How A One Person Business Owner Can Start Investing To Build Wealth
You’ve Left the 9-to-5 — What’s Next?
If you’ve clicked on this article, chances are you’ve either already left the traditional 9-to-5 life or you’re planning to. You’ve stepped into the world of being self-employed—a one-person business.
You’ve probably invested a lot of time and money into yourself to learn a trade, build a skillset, or launch your freelance service. And that investment is starting to pay off. You’re making more money. Business is moving.
But then you take a step back… and realize you haven’t been building your asset column. This is Elijah Bilel from The Side Hustler's Society and lets deep dive into it.
Not in the mood to read? Check out the video version of this below!
The Missing Piece: Building Assets That Work for You
You’ve invested in yourself—and that’s a great first step. But now it’s time to think about investing in something else: assets that generate income on their own.
These are investments that allow your money to work for you, so you’re not always trading time for dollars.
Unfortunately, many freelancers and self-employed people delay this. They keep pouring money back into their business or personal development, which is important—but never shift into true wealth-building.
Let’s fix that.
Step 1: Open a Brokerage Account
The first step to start investing is simple: open a brokerage account.
Without it, you can’t buy stocks, ETFs, or any other investment assets. This is your gateway to building that asset column.
There are plenty of platforms available today—some are beginner-friendly with mobile apps and automation tools built-in. You don’t need to overcomplicate it. The important thing is just to open the account so you have the ability to invest when you're ready. I use and recommend M1 Finance because of their ability to reinvest dividends into my entire portfolio automatically instead of just the paying stock. If you want to check out M1 Finance, click here.
Step 2: Speak With a Financial Advisor or Watch My Video
Once you’ve got a brokerage account open, your next move is to get educated. For some people, that means sitting down with a financial advisor who can walk you through what investing looks like.
For others—especially those just getting started—you can begin by watching my video on investing, which I’ve linked below.
It breaks down how investing works in simple terms and gives you the context you need to make smart decisions with your money.
Either way, the key is to build understanding before blindly jumping in.
Step 3: Use Weekly Percentage Investing
This is a game-changer—especially if your income fluctuates as a freelancer.
Instead of investing a flat amount every time (which may not always be realistic), use a weekly percentage-based system. Here’s how it works:
Pick a percentage of your income—say 5% or 10%
Every week, calculate your total earnings
Invest that percentage consistently, no matter what
This method removes the stress of trying to “time” the market or over-commit financially. It allows you to build the habit of investing consistently, even if your income isn’t exactly the same every week.
Recap: The 3-Step Investing Blueprint for Freelancers or The One Person Business Owner
Here’s a quick summary of how to start investing as a freelancer or one-person business:
Open a brokerage account – This gives you the ability to invest in assets like stocks and ETFs.
Speak to a financial advisor or watch my investing video – Get clear on what you're doing and why.
Use weekly percentage investing – Invest a set percentage of your income every week to stay consistent.
Final Thoughts
If you're serious about building wealth outside of your business, these three steps will help you get started without overwhelm. I also cover additional information about the different types of accounts that can be used for investing in my PDF Steal My Financial Blueprint. You can download this document for free here.
You’ve already taken control of your career—now it’s time to take control of your finances.
If you would like to know more about thriving as a one person business owner, consider joining The Self Made Business Academy where we support people making the transition from side hustle to a full time one person business. Click here to learn more!
SHS061: How To Have Big Turnouts For Events | Event Marketing Strategies 2026
SHS060: Should Debt Be Used To Expand A Business Or Not With Oz Konar
Bonus: Should You Invest In Bitcoin In 2026 With Myles Dhillon! (SHS059)
SHS018: How To Make $$$ With An E Commerce Platform With Steven Pemberton!
Intro
E-commerce has been one of the most talked-about ways to make money online over the past decade.
From Amazon dropshipping to building your own brand, many people have seen the potential—but few understand what it actually takes to build a sustainable and profitable e-commerce business.
In this episode of The Side Hustler’s Society, Elijah Bilel sits down with an experienced e-commerce entrepreneur to break down the real game behind the industry.
This conversation goes beyond the hype and dives into the realities—the wins, the risks, and the strategies that actually work today.
