The Side-Hustle Dad

Bryan Steele
  • 5.0 (16)
  • Entrepreneurship

We are helping dads find financial freedom without sacrificing their families in the process. You want to provide more for your kids and create a legacy of wealth, but the thought of starting a business feels overwhelming. You’re afraid that chasing financial freedom means missing out on bedtime stories, soccer games, and quality time with your wife. The Side-Hustle Dad is here to show you a different way. Hosted by Bryan Steele—entrepreneur and founder of Forge Podcast Co.—this show is a masterclass in building a profitable side-hustle without sacrificing the relationships that matter most. Each week, we cover the mindset, strategies and tactics needed to create a thriving side-hustle. Whether you want to get out of debt, save for your children’s college, or build enough passive income to choose how you spend your days, this podcast provides the blueprint. Subscribe to The Side-Hustle Dad and start building your extra income stream today.

  1. 6h ago

    Break the Chains of Busyness: It’s Time to Eliminate, Delegate, Automate

    Are you stuck doing everything in your business — and wondering why you never seem to have any time left over? If you feel like busyness has become your full-time job, it might be time to take a hard look at where your effort is actually going. I break down a simple framework called the "Easy Ates" — eliminate, delegate, and automate — that helps you find the 20% of your work that's driving 80% of your results, and cut or offload the rest. By the end, you'll have a clear, ten-minute exercise to start freeing up real capacity in your business. Highlights The 80/20 rule (Pareto's Principle): 80% of your results come from 20% of your effort — find that 20% and double down.The "Easy Ates" framework: Eliminate, Delegate, Automate.Eliminate non-revenue-generating busywork like endless website tweaks and excessive content consumption.Delegate tasks to freelancers, admins, coaches, or a CPA — even if they only do it 80% as well as you, that frees you up for higher-value work.Automate repeatable processes: scheduling links, email templates, and intake forms can turn multi-step tasks into a single click.A real example of using a website form + Zapier automation to pre-qualify leads before ever getting on a call.Use AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini to help identify what in your business could be automated.The assignment: take 10 minutes to list what you did this week, then sort it into eliminate, delegate, or automate. Chapters 0:00 — Stop Doing Everything 0:48 — 80/20 Focus 1:38 — The Easy-Ates Framework 3:15 — Eliminate Busywork 5:21 — Delegate for Growth 10:02 — Automate Repeats 12:02 — Forms and Zapier 15:37 — Recap and Assignment 17:17 — Use AI to Streamline 18:37 — Final Takeaways Resources Mentioned Calendly — scheduling tool mentioned for automating meeting bookingsZapier — used to automate email responses based on form submissionsChatGPT — recommended for identifying automation opportunitiesClaude — recommended for identifying automation opportunitiesGemini — recommended for identifying automation opportunities Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review! For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad Remember, build the business, but be the dad! This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.

  2. Jul 24

    Don't Leave Money on the Table | The Power of Consistent Follow-Ups

    Ever left a great sales conversation feeling excited, only to watch it go completely silent? You're not imagining things — most people aren't thinking about you nearly as much as you think they are, and that's exactly why your follow-up game needs work. I'm breaking down why following up is the single surest way to grow your business, and the seven-touchpoint sequence that takes the guesswork (and the ick factor) out of staying in front of leads who've gone quiet. Highlights Reframe follow-up: if someone expressed interest, you're providing value by staying in touch — not being pushy.The real goal of following up isn't a "yes," it's clarity — a clear yes, a clear no, or nothing until one of you is dead.The seven-touchpoint framework covers roughly 30+ days of spaced-out, purposeful outreach.Touchpoint 1 is a same-day/next-day email full of gratitude, a recap, and one clear next step.Touchpoint 2 (3-4 days later) is the "objection killer" — proactively answering the 1-2 objections you hear most.Touchpoint 3 (1 week later) shares a relevant client testimonial to build trust without asking for anything.Touchpoint 4 (10-14 days later) makes a warm referral or connection with zero strings attached.The "pre-breakup" email (3-4 weeks out) introduces gentle scarcity around your proposal's expiration date.The professional "breakup" email closes the loop respectfully and often prompts a response due to loss aversion.Leads who go completely cold still get added to a long-term nurture list — a lead isn't dead until it's a clear no. Chapters 0:19 – Why Follow-Up Feels Awkward 1:58 – Reframing Follow-Up as a Value-Add 3:04 – The Real Goal: Clarity, Not Just a Yes 4:04 – Introducing the 7-Touchpoint Framework 4:34 – Setting the Next Step & Your First Follow-Up Email 7:23 – Touchpoint 2: The Objection Killer 8:42 – Touchpoint 3: The Client Testimonial 10:06 – Touchpoint 4: The Connection/Referral 12:34 – The Pre-Breakup Email & Scarcity 15:42 – The Professional Breakup Email 17:31 – Moving Leads to Your Nurture List 19:25 – Recap: The Full Sequence Step-by-Step 22:25 – Final Thoughts & Your Homework Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review! For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad Remember, build the business, but be the dad! This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.

