Side Hustle to Small Business

Latest Episodes:

Lesle Lane expands a family enterprise Jan 14, 2026

Show notes

Lesle Lane is the third-generation owner of Studio 13 Corporate Photography, which began as a family business founded by her grandparents and has evolved into a respected photography studio known for its craft, consistency, and client-focused approach. Her leadership continues a legacy built over decades, with a focus on adapting to new technologies while honoring the studio’s original artistic vision. In this episode, Lesle shares her inspiring journey from taking over the studio in 1992 to navigating the challenges of running a multi-generational business. She and host Sanjay discuss how youth sports can lay the foundation for entrepreneurship, how to maintain quality and consistency as you hire, and what it takes to preserve a legacy while continuing to grow. What you’ll learn: • How to successfully lead and evolve a multi-generational family business • The connection between youth sports and entrepreneurial resilience • Strategies for maintaining quality and consistency when hiring • The story behind Studio 13 Photography’s long-term success Learn more about Studio 13 Corporate Photography at https://www.studio13online.com/ Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Background

7:28 Taking over a family business

11:49 Maintaining family legacy

14:00 Shifting the business’s focus

15:50 Expanding the business

18:55 Incorporating AI into the business

23:43 Work-life balance

28:43 Reflecting on the business

30:43 Advice for other entrepreneurs

31:55 Closing and contact

#SmallBusiness #Photography #Podcast At Hiscox, we provide customized insurance solutions for small businesses and entrepreneurs, empowering you to take risks with confidence. With over 100 years of expertise, we offer coverage options like general liability and professional liability, helping you protect what matters most. Learn more at hiscox.com.

Miriam Schulman built a life around her creative work Jan 07, 2026

Show notes

Miriam Schulman is the Founder of Schulman Art, which began as a resource for creative entrepreneurs and has evolved into a comprehensive coaching service helping artists turn their talents into sustainable businesses. Her innovative approach supports artists’ success through mentorship, educational resources, and community-building. In this episode of the Side Hustle to Small Business® Podcast, Miriam shares her inspiring journey from working in corporate finance to launching Schulman Art. She and host Sanjay discuss monetizing creativity, building supportive communities for artists, overcoming challenges as a creative entrepreneur, and her book "Artpreneur". What You’ll Learn: • How to transform a creative passion into a sustainable business • Strategies for monetizing and marketing artistic work • Building supportive communities for creative entrepreneurs • The story behind launching Artpreneur and empowering artists Learn more about Miriam and Schulman Art at https://www.schulmanart.com/ Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and background

8:30 Overcoming nerves

12:00 Building a coaching business

15:33 Challenges artists face

19:42 Balancing life and work

25:58 Incorporating AI into your business

27:55 Reflecting on the business

29:55 Advice for other entrepreneurs

30:32 Closing and contact

#SmallBusiness #SideHustle #art

RERUN: Bartender Launches Restaurant Empire: Brian Parenteau's Story Dec 31, 2025

Show notes

Brian Parenteau never planned to work weekends, but bartending sparked his passion for the restaurant industry. Rising through the ranks and gaining experience helping launch new venues, Brian realized it was time to take control and build his own business.

Now the proud owner of four unique restaurants and bars in Florida, Brian shares his candid journey through first-year losses, pandemic pivots, and elevating his concepts to stay ahead in a competitive market. He also offers practical insights into buying versus starting businesses and how staying humble helped him succeed.

If you’re interested in entrepreneurship in the hospitality industry or love stories about turning passion into profit, this episode is a must-watch.

What You’ll Learn:

- How to turn hospitality experience into business ownership

- Pros and cons of buying vs. starting restaurants

- Navigating first-year financial challenges

- Adapting strategies amid a pandemic

- Building a distinct brand with elevated concepts

- Tools and apps that streamline restaurant management

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction & Background
05:13 Humbling Roots
07:55 Buying vs. Starting a Business
10:04 Lessons from First Year Losses
12:42 Pivoting Through the Pandemic
16:14 Creating Elevated & Edgier Concepts
18:14 Bartender to Entrepreneur
23:12 Inspiration from Sam Malone at Cheers
26:20 Embracing Humility
28:45 Best Apps for Restaurateurs
30:07 Closing

#SmallBusiness #Insurance #Side Hustle

At Hiscox, we provide customized insurance solutions for small businesses and entrepreneurs, empowering you to take risks with confidence. With over 100 years of expertise, we offer coverage options like general liability and professional liability, helping you protect what matters most. Learn more at hiscox.com.

