SHS043: The Self Made Business Academy
Intro
If you’ve been consuming content from Elijah Bilel for a while, you already know:
👉 The goal has always been to help people move toward self-employment
But there’s been a gap…
And in this episode, Elijah breaks down exactly what that gap is—and how he plans to solve it.
If you’re serious about becoming self-employed or growing your one-person business, you can check out the Self Made Business Academy Here .
Episode Overview
In this episode, Elijah covers:
Why free content alone isn’t enough for most people
The limitations of one-on-one consultations
The inspiration behind the Self Made Business Academy
What makes this different from everything else he’s created
How this helps bridge the gap for aspiring entrepreneurs
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!
The Problem: Not Everyone Can Be Served the Same Way
Over time, Elijah Bilel realized something important:
👉 Not everyone in the audience can be helped the same way
There are currently three main ways people learn from his content:
Free content (YouTube, podcast, etc.)
One-on-one consultations
Local meetups like “Money Talks”
But each of these has limitations.
Why Free Content Isn’t Enough
Free content is powerful…
But it comes with a problem:
👉 It’s scattered
To learn one topic, you might have to:
Watch 10–20 videos
Piece everything together
Figure out what applies to you
For many people:
👉 That’s too time-consuming
Why One-on-One Isn’t Always an Option
Consultations work…
But not for everyone.
Some people:
Can’t afford it yet
Don’t have the time
Aren’t ready for that level of commitment
Why Local Meetups Don’t Solve It Either
Even with initiatives like “Money Talks”:
👉 Not everyone can attend
Schedules
Location
Life responsibilities
All of it creates friction.
The Gap: People Who Are Serious… But Stuck
This creates a specific type of person:
👉 Someone who wants to move forward
👉 But doesn’t have the right structure
They’re stuck asking:
“How do I leave my 9–5?”
“How much money do I need?”
“What if I fail?”
“How do I build something sustainable?”
And without answers…
👉 They don’t take action
The Solution: Self Made Business Academy
That’s where the Self Made Business Academy comes in.
This is designed to be:
👉 The middle ground
Between:
Free content
High-ticket one-on-one help
What It Is
A membership-based academy that gives you:
Direct access to Elijah
Structured learning
A community of like-minded people
What You Get
Inside the academy, members will have:
1. Weekly Office Hours
Every week, there’s a live Q&A session where you can:
Ask questions
Get clarity
Move forward faster
2. Access to Courses
Everything on the platform (now and future) becomes available.
This includes:
Freelancing
Lead generation
Content creation
Business building
3. Courses Released in Phases
Instead of waiting months for a full course…
👉 You get access as it’s being built
That means:
Faster implementation
Real-time learning
Ability to give feedback
4. Community Support
This might be the most underrated part.
Because being self-employed can feel:
👉 Isolated
Inside the academy, you’ll have:
People on the same journey
Shared experiences
Support when things get tough
What You’ll Learn (Big Picture)
The academy focuses on what Elijah calls:
👉 “Modern money mechanics”
This includes:
Building a one-person business
Generating leads consistently
Scaling income
Investing as a self-employed person
Retirement strategies (Solo 401k, SEP IRA, Roth IRA)
Structuring your business (LLC, S-Corp, etc.)
All things that:
👉 Traditional jobs don’t teach
Why This Matters
Self-employment comes with:
Freedom
Flexibility
Income potential
But also:
Uncertainty
Complexity
Responsibility
The academy is designed to help you:
👉 Navigate both sides
Who This Is For
This is NOT for casual side hustlers.
This is for people who:
Want to go full-time
Are already self-employed
Are serious about building something real
Final Thoughts
Elijah Bilel created the Self Made Business Academy to solve a real problem:
👉 People want to move forward—but don’t have the structure
This is about:
Clarity
Direction
Execution
If you want to be part of it as a founding member and help shape what this becomes, you can check it out Here .
Watch The Podcast On Youtube!
