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

    “I Need You to Stop”: What to Do When Your Wife Pulls the Emergency Brake

    What happens when your wife looks at you across the kitchen table and says, "I need you to stop"? You set up an emergency brake before starting your side hustle — and now she's pulled it. Do you fight it, ignore it, or lean into it? When you're building a side hustle, you cast a vision for financial freedom and a better future for your family. But what about the hard seasons you didn't plan for? The moments when the business is costing more than money — it's costing your presence, your time, your marriage. This is the first in a series of episodes tackling the difficult scenarios side-hustle dads face, and today we're walking through exactly what to do when the emergency brake gets pulled. Highlights The emergency brake isn't a failure — it's the safety net you built working exactly as designedShe's not pulling the brake on you; she's pulling it for you, as an outside observer seeing what you can'tWhat she's really communicating: you are more valuable elsewhere — as a husband, as a fatherResentment creeps in slowly; the brake gives you a chance to stop it before it's too latePersonal story: pulling the brake on a T-shirt business when it drained the family instead of enriching itFirst-hour response: close the laptop, then say three sentences — "You're right, thank you for telling me, and I'm stopping"Day one: message all clients transparently, then fully engage with your family during the hours you'd normally be workingDay two: start the hard conversation — ask what's been hardest on her, and don't get defensiveAfter 48 hours: rebuild the plan — reconsider hours, rates, automation, or even whether to continue at allGive the emergency brake back before you restart, with new boundaries in writingThis might not be about the side hustle — if the issue is systemic, seek professional counselingChapters 0:00 — Emergency Brake Moment1:30 — Why Stopping Is Safety3:40 — What She Is Protecting5:29 — Get Curious Not Defensive6:25 — Personal Story: T-Shirt Stop8:00 — First Hour: Close Laptop10:31 — Day One: Clients and Family12:27 — Day Two: Hard Conversation14:31 — Rebuild Plan and Boundaries17:22 — Bigger Than Side Hustle18:27 — 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.

  2. Oct 16

    Stop Building DoorDash’s Business. Start Building Yours.

    Ever wonder why some people spend years grinding on side gigs but never seem to get ahead — while others turn the same amount of spare time into a real business that builds wealth? Two dads, same Saturday night, two very different outcomes two years later. One has a lot of miles on his car. The other might have a business that's changing his family's future. The difference isn't effort — it's what you're building. Gig apps and side hustles often get lumped together, but they are fundamentally different paths. Gigs trade your hours for someone else's growth. A side hustle lets you keep the value, the customers, the brand, and eventually, an asset you could sell. I should know — I built my podcast business during a COVID furlough instead of chasing quick dollars, and it's now one of my main income sources. Let's break down why the path you choose matters more than how hard you work. Highlights Whose business are you building? Gig apps own the customer, the brand, the pricing, and the reviews. You bring the labor and the time — that's it.The algorithm sets your ceiling. You can only drive so many hours or complete so many tasks. There's no leverage, no equity, and no asset to show for it.There's always an owner-based alternative. DoorDash errands can become a local delivery service on retainer. Fiverr design work can become your own client roster. Task-app handyman work can become a neighborhood business with repeat customers.Side hustles compound. You own the customer, set the price, collect Google reviews, delegate work, and eventually build something you can sell.My COVID origin story. Instead of picking up gig work during a furlough, I spent that time building a podcast business — pricing, website, logo, outreach. It didn't pay on day one, but it's now a primary income source.The decision framework. If your time horizon is one month, grab the quick dollar. If it's longer, build the side hustle. Gigs can be a transition, not a destination.Weekly challenge. Write down three things people already ask you for help with, circle one, and go talk to a potential customer about it. Chapters 0:00 — Two Dads Two Paths 1:20 — Gig Economy Trap 2:07 — No Control No Leverage 3:50 — Build Your Own Service 5:51 — Side Hustle Compounds 7:22 — Podcast Business Origin 9:10 — Gig vs Hustle Checklist 10:25 — Choose Your Time Horizon 11:53 — Weekly Challenge Action 12:44 — Legacy and Wrap Up Resources The $100 Startup by Chris GuillebeauBe 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. Oct 9

