189 episodes
The Thought Leader Club | Content Creation & Personal Brand Strategy For Side Hustles and Entrepreneurs Cheryl Lau
-
- Business
-
-
4.7 • 14 Ratings
-
This thought leadership podcast is for online entrepreneurs, personal brands, and side hustlers who are ready to increase their visibility, build an audience, and become a recognized name in their industry.
You will learn how to make money online and be a consistent and prolific content creator as a service-based entrepreneur, coach, podcaster, author, or speaker. Do all this while maintaining work-life balance so you can quit traditional career paths (and what others expect of you) in order to pave something truly exceptional.
In each episode, thought leadership coach Cheryl Lau shares candid lessons, thought-provoking perspectives, and actionable tips and strategies to build a body of work that lets you grow a successful online business and create a lucrative personal brand.
I want to help you grow your online business, provide value to your clients, and work through any insecurities that come up in your entrepreneur journey. It’s time to start taking inspired, consistent, and prolific action and become known for your unique thought leadership, ideas, story, and expertise.
About Your Host
I’ve quit two prestigious career paths (law school and PhD/academia) to pave my own entrepreneurial career. I literally went from being the Asian parent’s dream child to their biggest disappointment.
Yet, since starting my business and brand in 2019, I’ve forged a new path and created a business & career that not only makes me proud… but also makes my parents proud.
In just a few years, I’ve been featured on the TODAY Online, spoken on the CNA 938 radio, and have held workshops for the University of Toronto - Victoria College, the Tzu Chi Humanistic Youth Center, and the Asian Wander Women to name a few. My podcast, The Side Hustle Club (Now known as The Thought Leader Club), was also the recipient of the 2023 Golden Crane Award (from the Asian American Podcasters Association).
All of this was only possible because I put myself out there and am now known for my unique thought leadership, I’ve built a body of work that compels best-fit clients to work with me, and I’ve ultimately built a business & career that I’m so, so proud of. I’m ready to help you do the same.
Your Next Steps
Join us in the next cohort of the Thought Leader Club - A 4-month weekly 1:1 and community program. This is THE room to:
✨ Start putting in the reps to create your thought leader career and become prolific and consistent at building thought leadership.
✨ Build a body of work that lets you become known for your unique thought leadership, your story, and how amazing you are at what you do.
✨ And ultimately set yourself up for making your 1-3 year dreams a reality.
Details available at https://cheryltheory.com/program
We’ll then book a discovery call to make sure that the program is the best fit for you and we can onboard you as early as next week. Book a discovery call here: https://calendly.com/cheryltheory/60-minute-call
Sounds good? Awesome. Let’s get to work.
Instagram: @cheryltheory
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryllau
Website: www.cheryltheory.com
(This show is previously known as The Side Hustle Club Podcast)
-
169. How to Plan Your Week as a Full Time Entrepreneur: Chill AF Solopreneur (Part 2)
On episode 169 of The Thought Leader Club Podcast, we cover:
- What to focus on in your business as a full time business owner
- What is Pen & Paper Time, and some examples of exercise you could do today
- Cheryl’s weekly schedule breakdown as a full time entrepreneur
💻 FREE MASTERCLASS 💻
Learn the 6 tools to be prolific and consistent in your business (on just 0-2 hours a day)
Watch the training: https://cheryltheory.lpages.co/prolific/
✨ WORK WITH CHERYL ✨
1. COWORK & CHILL WITH CHERYL
A 3-month 1:1 experience where I work as your creative & strategic content partner
- It is a space where we will put our big, beautiful brains and hearts together and GET LOTS DONE quickly, efficiently, and with creativity, boldness, and impact
- It is designed to kick your ass into action, stretch your creativity and sharpen your voice, and ultimately create your best work yet week after week
Get all the details to join at: https://cheryltheory.com/ccc
2. THE THOUGHT LEADER CLUB 1:1 + COMMUNITY PROGRAM
Join us in the Thought Leader Club - A 5-month weekly 1:1 and community program
This is THE room to:
- Start putting in the reps to create your thought leader career
- Build a body of work that lets you become known for your unique thought leadership, your story, and how amazing you are at what you do
- And ultimately set yourself up for making your 1-3 year dreams a reality
Get all the details at: https://cheryltheory.com/tlc
3. BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL for coaching at: https://cheryltheory.com/discovery
We will get crystal clear on whether coaching together is the next best move for you. The discovery call is where we will have a conversation about
👀 What are your dreams in the next 1-3 years
👀 The coaching, skills, and actions you need to make these dreams happen, and
👀 How coaching will support and guide you with all the above
You can schedule a discovery call here: https://cheryltheory.com/discovery
✉️ AWESOME NEWSLETTER ✉️
Join us here: https://cheryltheory.com/email
- Honest lessons, behind-the-scenes, and insights about building an online business and creating your dream life & career
- Practical tips & helpful insights for entrepreneurs, content creators, & thought leaders
- And other fun musings, cat memes, and wholesome vibes ✨✨✨
🌏 LET’S STAY CONNECTED 🌏
Website: http://cheryltheory.com
Instagram: @cheryltheory
LinkedIn: @cheryllau
Email: hello@cheryltheory.com
👀 ASK ME A QUESTION ANONYMOUSLY 👀
https://forms.gle/noMb17UAdMcUY5RG7
I’ll answer your question in a future podcast, email, Instagram post, or LinkedIn post :) -
168. How to Plan Your Week as a Side Hustler: Chill AF Solopreneur (Part 1)
On episode 168 of The Thought Leader Club Podcast, we cover:
- What do you need to do for your business this week?
