Side Hustle Pro

Nicaila Matthews Okome | Side Hustle Pro Media
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Side Hustle Pro spotlights bold black women entrepreneurs who have scaled from side hustle to profitable business. Join Chief Side Hustler turned full-time entrepreneur Nicaila Matthews Okome for your weekly installment of Side Hustle Pro and learn actionable strategies to start small and get going–wherever and whoever you are. Side Hustle Pro features interviews with inspiring Black women entrepreneurs who started out as side hustlers, including interviews with Myleik Teele, Morgan DeBaun, Tiffany "The Budgetnista" Aliche, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 490: She Left Corporate and Built a 7-Figure Business

    3 DAYS AGO

    490: She Left Corporate and Built a 7-Figure Business

    This week in the guest chair, Dr. Lakila Bowden shares her powerful journey from leading thousands inside Fortune 500 companies to co-founding ISee Technologies, a Black sister-owned, disability-led consulting firm now earning seven figures. After leaving corporate in 2019, Lakila teamed up with her sister, Camille, to build a company trusted by brands like Disney, Kraft Heinz, and the EPA for high-impact training, inclusion, and workforce wellness programs. What makes her work different is how she blends corporate strategy, healing, and public speaking to help organizations and people thrive without burnout. In this episode, Lakila opens up about the moment she walked away from the “known,” how she rebuilt her identity outside of corporate titles, and how speaking became a major accelerator in her business growth. She also breaks down the inner and outer transformation required to grow with your purpose, honor your well-being, and lead from a place of wholeness. In This Episode, Dr. Lakila Shares: The pivotal moment she knew she had to leave corporate AmericaHow she and her sister built ISee Technologies into a 7-figure consulting firmWhy public speaking became a core revenue driver in her businessHow personal healing shaped her approach to leadership and entrepreneurshipHer framework for helping organizations and individuals thrive without burning out Highlights Include00:00: Intro 02:10: Starting IC Technologies with her sister Camille 04:30: Becoming a speaker and author and how speaking scaled her impact 08:20: Building a disability-led, wellness-centered company 12:00: How corporate strategy + personal healing became her business superpower 16:15: The growth that came after walking away from the “known” 20:45: Helping organizations cultivate inclusion and sustainable wellness 26:30: Advice for anyone ready to pivot from corporate into purpose Watch this episode on YouTube and listen on all podcast apps Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/side-hustle-pro/id1126021323 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/13qDj08lBR4ymzGhXIKy8t?si=8daf52a57e054042 Links Mentioned in This Episode ISee Technologies: https://www.iseetechinc.com/Achieve Work Life Alignment by Dr. Lakila Bowden http://www.lakilabowden.com/  Click here to subscribe via RSS feed (non-iTunes feed): http://sidehustlepro.libsyn.com/rss Guest Social Media InfoLakila's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lakilaj/ ISee Technologies Website: https://www.iseetechinc.com/ Side Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro #SideHustlePro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    55 min
  2. 489: How to Start a Side Hustle with AI (feat. Nadeen Matthews Blair)

    19 NOV

    489: How to Start a Side Hustle with AI (feat. Nadeen Matthews Blair)

