Reclaim Your Professional Identity the Newsletter

Reclaim Your Professional Identity

Create Something.

Because being “always on” is not a badge of honor. There was a time when I believed exhaustion was the price of ambition. That saying yes to everything meant I was committed. That rest was earned only after collapse. I know better now. And if you’re feeling overwhelmed, distracted, or just perman...

May 31, 2025

33. Layoff Culture Resilience

Because waiting for stability is no longer a strategy. We weren’t supposed to have to think about layoffs. We were told: go to school, get a good job, stay loyal, and you’ll be safe. But today, even the most talented, loyal, high-performing professionals are vulnerable. Tech layoffs. Budget cuts....

May 24, 2025

32. Who Owns Your Professional Identity?

Hint: It should be you. At some point, many of us tie our identity to our job title, company name, or industry status. It happens quietly. A promotion feels like progress. A layoff feels like personal failure. A job title starts to feel like a personality. But here’s the truth: You are not your j...

May 17, 2025

31. The 7 Pillars We Stand On

What we believe. What we teach. What we live. Risk Free Side Huslte (rfsh.co) was built because I worked through every one of these pillars, the hard way. I’ve spent tens of thousands of dollars on coaching and education. I’ve burned out, pivoted, quit, restarted, and failed forward more times ...

May 10, 2025

30. Layoff Culture: It’s Not Personal, But It Is Your Problem

No one is immune. Not you. Not your boss. Not the star employee who just got a glowing review. The era of being rewarded for loyalty is long gone. Today, job security isn’t earned—it’s budgeted! You can do everything right and still get cut. Because behind every layoff is a spreadsheet. A formula...

May 03, 2025

29. What I’ve Learned Walking Through All Four Stages

If you’ve followed this series from the beginning, you’ve seen the full arc of the side hustle journey: Stage 0: The Pre-Commit Phase Stage 1: The Discovery Phase Stage 2: The Validation Phase Stage 3: The Growth Phase Each one comes with its own emotions, questions, and turning po...

Apr 26, 2025

28. Stage 3: The Growth Phase — When You’re In Motion, But Need to Stay Consistent

You made it through the fog of ideas. You tested something real. And now—it’s working. You’ve entered Stage 3: The Growth Phase. This is where your side hustle shifts from “something I’m trying” to “something I’m building.” You’re showing up consistently. You’ve seen results—maybe small, maybe bi...

Apr 19, 2025

27. Stage 2: The Validation Phase — When You’re Excited, but Overwhelmed

So, you picked an idea. You’ve taken some small steps. Maybe you shared it with a friend, wrote a blog post, made an Instagram account, or even built a basic offer. You’re not just thinking about it anymore—you’re doing it. Welcome to Stage 2: The Validation Phase. This is where the side hustle s...

Apr 12, 2025

26. Stage 1: The Discovery Phase — When You’ve Got Ideas, But Don’t Know Where to Start

You’ve passed Stage 0. You’re no longer just thinking about starting something—you’re ready to explore. Your brain’s buzzing with ideas, possibilities, and maybe even a few domain names. But now? You’re stuck. This is Stage 1: The Discovery Phase—the point where most would-be side hustlers stall ...

Apr 05, 2025

25. Stage 0: The Pre-Commit Phase — When You’re Not Quite Ready (But Still Thinking About It)

You’re not lazy. You’re not behind. You’re not “missing your moment.” You’re just in Stage 0—the phase that comes before the hustle begins. This is where a lot of people stall out—not because they don’t have potential, but because they’re not sure how (or when) to begin. And that’s okay. What i...

Mar 29, 2025

24. The Four Stages of Side Hustling (and Why They Matter)

You’ve probably felt it. That itch to create something of your own. To explore an idea that’s been sitting in the back of your mind for months (or years). To finally try that “thing” you keep thinking about when your day job winds down. That’s the pull of a side hustle. But here’s the truth: most...

Mar 22, 2025

23. Finding the Right Market Fit: How to Ensure Demand for Your Side Hustle

Welcome to the final article in this 10-part series on the 'perceived risks' of starting a Side Hustle. Throughout this series we've been hitting the concerns you might have with building your own brand head on! For other articles in this series, please see the list at the bottom. Happy reading!!...

Mar 15, 2025

1 2 3