- What support, coaching, tools, habits, etc do you need in place to facilitate you taking action on your business this week?
- Cheryl’s weekly schedule breakdown as a side hustler
💻 FREE MASTERCLASS 💻
Learn the 6 tools to be prolific and consistent in your business (on just 0-2 hours a day)
Watch the training: https://cheryltheory.lpages.co/prolific/
✨ WORK WITH CHERYL ✨
1. COWORK & CHILL WITH CHERYL
A 3-month 1:1 experience where I work as your creative & strategic content partner
- It is a space where we will put our big, beautiful brains and hearts together and GET LOTS DONE quickly, efficiently, and with creativity, boldness, and impact
- It is designed to kick your ass into action, stretch your creativity and sharpen your voice, and ultimately create your best work yet week after week
Get all the details to join at: https://cheryltheory.com/ccc
2. THE THOUGHT LEADER CLUB 1:1 + COMMUNITY PROGRAM
Join us in the Thought Leader Club - A 5-month weekly 1:1 and community program
This is THE room to:
- Start putting in the reps to create your thought leader career
- Build a body of work that lets you become known for your unique thought leadership, your story, and how amazing you are at what you do
- And ultimately set yourself up for making your 1-3 year dreams a reality
Get all the details at: https://cheryltheory.com/tlc
3. BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL for coaching at: https://cheryltheory.com/discovery
We will get crystal clear on whether coaching together is the next best move for you. The discovery call is where we will have a conversation about
👀 What are your dreams in the next 1-3 years
👀 The coaching, skills, and actions you need to make these dreams happen, and
👀 How coaching will support and guide you with all the above
You can schedule a discovery call here: https://cheryltheory.com/discovery
✉️ AWESOME NEWSLETTER ✉️
Join us here: https://cheryltheory.com/email
- Honest lessons, behind-the-scenes, and insights about building an online business and creating your dream life & career
- Practical tips & helpful insights for entrepreneurs, content creators, & thought leaders
- And other fun musings, cat memes, and wholesome vibes ✨✨✨
🌏 LET’S STAY CONNECTED 🌏
Website: http://cheryltheory.com
Instagram: @cheryltheory
LinkedIn: @cheryllau
Email: hello@cheryltheory.com
👀 ASK ME A QUESTION ANONYMOUSLY 👀
https://forms.gle/noMb17UAdMcUY5RG7
I’ll answer your question in a future podcast, email, Instagram post, or LinkedIn post :) -
167. Being Successful in Business & Life as an Asian Woman Entrepreneur
Whether you’re thinking of quitting a high paying job, starting a business, or wanting to become a successful content creator, there’s probably a lot of pressure on you to stay in a traditional career path and NOT pursue your big, audacious dreams… Especially if you’re an Asian woman.
Growing up with Asian parents taught us to work hard and aim to become a doctor, lawyer, engineer, or banker… Otherwise, you’re a failure.