Explore inspiring stories and practical advice from entrepreneurs by listening to more episodes of the Side Hustle to Small Business® Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@HiscoxSmallBusinessInsurance/podcasts

RERUN: How to leverage AI for your small business Dec 24, 2025

Show notes

Joselyne Walter has seen her fair share of corporate jobs. In these environments, even with large budgets, she found that there was a gap in resources. It was then that she got the idea for The Digg Agency, a marketing agency that helps organizations execute high scale projects. By leveraging AI, Joselyne efficiently scaled her business during its early stages, paving the way for long-term success.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Incorporating AI into your business
Having a safety net
Prioritizing family while growing a business

Chapters

00:00 – Intro

4:44 – Starting The Digg Agency

8:40 – Managing Work-Life Balance

9:50 – Maintaining Exercise Practices

11:55 – The Impact of AI

13:30 – Challenges of Incorporating AI

14:36 – Upcoming Trends and Tools in AI

15:48 – Impact of AI on Teams

16:56 – Reflecting on Past Mistakes

17:56 – Advice from Joselyne

21:31 – Closing & Contact

Learn more at: https://www.thediggagency.com/

#smallbusiness #AI #agency

Aquila Mendez-Valdez scales through franchising and community Dec 17, 2025

Show notes

Aquila Mendez-Valdez is the Founder of Haute in Texas, which began as a personal blog and has evolved into a full-service public relations agency empowering women-led businesses. Her innovative approach combines storytelling, strategy, and community to help brands grow with authenticity and purpose. In this episode, Aquila shares her inspiring journey from launching a business while pregnant to scaling her company into a thriving agency. She and Sanjay discuss hiring your first employee, creating a franchise model, and the importance of surrounding yourself with a strong, supportive community. What You’ll Learn: • How to build a business while balancing family and entrepreneurship • When and how to hire your first employee • What it takes to develop a franchise model • The power of community in sustaining business growth Learn more about Haute in Texas at https://hitpr.com/ Chapters

00:00 Introduction and background

5:53 Overcoming nerves

11:31 Growing a company culture

13:42 Differentiating your company

17:23 Advice for small businesses

20:12 Scaling the business

24:52 Balancing work and life

30:08 Closing and contact

#SmallBusiness #PublicRelations #Podcast At Hiscox, we provide customized insurance solutions for small businesses and entrepreneurs, empowering you to take risks with confidence. With over 100 years of expertise, we offer coverage options like general liability and professional liability, helping you protect what matters most. Learn more at hiscox.com.

Patty Durrell transforms physical therapy into a thriving gym Dec 10, 2025

Show notes

Patty Durrell is a Physical Therapist and the Founder of Rock Solid Fitness, based in Dunedin, Florida. Having seen gyms close around her while working with clients in other facilities, she decided to open Rock Solid Fitness to create a sustainable, client-focused environment. Her innovative approach combines expert physical therapy with fitness training, supporting clients’ long-term health and performance. In this episode of the Side Hustle to Small Business® Podcast, Patty shares the challenges of running a gym during COVID-19, training and empowering staff, and her thoughts on business partnerships. What You’ll Learn: • Strategies for managing and growing a fitness business • Training staff to provide consistent, high-quality client experiences • How Patty overcame the challenges of running a gym during a pandemic • Building successful community connections Learn more about Rock Solid Fitness at https://www.rocksolidfitnessfl.com/ Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and background

5:31 Overcoming nerves

8:25 Finding your first clients

15:14 Surviving COVID

20:33 Balancing work and life

27:31 Reflecting on the business

30:09 Advice for other entrepreneurs

31:01 Closing and contact

#Fitness #Entrepreneurship #SideHustle At Hiscox, we provide customized insurance solutions for small businesses and entrepreneurs, empowering you to take risks with confidence. With over 100 years of expertise, we offer coverage options like general liability and professional liability, helping you protect what matters most. Learn more at hiscox.com.

Katherine Klimitas built a career from her childhood passion Dec 03, 2025

Show notes

Katherine Klimitas is the Founder of KAK Art & Designs, which began as a childhood hobby painting animals for her parents’ veterinary clients and has evolved into a thriving business specializing in pet portraits and graphic design. Her innovative approach supports artists and pet lovers alike through personalized artwork and creative design solutions.

In this episode of the Side Hustle to Small Business® Podcast, Katherine shares her inspiring journey from using art as a way to engage during childhood limitations to building a successful creative business. She and host Sanjay discuss turning a passion into profit, developing a unique artistic style, and growing a business centered on creativity and connection.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to turn a personal hobby into a thriving creative business

• Strategies for marketing and selling custom artwork

• Building a brand that connects with clients emotionally

• The story behind KAK Art & Designs and Katherine’s unique artistic journey

Learn more about KAK Art & Designs at https://kakartnola.com/

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and background

11:10 Building the business and getting clients

15:00 Finding the proper rates

17:00 Setbacks in the business

19:22 Dealing with rejection

21:55 Balancing life and work

23:46 Engaging with community

25:43 Reflecting on the business

28:40 Technology and app suggestions

30:22 Advice for other entrepreneurs

31:49 Closing and contact

#SmallBusiness #art #graphicdesign

Robert Carnes grows a freelance writing business while working in marketing Nov 26, 2025

Show notes

Robert Carnes is a freelance copywriter and author who started his copywriting business while working full-time in marketing. What began as a creative outlet has grown into a thriving freelance practice, helping clients craft compelling content and develop their brands. In this episode of the Side Hustle to Small Business® Podcast, Robert shares his journey from balancing a full-time marketing career with a side hustle to building a successful copywriting business. He and host Sanjay discuss the evolving role of AI in writing, strategies for overcoming imposter syndrome, and the lessons he’s learned as an author and entrepreneur. What You’ll Learn: • How to launch a copywriting business alongside full-time work • Leveraging AI tools to enhance creativity and efficiency • Building confidence and overcoming imposter syndrome as a writer • Tips for turning writing skills into multiple revenue streams Learn more about Robert Carnes at https://www.jamrobcar.com/ Chapters

00:00 Introduction and background

5:52 Scaling the business

8:28 Using automation in the business

10:44 Robert’s authorship

19:37 Work-life balance

23:30 Overcoming nerves

31:47 Closing and contact

The importance of networking in small business Nov 19, 2025

Show notes

After more than a decade leading operations and project management, Keith Williamson decided it was time for a new challenge. He founded Order and Scale Consulting, an agency helping businesses improve project management, workflow design, and team development. In this episode, Keith shares what it’s like to launch a consulting business, why networking matters more than ever, and how putting yourself out there can open new doors.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and background

6:07 Building the business

17:24 Work-life balance

19:57 Finding clients and networking

29:21 Overcoming nerves

30:39 Closing and contact

Learn more about Keith and Order and Scale Consulting here: https://www.orderandscaleconsulting.com/

#SmallBusiness #podcast #SideHustle

Building The Donut Trap from scratch Nov 12, 2025

Show notes

Bradley Taylor is the founder of The Donut Trap, a donut, coffee, and ice cream shop in Saint Paul, Minnesota. After returning home from college in Los Angeles, he noticed the lack of quality donuts in his community and set out to fill that gap. What began as an idea has grown into both a storefront and a donut vending machine. Beyond serving sweets, Bradley is dedicated to empowering Black youth and people of color to explore and pursue entrepreneurship.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and background

4:37 Building The Donut Trap

7:54 Overcoming nerves

10:41 Opening a storefront

13:01 Expanding into vending machines

18:43 Creating the branding and mission

21:46 Work-life balance

23:25 Staying creative

24:35 Staying involved in the community

26:53 Looking to the future

27:36 Reflecting on the business