Clocked OUT: Business Hacks and Time Management for Women Still Working a 9-to-5 and Have a Side Hustle

Ericka Nicole
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome and welcome back to Clocked OUT. The podcast helping you build a business that pays you while you're still on payroll. Hosted by Ericka Nicole, a corporate executive assistant supporting C-suite leaders by day and the founder of the Clocked Out Collective by every other hour, this show is for the woman building her exit while she's still clocked in. The business playbook wasn't written for the 9-to-5 founder. You're building a business inside the margins of a job that already owns most of your hours, and every strategy you've been handed assumes you have all day to figure it out. Clocked Out exists to close that gap. Every episode hands you the systems, the strategy, and the truth about what it actually takes to build something real when your calendar already belongs to someone else. We talk about the structure that protects your time, the moves that turn a side project into paycheck-replacing income, and the mindset shift that separates the founder still guessing from the founder with a plan. Inside the podcast, we cover: How to structure your business around a job you haven't quit yetBuilding income that can eventually replace your paycheckGetting visible and known without adding another job to your jobWhat it actually takes to plan your exit, on your timelineReal conversations with women who built it while employed You're not just a 9-to-5 employee with a dream. You're an Exit Architect, and your resignation letter is already writing itself. Ready to stop guessing and start building with a plan? Head to clockedout.media and join the Clocked Out Collective, the membership built for founders who are done treating their exit like a someday.

  1. 13h ago

    Why Your Friendships Feel More Expensive When You’re Building a Business | Ep 165

    Ready to build the business and go from corporate to entrepreneur? 👉 Join the Clocked Out Collective What if you’re not broke… your money just already has a job? 👀 If you’re a 9-5 founder building a business while still clocking into your day job, you’ve probably had that moment where the group chat starts planning brunch, a girls’ trip, a birthday dinner, or a wedding and you’re like… “Girl… I love you. But absolutely not.”  And then comes the guilt. In this episode of Clocked Out, we’re talking about why your friendships can start to feel more expensive when you’re building a business on the side — and why saying no doesn’t mean you’re broke, cheap, or that you don’t care about your friends. Because here’s the thing: Every dollar has a job. When you’re self-funding your business, that extra $300 sitting in your account might not actually be “extra.” It might already be assigned to inventory, your website, your team, marketing, savings, or whatever else you’re building behind the scenes. And nobody else gets to decide whether that job is important enough for you to change it. In this episode, I’m breaking down how I’ve had to rethink my own spending while building Silkenn and Clocked Out, why I stopped asking myself “Can I afford this?” and started asking “What is this dollar already doing?”, and how to say no without turning your financial decisions into a full-blown group chat presentation. Because babe, you do not need to send your friends a spreadsheet of your finances just because you said no to brunch. 😂 In this episode, we’re talking about: Why your money feels tighter when you're building a side hustle or business on top of your 9-to-5The difference between redirected money and missing moneyWhy discretionary income stops feeling so discretionary when you’re self-funding a businessThe “Every dollar has a job” mindsetHow to decide whether you can actually afford an invitationWhy building a business can change your social life — even when your friendships haven’t changedThe difference between a financial “no” and a time “no”How time management and money management are surprisingly similar for the 9-to-5 founderWhy you don’t need to over-explain your financial decisionsHow to protect your relationships while still protecting your businessWhat to say when you need to turn down an expensive invitationWhy this season of saying no won’t last foreverHow building strategically now can help you eventually quit your corporate job and create the freedom-filled life you actually want Ready to build the business that replaces your 9-to-5?  Join us inside the Clocked Out Collective at start.clockedout.media. Free 5-Minute Training Every woman I know who successfully built a business while working a 9-to-5 followed the same four steps — and almost all of them tried to skip step one. So I created a free 5-minute training specifically for the woman who is still clocking into work every day while trying to build something bigger on the side. ➡️ Watch the free training here 👀 Join the Clocked Out Collective  ClockedOUT is a business and productivity podcast for the high-achieving female entrepreneur building a side hustle while working a 9-to-5. Each week we deliver business building tips, work-life balance and self-care strategies, and real talk on hustle culture so you can grow your business, hit new revenue milestones, and beat burnout while still on payroll. Follow us on Instagram: @clockedout.media

