PURPOSEFUL HUSTLE BLOG

“My MOWA Choctaw roots are everything. Absolutely everything.” Holly Nolan is the owner of Lillie Nell, a Minneapolis-based beadworks company that creates handwoven, Native-made earrings. We recently interviewed her about her business, her personal journey, and how she keeps purpose at the center of her work.

If you’re like many Purposeful Hustlers, you’ve started (or want to start) a meaningful side project. Your intentions for the project might be to earn extra money, make a positive impact, or simply do something you enjoy. But what happens when your side project is so enriching that you decide to make it your full-time focus? How can you take the leap from side hustle to full-time gig? Starting a business can give you greater freedom and flexibility, a stronger sense of purpose, and help you flex your creative muscles, but it often comes with risks. A major reason people resist converting their passion project into a full-time business is because of financial risk. And that makes sense, since many businesses fail within the first few years. To set yourself up for financial success and overcome other potential obstacles (changing markets, the fear of striking out on your own, etc.), it pays to come up with a solid plan. Here are 4 steps for turning your side hustle into a full-fledged business:

If you’re like many Purposeful Hustlers, you’re an independent go-getter who isn’t afraid to roll up your sleeves and do whatever needs to be done. You take pride in your work ethic, and you’re dedicated to following through with your commitments. These are all excellent qualities to have, and they will take you far in your endeavors, BUT your rugged independence could occasionally have negative effects. Pushing yourself is one thing; pushing yourself to the point of exhaustion is an entirely different story. Additionally, there are some situations where—even though you may hate to admit it—you’re simply not an expert. You can’t know everything about every topic. If you’re trying to be your own website designer, marketer, IT manager, and accountant (in addition to running your business, founding a program, or whatever your “hustle” might be), you’re bound to run into areas that are simply beyond your expertise. And that’s okay! It’s fine to admit when you need help. In fact, it takes a good deal of courage to be vulnerable and humble enough to acknowledge when you’ve reached your limit. Dare to seek help when:   You’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed.   You’re having trouble keeping track of your various projects.   You’re facing an issue that is beyond your area of expertise.   You’re struggling to focus on your main mission.   Your mental, physical, or emotional health is beginning to suffer.   Your relationships are being negatively affected by your workload. Even if you know it’s time to ask for assistance, it’s a whole other thing to ask for it. You might feel embarrassed at the prospect of asking for help. You might feel like you’ve failed in some way if you need to turn to others for support. Or, you might assume that others are too busy to help or uninterested in lending support. Alternatively, you may assume that it’s too expensive to hire someone to assist you. All these roadblocks can prevent you from reaching out and asking for help when you require it. If you’re grappling with some of these roadblocks, try following these four steps:

When it comes to starting a small business, it’s easy for personal and professional spending to become as tangled as a plate of spaghetti. Is your morning cup of coffee a business expense? Did you save the receipt from your purchase of office supplies? And where should you deposit those first checks? All of a sudden, you have to pay closer attention to the flow of money—both income and expenditures. And, if your small business is a side hustle you have to pay attention to two (or more!) income streams and, potentially, create two different budgets. If that sounds overwhelming, don’t worry! We’ve got you. Budgeting your business and personal income really boils down to two main steps: Setting a budget Tracking your spending

What do successful Purposeful Hustlers like Oprah Winfrey, Pharrell Williams, Bill Gates, and Michelle Obama have in common? They all enjoy reading and acknowledge the transformative power of books. And I wholeheartedly agree! Books can be informative or inspirational. They can fuel dreams, broaden horizons, and introduce us to perspectives that are far different from our own. Books are a vital tool for any individual seeking to make a positive impact. Whether you’re hoping to start a new business, improve communication, capitalize on your talents, or elevate your motivation, books can deliver. Try reading a few pages every morning, listening to audiobooks at the gym, or setting aside some time during your lunch break to read. Even if you’re only able to read a few pages daily, it all counts! Which books will fuel your Purposeful Hustle by delivering valuable information and motivation? The following list is a good place to start:

Establishing and developing a new business may sound as daunting as climbing Mount Everest. The sheer number of items you need to address before “opening shop” can feel overwhelming, and it may be difficult to know where to begin. However, you don’t have to tackle your new venture on your own. Many accessible resources exist that can help support your fledgling business. Just like Mount Everest climbers have plenty of support (mountaineering guides, trainers, gear manufacturers for cold-weather clothing and shoes), so, too, do entrepreneurs have a wealth of resources available to them. Additionally, many of the resources for new business owners are free or low cost. Tap into one or more of the following resources for your new business venture:

Henry Ford once said, “Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right.” This declaration may seem bold, but it holds an important kernel of truth: your attitude, more than anything else, can determine your success. This is especially true when you’re attempting to start a purposeful hustle on a limited budget. You may look at your bank account, become discouraged, and put off your dreams for “another day.” I encourage you to NOT let finances be a limiting factor when it comes to pursuing your dreams! Having a strong vision, purpose, and drive is a thousand times more important than having excess cash. With enough motivation and a few smart strategies, you can start almost any type of purposeful hustle with less than a thousand dollars. Here are four strategies:

Authentic happiness, joy, and fulfillment in life is derived by leading a life that aligns with your purpose and passion. Purpose is the reason you do what you do; the motivation behind your actions and what you decide to pursue. Passion can be thought of as emotions or doing things that make you feel good. It’s tied to our innate abilities, talents, and desires. When you combine these things to fuel your career or business, it then means your life’s work is for a reason and for specific people that will benefit from it. As a purposeful entrepreneur or consultant, knowing what you want to do and how you want to do it is good, but you also have to figure out who you want to do it for and where you can find these potential customers. Here are some ways you can start to find the right clients for your business: