Sustainable Side Hustle

EP14: How Lisa Conway Built a Business That Could Run Without Her

Owning a business is supposed to give you more freedom. So why do so many business owners end up working longer hours than everyone else? Lisa Conway knows that problem well. She started her own salon hoping to work closer to her children and escape a long commute. Instead, she found herself managing employees, juggling customers, and becoming the person everyone depended on. Today, Lisa helps other salon owners avoid getting stuck in that same cycle. In this conversation, we get into her strict 25-hour rule, why business owners struggle to delegate, and how to build a business that doesn't fall apart the moment you step away. We also discuss when to hire employees, how to keep existing customers instead of constantly chasing new ones, managing business expenses, and why a business that looks successful might not actually be profitable. If you're starting a small business or already running one that's taking over your life, you'll find plenty to relate to here. Enjoyed the conversation? Follow the Sustainable Side Hustle Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and leave a review if you'd like to support the show. It genuinely helps more people discover these conversations. Get my free newsletter I'm building my own online business alongside a full-time job, and I share what I'm learning in my free Substack newsletter, The Sustainable Solopreneur. It's where I write about my experiments, wins, failures, and building income online without giving up the rest of my life. Subscribe here: https://substack.com/@vinayakramesh1

EP13: When Your Side Hustle Starts Burning You Out with Janay Trevillion | Part 1

There's this exhaustion that comes from working all day, then spending your remaining hours trying to build a business. And sometimes, the actual work isn't even the exhausting part. It's the courses, the communities, the endless advice, and the feeling that everyone else is moving faster than you. Janay Trevillion knows that cycle well. With a full-time job and a side business she's building around her experience in travel and technology, Janay has dealt with burnout, information overload, and the pressure to constantly learn and create. In Part 1 of our conversation, we explore: Recognizing burnout: The warning signs that can show up as sleepless nights, doomscrolling, anxiety, and difficulty focusing. Information overload: Why joining more courses and online communities can sometimes leave you feeling further behind. Choosing what to focus on: How to prioritize your interests when you're someone who wants to pursue several things at once. Managing a side hustle alongside a full-time job: Setting boundaries, planning your week, and giving yourself permission to step away. Recovering without rushing: Why Jenette sees rebuilding from burnout as an ongoing process rather than something you fix overnight. If you're working a 9-to-5, trying to create another income stream, and wondering how everyone else seems to be managing it all, there's plenty in this conversation you'll relate to. Connect with Janay: https://substack.com/@curateyourbestlife Enjoyed the conversation? Follow the show. And if you have a minute, I'd really appreciate a rating or review. It helps more people discover the show. Get my free newsletter Subscribe to my FREE newsletter, The Sustainable Solopreneur, where I share my own experiments, lessons, wins, and failures from building income online while juggling a full-time job. https://substack.com/@vinayakramesh1

EP12: How Adam Ward Built a Product Review Side Income on Nights and Weekends

Adam M. Ward already had a career and his own consulting business when he started building another income stream through product reviews. The side hustle began in the margins of his week, on evenings and weekends, and eventually grew into something that earns through a mix of paid review work, Amazon/affiliate commissions, and YouTube revenue. In this episode, we talk about what your first few review videos should look like, how Adam decides which products are actually worth covering, why you don’t need millions of views to make money, and how he uses AI, research, thumbnails and retention data to keep improving. We also get into the part most side-hustle advice skips: what happens when the business starts eating into your evenings, weekends and hobbies, and how to decide whether the extra income is actually worth the trade-off. If you’re trying to build a second income around an already-busy life, this one is worth listening to. >>> Connect with Adam M. Ward YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GearRiser LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/innovationadam >>> Enjoyed the episode? Follow the Sustainable Side Hustle Podcast and leave a review. >>> Want more practical ideas for building income around a full-time life? Subscribe to my free newsletter, The Sustainable Solopreneur: https://substack.com/@vinayakramesh1

EP11: How to Make Money Without Thousands of Followers with Jill Hart | Part 1

Connect with Jill Hart: Skool Community: https://www.skool.com/you-world-order/about?ref=5a57bd6d24d544bcb36c526daebf7efe (This is an affiliate link, which means I may earn a small commission if you join through it, at no extra cost to you.) Most creators think they need a much bigger audience before they can start making money. Jill Hart doesn’t!! In this episode, we talk about what should come before chasing more followers, why visibility means very little if people have nowhere useful to go next, and how a small, targeted audience can still turn into paying customers. We also get into positioning, paid subscriptions, building offers around actual problems, and why simply creating more content is not always the answer. >>> Enjoyed the conversation? Follow the Sustainable Side Hustle Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you don’t miss Part 2, and leave a rating or review if you’d like to support the show. >>> And if you want more from me, subscribe to my FREE newsletter The Sustainable Solopreneur: https://substack.com/@vinayakramesh1