    Is a Side-Hustle Risky? Not How You Think

    We're told the secure path is school, a good job with benefits, and a retirement plan. But how much control do you really have over that one income stream? When a single email about "workforce reductions" can upend everything, maybe it's time to rethink what risk actually looks like. This episode reframes the conversation around side hustles and risk. Starting a business on the side isn't about gambling your family's future — it's about diversification. It's about building something that gives you flexibility, options, and a safety net that doesn't depend on one company's quarterly results. We cover why a W2 can be far more uncertain than it feels, how a side hustle cushions you against layoffs and life changes, and practical steps to start lean without putting everything on the line. Highlights The 2008 recession story: living through layoffs as a young engineer and the fear of losing it allWhy a W2 job carries hidden risk — you don't control the outcome of the business you work forHow loyalty has changed on both the employer and employee sides over the last few generationsSide hustle as diversification: even 500–1,000/month in side income changes your optionsThe freedom to fail safely — why running it on the side gives you room to learn and growYou're not starting from zero: customers, skills, and a network outside your day jobNegotiating differently when one employer isn't your only optionPractical risk management: keep your day job, set a stop-loss timeline, start lean, separate bank accounts, get paid up frontA real failure story: the T-shirt drop-shipping business that didn't work out — and why that's okayYou don't need 20 hours a week — five hours is enough to start building something realChapters 0:00 — Intro 0:19 — Why today's topic shifted to the mentality behind side hustles 0:48 — The 2008 recession: fear and uncertainty in a W2 job 4:24 — What if we've been measuring risk wrong? 4:41 — Where the real risk lives: your day job 5:02 — You don't control the outcome at your W2 6:22 — How loyalty has dropped on both sides 6:45 — Capitalism, priorities, and why jobs can be uncertain 8:38 — The side hustle as diversification and room to fail 11:08 — Security isn't one big income 11:25 — How to shrink the risks of starting 12:04 — Create boundaries and a stop-loss number 12:11 — Start lean, separate your money, get paid up front 14:38 — It's okay if it fails: the T-shirt business story 15:23 — Protecting family time while building on the side 18:13 — Wrap-up and what's coming next week 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. Oct 2

    Get Paid on Time Without the Awkward Follow-Up

    Ever sent a fifth follow-up email about an unpaid invoice and wondered if you signed up to be a freelancer or a debt collector? You did the work. You delivered the results. And now you're the one chasing payments. It doesn't have to be that way. This is the third and final installment of our automation series, and today we're closing the loop — building a payment collection system that runs without you. The goal is simple: standardize everything, automate the reminders, and remove every ounce of friction so your clients can pay you with zero effort on either side. Because you are not a bill collector, and the less time you spend hunting down payments, the more time you have for the work that actually matters. Highlights Why you should pick one payment tool and stick with it — no mixing Venmo, PayPal, and StripeHow to build a single invoice template you can send in under five minutesTurning on automatic payment reminders so the software does the chasing, not youSetting up recurring invoices for retainers so you never touch them againTesting your own payment flow to find and eliminate friction before your clients hit itFour free invoicing platforms compared — Zoho Invoice, Wave, Square Invoices, and PayPal InvoicingWhy you should build credit card processing fees into your price instead of surprising clientsRequiring deposits before work begins to protect yourselfUsing auto-pay and milestone payments for larger projectsAutomatic late fees as a tool for urgency — and how to waive them to lead with generosityAuto-filing receipts to bookkeeping and triggering referral asks after payment Chapters 0:19 — Stop Chasing Payments 2:03 — Standardize Your Payment Tool 3:12 — Invoice Templates and Reminders 5:04 — Recurring Billing and Links 6:05 — Test for Payment Friction 7:55 — Free Invoicing Software Picks 11:40 — Fees and How to Price Them 13:33 — Level Up With Deposits 15:06 — Late Fees and Urgency 16:43 — Bookkeeping and Referral Automations 17:28 — Recap and Next Episode Resources Zoho InvoiceWaveSquare InvoicesPayPal Invoicing 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.