SHS042: 5 Ways You Can Generate Leads As A Freelancer For Your Business As A Uber Eats Driver
Intro
Most people look at the gig economy as:
👉 A way to make extra money
But what if you could use it for something more?
👉 Lead generation
In this solo episode, Elijah Bilel breaks down how to turn everyday gig work into a system that brings in:
Clients
Opportunities
Business growth
Because if you’re already doing the work…
👉 You might as well maximize it
Track Your APP Earnings As A Gig Worker efficiently!
Track your earnings and app expenses using The FREE App Lifestyle Pay Spreadsheet! Compatible with google spreadsheets! Click here to join out newsletter and get started!
Episode Overview
In this episode, Elijah covers:
How to use rideshare to generate leads
How to use delivery apps for networking
Why most gig workers miss these opportunities
The importance of positioning yourself correctly
How to turn conversations into clients
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
The Anatomy Of Financial Success Audiobook
Gig Economy Mastery Free Course
The Foundation: You Need This First
Before anything else, Elijah makes one thing clear:
👉 You need a system in place
Specifically:
A business card
A QR code
A simple web page or website
Your QR code should:
👉 Link directly to your page
Where people can:
Learn about your service
Contact you
Take action
Without this?
👉 You’re missing the opportunity completely
Ride Share Strategy #1: Just Talk to People
This is the most obvious…
But also the most underused.
Most passengers will ask:
👉 “So what else do you do?”
This is your opening.
The Key: Be Prepared
Don’t just say:
👉 “I’m a video editor”
Instead, tell a short, engaging story:
How you got started
What you do
Who you help
Then…
👉 STOP talking
Let them:
Ask questions
Show interest
Lead the conversation
Closing the Interaction
Before they leave:
👉 Hand them your business card
Keep it simple:
“If you’re ever interested, feel free to check this out.”
No pressure.
No pitch.
Ride Share Strategy #2: Use a QR Code in Your Car
This is where things get interesting.
Instead of relying only on conversation…
👉 Let curiosity do the work
How It Works
Print out a QR code and place it where passengers can see it.
Add a message like:
👉 “I get this question a lot—scan here to see what I do”
Why This Works
Even if someone doesn’t want to talk…
👉 They might still scan
And now:
They’re on your page
They’re learning about your service
They might reach out later
Important Rule
👉 Don’t be pushy
Let them choose.
Delivery Strategy #1: Stop Being on Your Phone
This is where most people lose opportunities.
While waiting for orders:
👉 They’re on their phone
Scrolling
Talking
Distracted
The Better Move
👉 Talk to the people around you
Other drivers
People waiting
Staff
Why This Matters
These people are:
Working
Trying to make money
Often building something
Which means:
👉 They’re highly relevant connections
Delivery Strategy #2: Network With Other Drivers
A simple conversation can go a long way.
Start with something easy:
“How long you been doing this?”
“You working on anything outside of this?”
Where This Leads
Now you can:
Share what you do
Exchange business cards
Build real connections
This is:
👉 Low effort
👉 High opportunity
Delivery Strategy #3: Use Your Brand While Working
This is subtle…
But powerful.
Elijah mentions using:
👉 Clothing or items that promote his brand. Some examples of this are here with The Side Hustler's Society Merch
Example:
Branded shirts
Logos
Messaging
Why This Works
People see it and think:
👉 “What is that?”
Now you’ve created:
👉 Passive curiosity
The Bigger Picture
Most people treat gig work like:
👉 A temporary income source
But Elijah flips it:
👉 It’s a networking environment
Think about it:
Ride share → You meet people
Delivery → You’re around people
Restaurants → Constant interaction
That Means
👉 Every shift = opportunities
The Real Advantage
If you apply these strategies consistently:
You build connections
You create visibility
You generate leads
Without:
Ads
Expensive tools
Complex systems
Final Thoughts
Elijah Bilel makes one thing clear:
👉 The gig economy is more than income
It’s:
A networking tool
A marketing channel
A lead generation system
If you use it correctly…
👉 It can help you transition into something bigger
Watch The Podcast On Youtube!