    This week in the guest chair, we have someone very special, my sister, Nadeen Matthews Blair and her pivot story is going to speak directly to anyone who’s ever felt called to reinvent themselves. After 20 years in banking, management consulting, and C-suite leadership, Nadeen hit a point where the titles, the pressure, and the nonstop demands were no longer aligned with the life she wanted for herself and her family. So she did what so many high-achieving women fear doing: she stepped back, listened to the whisper, and chose a new path. That path led her to Crescent Advisory Group, where she now teaches professionals, creatives, and new entrepreneurs how to use AI with confidence. What’s wild is that she built the entire business using just four beginner-friendly AI tools and today, she’s breaking them all down for you. Whether you’re in a pivot, launching a side hustle, or trying to understand where AI fits into your next chapter, this episode will give you clarity, confidence, and a simple starting point. In This Episode, Nadeen Shares: How she pivoted from a demanding corporate career into full-time entrepreneurshipWhy early consulting and workshop opportunities found her before she officially launchedHow AI tools like Perplexity, Gamma, Looka, and Namelix helped her build her brand, website, and business foundation fastWhy AI is the most powerful leverage tool for side hustlers in 2025How redefining success around flexibility, family, and purpose shaped her new chapterWhat she’s teaching thousands of people in her beginner-friendly AI webinars If you’ve been feeling the pull to pivot or you’re curious about how to use AI without feeling overwhelmed, this is your episode. Watch Episode 489 on YouTube and listen on all podcast apps. Links mentioned in this episode Crescent Advisory Group: http://crescentadvisorygroup.com ChatGPT Perplexity NameLix Gamma Lovable MIT AI Courses Alicia Little’s AI Innovation Program Guest Social Media InfoSide Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro: https://www.instagram.com/sidehustlepro/ Nadeen Matthews Blair IG: https://www.instagram.com/nadeenmatthewsblair/ Nadeen Matthews Blair LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadeenmatthews/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    58 min
  3. 488: The Power in the Pivot: How Keewa Nurullah Is Rebuilding After Closing Her Dream Business

    12 NOV

    488: The Power in the Pivot: How Keewa Nurullah Is Rebuilding After Closing Her Dream Business

    This week in the guest chair we have Keewa Nurullah, artist, entrepreneur, and small-business strategist you may remember as the founder of Kido, the beloved South Loop children’s boutique that brought color, culture, and community to families across Chicago. After six powerful years in business, and national recognition that included a shout-out from President Barack Obama, Keewa made the bold decision to close her brick-and-mortar store and start over. In this episode, Keewa opens up about what it truly looks like to evolve as an entrepreneur, navigating economic shifts, changing customer behavior, and the emotional side of letting go of something you built from the ground up. Today she’s channeling those lessons into her work as a strategist and host of Circulate, a monthly community event that “love-bombs” local shops with intentional support and helps other founders build thriving, purpose-driven businesses on their own terms. In this episode, she shares: The courage to walk away from a business What retail taught her about leadership, money, and boundariesThe realities of pivoting after successHow she’s creating new pathways for community-minded entrepreneurs Highlights Include00:00 Intro 03:10 Launching Kido and building community through culture 08:45 Getting national recognition (including Barack Obama’s shout-out) 13:20 The moment she knew it was time to close her storefront 17:15 Navigating shifting customer habits post-pandemic 22:40 Starting over as a strategist and redefining success 27:00 Creating Circulate and supporting small businesses 33:15 Lessons on resilience, rest, and rediscovering your "why" 40:00 Advice for entrepreneurs in transition Watch episode 488 on YouTube and listen on all podcast apps Links mentioned in this episode Keewa Nurullah Instagram:@kiwimercuryKeewa’s website: https://www.keewanurullah.com/Side Hustle Pro: https://sidehustlepro.co Click here to subscribe via RSS feed (non-iTunes feed): http://sidehustlepro.libsyn.com/rss AnnouncementsJoin our Facebook Community If you’re looking for a community of supportive side hustlers who are all working to take our businesses to the next level, join us here: http://sidehustlepro.co/facebook Guest Social Media InfoInstagram: @kiwimercury Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    52 min
  4. 487: Mindset Hacks For Every Business Owner