  2. Aug 17

    How to Manage Your Time Without Burning Out as a 9 to 5 Entrepreneur| Ep 164

    Ready to build the business and go from corporate to entrepreneur? 👉 Join the Clocked Out Collective You can have every hour on your calendar blocked off and still burn out, because time was never the full equation. In this episode, I’m joined by my longtime friend and podcast producer, Marie Walker from Your Girl Media and host of the podcast Your Girl , for a conversation about capacity, burnout, time management, productivity, and what it actually takes to build a business while working a 9-to-5. We’re breaking down why having more time doesn’t automatically mean you have more capacity—and why your energy might be the missing variable in your work-life balance. If you’re a female entrepreneur trying to build your business after work, constantly feeling behind, or wondering why your carefully planned CEO hours aren't actually working, this episode is for you. In this episode, we’re talking about: Why capacity = time + energy and how this changes the way you think about burnoutWhy a traditional time audit isn't enough—and why you need to audit your energy, tooHow to figure out when your actual CEO hours are based on your energy, not someone else's productivity scheduleThe difference between creative energy and operational energyHow to create low-resistance rhythms and systems that actually work for YOUR lifeWhy your systems don't need to look pretty to be effectiveHow to stop confusing being busy with actually being productiveWhy constantly operating at 100% is not a sustainable way to build a businessThe four-step capacity ladder: stabilize, simplify, systemize, sustainHow to identify the commitments you've outgrown and finally give yourself permission to say noThe 3–5 things that actually move your business forward every weekHow to recognize your personal burnout triggers before you completely crash and burnWhy protecting your relationships can be one of the biggest indicators that you've reached your limitAnd why creating a sustainable rhythm will always outperform constantly trying to do moreThe biggest takeaway? Your business does NOT need every ounce of your energy. You don't need to be working every available hour. You don't need a 15-step morning routine, a million productivity apps, or a perfectly optimized calendar. You need to understand your capacity. Because when you know where your time and energy actually go, you can build a business that fits into your life instead of creating another full-time job for yourself. And babe, we're not doing that. Connect with Marie, my producer: 🎙Want more? Listen to her business podcast helping scale entrepreneurs to their next level: Listen to Your Girl podcast  👉 Follow her and DM her on Instagram: @yourgirlmedia  👉 Check out her website Ready to build the business that replaces your 9-to-5?  Join us inside the Clocked Out Collective at start.clockedout.media. Free 5-Minute Training Every woman I know who successfully built a business while working a 9-to-5 followed the same four steps — and almost all of them tried to skip step one. So I created a free 5-minute training specifically for the woman who is still clocking into work every day while trying to build something bigger on the side. ➡️ Watch the free training here 👀 Join the Clocked Out Collective  ClockedOUT is a business and productivity podcast for the high-achieving female entrepreneur building a side hustle while working a 9-to-5. Each week we deliver business building tips, work-life balance and self-care strategies, and real talk on hustle culture so you can grow your business, hit new revenue milestones, and beat burnout while still on payroll. Follow us on Instagram: @clockedout.media