  3. Jul 17

    Don't Be a Bill Collector: Keys to Receiving Payment

    Ever pitched a client, gotten the "yes," started the work... and then watched them go silent when it's time to pay? If you've ever found yourself playing bill collector after finishing a project, this one's for you. This episode breaks down exactly why so many freelancers and service providers avoid asking for payment upfront — usually a mix of awkwardness and imposter syndrome — and lays out a clear, repeatable system for getting paid before you ever start the work: non-refundable deposits, simple invoicing templates, and how to handle pushback (or spot a red-flag client) before it costs you time and money. Highlights Why clients ghost after saying "yes" — and how skipping an upfront payment sets that upThe mindset shift: if a client won't pay upfront, they likely won't pay on the back end eitherHow to introduce a non-refundable deposit without it feeling like an awkward conversationBuilding in reschedule clauses so clients feel confident committing to a depositWhy a deposit protects your time even if a client backs outA simple, repeatable invoicing process: contract → deposit invoice → no work begins until paidSetting up retainer/auto-pay arrangements for recurring consulting or service workA 20-minute action item: build a reusable deposit invoice template today Chapters 0:19 — The client ghosting problem 2:33 — Why we avoid asking for payment upfront 4:52 — Introducing the non-refundable deposit 6:45 — Handling reschedule requests and excuses 7:58 — How to actually implement it: contracts and invoicing 10:03 — Retainers and auto-pay for recurring clients 11:02 — Today's challenge: build your deposit invoice template Resources Mentioned PayPal — invoicing tool mentioned for sending deposit invoicesStripe — invoicing software mentioned as an optionQuickBooks — invoicing software mentioned for managing payments Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review! For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad Remember, build the business, but be the dad! This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.

  4. Jul 10

    Embracing Side Quests: Finding Opportunity in Unexpected Places

    Have you ever gotten an email that seemed too good to be true — and almost deleted it? That's exactly what happened to me a few years back, and following that hunch instead of hitting delete turned into one of the most unexpected side quests of my career. Welcome back — hope you had a great 4th of July with the family (and kept all your fingers intact). Today I'm telling you the story of the time a random email led to recording an entire audiobook, and I'm breaking down the five filters I use to decide whether an unexpected opportunity is worth chasing or worth letting go. Highlights The suspicious email that turned out to be a legitimate audiobook recording opportunity from a major New York publisherHow I verified the opportunity was real using LinkedIn before committing to anythingWhat the actual recording workflow looked like — including a director joining remotely via ZoomThe five filters for evaluating any side quest: legitimacy, honesty, long-term potential, asset leverage, and family marginWhy being upfront about your limited experience actually builds more trust with a clientHow to tell the difference between a side quest worth pursuing and one that's a distraction Chapters 0:32 — Side Quest Idea 1:29 — Suspicious Email 2:33 — Verifying It's Real 3:18 — Taking The Gig 4:42 — Recording Workflow 5:31 — Why Say Yes 6:17 — Five Filters Intro 6:24 — Filter One: Legit Check 7:47 — Filter Two: Be Honest 10:18 — Filter Three: Long Term 11:37 — Filter Four: Asset Leverage 14:09 — Filter Five: Family Margin 15:36 — Quick Recap 16:31 — Share Your Side Quests Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review! For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad Remember, build the business, but be the dad! This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.