    5 NOV

    487: Mindset Hacks For Every Business Owner

    This week we’re diving into how to shift your mindset to set yourself up for success. Here’s the thing I’ve learned over the years that your mindset isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s the foundation for everything you’re trying to build. Whether it’s pushing past fear to finally launch your business, staying consistent when sales are slow, or silencing that little voice in your head saying, ‘Who are you to do this?’ it all comes back to how you think and how you show up for yourself. In this episode I share: The mindset hacks I use, like reframing limiting beliefs, to conquer my goals How to break down your goals into actionable steps to avoid overwhelm My experience with imposter syndrome and how I continuously overcome it Highlights include: 00:00 Intro01:00 Battling imposter syndrome04:14 Breaking free from overthinking08:05 Confidence is key14:05 Master Instagram Challenge17:50 Building mental resilience 21:28 Actionable steps to a mindset changeCheck out episode 487 of Side Hustle Pro podcast out now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Links mentioned in this episode Side Hustle Pro YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SideHustlePro Side Hustle Pro Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sidehustlepro/ SHP Done Is Better Than Perfect Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naMuG3Abzmo SHP Denise Woodard Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjQqNBd8-xA Click here to subscribe via RSS feed (non-iTunes feed): http://sidehustlepro.libsyn.com/rss AnnouncementsJoin our Facebook Community If you’re looking for a community of supportive side hustlers who are all working to take our businesses to the next level, join us here: https://sidehustlepro.co/facebook Guest Social Media InfoSide Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro #SideHustlePro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    27 min
  5. 486: How to Side Hustle With a Full-Time Job

    29 OCT

    486: How to Side Hustle With a Full-Time Job

    Welcome back to the Side Hustle Pro podcast, your headquarters for turning passion projects into profitable businesses! I’m Nicaila, and today we’re talking about how to find (and protect) the time you need to build your side hustle.  I get it: Working a full-time job, juggling family commitments, and trying to live your life can make your side hustle goals feel impossible. But trust me, it’s not. I used to think I had zero free hours, but as soon as I did a reality check, I found pockets of time I could reclaim. Here’s how you can do the same. In this episode I share about: The time you’re losing and how to identify your top time wastersThe 3-Step Hustler’s Time Plan: how to maximize your timeHow to build a system and schedule that work for you Highlights include:  00:00 Intro01:45 Identify your biggest time traps06:42 Reclaim your time12:35 Power hour: get more done in less time16:15 Leverage your days off18:30 Protect your side hustle hours21:20 Choose a schedule that fits your life23:40 Final thoughts and recap Check out episode 486 of Side Hustle Pro podcast out now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Links mentioned in this episode Nicaila’s Website: https://sidehustlepro.co/Nicaila’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sidehustlepro/ Nicaila’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicailamatthewsokome Brown Ambition Podcast: https://brownambitionpodcast.com/  Click here to subscribe via RSS feed (non-iTunes feed): http://sidehustlepro.libsyn.com/rss AnnouncementsJoin our Facebook Community If you’re looking for a community of supportive side hustlers who are all working to take our businesses to the next level, join us here: https://sidehustlepro.co/facebook Guest Social Media InfoSide Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro #SideHustlePro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    26 min
  6. 485: How to Turn Your Skills Into a Side Hustle

    24 OCT

    485: How to Turn Your Skills Into a Side Hustle

    Always wanted to start a side hustle but didn’t know what industry to try? This week I’m breaking down the exact process of identifying the skills you do effortlessly and turning them into a profitable side hustle.  In this episode I share: How to pinpoint the skills hiding in your “blind spot”The importance of surveying your network to confirm your strengthsDifferent service-based ideas you can launch todayHow to validate your offers quickly and start getting paid sooner Highlights include: 00:00 Intro02:00 Three key steps05:30 Monetizable skills09:30 How to get paid sooner, not later15:00 Actionable homework Check out episode 485 of Side Hustle Pro podcast out now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Links mentioned in this episode Portia Obeng SHP episode: https://youtu.be/4qkgObsQ7pA?si=BySviTQaeTqgVa01 Nicaila’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sidehustlepro/ Nicaila’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicailamatthewsokome FREE Survey Template: https://sidehustlepro.lpages.co/side-hustle-survey/   Click here to subscribe via RSS feed (non-iTunes feed): http://sidehustlepro.libsyn.com/rss AnnouncementsJoin our Facebook Community If you’re looking for a community of supportive side hustlers who are all working to take our businesses to the next level, join us here: https://sidehustlepro.co/facebook Guest Social Media InfoSide Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro #SideHustlePro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    23 min
  7. 484: Demetria Lucas on Taking Career Risks and Embracing Pivots