SHS041: Webpage Workshop: How To Setup The Perfect Webpage As A Freelancer
Intro
When it comes to building a successful side hustle or freelance business…
👉 Most people don’t struggle with their skill
They struggle with getting clients
In this solo episode, Elijah Bilel breaks down the fundamentals of lead generation in a way that actually applies to real-world self-employment—not just textbook theory.
Episode Overview
In this episode, Elijah covers:
The 4 types of lead generation
Why most freelancers struggle to get clients
The difference between inbound and outbound marketing
How to turn referrals into a consistent pipeline
Why a simple web page can outperform a full website
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
If you’re serious about turning your side hustle into full-time income, you can book a 1-on-1 strategy session with Elijah Here
The Real Problem: It’s Not Your Skill
A major insight from this episode:
👉 Most people already have a skill
But they don’t know how to get clients consistently
As referenced in the episode, many freelancers:
Avoid outreach
Over-rely on inbound marketing
Don’t understand how leads are actually generated
The 4 Types of Lead Generation
Elijah breaks lead generation into a simple framework:
1. Inbound vs Outbound
Inbound → Leads come to you
Outbound → You go get the leads
2. Online vs Offline
Online → Social media, YouTube, email
Offline → Networking, events, real-life interactions
The 4 Quadrants
When combined, you get:
Inbound Online
Outbound Online
Inbound Offline
Outbound Offline
👉 Most people ONLY focus on one
And that’s where they lose
The Most Underrated Strategy: Inbound Offline
This episode focuses heavily on:
👉 Inbound Offline Marketing
Which is essentially:
👉 Referrals
Why Referrals Are So Powerful
Referrals are:
Easier to close
Higher trust
Lower effort
And in many cases…
👉 They become your main source of business
How to Actually Generate Referrals
Here’s where most people mess up:
👉 They don’t make it easy to refer them
The Solution: A Simple Web Page
Instead of relying on people to “explain what you do”…
👉 You give them a link
That link should:
Explain your service
Show proof
Tell people what to do next
What Your Web Page Needs
According to the episode:
1. Your Service
What you do and who it’s for
2. Social Proof
Experience
Results
Past work
3. Call to Action
Contact you
Or book directly
4. Portfolio or Testimonials
5. Pricing (Optional)
Can filter out unqualified leads
6. FAQ Section
Removes objections before they happen
Why This Works
Because now:
👉 Referring you becomes EASY
Instead of someone saying:
“Let me explain what Elijah does…”
They can just say:
👉 “Go check this out”
Your Web Page Becomes Your Salesperson
One of the most important takeaways:
👉 Your page does the selling for you
Which means:
More referrals
Less explaining
More conversions
When to Use “Contact Me” vs “Buy Now”
This part is key depending on your offer:
Higher Ticket Services
👉 Have them contact you
Allows you to sell
Increases deal size
Lower Ticket Services
👉 Let them buy directly
Faster
Less friction
Why Simplicity Wins
A major misconception:
👉 Your page needs to look fancy
Reality:
👉 It just needs to convert
Even a simple text-based page can work if it:
Answers questions
Builds trust
Gives clear next steps
Final Thoughts
Elijah Bilel makes one thing clear:
👉 Lead generation is a system
And once you understand it…
👉 Getting clients becomes predictable
If you’re trying to figure out how to turn your skills into consistent income, getting direct guidance can speed that process up significantly. You can book a Side Hustle to Full-Time Strategy Session Here
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Bonus: Should You Invest In Bitcoin In 2026 With Myles Dhillon! (SHS059)
SHS040: What The Self Employed & Freelancer Home Buying Process Is In 2026 With Jahcorrian Burkes
Intro
For most people, buying a home is already a complicated process…
But when you’re self-employed?
