Side hustles exist for some many reasons. First, there’s the practical: everyone knows that building multiple income streams is the move if you can swing it. Side hustles can also be where you invest time and energy into something you love while still holding down your day job. What started as something small to make extra money on the side—to pay for the kids’ piano lessons or save up for a vacation—is now making hundreds or even thousands of dollars per month! Being your own boss sounds like a great idea, but how do you know when it’s time to quit your day job and take on your side hustle full time? Join us as we meet with the entrepreneurs whose side hustles have turned into full-fledged businesses. We will be learning about their tried and tested strategies for success and what you need to consider when starting out.
Stephanie Uchima-Carney is a serial entrepreneur, host of an award winning parenting podcast Mommy’s on a Call, and “xennial” mom to 3 little ones (5 and under).
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After launching multiple companies, obtaining an MBA/MRED, consulting both individuals and major corporations for over 15 years, and working for multiple corporate and non-profit organizations, once she became a mom, everything changed and she realized how important it was to not lose yourself.
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So she left a corporate career, to follow her intuition and embark on a mission to empower and help other working moms and mom entrepreneurs redefine their identity in motherhood so that they can thrive in motherhood, business and life.
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Stephanie resides in Redondo Beach, CA, with her 3 kids and husband.
Meenal Lele, is founder & CEO of Lil Mixins, a food allergy prevention solution. She has spent her career in medical device start-ups. Meenal was on the founding team of Knee Creations, an orthopedic company that used a new understanding of arthritis to prevent half a million people from having total joint replacements. Meenal was also the first employee of Velano Vascular, a vascular access company that questioned the prevailing wisdom on blood collection to save patients millions of needle sticks and incorrect laboratory results. She has a chemical engineering and business degree from the University of Pennsylvania. Meenal used that training to specialize in running clinical research and communicating revolutions in medicine with doctors and customers. Lil Mixins, Meenal's latest company, combines her clinical and device experience with her goal to end food allergies that affect 40 million Americans, like her son.
Nicole Smith is the founder and CEO of Flytographer, a marketplace that connects travelers with local photographers in cities around the world for fun vacation photo shoots. Flytographer has captured over 3 million memories for travelers, everyone from millennials to grandparents. In 2020, they expanded to offering hometown shoots, personal branding photos with “The Modern Headshot” and a travel-inspired gifts and apparel shop.
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Launched as a side-hustle in her home office in 2013, Nicole has grown Flytographer into a multi-million dollar business that operates in 350 cities across six continents, and was ranked as one of the fastest-growing startups in Canada in 2017 & 2018 by Canadian Business Magazine.
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Conde Nast Traveler has called Flytographer “The Future of Travel Photography” and FORBES listed it as “the #1 gift for travellers.” Flytographer has appeared everywhere from Netflix shows to The New York Times to Oprah.com (where it was called an “ingenious travel hack”).
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Prior to Flytographer, Nicole spent 13 years in global marketing and consulting roles at Microsoft.
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Nicole was selected as an E&Y “Winning Women Class of 2018” and was featured in Mashable’s “Eight Women Shattering The Travel Industry’s Glass Ceiling.” She is also a board member for The Forum for Women Entrepreneurs.
A Chicago lifestyle and fashion blogger, Janet Mandell had become known for her closet full of one-of-a-kind pieces. Her friends would often borrow clothes and accessories for weekend events–and this gave her husband, Robert Mandell, an idea. He proposed starting a business called Janet’s Closet. Dozens more sizes and styles later, Janet Mandell was born.
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Janet Mandell creates opportunities to experience the luxury of high-fashion for any event. Women can step into the world of couture and one-of-a-kind designer clothing and accessories–all under the guidance of Janet’s expert team. The high-end designer rental service opens the door to unique runway pieces, a one-hour styling session, concierge service, and specially curated pieces to fit each woman’s style and need.
Rachel Rosenthal is an organizing expert and founder of www.RachelRosenthal.co and Rachel and Company, a Washington, DC-based professional organizing firm. Since 2007, Rachel's firm has worked with 3000+ clients, and teamed up with prominent brands, including West Elm, Pottery Barn, The Container Store, and Four Seasons. Rachel is a TODAY Parenting Contributor and her organizing tips and expertise has been seen by millions and in 100+ publications, including Real Simple, Martha Stewart, House Beautiful, The Rachael Ray Show, and local NBC, ABC, and Fox morning shows. Rooted in the belief that organization can be achieved by all, Rachel emphasizes solutions that are easy to use and enhance a home’s existing aesthetic. Check out her site and follow @rachelorganizes on Instagram!