  3. Aug 10

    How to Build an Email List for Your Side Hustle From Scratch | Ep 163

    Ready to build the business and go from corporate to entrepreneur? 👉 Join the Clocked Out Collective  You built your following one post at a time… but what happens when the algorithm changes tomorrow? Your follower count isn’t the asset. Your email list is. Today, I’m joined by newsletter strategist Laura Haley, who has grown her email list to more than 16,000 subscribers without chasing trends or relying on the algorithm. And if you’re a female entrepreneur building a business while still working your 9-to-5, this conversation is basically your sign to stop sleeping on email marketing. We’re breaking down why email marketing is still one of the most powerful tools for building a business, how to get your first subscribers when you have basically no list, and how to write emails that actually feel like you — instead of another overly polished marketing email begging someone to buy something. In this episode, we’re talking about: Why email marketing can outperform social media when it comes to ROIWhy your 1,000 Instagram followers are NOT the same as 1,000 email subscribersHow to get your first email subscribers without having a huge followingThe easiest place to find your first subscribers: your DMsHow to use Instagram's automated DMs to grow your listWhy newsletter collaborations are an underrated way to grow your audienceWhether you should run ads specifically to grow your email listHow newsletters can actually make you money through sponsorshipsLaura’s favorite email marketing platforms, including Kit, Flodesk, and BeehiivWhy you probably don't need five different platforms to run your businessPlain-text emails vs. beautifully designed newsletters — and which one is actually convertingThe 80/20 rule for balancing value and selling in your emailsHow to repurpose the content you're already creating into newslettersHow to find your voice when you're still in the messy middle of building your businessWhy behind-the-scenes content is one of the easiest newsletter content anglesHow to use your newsletter to drive people back to your existing contentHow email marketing fits into your bigger corporate-to-entrepreneur transitionThe biggest takeaway? Stop treating your email list like another content platform. Start treating it like an actual business asset. You don't need to create brand-new content for your newsletter every week. In fact, Laura says 80% of your newsletter content can come from content you've already created. That Threads post that popped off? Turn it into an email. That video that's converting? Turn it into an email. That thing you've been talking about for the 47th time? Yep. Turn it into an email. You're not starting from scratch. You're just putting your best ideas somewhere you actually own. And when you're building a business on the side of a full-time job, working smarter matters. Connect with Laura: Listen to her podcast: The Travel Creator  Follow her on Instagram: @travelcontentwriting Ready to build the business that replaces your 9-to-5?  Join us inside the Clocked Out Collective at start.clockedout.media. Free 5-Minute Training Every woman I know who successfully built a business while working a 9-to-5 followed the same four steps — and almost all of them tried to skip step one. So I created a free 5-minute training specifically for the woman who is still clocking into work every day while trying to build something bigger on the side. ➡️ Watch the free training here 👀 Join the Clocked Out Collective  ClockedOUT is a business and productivity podcast for the high-achieving female entrepreneur building a side hustle while working a 9-to-5. Each week we deliver business building tips, work-life balance and self-care strategies, and real talk on hustle culture so you can grow your business, hit new revenue milestones, and beat burnout while still on payroll. Follow us on Instagram: @clockedout.media

  4. Aug 3

    Why You Need Personal Branding {Like Yesterday} Before You Quit Corporate | Ep 162

    Ready to build the business and go from corporate to entrepreneur?  👉 Join the Clocked Out Collective  It's 2026, babe. You need personal branding. And I don't care if you have a full-time job. In fact, if you're building a business while you're still on payroll, I think it's even MORE important that you start getting known for something. Because here's the thing: you already have a personal brand. The question is whether you're choosing what people say about you… or letting them make it up for you. Your personal brand is the sentence people use to describe you after you leave the room. And when you're building a business on the side, that sentence can be working for you in rooms you haven't even walked into yet. In this episode of Clocked Out, we're talking about how to actually become known for ONE specific thing — without needing to post every single day, quit your job tomorrow, or completely reinvent yourself. We're breaking down: Why you already have a personal brand — even if you haven't intentionally built oneThe "referral sentence" people use to describe you when you're not in the roomWhy being talented at a lot of things can actually make it harder to get paidHow to turn your skills into ONE clear thing people immediately understandWhy small, tangible promises are often more powerful than the giant dreamWhy consistency of message matters more than consistency of postingHow repetition builds association — and why you need to keep saying the same thing even when you're bored of itHow your full-time job can actually become an asset when you're building a businessWhy your professional network is one of the most valuable tools you already haveHow to get other people to repeat your brand sentence for youThe simple way to install your referral criteria into someone's brainHow to become known in your niche without spending hours on social mediaWhy "boring builds businesses" and repetition is actually your secret weaponAnd if you're trying to go corporate to entrepreneur, here's the reminder I really want you to hear: You do NOT have to outpost a full-time content creator. You have a job. You have responsibilities. You have a life. You don't need more content. You need association. You need people to hear your name and immediately know what you do, who you help, and when to send someone your way. Because the goal isn't to become internet famous. The goal is to have someone you've never met send you a DM saying: "My friend told me I should talk to you." That's what a personal brand does. And if you're building a business while working full-time, managing your time, avoiding burn out, and trying to turn your side hustle into something that can eventually replace your paycheck, this episode is for you. Your homework: Ask yourself, "What do people actually say about me when I leave the room?" Not what you wish they said. What they actually say. Then figure out what you WANT them to be saying. That's your door. Ready to build the business that replaces your 9-to-5?  Join us inside the Clocked Out Collective at start.clockedout.media. Free 5-Minute Training Every woman I know who successfully built a business while working a 9-to-5 followed the same four steps — and almost all of them tried to skip step one. So I created a free 5-minute training specifically for the woman who is still clocking into work every day while trying to build something bigger on the side. ➡️ Watch the free training here 👀 Join the Clocked Out Collective  ClockedOUT is a business and productivity podcast for the high-achieving female entrepreneur building a side hustle while working a 9-to-5. Each week we deliver business building tips, work-life balance and self-care strategies, and real talk on hustle culture so you can grow your business, hit new revenue milestones, and beat burnout while still on payroll. Follow us on Instagram: @clockedout.media