👉 It gets even more complicated
In this episode, Elijah Bilel sits down with Jahcorrian Burkes to break down:
Why freelancers struggle to get approved
What lenders are really looking for
And how to position yourself to actually qualify
Subscribe Now And Get Chapter 5 Of The Best Selling Book, The Anatomy Of Financial Success!
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Intro to Jahcorrian Burkes
Jahcorrian Burkes is a mortgage broker and real estate professional with years of experience helping clients buy and finance homes.
Throughout his career, he has:
Built a strong reputation in real estate
Helped clients navigate complex mortgage processes
Coached individuals and teams toward financial success
Before entering real estate, he developed his financial foundation in the insurance industry, giving him a unique perspective on long-term wealth building.
👉 Connect with Jahcorrian Burkes on LinkedIn Here
👉 Check out his book Here
Episode Overview
In this episode, you’ll learn:
The biggest mistakes self-employed buyers make
How mortgage lenders evaluate freelancers
Why documentation is everything
The role of networking in generating business
How to build referral-based income
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
The Personalized Side Hustle Starter Kit
The Anatomy Of Financial Success Paperback
The Biggest Challenge for Self-Employed Buyers
One of the biggest issues?
👉 Not being fully transparent upfront
As Jahcorrian explains:
Many self-employed individuals don’t disclose everything
Income structures can be more complex
This creates delays—or even deal failures
For example:
Someone might submit W-2 income…
But later it turns out:
👉 They actually own the business
Which changes EVERYTHING in underwriting
Why This Matters
When lenders discover new information late:
More paperwork is required
Timelines get pushed back
Deals can fall apart
Why Self-Employment Makes Things Harder
Unlike traditional employees:
👉 Your income isn’t “simple”
Lenders often require:
Business tax returns
Personal tax returns
Profit & loss statements
Consistent income history
Translation
👉 You have to prove stability
Even if you’re making good money
The Power of Preparation
One key takeaway from this episode:
👉 The process is MUCH easier if you prepare early
That means:
Keeping accurate records
Understanding how lenders think
Structuring your income properly
Networking = Leads (And Opportunities)
One of the most valuable parts of this episode is how Jahcorrian generates business:
👉 Through networking groups
He highlights organizations like BNI (Business Network International) where:
Business owners meet weekly
Share referrals
Build relationships
How It Works
Each industry has one “seat”
Members refer clients to each other
Everyone benefits from shared networks
Why This Matters for Side Hustlers
If you’re self-employed:
👉 Networking can replace paid ads
Instead of chasing leads:
You build relationships
People bring leads to you
His Lead Generation Strategy (This Is Key)
Jahcorrian’s business is built on:
👉 Word of mouth
Specifically:
Referrals from past clients
Referrals from real estate agents
Relationships built through networking
Why This Works
These leads are:
Warmer
More qualified
Easier to close
He even mentions:
👉 70–80% close rates on referral leads
The “Do More Than You’re Paid For” Rule
This is one of the most important principles from the episode:
👉 Always overdeliver
Because when you do:
Clients trust you
They refer you
Your business grows organically
Quantity vs Quality in Sales
There are two main approaches:
1. Volume-Based Sales
Talk to a lot of people
Close a small percentage
2. Relationship-Based Sales
Fewer clients
Higher trust
More referrals
Jahcorrian leans toward:
👉 Relationship-based selling
Which leads to:
Repeat business
Referral pipelines
Less need for constant prospecting
How This Applies to You
If you’re self-employed or freelancing:
👉 You don’t need MORE leads
You need:
Better positioning
Better relationships
Better systems
Final Thoughts
Elijah Bilel and Jahcorrian Burkes make one thing clear:
👉 Being self-employed doesn’t disqualify you from buying a home
But…
👉 You DO have to be more intentional
If you:
Keep clean records
Understand the process
Build strong relationships
You’ll not only qualify…
👉 You’ll put yourself in a position to win long-term
Watch The Podcast On Youtube!