In this episode, we cover:
- How to balance what your Asian immigrant parents want versus what you truly want
- Cheryl's story of quitting law school, quitting PhD, and building my own entrepreneurial career
- Taking responsibility over your decisions, even if your Asian parents don't support you
Read the full blog post: https://cheryltheory.com/episode-167
🎙️ LISTEN TO THESE EPISODES NEXT 🎙️
Episode 147. Quitting Law School & PhD, Dealing with Asian Parents, and Redefining Success (Link: https://cheryltheory.com/episode-147)
Ep 137. The 2023 Golden Crane Awards for Asian Podcasters (Part 1) (Link: https://cheryltheory.com/episode-137)
Episode 83. What My Non-Entrepreneur Parents Taught Me That Made Me a Better Entrepreneur (Link: https://cheryltheory.com/episode-83)
💻 FREE MASTERCLASS 💻
Learn the 6 tools to be prolific and consistent in your business (on just 0-2 hours a day)
Watch the training: https://cheryltheory.lpages.co/prolific/
✨ WORK WITH CHERYL ✨
1. COWORK & CHILL WITH CHERYL
A 3-month 1:1 experience where I work as your creative & strategic content partner
- It is a space where we will put our big, beautiful brains and hearts together and GET LOTS DONE quickly, efficiently, and with creativity, boldness, and impact
- It is designed to kick your ass into action, stretch your creativity and sharpen your voice, and ultimately create your best work yet week after week
Get all the details to join at: https://cheryltheory.com/ccc
2. THE THOUGHT LEADER CLUB 1:1 + COMMUNITY PROGRAM
Join us in the Thought Leader Club - A 5-month weekly 1:1 and community program
This is THE room to:
- Start putting in the reps to create your thought leader career
- Build a body of work that lets you become known for your unique thought leadership, your story, and how amazing you are at what you do
- And ultimately set yourself up for making your 1-3 year dreams a reality
Get all the details at: https://cheryltheory.com/tlc
3. BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL for coaching at: https://cheryltheory.com/discovery
We will get crystal clear on whether coaching together is the next best move for you. The discovery call is where we will have a conversation about
👀 What are your dreams in the next 1-3 years
👀 The coaching, skills, and actions you need to make these dreams happen, and
👀 How coaching will support and guide you with all the above
You can schedule a discovery call here: https://cheryltheory.com/discovery
✉️ AWESOME NEWSLETTER ✉️
Join us here: https://cheryltheory.com/email
- Honest lessons, behind-the-scenes, and insights about building an online business and creating your dream life & career
- Practical tips & helpful insights for entrepreneurs, content creators, & thought leaders
- And other fun musings, cat memes, and wholesome vibes ✨✨✨
🌏 LET’S STAY CONNECTED 🌏
Website: http://cheryltheory.com
Instagram: @cheryltheory
LinkedIn: @cheryllau
Email: hello@cheryltheory.com
👀 ASK ME A QUESTION ANONYMOUSLY 👀
https://forms.gle/noMb17UAdMcUY5RG7
I’ll answer your question in a future podcast, email, Instagram post, or LinkedIn post :) -
BONUS Q&A Episode: Feeling Behind or Anxious, How to Start Building a Body of Work, and Best Advice for New Entrepreneurs
In this BONUS Q&A episode, I answer the following questions:
What is your weekly (or monthly) content creation routine? (Ex. 2 instagram posts, 3 stories, 1 podcast and 1 email)? What’s the best piece of advice you either were given or you learned along the way that would be helpful for someone new to entrepreneurship? I am not yet exactly sure what is it that I want to be know for? How can I start building a body of work? Did you have this feeling of feeling behind in life? If yes, how do you deal with it? How can we keep training our minds with positive thoughts so anxiety will slow down?
