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

    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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. May 8

    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) - https://share.honeybook.com/bryan3789264Pipedrive — 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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
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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
    17
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © (c) 2026 Bryan Steele
  • Show Website
    The Side-Hustle Dad