Subscribe To Elijah's New Youtube Channel, Social Dynamics
Find out the different ways that Elijah teaches to grow your network, plan events with big turnouts and advance in your career by cultivating the right relationships. Click here to join out newsletter and get started!
Intro to Steven Pemberton
E-commerce entrepreneur who has generated over $3 million in online sales
Built a seven-figure business after starting from scratch
Experienced in multiple e-commerce models including dropshipping and brand building
Helps coaches and business owners reach their ideal audience using “challenge-based” systems
Focuses on scalable and sustainable business strategies
👉 Website: https://www.hollowco.com/
👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevenkpemberton/
Episode Overview
This episode breaks down:
What e-commerce actually is
The different ways to get started
The risks of relying on platforms like Amazon
How to build a more stable and scalable business
Steven shares real experiences—from generating millions in revenue to dealing with account shutdowns—and what those lessons taught him about building a long-term business.
Listen to the Episode
Check us out on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! While you’re there, hit subscribe so you don’t miss our latest episodes!
Side Hustler’s Society Resources
Side Hustle to Full-Time Strategy Session
Financial Personality Success Bundle
Get The Side Hustler's Society Merch!
Quick Takeaways
Elijah Bilel explores the realities of e-commerce
E-commerce simply means selling products electronically
Dropshipping has a low barrier to entry—but high risk
Amazon can generate massive revenue—but lacks control
Steven emphasizes diversification across platforms
Building your own brand gives long-term stability
Platform dependency is one of the biggest risks in e-commerce
Cash flow and reinvestment strategies matter
Real assets (like real estate) provide stability outside e-commerce
Starting small and testing is key before scaling
What Is E-Commerce?
Steven breaks it down simply:
👉 E-commerce = selling products electronically
This can include:
Physical products
Digital products
Services sold online
From selling a single item to building a full brand, it all falls under e-commerce.
Different E-Commerce Models
1. Dropshipping
Low startup cost
No inventory required
Easy to start
But:
High competition
Platform restrictions (especially on Amazon)
Risk of account shutdowns
2. Amazon Selling
Pros:
Massive built-in customer base
Fast sales potential
Cons:
High fees
Limited control
Risk of account suspension
Steven shares that accounts can be:
Shut down unexpectedly
Funds held indefinitely
Businesses disrupted overnight
3. Owning Your Own Brand (Shopify)
Pros:
Full control
Long-term asset
Ability to scale
Cons:
Requires marketing
Takes longer to build
The Biggest Risk in E-Commerce
Platform Dependency
One of the most important lessons from this episode:
👉 If your business depends on one platform, you’re vulnerable
Steven shares real examples of:
Accounts getting shut down
Revenue dropping overnight
Inventory being locked up
The Power of Diversification
To reduce risk, Steven recommends:
Selling on multiple platforms
Building your own website
Using marketplaces as traffic sources—not your foundation
The Ideal Setup
Shopify (your base)
Amazon (traffic + sales)
Facebook Marketplace / social platforms (additional reach)
This creates:
👉 Stability + scalability
From Volatility to Stability
Steven explains that after experiencing setbacks:
They diversified platforms
Built their own ecosystem
Reduced reliance on any single source
Result:
👉 More control over revenue
Real Business vs Hype
A major theme in this episode:
👉 Not everything that’s trending is sustainable
Elijah Bilel points out that:
Fast-growing trends can be red flags
Many people jump in due to hype
Long-term success requires strategy
Investing vs Speculating
The conversation also touches on money strategy:
E-commerce profits should be reinvested wisely
Real assets (like real estate) provide stability
Not all opportunities are “investments”—some are speculation
Key Lessons from the Episode
1. Start Small & Test
Don’t go all-in immediately.
Learn the basics
Test different models
Validate what works
2. Avoid Platform Dependence
Build something you control.
3. Focus on Long-Term Strategy
Short-term wins don’t equal long-term success.
4. Build an Ecosystem
Use platforms as tools—not your foundation.
Who This Episode Is For
Beginners interested in e-commerce
Side hustlers exploring online income
Entrepreneurs looking to scale a product-based business
Anyone considering dropshipping or Amazon selling
Key Topics Covered
E-commerce fundamentals
Insights from Steven Pemberton
Business strategies from Elijah Bilel
Platform risks and diversification
Scaling online businesses
Watch The Podcast On Youtube!
SHS017: How Public Speaking Boosts Your Business In 2026 With Brenden Kumarasamy From Mastertalk
Intro
Public speaking is one of the most overlooked skills in business today.
With the rise of social media, livestreaming, and digital content, many people assume that traditional communication skills aren’t as important anymore.
But in this episode of The Side Hustler’s Society, Elijah Bilel breaks down why that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Whether you’re building a side hustle, freelancing, or scaling a full-time business, your ability to communicate effectively can directly impact your income, relationships, and opportunities.
Subscribe To Elijah's New Youtube Channel, Social Dynamics
Find out the different ways that Elijah teaches to grow your network, plan events with big turnouts and advance in your career by cultivating the right relationships. Click here to join out newsletter and get started!
Intro to Brenden Kumarasamy From MasterTalk
Founder of MasterTalk, a platform focused on improving communication and public speaking
Coaches executives and entrepreneurs to become top-tier communicators
Built a successful coaching business centered around communication skills
Known for simplifying public speaking strategies for everyday professionals
Runs the YouTube channel MasterTalk where he shares free communication training
👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBYFP4mZLQovr7W6Si6sueA
Episode Overview
This episode dives deep into how communication—and specifically public speaking—can:
Increase your income
Improve your ability to sell
Help you build stronger relationships
Position you as an authority in your space
Brendan shares how he went from competing in presentation competitions to building a full business around communication—and why this skill is essential for anyone serious about success.
Listen to the Episode
Check us out on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! While you’re there, hit subscribe so you don’t miss our latest episodes!
Side Hustler’s Society Resources
Side Hustle to Full-Time Strategy Session
Financial Personality Success Bundle
Quick Takeaways
Elijah Bilel emphasizes communication as a key business skill
Public speaking is a powerful tool for lead generation
Brendan explains how communication accelerates success in any field
Sales and communication are directly connected
Entrepreneurs must improve communication as they scale
Strong communication improves both business and personal relationships
Public speaking can be monetized as its own income stream
Many entrepreneurs are “made,” not born
Side hustles can evolve into full-time businesses over time
High-income skills create flexibility and freedom
Why Public Speaking Matters in Business
1. Communication Drives Income
At the core of every business:
👉 Sales = Income
And sales depend heavily on:
How clearly you explain your offer
How well you connect with your audience
How confidently you present value
Public speaking enhances all of these.
2. It Builds Authority
When you can:
Speak confidently
Present ideas clearly
Educate an audience
You naturally position yourself as:
👉 An expert
And that leads to:
More trust
More opportunities
Higher-paying clients
3. It Improves Every Area of Life
Brendan makes a key point:
👉 Communication impacts everything
Business
Relationships
Networking
Leadership
This isn’t just a business skill—it’s a life skill.
Brendan’s Journey Into Entrepreneurship
1. It Didn’t Start With Business
Brendan didn’t initially plan to become an entrepreneur.
He:
Studied business
Wanted a corporate career
Competed in “case competitions” (presentation-based business challenges)
These competitions helped him:
Develop elite communication skills
Present ideas under pressure
Learn how to persuade decision-makers
2. MasterTalk Was Built From Passion
He started creating content simply to:
Help others improve communication
Share knowledge that wasn’t easily accessible
Over time:
The content gained traction
He met the right business partner
He learned how to monetize his expertise
And eventually:
👉 It became a full business
3. Entrepreneurs Are Often Made, Not Born
Brendan highlights an important distinction:
Some people are naturally entrepreneurial
Others become entrepreneurs through experience
His journey shows that:
👉 You don’t need to start as an entrepreneur to become one
Public Speaking as a Business Growth Tool
1. Lead Generation
Speaking allows you to:
Build trust quickly
Showcase expertise
Connect with audiences at scale
That’s why Elijah Bilel points out:
👉 Public speaking can be one of the strongest lead generation tools available
2. Scaling Your Business
As your business grows:
You hire employees
You manage teams
You delegate tasks
If your communication isn’t strong:
Things get misunderstood
Execution suffers
Growth slows down
Strong communication = smoother scaling
3. Relationship Building
Success is heavily tied to:
👉 The quality of your relationships
Public speaking improves your ability to:
Connect with people
Build trust
Communicate vision
Side Hustles, Skills & Communication
A major theme in this episode:
👉 Skills create opportunity
Whether it’s:
Video editing
Accounting
Public speaking
A strong skill set allows you to:
Get a job
Freelance
Start a business
Scale into an agency
But communication is the multiplier.