  5. Sep 25

    Unlock Hassle-Free Client Scheduling

    Ever lost a potential client because you took too long to respond? While you're at your day job, at your kid's game, or just living life, leads could be slipping away — and the faster you reply, the more likely you are to win their business. Today we're building on last week's intake form setup by automating the next critical step: scheduling that first meeting with a new lead. No more email ping-pong. No more chasing. Just a simple, two-step automation that captures inquiries and gets them on your calendar — even when you can't pick up the phone. Highlights Why being the first to reply can make or break whether a lead becomes a clientA simple two-step automation: form submission triggers an auto-reply email with a scheduling linkUsing Zapier or Make.com on their free tiers to set up the trigger-and-action workflowChoosing a scheduler app — Google Calendar or Calendly — both offer free tiers with a single meeting typeKeeping your discovery call to 30 minutes and using the BANT framework (budget, authority, need, timing) to qualify leadsSetting availability windows and linking your existing calendar so you're never double-bookedLeveling up: adding screening questions to the scheduler, taking deposits for paid consultationsAdvanced automations: automated follow-up emails for leads who don't book, and no-show rescheduling emails Chapters 0:19 — Intro & Recap: Last Week's Intake Form1:07 — Why Speed Matters When Responding to Leads2:07 — Automating the Scheduling Process2:36 — Setting Up Trigger & Email with Zapier or Make.com5:31 — Scheduler Apps: Google Calendar & Calendly7:01 — Setting Availability & Linking Your Calendar8:15 — Why Automated Scheduling Is So Powerful8:55 — Leveling Up: Screening Questions & Deposits10:37 — Automated Follow-Ups & No-Show Emails11:57 — Wrap-Up & What's Coming Next Week Resources Mentioned ZapierMake.comCalendlyGoogle Calendar 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.

  6. Sep 18

    Leveraging Automation: The Intake Form

    Ever lost a potential client because you couldn't respond fast enough? That's the problem we're solving with automation — and it starts with one simple intake form. When someone wants to work with you, they shouldn't have to jump through hoops or wait days for a reply. Today kicks off a new series on building automation systems for your business, and we're starting with the foundation: a single, simple form that captures every lead and puts them in one place. No more scattered messages across email, DMs, and phone calls. One front door, one auto-reply, zero missed opportunities. Plus, I'll walk you through free tools you can use to build it today — no budget required. Highlights Why doing everything manually will eventually burn you out and let leads slip through the cracksThe Saturday baseball game scenario: how delayed responses cost you real moneyThe five-question rule — why your intake form should never exceed five fields (and the first two are free: name and email)Using the BANT framework (budget, authority, need, timing) to craft your qualifying questionsMaking your form the single "front door" across every channel — website, email signature, social media, Google Business profileSetting up auto-replies on DMs and email so every inquiry gets an immediate responseConnecting form submissions to one central place (Trello or Google Sheets) as a lightweight CRMWhy you must test the form yourself before launching itFree tools that make this cost nothing: Tally and Google FormsAdvanced upgrades: conditional logic to auto-reject unqualified budgets, routing by service type, and tagging lead sources"Clarity is kindness" — how automated budget screening saves both you and the prospect from an awkward call Chapters 0:00 — Why Automation Matters 1:46 — The Intake Form Goal 2:33 — Missed Leads Scenario 4:17 — Five Questions Only 7:29 — Make It the Front Door 9:08 — Send Leads to One Place 10:04 — Test and Launch 10:40 — Free Form Tools 13:23 — Next Steps and Upgrades 16:23 — Weekly Action Plan 17:13 — Scheduling Next Week Resources TallyGoogle FormsTrelloGoogle SheetsBe 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. Sep 11