  5. Jul 27

    Don't Have Time to Network? Think Again | Ep 161

    Ready to build the business that replaces your 9-to-5? 👉 Join the Clocked Out Collective  If you're waiting until you have "more time" to network, you're probably waiting too long. One of the biggest lessons I've learned while building my business is that networking doesn't start after you quit your job—it starts while you're still working it. In this episode, I'm sharing the exact networking system I use to build meaningful relationships while working full-time. This isn't about collecting business cards or showing up to every networking event you see. It's about building intentional relationships that lead to clients, referrals, collaborations, and opportunities—even if you only have a few hours each week to work on your business. If you're growing a side hustle, hoping to eventually quit your job, and struggling with time management, this episode will show you how to network smarter—not harder. In this episode, I share: Why waiting until you have "more time" is one of the biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make.How I identify exactly who I need to meet before I ever attend a networking event.The difference between networking across and networking up—and why both have completely different purposes.My 15-minute coffee chat system that's helped me build genuine business relationships while working a 9-to-5.Time management strategies that make networking realistic for busy founders.Why I've gotten more value from paid communities than many traditional networking events.My favorite business hacks for following up, staying top of mind, and turning conversations into long-term relationships.This episode is for you if: You're building a business while working full-time.You want to grow your network without constantly attending events.You're looking for referrals, collaborations, and genuine business relationships.You want better time management systems that actually fit your schedule.You're ready to stop waiting for "someday" and start building the business that will help you quit your jobnetworking, networking tips, networking for entrepreneurs, networking while working full time, quit your job, side hustle, time management, business hacks, female entrepreneur, business networking, entrepreneurship, referrals, personal branding Ready to build the business that replaces your 9-to-5?  Join us inside the Clocked Out Collective at start.clockedout.media. Free 5-Minute Training Every woman I know who successfully built a business while working a 9-to-5 followed the same four steps — and almost all of them tried to skip step one. So I created a free 5-minute training specifically for the woman who is still clocking into work every day while trying to build something bigger on the side. ➡️ Watch the free training here 👀 Join the Clocked Out Collective  ClockedOUT is a business and productivity podcast for the high-achieving female entrepreneur building a side hustle while working a 9-to-5. Each week we deliver business building tips, work-life balance and self-care strategies, and real talk on hustle culture so you can grow your business, hit new revenue milestones, and beat burnout while still on payroll. Follow us on Instagram: @clockedout.media