Key Lessons from the Episode
1. Communication Is a Force Multiplier
No matter what you do:
👉 Better communication = better results
2. Start With a Skill
High-income skills give you:
Stability
Flexibility
Options
3. Build Before You Leap
Brendan spent years:
Building content
Testing ideas
Growing his platform
Before going full-time.
4. Public Speaking Is a High-Leverage Skill
It helps you:
Sell
Lead
Influence
Scale
Who This Episode Is For
Side hustlers looking to grow income
Freelancers wanting more clients
Entrepreneurs scaling their business
Anyone looking to improve communication skills
Key Topics Covered
Public speaking strategies from Brendan from MasterTalk
Business insights from Elijah Bilel
How communication impacts income and growth
Turning a skill into a business
Scaling through better communication
Watch The Podcast On Youtube!
What Investing Should Mean For Young Adults In 2026
Investments
This should be personal finance 101 in general but especially for young adults. What does investing mean? You need to look at investing if you really want to get ahead financially. We work hard for our money. We save some of it realizing we may need it down the line. Something is missing, though. What could it be?
All of a sudden, a bell starts to ring in our heads. In a true partnership, we should both be working, right? I shouldn’t be doing all the work! That means my money should be working for me too! Welcome to the world of investing.
Most people, when they hear this word, think of the stock market or real estate. It’s true; these are forms of investing. Investing is more than just putting money into getting more money. At its root, an investment is the spending of money on something that will give you a return. That doesn’t have to be a stock or real estate.
The return also does not have to be measured in money directly. For instance, a person gets a job at a warehouse, and they buy more comfortable shoes to help them at work. This is an investment for themselves because they are getting a return in the form of less effort and feeling better.
These 2 factors could lead to more money because they can now work more overtime. It could also not result in more overtime. Regardless, it’s an investment in both cases. An investment can give you a return in how you feel, in cashflow, in leads for your business, in referrals, etc. The point is that the money you spend gets you a return. With that picture being painted, all investments fall into 2 arenas: Direct and indirect.
Direct Investments
These are the stereotypical things you hear about when it comes to investing. Making money from the stock market. Making money from real estate. Buying gold when it’s low and selling when it’s high. Here is where your assets are. Assets are the exact opposite of liabilities in the expense section. An asset puts money in your pocket. What kind of money and how often is up to you. Direct investments boil down to expecting one or both of these 2 things:
Cashflow from the investment
Capital gains based on the appreciation of the asset
Both 1 and 2
You must take the time to educate yourself on both the art and science of direct investing. Not doing so can turn investments that have the potential to be assets into liabilities. Yes, this means you can lose money. It’s often not even the investment per se that is risky, but rather the inexperience of the investor.
Let’s take a look at 2 people who are investing in a stock. One has taken courses on investing, and the other has not. Person A who has no education on investing buys stock in the said company. Person B who has the education waits to buy. The share price drops. Person A gets a little nervous.
Person B finally decides to buy some shares. The price drops further. Person A panics! With the fear of losing their money, they sell their shares and accept the loss. Person B looks at the earnings reports of the said company and matches it up to the company industry.
They come to the conclusion that this is part of a 5-year cycle where they face temporary delays. He then looks at information from the past 15 years and sees this same pattern. The company always rebounds. More importantly, Person B remembers that it is the holidays, and people are pulling money out of the stock market to buy gifts. Person B buys more shares.
A few months later, the share price is 25% higher than it was when both bought. Person A is scratching their head, thinking WTF? Person B has made a capital gain of 25%, and they could sell or hold as the share price keeps rising. What was the risk factor in that scenario? The stock, the market, Person A or Person B. It was Person A since they lacked education and control over themselves.
I know you were probably expecting some complicated formula, but it is that simple. One must have the education and control over themselves to benefit here. Direct investments are also things that you spend money on that you do so with the expectation of making more money in the very near future.
With me making money from my phone via apps, if I got another phone with a better data plan or if the phone was faster, this would be a direct investment too. Also, keep in mind that if you are in debt, and you are paying more than the minimum amount on that debt, the difference between the minimum amount on that debt and what you pay is also an investment.
