Every Day I'm Hustlin’: What I’ve Learned from Embracing the Side Hustle

Welcome to September’s Monthly Hustle. Last month I took some much-needed time off, but now a new month is here and I’m back with a vengeance! There have been some exciting things going on behind the scenes at Let’s Talk Supply Chain, our Secret Society of Supply Chain community is growing by the day – and it’s got me thinking about the different (and sometimes crazy!) experiences that led to the creation of my businesses, and my ideas and inspirations.??

One of my absolute favorite pieces of advice is to try different things. To see what you like to do and what you don’t; what you’re good at – and what you’re not! When I talk to women on my Women in Supply Chain series, this approach (whether conscious or just serendipitous) has often been absolutely central to their career growth and personal journeys. It’s great to have a vision or goal but, as recent guest Josephine Coombe so wisely said:

“Allowing a little bit of the unexpected can take you down paths that are very positive.”?

And that has really been key to my journey as well. I’ve taken weird and wonderful opportunities abroad; thrown myself into situations that scared me; and learned the importance of failure. And all of that has led me to who I am now. Because there are no shortcuts. You don’t get to the destination without going on the journey, right?!

But I do appreciate that this type of experimentation isn’t easy. It takes time, which not everybody has the luxury of. And, in this climate, most people really can’t afford to take risks with their time, or careers.?

So that’s where the side hustle comes in.?

I know, I know. The rise of the side hustle has been arguably controversial, especially for us slightly older folks, as it’s been closely linked with Gen Z culture and largely immersed in the world of social media. But side hustles have been happening for a long time, they just weren’t called side hustles. And, actually, they bring a lot of benefits – the ability to try different things, without completely disrupting your primary career, for one. Even Forbes, in an article earlier this year, said that:

“The rise of side hustles is more than just a trend; it's a reflection of the changing dynamics in the workforce and a shift towards more flexible and diversified career paths.”

I couldn’t have said it better myself!?

When I read the article, it really resonated with me, and helped to reinforce my belief that trying different things is a good thing, that experimentation is not failure. So I wanted to share some of my own experiences with you – and maybe you’ll be inspired to embrace the side hustle yourself.???

For around two years, I was business manager for Inspire Cosmetics. And cosmetics was never the plan! Don’t get me wrong, I love a bit of luxury and retail therapy, but I also play baseball and video games. It’s not like I’m a massive girly girl. But, in the spirit of finding out what I am and am not good at, I went for it. I helped them win a contract to be the makeup provider for the Toronto Argonauts cheerleading team, helped with business strategy, and worked trade shows. Cheerleaders don’t play a huge role in my career now, but business strategy and trade shows sure do!?

I also created a monthly subscription model for the brand, all for free. Now, I know what you’re thinking. Sarah: You talk all the time about women NOT doing things for free.? I know, it’s a lesson I’ve learned the hard way – which is why I’m so vocal about it now! When we work for free, or offer free membership groups and things like that, we actually make it harder for everyone else around us to make money, and for the next generation coming up behind us to charge for their worth and value.?

But, the point is – and one of the big benefits of side hustles – through that experience, I learned a lot about myself, about business, about the power of money. And about how to handle myself in front of the camera, which has come in pretty handy…!??

That experience was also part of what helped to cultivate my innate entrepreneurial spirit. Inspired, I founded Sarah, Caroline and Co, a brand that started as a makeup line for athletes (because ladies, we need something sweatproof when we’re going hard on the field!) That ended up being one of my first forays into collaboration and brand partnerships, as we worked with other brands to create an online marketplace for athletes. And, during that time, I also created an AWS-style distribution model so we didn’t have to buy and hold inventory – logistics always finding its way in!

Back in 2010, my brother and I traveled to Costa Rica. We had a business idea to offer furniture packages for new home builds in the area. It never got off the ground, but we met some incredible people, soaked up the culture, and had an experience I’ll never forget. Just because this side hustle never got hustling, doesn’t mean it didn’t bring value.

Around that time I also designed, and received a patent for, a frame kit that hangs on the ugly mirror we’ve all had in our bathroom at one time or another! There’s only one other competitor in the market, and I spent a lot of time finding manufacturers, designing the product, and getting the patent, but I just never found the time to build the brand and move it forward.?

More recently, I found myself really wanting to get into tech. After working in logistics (in my family’s 3PL), and learning so much about the technology side through LTSC, I was brimming with ideas. Knowing how fractured the industry has historically been, I wanted to build a collaborative platform to bring all parties together effectively. I built a board of advisors, had a business partner who knew the tech side inside out. And the idea was strong – we won awards before the platform was even fully launched. We’d built a promising brand that people recognized and were excited about. But tech is notoriously hard, and it became clearer and clearer that, if this was going to be a success, it could no longer be a side hustle. I knew that at some point I’d have to choose between Shipz and Let’s Talk Supply Chain.??

In the end, the universe made the decision for me. Unfortunately, my business partner had a heart attack and bypass surgery at the same time that Let’s Talk Supply Chain was really taking off and I couldn’t manage both. I sold the brand, but in the end the contract fell through (so I’m open to offers if you’re interested in acquiring a five letter domain {shipz.com} and a budding brand with tons of market opportunity!) This is one of the sadder experiences of my journey – the side hustle that got away – but, again, I learned a lot. And the experience of trying to build a tech company has helped me to relate to many of my guests on LTSC.?

Over the years I’ve even worked with a creative team on a few different brands with reality TV stars and Shark Tank products. All in all, I’ve had more than my fair share of side hustles! But that’s my nature. And the universe always has a plan in place. I love that I’ve been through all those experiences, and I know I’m on my path.?

Honestly, side hustles can be expensive. I’ve spent a lot of money over the years on each one, some of them didn’t make the money back. And, in the case of Shipz, side hustles can divide your focus and prevent certain opportunities from realizing their full potential.?

But ultimately: I think they’re worth it. Side hustles help you learn so much about yourself and what you’re capable of. You learn to fail, and then reframe how you see failure. You learn the types of people you want to work with, and the ones you don’t. You build character and leadership skills, and discover whether, when the chips are down, entrepreneurship is really for you.?

So, the next time you’re day-dreaming and a great idea flickers across your mind, or a friend or colleague asks you to join them in a new opportunity, why not take the chance and say yes? Because we all need a little more hustle in our lives.?

"Hustle beats talent when talent doesn't hustle." - Ross Simmonds

Sarah?

Join me and other industry leaders at the Women In Supply Chain Forum in Atlanta, GA this November! This event brings women together to discuss mentorship, self-advocacy, collaboration, closing the gender gap, and what it takes to move the needle and pave the way for future female leaders in logistics ????

You can get 20% off the registration rate when you use this promo code at checkout: LTSC24VIP