  5. Jun 26

    Building Your Digital Business Card | A Website Guide

    Your website is your digital business card, and when it's built with the right framework, it introduces you, builds trust, and converts visitors into paying clients — even while you sleep. Here's exactly what needs to be on it. Highlights Why you have five seconds (or less) to capture a visitor's attention — and what to say in that windowThe difference between a portfolio and social proof, and why you need both on your siteHow to build a landing page that's easy to scan, scroll, and act onWhat supporting pages (About, Services, FAQ, Case Studies) actually do for your buyersWhy your call to action should appear everywhere — and why there should only be oneThe shift from SEO to AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) and how AI is changing how clients find youThe fastest tools to build your website today, including AI-powered buildersWhy "done" beats "perfect" — and how to iterate your way to a great site over time Chapters 0:19 – Website As Business Card 1:14 – Avoid the Perfectionism Trap 1:59 – Hook Visitors in Five Seconds 3:50 – Portfolio: Show Your Proof 5:44 – Reviews & Testimonials 7:15 – Landing Page Layout 7:55 – Extra Pages for Detail 9:29 – One Clear Call to Action 11:52 – AI Search & Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) 16:06 – Tools to Build Fast 18:38 – Publish Then Iterate 20:53 – The Two-Hour Website Challenge 21:13 – Holiday Break & Wrap Up Resources Mentioned Squarespace – Drag-and-drop website builder with templatesWix – Drag-and-drop website builder with templatesShopify – E-commerce platform for product-based businessesChatGPT – AI tool that can help draft and build website contentClaude – AI tool that can help draft and build website contentGemini – AI tool that can help draft and build website contentBe sure to subscribe and leave us a review! For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad Remember, build the business, but be the dad! This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.

  6. Jun 19

    Sharing Business Lessons with Your Kids

    What if the best business lesson you ever taught your kids wasn't a lecture — it was just letting them watch you build something? As fathers chasing financial freedom, we often feel like we need to hide the hustle from our families. But the truth is, your kids are already watching. The question is whether you're being intentional about what they see. Your side hustle isn't just about extra income — it's a live classroom for your children. When they see you push through fear, fail, and get back up, you're teaching them something no school ever could. Letting your kids into what you're building — even in small ways — builds their entrepreneurial thinking, their resilience, and their understanding that change and growth are possible. Highlights Your kids are watching whether you share your hustle or not — be intentional about what they seeHiding your business from your family means missing one of the most powerful teaching moments available to youChildren who see a parent build something start thinking entrepreneurially themselvesReal-life examples: a lemonade stand, selling 3D-printed toys, and understanding how musicians earn royalties on SpotifyA 10-year-old learning about cost of goods sold — because her dad ran a businessSmall touchpoints matter: let kids stamp packages, clean the studio, or hear about a big win at dinnerCelebrate milestones as a family — treat everyone to ice cream when you hit a goalShare wins and losses — your kids need to see the whole picture, not just the highlight reelYou don't have to run a multimillion-dollar company; an extra $500–$1,000/month is powerful when pursued with strategy Chapters 0:19 — Welcome & Why You're Already a Great Dad 2:10 — Stop Hiding: Integration Over Isolation 4:11 — Kids Learn Courage, Resilience & Growth Mindset by Watching You 4:11 — Story Time: Letting Your Kids In From the Start 8:04 — Practical Touchpoints: How to Include Your Kids in the Business 9:28 — Sharing Wins and Losses at the Dinner Table 12:10 — Closing Encouragement Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review! For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad Remember, build the business, but be the dad! This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.