This is the case because it can cause the debt to be paid off quicker. Once paid off, the cash flow that was going to the debt is now going back into your budget. We can’t forget about the other form of investing, though, indirect investing.
A quick note on direct investments: Make sure you keep an eye out for how you can keep your expenses and fees low. If you are paying fees or expenses, make sure you know why you are.
In addition to this, you’ll also want to take care that there isn’t a cheaper or fee-free option available that offers what you need also. A perfect example of this is when people use expensive brokerages in order to get started that charge trading fees. Upon further research, they discover that there are free brokerages like, M1 Finance and Webull that are fee-free and offer what the other brokerages do. Don’t let this be you. Be well informed before you get your wallet or purse out.
Indirect investing
This is the more forgotten of the 2. Person B, in the above scenario, clearly invested in their education before actually investing in a direct method. Investing in education can be a form of indirect investing. It can be indirect because you may not see an immediate payoff.
The shoe example of the warehouse worker mentioned before is also an indirect investment. It’s having a positive impact on how the worker feels and on the level of effort being putting out. They could say the right thing at the right time due to feeling normal instead of saying nothing due to their feet hurting.
This could land them an interview for a promotion. They now could have more physical and mental energy once they get home to do more constructive money making activities than watching TV to recuperate from a hard day's work.
Do you see the ripple effects just buying some new work shoes can have? It’s my view that this form of investing is hugely underestimated and taken for granted. It is here where investing is subtler, and things tend to line up in the background without you even noticing sometimes.
Am I saying that indirect investing is better than direct? No, I’m not. Most people who do invest only do so in one of these ways. They are 2 sides of the same coin. You will be more abundant financially if you see this and spend money on both when it comes to investing.
If you're looking for more information on personal finance for young adults, you can checkout my book The Anatomy Of Financial Success. You can get the book here.
SHS016: How To Go From A Part Time Business To Full Time With Charles Read From GetPayroll!
Intro
Starting a side hustle is one thing.
Turning it into a real business that can support you full-time is a completely different game.
One of the biggest questions that comes up early is:
👉 What’s the best business structure to choose?
Should you stay a sole proprietor?
Start an LLC?
Or go the S-Corp route?
In this episode of The Side Hustler’s Society, Elijah Bilel sits down with payroll expert Charles J. Reed to break down exactly how freelancers, tradesmen, and service providers should think about structuring their business as they grow.
Subscribe To Elijah's New Youtube Channel, Social Dynamics
Find out the different ways that Elijah teaches to grow your network, plan events with big turnouts and advance in your career by cultivating the right relationships. Click here to join out newsletter and get started!
Intro to Charles J. Reed
Founder of GetPayroll and payroll industry expert
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and U.S. tax practitioner
Vietnam veteran
50+ years of financial leadership experience across multiple industries
Built and scaled a payroll company serving small businesses since 1991
Author of multiple books including The Payroll Book: A Guide for Small Businesses and Startups
👉 Get Charles’ book! Go to https://getpayroll.com/ and use the discount code "Podcast" to get it for free!
Subscribe Now And Get Chapter 5 Of The Best Selling Book, The Anatomy Of Financial Success!
Find out about the different types of income there are and which one(s) are best for you based on your personality! Click here to join out newsletter and get started!
Episode Overview
This episode is all about helping side hustlers and freelancers make smarter long-term decisions when it comes to:
Choosing the right business structure
Protecting their income and assets
Transitioning from part-time to full-time
Understanding payroll, taxes, and scaling
Charles brings a unique perspective from decades in both corporate leadership and entrepreneurship, showing what actually works—not just in theory, but in real businesses.
Listen to the Episode
Check us out on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! While you’re there, hit subscribe so you don’t miss our latest episodes!
Side Hustler’s Society Resources
Side Hustle to Full-Time Strategy Session
Financial Personality Success Bundle
Quick Takeaways
Elijah Bilel highlights the growing number of people turning skills into side hustles
Charles explains why business structure matters more as income grows
S-Corps can offer strong tax advantages compared to sole proprietorships
LLCs provide flexibility but may come with higher setup costs
Liability protection is one of the biggest reasons to incorporate
Entrepreneurs should think beyond income and focus on protection
Scaling a business eventually requires hiring and delegation
Corporate culture matters—even in small businesses
Many people underestimate legal and financial risks early on
Entrepreneurship offers wealth-building opportunities not found in traditional jobs
What Is the Best Business Structure?