  6. Jul 20

    Want to Pivot Your Business? Ask Yourselves these 3 Questions First | Ep 160

    Ready to build the business that replaces your 9-to-5? 👉 Join the Clocked Out Collective  I'm breaking down why your ability to pivot your business is actually your biggest competitive advantage as a 9-to-5 founder. I'm sharing the story behind completely rebranding this podcast, the difference between a strategic pivot and simply running away from hard things, and the three-question Pivot Test I use before changing anything in my business. If you've been questioning your offer, wondering whether it's time to pivot, or feeling behind because you haven't quit your corporate job yet—this episode is for you. In this episode, we'll talk about:  Why your paycheck gives you an unfair advantage as a founder  The difference between a strategic business pivot and chasing the next shiny object  Why quitting corporate too early can actually limit your ability to grow  How to know when your market is giving you feedback versus when you're simply burned out  The 3-question Pivot Test every female entrepreneur should use before changing direction  Why "boring" work is what actually builds successful businesses  How to pivot your business without starting completely over  Why your 9-to-5 is funding your future—not preventing it If you've ever felt guilty for still having a corporate job while building your business, I hope this episode completely changes the way you see it. Because your salary isn't slowing you down. It's funding your freedom. If this episode helped you rethink your next business move:  Follow the podcast so you never miss an episode.  Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.  Share this episode with another woman building a business while working a 9-to-5—we don't gatekeep around here. Ready to build the business that replaces your 9-to-5?  Join us inside the Clocked Out Collective at start.clockedout.media. Free 5-Minute Training Every woman I know who successfully built a business while working a 9-to-5 followed the same four steps — and almost all of them tried to skip step one. So I created a free 5-minute training specifically for the woman who is still clocking into work every day while trying to build something bigger on the side. ➡️ Watch the free training here 👀 Join the Clocked Out Collective  ClockedOUT is a business and productivity podcast for the high-achieving female entrepreneur building a side hustle while working a 9-to-5. Each week we deliver business building tips, work-life balance and self-care strategies, and real talk on hustle culture so you can grow your business, hit new revenue milestones, and beat burnout while still on payroll. Follow us on Instagram: @clockedout.media

  7. Jul 14

    The Mindset Shifts Every 9 to 5 Founder Needs to Become a Business Owner | Ep 159

    Ready to build the business that replaces your 9-to-5? 👉 Join the Clocked Out Collective  I think one of the biggest lies we tell ourselves as women building businesses is this: "I'll go all in once I quit my job." Or... "I'm just being realistic." But what if "being realistic" is actually just fear wearing a really convincing outfit? In this episode, I'm sitting down with mindset coach Olivia Smith to unpack the stories running in the background of your business—the ones quietly making your decisions before you even realize it. Because here's the truth: if you're trying to start a business while still working a 9-to-5, you're not just building a side hustle. You're building an entirely new identity. We talk about imposter syndrome, confidence, money mindset, corporate conditioning, and why so many women think they'll magically become CEOs the day they finally quit their job. (Spoiler alert: it doesn't work like that.) If you're a female entrepreneur who's been feeling stuck, overthinking every move, or waiting until you feel "ready," this conversation is for you. In this episode we talk about: Why waiting until you quit your job is keeping you stuckThe mindset shift from employee to CEOWhy imposter syndrome feels different when you're still working a 9-to-5The corporate conditioning that's quietly affecting your confidenceWhy every woman needs another stream of income (whether that's a business or not)The difference between being realistic and letting fear make your decisionsHow to actually reframe your mindset (instead of just thinking positive)Why self-trust matters more than confidenceThe money mindset blocks keeping entrepreneurs playing smallThe simple exercise Olivia uses to uncover the stories that are really running your businessConnect with Olivia If you loved Olivia's perspective on mindset and identity, be sure to connect with her on Instagram: Follow her HERE  Ready to build the business that replaces your 9-to-5?  Join us inside the Clocked Out Collective at start.clockedout.media. Free 5-Minute Training Every woman I know who successfully built a business while working a 9-to-5 followed the same four steps — and almost all of them tried to skip step one. So I created a free 5-minute training specifically for the woman who is still clocking into work every day while trying to build something bigger on the side. ➡️ Watch the free training here 👀 Join the Clocked Out Collective  ClockedOUT is a business and productivity podcast for the high-achieving female entrepreneur building a side hustle while working a 9-to-5. Each week we deliver business building tips, work-life balance and self-care strategies, and real talk on hustle culture so you can grow your business, hit new revenue milestones, and beat burnout while still on payroll. Follow us on Instagram: @clockedout.media