💻 FREE MASTERCLASS 💻
Learn the 6 tools to be prolific and consistent in your business (on just 0-2 hours a day)
Watch the training: https://cheryltheory.lpages.co/prolific/
✨ WORK WITH CHERYL ✨
1. COWORK & CHILL WITH CHERYL
A 3-month 1:1 experience where I work as your creative & strategic content partner
- It is a space where we will put our big, beautiful brains and hearts together and GET LOTS DONE quickly, efficiently, and with creativity, boldness, and impact
- It is designed to kick your ass into action, stretch your creativity and sharpen your voice, and ultimately create your best work yet week after week
Get all the details to join at: https://cheryltheory.com/ccc
2. THE THOUGHT LEADER CLUB 1:1 + COMMUNITY PROGRAM
Join us in the Thought Leader Club - A 5-month weekly 1:1 and community program
This is THE room to:
- Start putting in the reps to create your thought leader career
- Build a body of work that lets you become known for your unique thought leadership, your story, and how amazing you are at what you do
- And ultimately set yourself up for making your 1-3 year dreams a reality
Get all the details at: https://cheryltheory.com/tlc
3. BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL for coaching at: https://cheryltheory.com/discovery
We will get crystal clear on whether coaching together is the next best move for you. The discovery call is where we will have a conversation about
👀 What are your dreams in the next 1-3 years
👀 The coaching, skills, and actions you need to make these dreams happen, and
👀 How coaching will support and guide you with all the above
You can schedule a discovery call here: https://cheryltheory.com/discovery
✉️ AWESOME NEWSLETTER ✉️
Join us here: https://cheryltheory.com/email
- Honest lessons, behind-the-scenes, and insights about building an online business and creating your dream life & career
- Practical tips & helpful insights for entrepreneurs, content creators, & thought leaders
- And other fun musings, cat memes, and wholesome vibes ✨✨✨
🌏 LET’S STAY CONNECTED 🌏
Website: http://cheryltheory.com
Instagram: @cheryltheory
LinkedIn: @cheryllau
Email: hello@cheryltheory.com
👀 ASK ME A QUESTION ANONYMOUSLY 👀
https://forms.gle/noMb17UAdMcUY5RG7
I’ll answer your question in a future podcast, email, Instagram post, or LinkedIn post :)
-
166. Building a Sustainable Thought Leader Business & Being a Relaxed Solopreneur: 5 Lessons from 5 Years
In the past 5 years, I’ve learned many core lessons on how to build thought leadership and be a successful solopreneur. These lessons allowed me to not just quit my job (PhD) and make money online through my coaching business, but also create work life balance and build my dream lifestyle as a solopreneur & podcaster.
On episode 166 of The Thought Leader Club Podcast, we cover:
- How to be committed and consistent
- How to own your insecurities
- Express, not impress
- Learning the lessons necessary for shaping you to become the entrepreneur you’re meant to be
- Time will pass… So what are you going to do with this time?
Read the full blog post: https://cheryltheory.com/episode-166
🎙️LISTEN TO THESE EPISODES NEXT 🎙️
Episode 162. 6 Stages of Building a Successful Thought Leader Strategy & Personal Brand Business (Link: https://cheryltheory.com/episode-162)
Episode 160. 4 Steps to Plan Your Thought Leadership Strategy (Link: https://cheryltheory.com/episode-160)
Episode 139. The 3 Stages of Thought Leadership in Your Business (Link: https://cheryltheory.com/episode-139)
💻 FREE MASTERCLASS 💻
Learn the 6 tools to be prolific and consistent in your business (on just 0-2 hours a day)
Watch the training: https://cheryltheory.lpages.co/prolific/
✨ WORK WITH CHERYL ✨
1. COWORK & CHILL WITH CHERYL
A 3-month 1:1 experience where I work as your creative & strategic content partner
- It is a space where we will put our big, beautiful brains and hearts together and GET LOTS DONE quickly, efficiently, and with creativity, boldness, and impact
- It is designed to kick your ass into action, stretch your creativity and sharpen your voice, and ultimately create your best work yet week after week
Get all the details to join at: https://cheryltheory.com/ccc
2. THE THOUGHT LEADER CLUB 1:1 + COMMUNITY PROGRAM
Join us in the Thought Leader Club - A 5-month weekly 1:1 and community program
This is THE room to:
- Start putting in the reps to create your thought leader career
- Build a body of work that lets you become known for your unique thought leadership, your story, and how amazing you are at what you do
- And ultimately set yourself up for making your 1-3 year dreams a reality
Get all the details at: https://cheryltheory.com/tlc
3. BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL for coaching at: https://cheryltheory.com/discovery
We will get crystal clear on whether coaching together is the next best move for you. The discovery call is where we will have a conversation about
👀 What are your dreams in the next 1-3 years
👀 The coaching, skills, and actions you need to make these dreams happen, and
👀 How coaching will support and guide you with all the above
You can schedule a discovery call here: https://cheryltheory.com/discovery
✉️ AWESOME NEWSLETTER ✉️
Join us here: https://cheryltheory.com/email
- Honest lessons, behind-the-scenes, and insights about building an online business and creating your dream life & career
- Practical tips & helpful insights for entrepreneurs, content creators, & thought leaders
- And other fun musings, cat memes, and wholesome vibes ✨✨✨
🌏 LET’S STAY CONNECTED 🌏
Website: http://cheryltheory.com
Instagram: @cheryltheory
LinkedIn: @cheryllau
Email: hello@cheryltheory.com
👀 ASK ME A QUESTION ANONYMOUSLY 👀
https://forms.gle/noMb17UAdMcUY5RG7
I’ll answer your question in a future podcast, email, Instagram post, or LinkedIn post :) -
165. Quit Story: Life After Prison - Taking Ownership of His Life & Career with JP Watkins
JP and I crossed paths on the internet around late 2018. He was one of my first “beta coaching clients” back then, and I always enjoyed my conversations with JP.