1. Starting as a Sole Proprietor
Most people begin here by default.
If you:
Start freelancing
Pick up clients
Or offer a service
👉 You’re automatically a sole proprietor
Charles explains that this is fine for testing the waters.
It allows you to:
Start quickly
Keep costs low
Validate your business idea
2. When to Upgrade Your Structure
The key turning point:
👉 When you start making consistent money
At that stage, it becomes important to think about:
Taxes
Liability
Long-term growth
Charles recommends considering a transition once you’ve decided:
👉 “This is something I’m taking seriously.”
3. Why S-Corporations Stand Out
According to Charles, one of the most powerful options is:
👉 The S-Corporation
Key benefits include:
Pass-through taxation
Potential tax savings compared to sole proprietorships
More structured legal framework
This can help you:
Keep more of what you earn
Operate like a real business
4. LLC vs Corporation
An LLC is another popular option.
Charles explains:
LLCs offer liability protection
They are flexible in structure
They can elect to be taxed as an S-Corp
However:
They may cost more to set up
They are not always as “structured” as corporations
5. The Importance of Liability Protection
One of the biggest takeaways from this episode:
👉 Protecting your assets is just as important as making money
Without proper structure:
Your personal assets (home, car, savings) could be at risk
Lawsuits can impact everything you own
Even in low-risk businesses:
Mistakes happen
Clients can sue
Situations can escalate quickly
The Transition From Side Hustle to Full-Time
1. Start Small, Then Scale
Charles emphasizes:
👉 You don’t have to go all-in immediately
Instead:
Start part-time
Build income
Learn the business
Then scale when:
Revenue becomes consistent
Demand increases
2. Entrepreneurship Requires Effort Early
One honest truth from the episode:
👉 The early years are heavy work
Charles shares that his first decade in business required:
Long hours
Consistency
Patience
But over time:
Systems improve
Income stabilizes
Workload becomes more manageable
3. Hiring and Delegation
As you grow, doing everything yourself becomes impossible.
Key shift:
👉 From doing the work → to managing the work
Building a team allows you to:
Scale faster
Take on more clients
Create leverage
Mindset Shift: Employee vs Entrepreneur
A major theme in this episode is control.
Working a job:
You follow someone else’s structure
You inherit their work culture
You trade time for money
Building a business:
You control your environment
You build assets
You create long-term wealth
Charles highlights that most wealth is built through:
👉 Ownership, not employment
Key Lessons from the Episode
1. Don’t Just Focus on Making Money
👉 Focus on keeping and protecting it
2. Structure Matters More as You Grow
What works at $500/month:
May not work at $5,000/month
3. Entrepreneurship Is a Long-Term Game
It may take years to:
Build systems
Gain traction
Create stability
But the payoff can be:
👉 Freedom and ownership
Who This Episode Is For
Freelancers (video editors, designers, consultants)
Tradesmen and service providers
Side hustlers planning to go full-time
Anyone unsure about LLC vs S-Corp vs sole proprietor
Key Topics Covered
Business structures explained by Charles J. Reed
How Elijah Bilel approaches building a business
Liability protection and why it matters
Transitioning from side hustle to full-time
Hiring and scaling a service-based business
Watch The Podcast On Youtube!
SHS015: How To Buy Real Estate For The Price Of A Car With Pam Hill From My Smart Cousin
Intro
Real estate is often seen as one of the best ways to build wealth—but for most people, it feels out of reach.
High prices, large down payments, and complicated strategies can make it seem like you need a lot of money just to get started.
But what if that wasn’t true?
In this episode of The Side Hustler’s Society, Elijah Bilel sits down with real estate investor Pam Hill to break down how she’s been able to acquire properties for the price of a car—and build a portfolio from there.
Intro to Pam Hill (My Smart Cousin)
Founder & CEO of My Smart Cousin
Real estate investor with 25+ properties and 30+ units
Specializes in acquiring low-cost properties and scaling over time
Started investing during the Great Recession as a side hustle
Former corporate executive at a major electric utility company
Real estate investment coach helping others buy their first (or 100th) property
👉 Website: https://mysmartcousin.com/
👉 Want to get started with Airbnb?