  8. Jul 6

    The Missing Brand Strategy That Helps You Go From Side Hustle to CEO | Ep 158

    Ready to build the business that replaces your 9-to-5? 👉 Join the Clocked Out Collective  If you've ever wondered why your business isn't growing even though your offer is solid, your clients get results, and you're doing all the "right" things... this episode might be the wake-up call you didn't know you needed. Because here's the truth: being good at what you do and looking credible to the people you're trying to serve are two very different things. In this episode of Clocked Out, I'm joined by one of the smartest brand strategists I know, Miranda , founder of Vuka Brands and the woman responsible for helping shape both my skincare brand, Silkenn, and the rebrand of this podcast. And let me tell you—she doesn't believe in slapping a logo on your business and calling it a brand. We're talking about the real reason people aren't buying, why your audience may be perceiving your business completely differently than you intended, and how to build a brand that creates trust before you ever make a sales pitch. If you're a female entrepreneur building a side hustle while working a 9-to-5 and trying to figure out how to quit your job without gambling your future, this conversation is required listening. In This Episode We Cover: * Why having a good product or service isn't enough to grow your business * The biggest disconnect between how business owners see their brands and how customers actually experience them * Why "branding" is so much more than colors, fonts, and a logo * The dangerous cost of building your business in isolation * How brand strategy acts as the roadmap for every business decision you make * Why understanding your ideal customer is the foundation of effective positioning * The role perception plays in purchasing decisions * How to create credibility even when you're a bootstrapped founder * Why social media isn't the only way to build a successful brand * The shift from traditional branding to ecosystem and world-building * How community can help you avoid expensive mistakes in business * What consistency really means beyond matching your Instagram feed and website Key Takeaways Your brand is not what you say it is—it's what your audience experiences. Without a clear brand strategy, everyone involved in your business starts creating their own version of your brand, resulting in mixed messaging and missed opportunities. The strongest brands aren't built around what the founder likes. They're built around what the audience needs, values, and responds to. And perhaps most importantly: if you're trying to build a business that will eventually allow you to quit your job, you can't afford to build in the wrong direction. Ready to Build Your Exit Strategy? If you're building a side hustle while working full-time and you're serious about creating a business that can replace your paycheck, come join us inside the Clocked Out Collective. The Collective was built specifically for ambitious women who want to stop guessing, start scaling, and build a business that makes quitting their job a realistic next step—not a someday dream. Learn more at start.clockedout.media Ready to build the business that replaces your 9-to-5?  Join us inside the Clocked Out Collective at start.clockedout.media. Free 5-Minute Training Every woman I know who successfully built a business while working a 9-to-5 followed the same four steps — and almost all of them tried to skip step one. So I created a free 5-minute training specifically for the woman who is still clocking into work every day while trying to build something bigger on the side. ➡️ Watch the free training here 👀 Join the Clocked Out Collective  ClockedOUT is a business and productivity podcast for the high-achieving female entrepreneur building a side hustle while working a 9-to-5. Each week we deliver business building tips, work-life balance and self-care strategies, and real talk on hustle culture so you can grow your business, hit new revenue milestones, and beat burnout while still on payroll. Follow us on Instagram: @clockedout.media

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Welcome and welcome back to Clocked OUT. The podcast helping you build a business that pays you while you're still on payroll. Hosted by Ericka Nicole, a corporate executive assistant supporting C-suite leaders by day and the founder of the Clocked Out Collective by every other hour, this show is for the woman building her exit while she's still clocked in. The business playbook wasn't written for the 9-to-5 founder. You're building a business inside the margins of a job that already owns most of your hours, and every strategy you've been handed assumes you have all day to figure it out. Clocked Out exists to close that gap. Every episode hands you the systems, the strategy, and the truth about what it actually takes to build something real when your calendar already belongs to someone else. We talk about the structure that protects your time, the moves that turn a side project into paycheck-replacing income, and the mindset shift that separates the founder still guessing from the founder with a plan. Inside the podcast, we cover: How to structure your business around a job you haven't quit yetBuilding income that can eventually replace your paycheckGetting visible and known without adding another job to your jobWhat it actually takes to plan your exit, on your timelineReal conversations with women who built it while employed You're not just a 9-to-5 employee with a dream. You're an Exit Architect, and your resignation letter is already writing itself. Ready to stop guessing and start building with a plan? Head to clockedout.media and join the Clocked Out Collective, the membership built for founders who are done treating their exit like a someday.

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