Side Hustle Pro

483: The First 3 Moves I’d Make If I Were Starting a Side Hustle Today

October 10, 2025

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  • The first crucial move when starting a side hustle is getting laser-focused on the specific problem you solve and identifying the exact person who needs that solution, rather than focusing on branding elements like logos or websites. 
  • Validate your business idea quickly by conducting direct conversations (validation calls) with potential clients to gain insight into their needs and language before investing time in building a full product or website. 
  • The third essential move is to build a simple funnel—consisting of one clear offer, one primary place for people to find you, and a simple email list collection method—instead of immediately building a complex website. 

Segments

Intro and Early Success Context
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(00:00:27)
  • Key Takeaway: Side Hustle Pro achieved early chart success because the content created solved a problem people already wanted.
  • Summary: The host introduces the episode’s focus: the first three moves for starting a side hustle, emphasizing avoiding common pitfalls like focusing too much on aesthetics. Early success of Side Hustle Pro was attributed to creating something people already desired, requiring only a launch. The host, Nikayla Matthews-Okome, sets the stage by contrasting this with new side hustlers who hyper-fixate on logos and websites without knowing their target audience.
Move 1: Problem and Audience Clarity
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(00:03:52)
  • Key Takeaway: The foundational first move is defining the specific problem you solve and the precise audience that needs that solution, which guides all subsequent content and offers.
  • Summary: The first move is getting clear on a problem you can solve and who needs it, moving past the self-focus of building a personal brand portfolio. This requires answering who you will help, what transformation you will provide, and why it matters to them, applicable to both service and product businesses. For the host, this meant identifying the gap in content about Black women entrepreneurs scaling from side hustles to full-time businesses.
Podcast Coaching Promotion
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(00:09:30)
  • Key Takeaway: A free live class is offered detailing how a podcast can build an exit plan by becoming a bridge to the next chapter.
  • Summary: The host promotes a free live class titled ‘Start the Podcast that Builds Your Exit Plan’ happening on Friday at 12 p.m. Eastern. The class covers making a show discoverable and the three main income paths for podcasters. This training serves as an entry point to the ‘Podcast Moguls’ group coaching program for those looking to turn their message into a platform and business.
Shopify E-commerce Promotion
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(00:11:14)
  • Key Takeaway: Shopify is highlighted as the commerce platform simplifying e-commerce operations with ready-to-go templates and a high-converting checkout.
  • Summary: Shopify powers 10% of all e-commerce in the U.S., making it easy for businesses to start and run operations. It provides templates, handles tasks like inventory and payments, and includes built-in marketing tools. Listeners are encouraged to start a trial for $1 per month at shopify.com/hustlepro to leverage its highly converting checkout experience.
Move 2: Validating Ideas Fast
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(00:13:54)
  • Key Takeaway: The second move is validating your idea quickly through direct conversations to ensure real people want your offering before building anything.
  • Summary: Validation involves speaking directly to potential clients via short phone calls, asking smart questions, and listening intently to understand their needs and language. Recording these calls, potentially using tools like Fireflies.ai or Gemini for Google Meet, allows for later analysis to refine your offer. Confidence in pricing develops over time; start with a comfortable price point (like $50 or $100) to gain sales reps before attempting high-ticket offers.
Move 3: Building a Simple Funnel
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(00:19:41)
  • Key Takeaway: The third move is building a simple funnel—one clear offer, one place to be found, and one way to collect interest—instead of a multi-page website.
  • Summary: A simple funnel moves someone from interested to working with you, contrasting with the trap of needing a full website or business plan first. This requires one clear offer (e.g., coaching, template, audit), one primary platform (LinkedIn, Instagram, etc.), and an email list to collect interest. The host used Leadpages early on to promote a webinar, which converted attendees into sales for a $50 course, building confidence before raising prices.
Recap and Next Steps
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(00:25:33)
  • Key Takeaway: The three moves are: clarify problem/audience, validate fast via calls, and build a simple funnel immediately to start gaining traction.
  • Summary: The three moves are summarized: 1) Get clear on the problem and who you serve, 2) Validate fast with client calls, and 3) Build a simple funnel, not a website, and put it to use immediately. Listeners are encouraged to ask questions via YouTube comments or email hi@sidehustlepro.co. The episode concludes with calls to subscribe, rate, review, and sign up for the Six-Foot Saturday newsletter.