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. 2d ago

    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.

    18 min

  2. 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.

    23 min

  3. 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.

    13 min

  4. 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.

    13 min

  5. 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.

    15 min

  6. May 29

    The Perfectionism Trap | Why Your Logo is Keeping You Broke

    Are you building your side hustle — or just staying busy? There's a sneaky trap that catches almost every new entrepreneur, and chances are you've already fallen into it at least once. It's called perfectionism, and it's costing you more than time. That logo you've been tweaking for three hours, the website that has to be just right before you launch — none of that is actually building your business. Perfectionism is procrastination in disguise, and underneath it is the one thing none of us want to admit: fear of rejection. The good news? You don't have to be perfect to make progress. You just have to be willing to be bad at something long enough to get good at it. This episode is a mindset reset for every side-hustle dad who knows what they need to do — but keeps finding something else to do instead. Highlights Perfectionism isn't about quality — it's a socially acceptable mask for procrastination and fear of failureBusywork (tweaking logos, color palettes, websites) feels productive but doesn't move the needleThe tasks you avoid — sales calls, follow-ups, networking — are the ones that actually grow your businessYour brain is wired to protect you from rejection, and it will spin wild stories to keep you "safe"Embracing imperfect reps is the only way to improve at the things that matterSetting a rejection goal reframes failure as progress and builds momentumSmall, consistent actions beat sporadic bursts of "perfect" effort every single timeNext up: a miniseries on marketing and sales — foundational frameworks for side-hustle dads who feel lost in that world Chapters 0:19 – The Perfectionism Trap 2:26 – Busywork vs. Real Progress 3:37 – Fear of Rejection 4:49 – How Your Brain Creates Safety Stories 6:32 – Why the Risk Is Worth It 7:53 – Embracing Imperfection 9:43 – Five Seconds of Crazy Courage 10:37 – Setting Rejection Goals 11:52 – Consistency Wins 13:11 – Weekly Challenge 13:46 – What's Next: Marketing & Sales Miniseries 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.

    15 min

  7. May 22

    Raise Your Prices!

    You're busy — but is your side hustle actually making you money? There's a big difference between being booked solid and being profitable. If you've been afraid to raise your rates, this episode gives you the exact framework to know when it's time, how to do it, and how to silence the inner voice that says you're not worth it. Highlights Why being "busy" is not the goal — profitability isHow to calculate your conversion rate with a dead-simple formulaThe 30–50% conversion rate sweet spot and what it means for your pricingWhy a high conversion rate (above 50%) is actually a warning sign you're underchargingThe math that shows how raising prices and working less can earn you the same incomeWhat to do when your conversion rate is too low — and why slashing prices is the wrong moveHow to define your Unique Selling Proposition (USP) to command higher ratesHow to ask clients who say "no" for feedback (without it being awkward)Using your "evidence folder" — testimonials and reviews — to overcome imposter syndromeWhy pricing is not permanent and iteration is part of the process Chapters 0:00 – Why Raise Prices 1:31 – Measure Conversion Rate 4:20 – Healthy Benchmarks 5:20 – When Yes Is Too Easy 9:08 – Test Higher Rates 9:57 – Fix Low Conversions 14:26 – Imposter Syndrome Proof 16:50 – Final Challenge 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.

    18 min

  8. May 15

    Confident Quoting | Smart Pricing Strategies for Side-Hustles

    What do you charge when you've never run a business before — and everything you know about pay comes from a day job where someone else set the number? That question paralyzes so many side hustlers before they ever land their first client. Let's cut through the anxiety and build a real pricing framework you can use starting today. Hourly rates feel safe because that's how employees think — but they secretly punish you for getting better. Project-based pricing flips the equation and focuses on what your client actually cares about: the result, not the clock. Whether you're offering a service, selling handmade goods, or building a digital product like an ebook or online course, you'll walk away with a starting point, a formula for building in margin, and the confidence to quote your price without flinching. Highlights Hourly rates create an "efficiency penalty" — the better and faster you get, the less you earnShift from selling your time to selling the transformation and result you deliverUse a price floor formula: estimated hours × $25/hr + materials, then add 20–30% buffer for margin and surprisesKeep your math private — clients don't need to see your cost breakdown, just the totalNever negotiate down from your quoted price; discounting attracts the wrong clientsBefore sending any quote, do the "dad math" — is this project worth the time away from your family?Physical goods have hidden costs (listings, packing, shipping runs) that must be factored into pricingDigital products like ebooks and online courses should be priced on the time savings and transformation they provide — not the cost to create themYour day job is a strength here: you're not desperate, so you don't have to take every project Chapters 0:19 — Pricing anxiety intro: what do I even charge? 1:32 — Why you should switch to project-based pricing 2:28 — Recording studio example: selling results, not hours 4:13 — The hourly rate trap and the efficiency penalty 5:34 — How to set your price floor 7:25 — Adding a buffer and profit margin 8:31 — Quote confidently — no discounts, no negotiating 9:56 — Do the "dad math" before you send the quote 11:37 — Hidden costs in physical goods 12:51 — Pricing digital products by value, not cost 15:28 — Wrap up and 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.

    17 min
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Trailer

5
out of 5
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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
    2K
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © (c) 2026 Bryan Steele
  • Show Website
    The Side-Hustle Dad

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