SHS039: How To Generate Online Leads As A Freelancer WITHOUT Fiverr or Upwork With Prerak From NetMafia
Intro
When most people think about generating leads online…
They immediately think of:
Fiverr
Upwork
Freelancer.com
And while those platforms can work…
👉 They also come with limitations
In this episode, Elijah Bilel sits down with Prerak to break down:
👉 How to generate leads WITHOUT relying on platforms
👉 Why SEO is still one of the most powerful strategies
👉 And how beginners can compete online
Intro to Prerak
Prerak is the founder of Net Mafia, a web design and SEO agency focused on helping businesses grow their online presence.
He is also an educator on platforms like Udemy, where he teaches:
Web development
SEO
WordPress
Digital marketing
Prerak specializes in using AI-driven strategies to help small businesses generate leads and scale online.
👉 Check out his SEO SOP resource Here
Episode Overview
In this episode, you’ll learn:
The 4 types of search intent (and why they matter)
Why SEO still works—even with AI
How to generate leads outside of freelance platforms
The best beginner-friendly lead generation strategies
How to build long-term inbound traffic
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
The Personalized Side Hustle Starter Kit
The 4 Types of Search Intent (This Changes Everything)
One of the most valuable frameworks Prerak breaks down is:
👉 Search intent
There are 4 types:
1. Informational Intent
People are just looking for answers
Example: “How to start a side hustle”
2. Navigational Intent
People are trying to find something specific
Example: “Walmart near me”
3. Commercial Intent
People are comparing before buying
Example: “Best website builder vs WordPress”
4. Transactional Intent
People are ready to buy
Example: “Hire a web designer”
Why This Matters
Most people focus only on:
👉 Traffic
But the real goal is:
👉 Intent
Because:
Informational = awareness
Commercial = consideration
Transactional = MONEY
Why SEO Still Works (Even With AI)
There’s a big misconception right now:
👉 “AI is killing SEO”
But Prerak makes it clear:
👉 That’s only true for informational content
Why?
Because:
AI answers questions directly
People don’t need to click as much
BUT…
👉 When people want to BUY…
They still need to:
Visit your site
Book your service
Complete checkout
Translation
👉 SEO is still extremely powerful
You just need to target:
Commercial keywords
Transactional keywords
The Problem With Fiverr & Upwork
Platforms like Fiverr and Upwork:
✔ Give you access to clients
❌ But limit your control
Common issues:
High competition
Fees
Race to the bottom pricing
The Better Approach
👉 Build your own lead generation system
Instead of relying on:
Platforms
You focus on:
Your content
Your SEO
Your brand
How Prerak Got Started (Key Lesson)
Prerak’s journey started during the pandemic:
Learned skills online
Created courses
Used SEO to sell them
That led to:
👉 Freelance clients
👉 Agency work
👉 Business growth
Key takeaway
👉 Skills + visibility = opportunities
A Simple Online Lead Generation Strategy
If you’re starting from scratch:
Step 1: Pick a Skill
Web design
Video editing
Copywriting
SEO
Step 2: Create Content Around It
YouTube
Blog posts
Social media
Step 3: Target Search Intent
Focus on:
“How to…” (informational)
“Best…” (commercial)
“Hire…” (transactional)
Step 4: Convert Traffic Into Leads
Website
Booking link
Email list
Why SEO Beats Short-Term Strategies
Paid ads and platforms can work…
But SEO:
👉 Builds long-term assets
Instead of:
Constant hustle
You get:
Consistent traffic
Passive leads
Scalable growth
Final Thoughts
Elijah Bilel and Prerak highlight a key truth:
👉 You don’t need platforms to succeed
You need:
The right strategy
The right positioning
The right understanding of how people search
If you can master that:
👉 You control your leads
👉 You control your income
Watch The Podcast On Youtube!
SHS038: How You Can Use AI To Scale Your Business With Benjamin Bressington From Automate Boring
Intro
AI is everywhere right now.
From:
ChatGPT
Automation tools
Content creation systems
It feels like everyone is talking about it…
But most people?