Click here to join the Side Hustler’s Society newsletter and get access to a FREE 5-part video series on how to become an Airbnb host.
Episode Overview
This episode challenges one of the biggest myths in real estate:
👉 You don’t need six figures to get started
Pam Hill explains that there are multiple entry points into real estate—from passive investing to fully hands-on ownership.
Some examples discussed include:
Real estate mutual funds and REITs (passive investing)
House hacking (renting out part of your home)
Buying multi-family properties
Fix-and-flip strategies
Long-term rental investing
But her core strategy stands out:
👉 Buy properties for the price of a car
That means finding deals anywhere from:
$2,500
$10,000
$30,000+
Then improving them and either:
Renting them out
Or selling for profit
Listen to the Episode
Check us out on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! While you’re there, hit subscribe so you don’t miss our latest episodes!
Side Hustler’s Society Resources
Side Hustle to Full-Time Strategy Session
Quick Takeaways
Elijah explains there are multiple ways to enter real estate at any budget level
Pam Hill built her portfolio by buying properties for the price of a car
You don’t need to invest in your local market to get started
Elijah Bilel emphasizes thinking like an investor—even when buying your first home
Low-cost properties can still generate strong cash flow
Patience and deal selection are critical
Real estate can start as a side hustle and grow into a full business
You can use strategies like 1031 exchanges to defer taxes
Many beginners limit themselves by only looking in their city
The key is buying right—not just buying fast
How Pam Hill Invests in Real Estate
1. Buy for the Price of a Car
Pam’s core philosophy is simple:
👉 Don’t overpay—start low
Instead of buying at the top of your budget, she recommends:
Looking at the lowest-priced properties first
Finding undervalued deals
Adding value through improvements
This creates:
Lower risk
Higher upside
Better cash flow potential
2. Think Like an Investor (Not a Consumer)
One of the biggest mindset shifts in this episode:
👉 Most people buy homes emotionally—investors buy strategically
Pam explains that instead of asking:
“What’s the nicest house I can afford?”
You should ask:
“What’s the best deal I can find?”
This applies even if you’re buying a home to live in.
3. Start Where You Can—Not Where You Live
A major gem from this episode:
👉 You don’t have to invest in your city
Pam highlights that:
Some markets are too expensive
Others still have great deals
Examples mentioned include:
Parts of the Midwest
Upstate New York
Smaller cities in the South
The key is being:
👉 Flexible and strategic
4. Use Real Estate as a Side Hustle First
Pam didn’t start full-time.
She:
Worked a corporate job
Invested on the side
Built her portfolio gradually
This is exactly what Elijah Bilel teaches:
👉 Use side hustles to build assets
5. Understand Tax Strategy (At a High Level)
The episode also touches on an advanced concept:
👉 1031 exchanges
This allows investors to:
Sell a property
Reinvest into another
Defer capital gains taxes
While this requires deeper research (and often professional help), it shows how:
👉 Real estate rewards long-term strategy
How This Connects to Airbnb
If this episode sparked your interest in real estate, the next step could be:
👉 Short-term rentals
Elijah has already broken this down in another episode with Myka Artis, where they cover how to:
Get started with Airbnb
Find properties
Generate cash flow
Click here to check that episode out!
This is a natural progression:
Start with real estate basics
Then move into higher cash-flow strategies like Airbnb
Key Lessons from the Episode
1. You Don’t Need a Lot of Money—You Need Strategy
The biggest takeaway:
👉 Deals matter more than dollars
2. Patience Beats Speed
Many beginners:
Rush into bad deals
Overpay
Learn the hard way
Pam’s approach:
👉 Wait for the right opportunity
3. Real Estate Is One of the Most Scalable Side Hustles
You can start with:
One property
And grow into:
A full portfolio
Passive income
Long-term wealth
Who This Episode Is For
Beginners interested in real estate
Side hustlers looking to build long-term income
People who think they need a lot of money to invest
Anyone curious about low-cost real estate strategies
Key Topics Covered
How Elijah Bilel approaches real estate investing
Pam Hill’s “price of a car” strategy
Passive vs active real estate investing
Tax strategies like 1031 exchanges
Transitioning from side hustle to investor