Business
As women, we can do it all: make the babies, take care of the babies and our significant others, hold it down in the home, and bring home the bacon, too. There is no underestimating a woman determined to thrive in today's society. Despite the persistent pay parity we see across all industries, we still manage to make it work. And while many of us are working longer hours for less pay, some of us have to rely on the side hustle in order to break free of this pay disparity.
Someone who is no stranger to the side hustle is The Breakfast Club's own Angela Yee.
When she's not being the female voice of reason between Charlamagne Tha God and DJ Envy over the airwaves, she's busy maximizing her talents in a number of side hustles that not only cater to her entrepreneurial spirit but also add value to her community. Yee says that she learned the value of the side hustle early on after graduating from Wesleyan with a degree in English. She recently spoke Maiysha Kai of The Glow Up/The Root to discuss her approach to the side hustle game, as well as to deliver major keys that we can use in our pursuit of the profitable side gig.
"Side hustles have always been very important to me, because I have so many of them," the 42-year-old radio host says.
From working as an assistant with Wu-Tang Management and Eminem's Shady Limited clothing line, to eventually parlaying her experience to a marketing position with Sirius Satellite Radio, she was able to take her experiences and knowledge to a nationally syndicated radio show. However, Yee says that she needed side hustles for financial reasons. She says:
"I've had side hustles since the first job I ever had, because it was just a necessity for me, financially. It's one thing to complain about not having money, but you can't just complain; you have to do something about it. And if that means you have to go and get your side hustle on, then that's what you have to do."
If you've ever watched any of The Breakfast Club's interviews on YouTube, you might notice that there isn't a morning that Angela doesn't have a cup of "green juice" ready next to her laptop and microphone. That juice is a nod to one of her most recent side hustles turned legitimate business. Recently, she opened up her own franchise of Styles P's Juices for Life in Brooklyn stomping grounds.
The pressed-juice subscription service has garnered great reviews, and it's also a testament to going after your dreams and doing things independently, too. She tells The Glow Up:
"I think it is important for us, because sometimes, we put our dreams on hold and things that we really want to do, just because we feel like we have these other responsibilities that take precedence. But I think side hustles are really important for black women, in particular, because for so long, we haven't been getting equal pay, and we haven't been raised the way that we should—we haven't even been getting the starting salaries that we should. So I think it is important for us, just to make sure that we do these things independently, and make ourselves so great and so valuable that we can't be denied."
So if you are looking for a guide to start your own side hustle, Angela Yee gives us 7 tips to make sure that not only will you build a successful side hustle, but the hustle can be fun, fulfilling, and profitable.
Find Your Passion
Yee says that she's always been able to find a side hustle that she is incredibly passionate about. When thinking of a side hustle, caring about what you're doing will make a noticeable difference in your drive and determination. We've all had jobs that we dread going to, so why not make your side hustle something that you would do for free, something that you already love? Yee suggests:
"Your side hustle should be something that you really care about and are passionate about—that's what I've always managed to do and find."
Research, Research, Research
Once you've decided what direction you want to go in, make sure you do your research. It's very rare to come up with a completely original idea in today's market, but there is no one that can do it quite like you can. With proper research, you can see what the market might be missing, find ways to improve upon an existing model, and you can start to build a foundation based off of facts and numbers not just passion and sweat. Yee says:
"Do your research. Is there anyone else out there with the same idea or business model? How do you stand out or do it better? Being aware of what else is out there and differentiating yourself from the masses will help you succeed in the long run."
It’s A Marathon, Not A Sprint
Most entrepreneurs know that just because you have an idea doesn't mean that you can jump into business on day one. If you scroll long enough on you social media feed, people make entrepreneurship seem like a snap. But once you get into it, the reality of what it really takes will set in, but don't let it deter you. Angela says that setting realistic goals, in the beginning, will help you from wanting to quit before you start:
"Starting or growing a side hustle can be stressful when you think about everything that needs to happen to get it off the ground. Don't let that deter you from getting started or realizing the potential of what the company could be. Set realistic goals and prioritize."
Schedule It Out
Many people that have a successful side hustle also have a legitimate 9-to-5, too. It's what you do with those off hours that really counts. Yee says to schedule it out and stick to it in order to get your side hustle off the ground:
"Dedicate a certain amount of time per week to working on your side hustle. It can be as much or as little as you'd like. Figure out what works best for you and your schedule, and have the discipline to stay on track."
Punctuation & Professionalism Go Hand In Hand
When getting your hustle on, you have to connect with people through the written word, whether it's through fliers, social media, or email. Just like you would when applying to a regular job, Angela says that you need to make sure your grammar is always on point:
"It's amazing to me how many people can't even use the proper grammar, spelling, punctuation or any of that in a simple proposal or email. ... if you're trying to get a job, and you send a resume and there are all kinds of errors in it, then I'm thinking that you're being careless. With autocorrect, there's really no excuse."
You Don’t Have To Be A Workaholic
Yes, it will take hustle to get things going, but you don't need to run yourself into the ground to do it. You know the saying, work smarter and not harder. Yee says that hustle isn't about the busy work and rather it's about how you focus your energy and time. She says:
"Being an entrepreneur takes hustle. The problem is, many people think hustle is about becoming a workaholic. In reality, hustle is an act of focus. It's not about doing more, it's about concentrating on the things that you need to do, in order to move your business forward."
"In reality, hustle is an act of focus."
Have Tunnel Vision
There will always be someone who can't see your vision or thinks that your idea won't be successful. We have to use discernment when it comes to taking on the risk of starting a business, but you also have to have unwavering belief in yourself if you want to be successful. Giving up is not an option once you take the leap, and Yee believes you need to stick with it:
"Ignore the detractors and naysayers and, no matter how big or how small your goal, persevere and don't give up ... Not every idea will immediately take off. Stick with it and keep working hard, and you'll see the payoff soon enough."
Not only is she giving out great advice, she is also looking for the best side hustlers out there, too. Alongside Power 105.1 and the energy drink Amp Energy Organic, Angela is on "The Search for the Ultimate Side Hustlers". This is a search for the nation's five most unique side hustlers in these categories: art, beauty, fashion, food, or music.
Thanks for the great tips, Angela. The side hustle gang is definitely taking notes. To read more of Angela Yee's interview with The Glow Up, click here.
Featured Photo: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com
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