    16 OCT

    484: Demetria Lucas on Taking Career Risks and Embracing Pivots

    This week we’re airing my first ever live podcast! I had the opportunity to sit down with author, journalist, and media powerhouse Demetria Lucas at the On Air Fest in Brooklyn, NY.  From launching A Belle in BK to building an empire that spans books, film, podcasting, and more, Demetria has mastered the art of evolving and thriving as a multi-hyphenate entrepreneur. Taking risks and flawlessly pivoting has paid off. In this episode she shares: How prioritizing steady income through podcasting, owning a travel company, and more gives her freedom to enjoy life outside of workingThe enormous impact traveling the world has had on her work, leading her to author three books on travel How she stayed resilient through personal challenges and self-doubt Highlights Include: 00:00 Intro 03:36 Breaking into the book industry 08:20 Streams of steady income 13:45 Building a personal brand and podcast 24:08 Traveling the world 27:00 The ups and downs of finances in freelancing 36:15 Tips for entrepreneurs  Check out episode 484 of Side Hustle Pro podcast out now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Links mentioned in this episode Demetria’s Website: https://www.demetriallucas.com/ Demetria’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/demetriallucas Demetria’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/demetriallucas Ratchet and Respectable Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ratchet-respectable/id1449001372 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/ Click here to subscribe via RSS feed (non-iTunes feed): http://sidehustlepro.libsyn.com/rss AnnouncementsJoin our Facebook Community If you’re looking for a community of supportive side hustlers who are all working to take our businesses to the next level, join us here: http://sidehustlepro.co/facebook Guest Social Media InfoSide Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro #SideHustlePro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    42 min
  8. 483: The First 3 Moves I’d Make If I Were Starting a Side Hustle Today

    10 OCT

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

    In this solo episode, I’m sharing the first three moves I’d make if I were starting a side hustle today and it’s not what you think. Over the years, I’ve seen so many new side hustlers get caught up in the wrong things (logos, websites, Instagram aesthetic), and miss the real work that actually builds momentum and income. So I’m breaking down what I’d focus on right now if I had to start all over again. These are the same foundational steps that helped me build Side Hustle Pro from an idea into a full-fledged business, and they’re the same ones I teach my clients today. In this episode, I share: The number one mistake new side hustlers make (and how to avoid it)How to get laser-focused on the problem you solve and who you serveWhy validation calls will change the way you approach your businessThe difference between a website and a funnel (and why the latter matters more)How I started selling a $50 course before I ever built a website Highlights Include00:00 Intro 02:10 Getting clear on the problem you solve 06:00 Finding your target audience 08:36 Validating your idea fast 11:09 What to ask during validation calls 14:41 Pricing with confidence 15:00 Building a simple funnel, not a website 19:03 How one simple email list changed everything 21:02 Recap: The 3 moves to start your side hustle today Links Mentioned in This EpisodeLeadpagesFireflies.ai – My favorite meeting note-takerGemini for Google Meet AnnouncementsJoin our Facebook Community If you’re looking for a community of supportive side hustlers who are all working to take our businesses to the next level, join us here: http://sidehustlepro.co/facebook Guest Social Media InfoSide Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro #SideHustlePro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    23 min
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Hosts & Guests

About

Side Hustle Pro spotlights bold black women entrepreneurs who have scaled from side hustle to profitable business. Join Chief Side Hustler turned full-time entrepreneur Nicaila Matthews Okome for your weekly installment of Side Hustle Pro and learn actionable strategies to start small and get going–wherever and whoever you are. Side Hustle Pro features interviews with inspiring Black women entrepreneurs who started out as side hustlers, including interviews with Myleik Teele, Morgan DeBaun, Tiffany "The Budgetnista" Aliche, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Nicaila Matthews Okome | Side Hustle Pro Media
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2025
  • Episodes
    498
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 SIDE HUSTLE PRO
  • Show Website
    Side Hustle Pro

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