Monetising your passion: A Very Special Guest on Biz Kids

One of the things I’ve always loved is sharing the incredible stories of entrepreneurs, a passion that I’ve pursued for many years through the platforms I’ve created.?

From DTC Live stages and workshops that showcase the stories of eCommerce and tech entrepreneurs, to my TV show Tash Talks (which airs on Sky in partnership with Recharge, celebrating inspirational women), and of course, Biz Kids, where I bring inspirational guests to the millions of Generation Alpha kids and parents who love our platform.

This week, our 'Very Special Guest' on Biz Kids was Daniel Harvey , the CEO and founder of Passion.io , a platform that enables people to create their own apps and monetise their passions.?

Dan doesn’t often do interviews, but Biz Kids aligns with his values and experiences, so he agreed to join us to share his story.

Like so many entrepreneurs who read this newsletter, Dan’s entrepreneurial spirit flourished in childhood.?

Growing up in a village, he noticed that his peers couldn't easily access sweets during the school day. So, he came up with a solution: Dan would stop by the local shop on his way to school, take orders from classmates, and resell sweets for a profit.?

This early business taught him vital lessons about supply and demand, pricing, and customer satisfaction – all while making more than enough money to buy his own lunch and still come home with extra cash!

Dan continued to experiment with different ventures, from selling sweets to washing cars, always finding ways to make money and solve problems. These early experiences set the foundation for his current success.

Fast forward, and today, Dan’s platform empowers creators – whether they are fitness coaches, educators, artists, or brand owners – to build their own digital ecosystems.?

With 15,000 people and businesses having launched apps on Passion.io , it’s making the process simple for anyone to turn their expertise into a sustainable business.

Dan’s mission?

To help as many people as possible earn more doing what they love.

Dan’s Key Lessons for Biz Kids (and Entrepreneurs Everywhere)

Dan shared incredible lessons with the kids, and here are a few that I think are just as relevant for anyone looking to monetise their expertise and passions:

1. Monetising Your Passion

Dan emphasised the power of turning a personal passion into a profitable venture.

Whether you’re a fitness coach, an educator, or an artist, platforms like Passion.io make it possible to build an app around your expertise, engage with your audience, and generate sustainable income.

His message to the kids was clear: if you love what you do and offer something of value, there’s a way to build a business around it.

2. The Importance of Audience Retention

Capturing an audience’s attention is only the beginning. Dan explained that audience retention – keeping people engaged over time – is the true key to long-term success.

Passion.io is built around creating personalised experiences that keep audiences coming back. Whether through training programs, exclusive content, or regular updates, the goal is to build deeper relationships within your own app-based ecosystem.

3. Solving a Problem for Your Audience

A key takeaway from Dan’s talk was understanding how to solve specific problems for your target audience.

He explained how Passion.io allows creators to offer specialised knowledge, skills, or services, solving direct problems for their users and monetising that solution through streamlined apps.

The best businesses solve real pain points.

4. Adaptability Is Key

Dan's personal entrepreneurial journey wasn't always smooth.

From learning through failures like selling fake hair straighteners to building a skatepark with money earned washing cars, Dan emphasised the importance of adaptability.

As entrepreneurs, we must be ready to pivot and face challenges head-on, using each setback as a learning experience.

These aren't just lessons for kids – they're powerful takeaways for any entrepreneur looking to build a business around their passion.

Dan’s appearance couldn’t have come at a better time, as so many brands are eager to learn how to connect meaningfully with audiences while driving engagement and profitability.

Dan’s story is proof that with determination, creativity, and a passion for problem-solving, you can turn even the smallest childhood hustle into something extraordinary.

And of course, when Biz Kids launches its community hub, it will be in the form of an app – powered by Passion.io .

My TikTok week

AI already underpins so much of the operational side of my work, and I’ve often spoken about how essential AI and tech platforms are for managing the projects I’m involved in.?

Currently, I’m testing AI avatars – both of myself and using pre-made ones – across several of my businesses.

I have to say, I’m already a big fan, though I admit they are also quite amusing!

I’ll be diving deeper into the topic of AI avatars soon, but in the meantime, feel free to check out V1 of mine, which I’ve shared on TikTok, and also on Biz Kids.

It was both interesting and amusing to witness the reactions to my AI avatar. Many people can’t believe it isn’t me, especially just from watching it.

What really stood out was how naturally Gen Alpha accepted the concept.?

Their understanding of AI is incredibly sharp, largely thanks to early exposure via platforms like TikTok and YouTube, where AI-driven filters and content are part of daily interactions.

They could all instantly tell that the avatar wasn’t really me, but the digital version I’d created BUT only because they know the real me.

However, with the rapid advancements in AI, even these tech-savvy kids believe that in the not-too-distant future, “Tash” and “AI Tash” will be nearly identical.

Exciting or a bit eerie? Maybe both!

Let me know what you think!

Guess who's back! The viral pink Notting Hill sweatshirt

When in doubt, make it pink! Down in Notting Hill, our pink items are always top sellers – whether it’s our pink colour-block bags, totes with pale pink and hot pink lettering, or tie-dye pink designs.

And at The Notting Hill Company, it’s no different. Our pink hoodies and sweatshirts have gone viral and are best sellers.

I’ve always loved pink and wear a lot of it, even though there were years when I felt like I might be too old for it. Now? I love it more than ever.

Our sold-out pink sweatshirt is back in stock. This is your chance to grab one before it’s gone again.

That's it for this week!

As always, thanks for reading :)

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