👉 Aren’t actually using it effectively
In this episode, Elijah Bilel sits down with Benjamin Bringham to break down:
👉 How AI and automation can actually scale your business
👉 Where most people go wrong
👉 And how to avoid turning your side hustle into just another job
Intro to Benjamin Bringham
Benjamin Bringham is a dynamic speaker, author, and CEO of Automate Boring, a company focused on helping entrepreneurs streamline their businesses using AI and automation.
With a background in law and criminology, Benjamin has spent over a decade helping companies:
Improve communication systems
Increase efficiency
Automate repetitive tasks
He has worked with major companies and now focuses on helping entrepreneurs build systems that allow them to scale without burnout.
👉 Check out his website Here
He’s also the author of multiple books, including People Ignorant, which focuses on influence, confidence, and success.
Episode Overview
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why most entrepreneurs misuse AI
The difference between automating acquisition vs fulfillment
How to build systems that actually scale
Why communication is a hidden business superpower
Tools you can use today to automate your 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
The Personalized Side Hustle Starter Kit
Why Most People Avoid AI (Even When They Know They Should Use It)
Elijah opens with a powerful question:
👉 What’s something you KNOW you should be using in your business… but keep avoiding?
For most people right now:
👉 It’s AI
Even though:
It can increase efficiency
It can boost revenue
It can save time
Many people hesitate because:
It feels complicated
It’s unfamiliar
They don’t know where to start
The Truth About Scaling a Side Hustle
One of the biggest insights from this episode:
👉 Most people scale the WRONG thing first
Benjamin explains:
There are two main parts of your business:
Customer acquisition (getting clients)
Fulfillment (delivering the service)
The Mistake Most People Make
👉 They automate acquisition first
This leads to:
More clients
More demand
More overwhelm
And suddenly…
👉 You’re stuck on a hamster wheel
Get a client
Fulfill
Repeat
The Better Approach
👉 Automate fulfillment FIRST
Why?
Because once fulfillment is handled:
👉 You can scale acquisition without breaking your system
Why Communication Skills Still Matter (Even With AI)
One of the most valuable parts of this episode had nothing to do with tech…
👉 It was about communication
Benjamin shares a powerful lesson:
👉 Problems in business are opportunities to build trust
Instead of avoiding issues:
Address them directly
Be transparent
Ask how to move forward
Elijah reinforces this with a real Airbnb example:
A maintenance issue came up
It was handled quickly
A partial refund was given
Result:
👉 A 5-star review and stronger trust
Simple Automation Tools You Can Start Using Today
Benjamin keeps it simple:
👉 You don’t need complex systems to start
Here are 3 tools he recommends:
Zapier
Make.com
n8n
These tools allow you to:
Connect apps
Automate workflows
Reduce manual tasks
Key Rule for Automation
👉 If it takes longer than a few days to implement…
You’ve overcomplicated it
What a CRM Actually Is (And Why You Need One)
A CRM (Customer Relationship Management system) is simply:
👉 Where you store your leads and customer data
This can be:
A spreadsheet
Airtable
A full CRM platform
The goal is simple:
👉 Keep track of people and interactions
Because:
👉 Organization = more opportunities
Content Creation Is the Best Place to Use AI
One of the biggest opportunities discussed:
👉 Content repurposing
Example:
Record a podcast
Turn it into clips
Turn clips into posts
Turn posts into blogs
Instead of creating more content…
👉 You maximize what you already have
The Hidden Danger of “Doing Everything Yourself”
Benjamin makes this clear:
👉 If you’re doing everything manually…
You don’t have a business
👉 You have a high-paying job
The goal of automation is:
Free your time
Build systems
Scale efficiently
Final Thoughts
Elijah Bilel and Benjamin Bringham highlight something important:
👉 AI is not the goal
👉 Freedom is the goal
AI is just the tool that helps you get there faster.
If used correctly, automation allows you to:
Scale your income
Save time
Focus on growth
If used incorrectly:
👉 You’ll just create more work for yourself