We lost touch over the years and reconnected in early 2024.
During our catch up, I got to hear JP’s story in more detail. And honestly, I was at loss for words.
JP’s story is filled with character and resilience, and I am beyond grateful to have him as our guest on episode 165 of The Thought Leader Club Podcast to share exactly that.
In this conversation, you’ll hear about:
What led JP to do the current work he does today, and his thoughts on the importance of confidence vs English skill when it comes to helping ESL folks
The real sh*t that JP navigated from his younger days that shaped who he’s become
I’ve always remembered JP as someone who was well spoken and would drop nuggets of wisdom - So, we also touched on why JP thinks he’s good with words
And other profound stories of resilience and taking ownership over your life’s direction
Enjoy :)
P.S. And if you loved the episode, you can 1️) Leave a 5-star rating and an awesome review, and 2️) Share the episode on your social media
About JP:
Hello I'm JP. I grew up on the wrong side of the tracks. I grew up with a single mom who raised 7 children. Childhood was challenging and I was kicked out of public schools because of my poor reputation and eventually graduated to selling drugs. By the time I was 25 years old, I had 4 children by two different women. Eventually, I got convicted of selling drugs and served a short stint in the penal system.
After I got out I was determined not to return. I volunteered as a way of "showing" rather than telling me I had changed my life around. Overtime, I earned my GED, BA, and Masters Degree. Yet, my peppered past limited my opportunities to teach at the college level even though I graduated magna cum laude with 3.8 GPA. By the grace of God I was able to do maintain good grades while often working 2 jobs, sometimes 2 full time jobs.
I was born and raised in the USA, but I currently live in the Philippines. Currently, I help diffident emerging leaders communicate with confidence and eloquence to their international colleagues. I hold a master's degree in History from The University of Akron as well as a TOEIC and multiple TEFL certifications.
I am a leadership coach, ESL teacher, self-published author of a series, public speaker, and educator with several years of experience in hiring, interpersonal skill training, confidence coaching, and supervising staff as well as teaching various topics: US History, Business Etiquette & Leadership (tactful performance conversations and conflict management scenarios), interview preparation (via mock interviews), cultural nuances about the historical social issues in USA, professional development, and personal governance.
Connect with JP:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/watkinsglobal
E-mail: jp@watkinsglobal.network
WeChat ID: WatkinsGlobo
Twitter X: WATKINS.GLOBAL
Customer Reviews
Must listen
Cheryl has such a pleasant energy and is so easy to listen to. Loving every quit story as I definitely relate! New here but based on the reviews I can tell how wonderful of a community she has built! Also love that her guests are diverse not only in industry but in cultures and backgrounds. A must listen🔥
@empowerwithem
MUST LISTEN if you want to start a side hustle
I’ve always wanted to start my own business and I didn’t think it was possible for me until I started listening to the Side Hustle Podcast in 2020. I finally went all in 2021 when I decided to join Cheryl’s coaching program and I’ve been working with her since. Cheryls podcast and coaching have been instrumental in how much I’ve grown in the past couple of years. If you want to learn how to start a business, provide value to your clients, and work through any insecurities that come up in the entrepreneur journey, do yourself a favor and subscribe to the Side Hustle Podcast!!
GOLD TO BE FOUND IN EVERY EPISODE
I’ve had the privilege and honor to work with Cheryl and while her podcast if full of value and wisdom from a life & business perspective, I can honestly say she’s also an incredible human being. I appreciate Cheryl’s simple yet powerful approach to building an authentic and values aligned business. She keeps it real and I love that about her.