  7. Jun 12

    Overcoming Sales Anxiety: A Simple Framework for Success

    Why does selling feel so slimy — and why do prospects keep ghosting you after what seemed like a great conversation? The truth is, most side hustlers walk into sales conversations completely unprepared. Not because they're bad at what they do, but because they're winging it. I've been there. You have a great coffee chat, you send the follow-up email, and then… crickets. The good news: this is fixable with a four-step framework called BANT — Budget, Authority, Need, and Timing. Once you start using it consistently, you'll know exactly where your sales process is breaking down, and you'll close more deals without ever feeling pushy or sleazy. Highlights Why selling feels uncomfortable — and why it doesn't have toThe "winging it" trap that causes most side hustlers to lose potential clients without knowing whyHow to talk about money early without killing the conversationWhy talking to the wrong person first often leads to being ghostedThe discovery questions that uncover your prospect's real needs (and sometimes reveal a bigger opportunity)How to read where a prospect is in their buying journey and match your energy to theirsThe bonus move that practically eliminates ghosting: always set the next commitment before ending any conversation Chapters 0:19 – Why Selling Feels Sleazy 1:02 – The Ghosting Problem 1:55 – The BANT Framework Overview 2:27 – B: Budget — Talk About Money First 4:20 – A: Authority — Who Actually Makes the Decision? 6:45 – N: Need — Uncover What They're Really After 8:08 – T: Timing — Where Are They in the Process? 10:03 – Bonus: How to Never Get Ghosted Again 11:31 – Wrap Up & Next Steps Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review! For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad Remember, build the business, but be the dad! This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.

  8. Jun 5

    The Marketing Mindset: Aligning Message, Timing, and Audience

    Most service providers feel uncomfortable with marketing because they think it's about pushing products on people. But what if the real problem is simpler than that? Marketing is just about getting the right message to the right person at the right time — and when you nail all three, it stops feeling slimy and starts feeling like genuine service. Today we break down a powerful three-part marketing framework you can apply immediately, whether you're posting on social media, running ads, or reaching out to potential clients. If your posts are getting crickets, this is likely why — and here's how to fix it. Highlights Marketing vs. sales: why these are two completely different conversations and why you need to treat them that wayYou don't need a marketing budget to start — you need practice communicating your valueThe biggest mindset shift: failing to tell people how you can help them is actually failing themThe "Right Person, Right Message, Right Time" framework — the lens for every piece of content you createHow to identify your ideal client by looking at the common threads among your existing customersWhy your message should focus on transformation — the before and after — not on being everything to everyoneTiming is everything: how to identify the exact moment a potential client is most ready to hear from youReal examples: from music production to home renovation to wedding photography — how timing applies across industriesHow to put all three pieces together when building a social media post, ad, or any marketing content Chapters 0:00 — Intro & Marketing Mindset Reset0:57 — Marketing vs. Sales: Understanding the Difference2:05 — No Budget Needed: Marketing Is About Practice2:55 — The Right Person, Right Message, Right Time Framework4:24 — Step 1: Finding the Right Person6:55 — Step 2: Crafting the Right Message9:20 — Step 3: Reaching Them at the Right Time13:18 — Putting It All Together13:52 — Wrap-Up & Next Episode PreviewBe sure to subscribe and leave us a review! For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad Remember, build the business, but be the dad! This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.

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About

We are helping dads find financial freedom without sacrificing their families in the process. You want to provide more for your kids and create a legacy of wealth, but the thought of starting a business feels overwhelming. You’re afraid that chasing financial freedom means missing out on bedtime stories, soccer games, and quality time with your wife. The Side-Hustle Dad is here to show you a different way. Hosted by Bryan Steele—entrepreneur and founder of Forge Podcast Co.—this show is a masterclass in building a profitable side-hustle without sacrificing the relationships that matter most. Each week, we cover the mindset, strategies and tactics needed to create a thriving side-hustle. Whether you want to get out of debt, save for your children’s college, or build enough passive income to choose how you spend your days, this podcast provides the blueprint. Subscribe to The Side-Hustle Dad and start building your extra income stream today.

Information

  • Creator
    Bryan Steele
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    24
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © (c) 2026 Bryan Steele
  • Show Website
    The Side-Hustle Dad