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EP10: How Do You Run 3 Newsletters at Once? | Jessica

Connect with Jessica: https://substack.com/@jessthecreator Welcome to the Sustainable Side Hustle Podcast with Vinayak Ramesh. Most people struggle to stay consistent with one newsletter. Jessica runs three, across completely different topics. In this episode, we talk about how she went from nursing to writing online, why she pushes through perfectionism instead of waiting until everything feels ready, and what it actually takes to manage multiple newsletters at the same time without pretending it’s easy. We also get into the trade-offs of splitting your attention across different projects and what happens when one idea unexpectedly starts getting more traction than the others. >>> Enjoyed the episode? Follow the Sustainable Side Hustle Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you don’t miss Part 2, and leave a rating and review if you’d like to support the show. >>> I also write every week about building income online without letting your side hustle take over your life. Subscribe to The Sustainable Solopreneur on Substack: https://substack.com/@vinayakramesh1

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EP09: 55K Subscribers, 2,100 Paid: The Substack Masterclass with Philip Hofmacher

Connect with Philip Hofmacher & Write Build Scale: https://substack.com/@philiphofmacher Welcome to the Sustainable Side Hustle Podcast with Vinayak Ramesh. Today’s episode features Philip Hofmacher, co-founder of Write Build Scale, which has grown to more than 55,000 Substack subscribers and 2,100 paying members after becoming a bestseller in under 60 days. We go deep into how they grew the publication, what actually converts free subscribers into paying customers, why paid subscriptions make up less than 10% of their overall revenue, and how they built courses, coaching, digital products, and community around their audience. Philip also breaks down exactly what he would do in his first 30 days on Substack if he had to start from zero today, including his 10-5-1 networking rule, content strategy, collaborations, niche positioning, and the path from your first $100 to $10,000 and beyond. >>> Don't forget to follow the Sustainable Side Hustle Podcast and drop us a rating and review.

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EP08: The $6K–$8K/Month “Minimalist Side Hustle” with Jamie Northrup

Connect with Jamie Northrup: https://substack.com/@minimalisthustler Welcome to the launch of the Sustainable Side Hustle Podcast with Vinayak Ramesh. Today’s episode features Jamie Northrup, the creator of Minimalist Hustler, who built a portfolio of digital assets generating around $6,000–$8,000 a month while working a full-time job. We talk about how he built it in roughly 10–12 hours a week, why he prefers simple and low-stress side hustles, and how books, newsletters, and digital products can work together to keep earning over time. >>> Don't forget to follow the show, download these powerful launch episodes, and drop us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. >>> Claim your FREE gift for supporting the launch — the Substack Notes Starter Pack + Substack Growth Engine. Leave a review and DM me on Substack: https://substack.com/@vinayakramesh1

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EP07: She Lost a 17-Year Digital Business Overnight and Rebuilt From Zero with Alli Gatlin

Connect with Alli Gatlin: https://bit.ly/writing-identity (This is an affiliate link. Full disclosure: if you sign up through it, I may be paid a small commission at no extra cost to you.) Welcome to the launch of the Sustainable Side Hustle Podcast with Vinayak Ramesh. Today’s episode features Alli Gatlin, a business and brand identity coach with more than 17 years of experience and the creator of the Write Ugly Method. We talk about how she rebuilt after losing her entire digital presence, why your identity should shape the business you build, and how ethical selling can help you create offers that actually feel aligned. >>> Don't forget to follow the show, download these powerful launch episodes, and drop us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. >>> Claim your FREE gift for supporting the launch — the Substack Notes Starter Pack + Substack Growth Engine. Leave a review and DM me on Substack: https://substack.com/@vinayakramesh1

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EP06: The AI-Powered Side Hustle: Build More Without Burning Out with Janay

Connect with Janay Trevillion: https://substack.com/@curateyourbestlife Welcome to the launch of the Sustainable Side Hustle Podcast with Vinayak Ramesh. Today’s episode features Janay Trevillion, who spent 10 years in the travel industry and is now combining that experience with AI to build multiple income streams around travel, education, books, and community. We talk about how she uses AI to automate repetitive work, make a side hustle more sustainable, and why taking action quickly matters more than endlessly consuming information. >>> Don't forget to follow the show, download these powerful launch episodes, and drop us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. >>> Claim your FREE gift for supporting the launch — the Substack Notes Starter Pack + Substack Growth Engine. Leave a review and DM me on Substack: https://substack.com/@vinayakramesh1

