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. 1D AGO

    CRM Solutions for Side-Hustles | From Spreadsheet to Software

    Are you lying awake at night wondering if you forgot to follow up with that potential client from Tuesday? If you're trying to run your business from your head, you're leaving money on the table — and opportunities are slipping through the cracks every single day. This episode is your step-by-step guide to building a simple, effective customer relationship management system from scratch — no expensive software required. We break down exactly what a CRM is, why you need one, and how to build your first pipeline using nothing more than a free spreadsheet. Whether you're just landing your first clients or starting to feel overwhelmed by your growing list of leads, this episode will give you a clear, actionable system to stay organized, follow up consistently, and close more business. HIGHLIGHTS You don't need expensive software to get started — a simple Google Sheet or Excel spreadsheet is the best first CRM for most new side hustlersThe exact columns you need in your spreadsheet: name, contact info, last interaction, next interaction date, pipeline stage, project value, and won/lostThe five pipeline stages every service-based business needs: marketing lead, sales lead, offer made, committed, and project completeWhy checking your spreadsheet just once a week puts you ahead of 80% of your competitionHow to know when it's time to upgrade from a spreadsheet to dedicated CRM softwareA breakdown of CRM tools worth considering: Capsule CRM (free tier), HoneyBook (best for service providers), Pipedrive, HubSpot, and Go High LevelCHAPTERS 0:00 – Why You Need a CRM 2:28 – Start With a Spreadsheet 3:20 – Must Have Columns 4:10 – Pipeline Stages Explained 6:57 – Tracking Value and Wins 8:08 – Weekly Follow Up Habit 10:28 – When to Upgrade Tools 11:12 – CRM Software Options 16:10 – Switching and Next Steps 18:31 – Final Encouragement RESOURCES MENTIONED Capsule CRM (free tier available) — https://capsulecrm.comHoneyBook (referral link with special benefits) — replace with your referral linkPipedrive — https://www.pipedrive.comHubSpot (free tier available) — https://www.hubspot.comGo High Level — https://www.gohighlevel.comBe 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.

    21 min

  2. MAY 1

    Identifying the Ideal Client

    What if the biggest mistake in your side hustle isn't what you're selling — it's who you're trying to sell it to? Trying to reach everyone is one of the most common traps side hustlers fall into. When you're chasing every dollar, you end up connecting with no one. This episode is about getting razor sharp on your Ideal Client Profile (ICP) — and why going narrower actually makes you more powerful, not less. We walk through a simple but transformational exercise called the Five Whys that takes you from surface-level demographics to the deep human motivations that actually drive buying decisions. Whether you're a consultant, a web developer, or someone who builds backyard patios, this concept will change the way you market and sell. Highlights Why trying to sell to everyone is a fast track to selling to no oneWhat an Ideal Client Profile (ICP) actually is — and what it isn'tWhy demographics are a starting point, not the destinationThe Five Whys method: a simple framework for uncovering what really drives your ideal clientReal-world examples: a business consultant, a web developer, and a patio builder — all using the Five Whys to find the human story behind the saleWhy ROI isn't always about money — and how to communicate peace, joy, and ease as real valueA 10-minute action step to create your first ICP today Chapters 0:00 — The Big Mistake1:02 — Why You Need an ICP2:09 — Focus Beats Scattered Marketing4:15 — Demographics Aren't Enough5:14 — The Five Whys Method5:31 — Example: Consultant to Family Time7:24 — Example: Web Developer to Survival8:23 — Example: Patio Builder to Community10:35 — Speak to Emotion, Not Price12:10 — ROI Beyond Money — Peace and Joy14:52 — Your 10-Minute ICP Exercise16:09 — Name Your Avatar and Take Action16:59 — Wrap Up and Next Time 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

