• Time Study Spreadsheet (Google Sheet): https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/18NEeqC7ktsuqRxG2rI4aOifsrbYp_ZoSHBD8tcIpNMs/


Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review!


For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad


Remember, build the business, but be the dad!


This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.


]]> Fri, 06 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0600 Bryan Steele Bryan Steele 968 Ever wondered how you can possibly fit a side hustle into your already packed schedule without sacrificing family time? The truth is, you probably have more available time than you realize—you just haven't captured it yet. As dads, we tend to think our schedules are maxed out, but when we take an honest look at where our time actually goes, opportunities start to emerge. The margins are there, hidden between the bedtime chaos and when you actually go to sleep, scattered throughout your lunch breaks, and yes, even tucked into those doom scrolling sessions. Finding sustainable time for your business isn't about working yourself to exhaustion or neglecting your family—it's about intentionally reclaiming small pockets of time that already exist in your week. With the right approach and a practical time study, you can identify your first five hours per week to start building something meaningful without turning your life upside down.


Highlights


• Most podcasts release mid-week, but this one comes out on Fridays—the day when dads typically have the most control over their schedule heading into the weekend

• A time study spreadsheet broken into 15-minute blocks helps you see what you actually do with your time, not just what's on your calendar

• Honesty is essential—track everything including phone usage, doom scrolling, and "nothing box" time without guilt or judgment

• Log two weeks of activity to normalize your schedule and account for the variations that happen week to week

• The goal is to identify your "first five"—five hours per week you can dedicate to your side hustle without negatively impacting your family

• Communicate your plan with your spouse once you've identified those time margins to ensure you have their support

• Small steps lead to sustainable businesses—starting with just a few hours per week can eventually lead to significant results


Chapters


00:00 Why Friday Releases
01:48 Finding Time Margins
03:07 Time Study Spreadsheet
04:14 Be Honest, No Guilt
05:45 How to Log Two Weeks
08:30 Spot Hidden Gaps
10:03 Find Your First Five
10:57 Communicate With Spouse
12:37 Turn Time Into Action
13:51 Challenge and Wrap Up


Resources Mentioned


• Time Study Spreadsheet (Google Sheet): https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/18NEeqC7ktsuqRxG2rI4aOifsrbYp_ZoSHBD8tcIpNMs/


Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review!


For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad


Remember, build the business, but be the dad!


This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.


]]> Entrepreneur, small business, side-hustle, side hustle, gig economy, family, father, dad, growth No