    Building Trust and Opportunities

    What if the "big break" in your business isn't actually one big moment at all — but five, six, seven quiet little ones you almost didn't notice? Today I'm walking you through two real encounters from my own week — a coffee meeting that turned into a client proposal, and a networking introduction that turned into a new lead — to show exactly how the "know, like, and trust" factor actually builds over time. I break down why there's no such thing as a magic one-and-done meeting, what the research really says about how many touchpoints it takes before someone works with you, and a full menu of free, low-cost, and bigger-budget ways you can create more of those touchpoints in your own business. Then I close with the most important question of all: are you even showing up in the right rooms? Highlights Two real stories from this week — a coffee meeting and a networking introduction — that show how "know, like, and trust" actually plays out in real timeWhy there's no magic single meeting that creates an opportunity — it's a progression of touchpointsThe truth behind the "seven touchpoints" rule (and where that number actually comes from)Research on repeated exposure, familiarity, and how long it really takes to build trust with someoneWhy follow-ups matter more than first contact — including a stat on how many replies come from follow-up emailsDifferent types of touchpoints: in-person, asymmetric, real-time, and passiveA full breakdown of free, low-cost, and higher-investment ways to build touchpoints with potential clientsWhy you need to find your ideal client's "watering holes" instead of assuming social media is the answerTactical action steps to build a repeatable follow-up system starting this week Chapters 0:00 — Plan Changed Today 1:06 — Networking Wins 3:04 — No Magic Meeting 4:06 — Seven Touchpoints Myth 8:17 — Borrowed Trust Intro 10:12 — Follow Ups Matter 11:12 — Touchpoints Types 13:11 — Free Visibility Plays 17:16 — Low Cost Connections 20:11 — Bigger Budget Options 23:24 — Find Their Watering Holes 26:44 — Systems And Action Steps 29:12 — Wrap Up And Next Series Resources Mentioned 1 Million Cups — free weekly entrepreneur networking eventJeffrey Lant — coined the "Rule of Seven" marketing conceptBNI (Business Network International)American Marketers Association Sources for Statistics Hours to make a friend — Jeffrey Hall, University of Kansas (2018): https://news.ku.edu/news/article/2018/03/06/study-reveals-number-hours-it-takes-make-friendFull study, Journal of Social and Personal Relationships: https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407518761225The 95:5 Rule — John Dawes, Ehrenberg-Bass Institute: https://johndawes.info/the-955-rule/Follow-up statistics — Belkins 2026 study (7.5M emails): https://belkins.io/blog/sales-follow-up-statisticsTrust in recommendations and podcast ad recall — Nielsen (2021): https://www.nielsen.com/insights/2021/beyond-martech-building-trust-with-consumers-and-engaging-where-sentiment-is-high/In-car listening — Edison Research, The Infinite Dial 2026: https://www.edisonresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/The-Infinite-Dial-2026-Presentation.pdfOnline reviews and AI recommendations — BrightLocal Local Consumer Review Survey 2026: https://www.brightlocal.com/research/local-consumer-review-survey/Mere exposure effect — Zajonc (1968), overview: https://sk.sagepub.com/ency/edvol/embed/socialpsychology/chpt/mere-exposure-effectMere exposure meta-analysis — Montoya et al., Psychological Bulletin (2017): https://researchportal.murdoch.edu.au/esploro/outputs/journalArticle/A-re-examination-of-the-mere-exposure/991005635870307891Thomas Smith's 1885 "20 exposures" list: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effective_frequencyJeffrey Lant's Rule of Seven: https://travelresearchonline.com/blog/index.php/2021/11/remembering-the-rule-of-7Origin of the "80% of sales need 5 follow-ups" stat — SMEI: https://smei.org/sales-statistics/ 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. Sep 4

    Master Side-Hustle Money Management with Profit First

    What if the money sitting in your business bank account isn't actually telling you the truth? A lot of side hustlers manage their income and expenses in a simple spreadsheet, but that's a far cry from an actual strategy. I break down why the traditional profit and loss statement — while necessary for taxes — is backward-looking and doesn't help you make real-time decisions about your money. I introduce a better mental model based on the "Profit First" framework, walk through the four-bucket system for every dollar you earn, and share the exact tool I use to automate the whole process so it doesn't become another chore on your to-do list. Highlights Why tracking income and expenses in a single account is simple, but not a real money strategyThe core problem with profit and loss statements: they're backward-looking and don't help day-to-day decision makingThe "Profit First" flipped equation: Sales minus Profit equals Expenses (instead of the other way around)Why you should plan to pay yourself a profit from day one, not just whatever's left overThe four buckets every dollar should be sorted into: profit, owner's compensation, tax, and operating expensesWhy side hustlers can often combine the profit and owner's compensation buckets into oneThe friction problem with manually moving money between multiple bank accountsHow automating bucket splits with a business banking app removes that frictionWhy having a real-time view of your money is more powerful than a backward-looking P&LHow this system scales as your business grows more complex (adding buckets for payroll, materials, etc.)Chapters 0:00 — Welcome 1:03 — Why P&L Falls Short 2:54 — Profit First Mindset 5:01 — Four Bucket System 6:37 — Account Friction Problem 7:47 — Automating with Novo 9:03 — Real Time Money Clarity 11:53 — Next Steps and Resources 13:43 — Wrap Up Resources Mentioned Profit First by Mike MichalowiczNovoBe 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
    36
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © (c) 2026 Bryan Steele
  • Show Website
    The Side-Hustle Dad