  3. APR 24

    Get More Reviews with Strategies to Make It Easy

    What if the reason your side hustle isn't growing has nothing to do with your skills — and everything to do with what happens after you deliver great work? Your Google listing is a ghost town. Two reviews, one of them your uncle. Sound familiar? The good news: getting five-star reviews isn't about being pushy or salesy. It's about timing, simplicity, and a system that takes less than 30 seconds to use. This episode breaks down exactly how to ask for reviews the right way — and how to make it so easy that people actually follow through. Highlights Reviews are the social proof that bridges your side hustle to a real, inbound businessThe #1 mistake people make is asking at the wrong moment (like when the invoice is due)Ask when the dopamine is hitting — when your client is experiencing the winReal examples: asking after a studio session, sending a first mix, or including a handwritten note with an Etsy orderIn-person ask tip: explain why reviews matter for small businesses — don't just casually throw it out thereEliminate all friction by using a direct review link from your Google Business listingA QR code by the door is a game-changer for in-person businessesTreat your review asks like an email drip — identify 2–3 moments in the client journey and ask at each oneHomework: generate your direct review link, create a QR code, and write an email template with the link already in it Chapters 0:00 — Why Reviews Matter 2:16 — Ask at the Peak Moment 3:03 — Real World Timing Examples 6:14 — Make the Ask In Person 7:41 — Remove Review Friction 8:52 — Use Links and QR Codes 11:53 — Follow Up Without Nagging 13:23 — Homework and Simple System 15:24 — 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

  4. APR 17

    Don’t Burn the Boats | Leverage Your Day Job

    What if you are thinking about your day job all wrong? Most dads building a side hustle feel the pull to go all-in — quit the job, burn the boats, and bet everything on the dream. But that impulse, as exciting as it sounds, could be the very thing that kills the business before it has a chance to breathe. Your nine-to-five isn't your enemy. It's your greatest asset. It's the venture capital funding your future, the shield protecting your family, and the reason you get to say no to the wrong clients. The path to freedom isn't reckless — it's strategic. Let's reframe everything. Highlights Why "burning the boats" is less brave and more careless — and what to do insteadHow your day job gives you the power to say no to nightmare clientsThe financial safety net that allows you to experiment, pivot, and innovate without pressureWhy innovation requires low stakes — and how a nine-to-five creates that spaceThe danger of "golden handcuffs" and how to escape them on your own termsHow to define your personal "launch number" so leaving feels intentional, not impulsiveBryan's personal story: the moment his daughter's words changed everythingHow Bryan and his wife Abby paid off all debt — including their mortgage — before he made the leapThe mindset shift from seeing your job as a cage to seeing it as a launchpad Chapters 0:00 – Burn the Boats Myth 2:09 – Day Job as Shield 5:31 – Experiment Without Pressure 8:30 – Escape Golden Handcuffs 10:19 – Set Your Launch Number 11:02 – Family-Driven Milestones 13:30 – Be Strategic, Not Impulsive 15:23 – 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

  5. APR 10

    Making Your First Dollar: Embracing Sales and Taking Action

    What's standing between you and your first paying customer? You've put in the work. You've served your beta clients, collected your reviews, and proven you can deliver. Now it's time to stop practicing and start getting paid. This episode is graduation day, and it's time to take those receipts and turn them into real revenue. Whether you're building a service business or selling a physical product, the path to your first dollar is closer than you think, and it starts with the people already in your corner. HIGHLIGHTS • Why your beta clients are the easiest first paying customers — and how to approach them without the awkward money conversation • The one question that removes pressure from your sales pitch: "Who do you know?" • How to use a warm introduction to instantly build credibility with someone who's never heard of you • Why you need a before-and-after post on Facebook and LinkedIn (and you don't need a website to do it) • The best platforms to sell physical products (Etsy, eBay, Facebook Marketplace) — and why you shouldn't build your own store yet • The "gut check": why selling at a farmer's market or craft fair can be a massive mindset shift for new entrepreneurs • The 90-day rule: how long to commit to one approach before you pivot • Why celebrating small wins — even a $5 sale — is essential to long-term momentum • Done is better than perfect: why your minimum viable product is already good enough to sell CHAPTERS 0:00 – Graduation Day Mindset 0:19 – Service Business First Clients 1:01 – Warm Referrals: Who Do You Know? 3:08 – Ask for Introductions 4:46 – Show Social Proof Posts 8:08 – Embrace Sales Discomfort 9:49 – Product Business Selling Channels 12:41 – In Person Markets: The Gut Check 15:56 – 90 Day Consistency & Pivot 18:05 – Celebrate First Dollar Wins 19:50 – Done Beats Perfect 20:51 – Final Pep Talk & Next Steps RESOURCES MENTIONED • Etsy – https://www.etsy.com • eBay – https://www.ebay.com • Facebook Marketplace – https://www.facebook.com/marketplace • Episode 5: Prove Your Worth: Building a Solid Portfolio | https://thesidehustle.dad/5 • Squarespace – https://www.squarespace.com • Facebook – https://www.facebook.com • LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com 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.