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EP05: How Jessica Built 3 Substack Publications & Became a Bestseller

Connect with Jessica: https://substack.com/@jessthecreator Welcome to the launch of the Sustainable Side Hustle Podcast with Vinayak Ramesh. Today’s episode features Jessica, a Substack bestseller who went from just 50 subscribers to building three separate publications. We talk about how she grew through consistent publishing and collaboration, why she believes in creating opportunities instead of waiting for them, and why starting before everything is perfect can be your biggest advantage. >>> Don't forget to follow the show, download these powerful launch episodes, and drop us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. >>> Claim your FREE gift for supporting the launch — the Substack Notes Starter Pack + Substack Growth Engine. Leave a review and DM me on Substack: https://substack.com/@vinayakramesh1

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EP04: The #1 Takeaway From 1.1 Million Podcast Downloads with Jill Hart

Connect with Jill Hart: https://bit.ly/client-acquisition-for-coaches (This is an affiliate link. Full disclosure: if you purchase anything through it, I may be paid a small commission at no extra cost to you.) Welcome to the launch of the Sustainable Side Hustle Podcast with Vinayak Ramesh. Today’s episode features Jill Hart, also known as the Coaches Alchemist, who has hosted more than 600 podcast episodes and generated over 1.1 million downloads. We talk about why she believes you should build the business before chasing an audience, how to create a clear path from attention to revenue, and why sticking with one strategy long enough to actually make it work matters. >>> Don't forget to follow the show, download these powerful launch episodes, and drop us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. >>> Claim your FREE gift for supporting the launch — the Substack Notes Starter Pack + Substack Growth Engine. Leave a review and DM me on Substack: https://substack.com/@vinayakramesh1

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EP03: The 6-Figure Amazon KDP Publishing Playbook with Krista Brea

Connect with Krista Brea: https://bit.ly/kdp-publishing (This is an affiliate link. Full disclosure: if you sign up through it, I may be paid a small commission at no extra cost to you.) Welcome to the launch of the Sustainable Side Hustle Podcast with Vinayak Ramesh. Today’s episode features Krista Brea, who built a six-figure Amazon KDP publishing business while still working her day job. We talk about how she got started with KDP, what helped her turn one book into a repeatable business, and what she would do if she had to start all over again from scratch. >>> Don't forget to follow the show, download these powerful launch episodes, and drop us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. >>> Claim your FREE gift for supporting the launch — the Substack Notes Starter Pack + Substack Growth Engine. Leave a review and DM me on Substack: https://substack.com/@vinayakramesh1

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EP02: How Yana Built a $20K/Month Substack Business Alongside Her 9-to-5

Connect with Yana G.Y: https://substack.com/@yanagy Welcome to the launch of the Sustainable Side Hustle Podcast with Vinayak Ramesh. Today’s episode features Yana G.Y, who built a six-figure Substack business generating roughly $20,000 a month — entirely on the side of her 9-to-5 job. We talk about how she became a Substack bestseller in just three months, grew to over 1,000 paying subscribers, and uses AI and automation to run the business in just a couple of hours a day. >>> Don't forget to follow the show, download these powerful launch episodes, and drop us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. >>> Claim your FREE gift for supporting the launch — the Substack Notes Starter Pack + Substack Growth Engine. Leave a review and DM me on Substack: https://substack.com/@vinayakramesh1

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EP01: The “Portfolio Career” That Turned Veronica’s Expertise Into Multiple Income Streams

Connect with Veronica LLorca Smith: https://substack.com/@veronicallorcasmith Welcome to the launch of the Sustainable Side Hustle Podcast with Vinayak Ramesh. Today’s episode features Veronica LLorca Smith, who left more than 15 years in corporate leadership and built a portfolio career around writing, courses, coaching, public speaking, and her personal brand. We talk about how she went from selling $9 books to building multiple income streams, working with over 200 coaching clients, and creating speaking opportunities worth thousands of dollars. >>> Don't forget to follow the show, download these powerful launch episodes, and drop us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. >>> Claim your FREE gift for supporting the launch — the Substack Notes Starter Pack + Substack Growth Engine. Leave a review and DM me on Substack: https://substack.com/@vinayakramesh1

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Welcome to Sustainable Side Hustle

Sustainable Side Hustle launches September 1st, 2026. Every episode, I sit down with someone who built real income from a side hustle while working a day job, and we get into the exact moment it became real, and what they decided to do next. It's completely free. Tap Follow so you don't miss the first episode.