    22 min

  6. EPISODE 1

    Build A Side-Hustle, Without Sacrificing Your Family

    Want to build financial freedom and legacy for your family? Join us every episode as we explore the mindset, strategy and tactics of a profitable side-hustle. Build your business without sacrificing your family.

    1 min

  7. APR 3

    Avoid Tax Season Chaos: Set Up Business Finances for Success

    What if the one thing standing between you and tax season chaos is something you could set up in 10 minutes for free? Running a side hustle without a dedicated bank account is like trying to run a business out of your back pocket — everything gets tangled, confusing, and expensive come April. The single non-negotiable for every business, no matter how small, is a separate checking account just for your business. It doesn't matter if you're a sole proprietor making a few hundred dollars a month or scaling toward something bigger — this one move brings clarity, protects your personal finances, and shifts your mindset from "person with a hobby" to business owner. HIGHLIGHTS Every business — from a tiny side hustle to a large enterprise — needs its own dedicated bank accountYou do NOT need an LLC, an EIN, or a fancy business account to get started — a second personal checking account works perfectlyKeeping business and personal expenses separate creates a "firewall" that makes tax season dramatically simplerRouting all payments (PayPal, Venmo, Stripe, etc.) to one account keeps your financial picture clean and easy to auditNever spend personal money directly from your business account — always transfer to your personal account first, then spendA separate account creates a mental shift: you stop treating your business like a hobby and start acting like an ownerIt should cost you nothing — look for a free account that fits your needsComplexity is the enemy of execution: keep it simple and get started now CHAPTERS 0:00 – Introduction: There Is One Absolute in Business 0:19 – Welcome & Why This Episode Is Different 1:08 – Tax Season Receipt Chaos 1:52 – The One Must-Have: A Separate Business Account 2:27 – Mindset Shift: From Hobbyist to Owner 3:26 – Easy Setup — No LLC Needed 4:43 – Creating a Firewall for Clarity and Taxes 6:26 – How to Open the Account 7:35 – Route All Payments to One Place 8:52 – Pay Yourself the Right Way 9:45 – Stop Overthinking — Just Start 10:44 – Wrap Up & Listener Requests RESOURCES MENTIONED PayPal Venmo Stripe  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.

    12 min

  8. MAR 27

    The "Fraud" in the Mirror

    That voice in your head that says you're not qualified enough, not experienced enough, or not successful enough to put yourself out there? It has a name: imposter syndrome. And it shows up for almost everyone — even the most seasoned CEOs. A 2024 Korn Ferry study found that 71% of CEOs report feeling like an imposter. If it's happening at the top, it's definitely happening to the rest of us. The good news? There are practical strategies to push back against it and keep moving forward. From reframing what it means to be an "expert," to building a file of your wins, to getting around the right people — you have more than enough to work with. You don't have to wait until you've "arrived." Highlights 71% of CEOs report experiencing imposter syndrome (Korn Ferry, 2024)You don't have to be the best in the world — you just have to be two steps ahead of the person you're helpingThe "barrel of monkeys" framework: your job is to get someone to the next step, not pull them all the way to the topReal talk from helping a local musician who later appeared on The VoiceBuild an evidence folder: screenshots, reviews, emails, and testimonials to revisit when doubt creeps inCommunity is a secret weapon — surrounding yourself with other entrepreneurs pours courage into youYou are the average of the five people you spend the most time with — choose your circle intentionally Chapters 0:00 – Introduction & Story Setup 1:19 – The Doubt Shows Up 2:15 – Imposter Syndrome Stats 3:15 – Redefine the Expert 4:44 – Two Steps Ahead Story 7:03 – Keep an Evidence Folder 9:28 – Power of Community 10:00 – Program Acceptance Lesson 12:50 – Three Tips Recap 13:36 – Final Encouragement & Share Resources Mentioned Korn Ferry 2024 CEO Imposter Syndrome Study — Research finding that 71% of CEOs report feeling like an imposterBe 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
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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
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © (c) 2026 Bryan Steele
  • Show Website
    The Side-Hustle Dad