SHS050: How I Make Money Off Of My Lifestyle As A Content Creator! | From Side Hustle To Full Time
Intro
What does it really take to build something that lasts over a decade?
In this special episode, Elijah Bilel becomes the guest as he’s interviewed live during the 10-year anniversary of The Veggie Outers.
Hosted by Yoshi Me who also has been on the show last season. You can see that show here. This episode blends:
A live interview
A behind-the-scenes origin story
A real-time audience Q&A
This isn’t just a reflection…
👉 It’s a blueprint for building something that actually lasts
Episode Overview
This episode serves as:
The first episode of Season 3
A live in-person interview experience
A foundation for understanding Elijah’s monetization strategy
The Bigger Theme of This Episode
👉 How to survive in the world without a 9 to 5
What That Looks Like
Monetizing your skills
Building multiple income streams
Creating a system that supports your freedom
How The Veggie Outers Got Started
Yoshi opens with the question:
👉 “How did The Veggie Outers get started?”
Elijah’s Answer
It started with a personal transformation:
Poor diet early on
A coach calling it out
Immediate performance improvement after cleaning it up
The Realization
👉 Health creates real, immediate results
From Personal Change to Community
Coworkers noticed what he was eating
Questions started coming in daily
Conversations turned into curiosity
The First Move
Instead of answering questions repeatedly:
👉 Elijah organized a group outing
The Result
👉 The first Veggie Outers meetup was born
How It Turned Into a Massive Community
Yoshi follows up with:
👉 “How did you grow this into such a large group?”
Elijah’s Breakdown
Started with coworkers
Grew through word of mouth
Expanded through networking consistently
Key Trait
👉 “I’m a serial networker”
What That Led To
Constant exposure
Organic promotion
Rapid growth
Outcome
👉 Within about a year, the group exploded
Why Most Meetup Groups Fail (And This One Didn’t)
Another key question:
👉 “Why do you think this lasted when others didn’t?”
Elijah’s Answer
👉 It stopped being just a meetup… and became a brand
The Difference
Meetups = events
Brands = identity
His Analogy
Drawing from Batman Begins:
👉 A person can be ignored
👉 A symbol lasts forever
The Takeaway
👉 Build something bigger than the activity itself
Live Q&A: Questions From the Crowd
This is where the episode really opens up.
Question: “How can we support The Veggie Outers?”
Elijah’s Answer
There are two main ways:
1. Paid Support
The Veggie Outers is funded through:
The Side Hustler’s Society
Financial Anatomy
Video editing services
👉 That means supporting those supports the brand
You can also check out Elijah and his sister Tiffany’s books Here
2. Free Support
This is where most people underestimate their impact:
Showing up to events
Participating in reviews
Engaging with content
Sharing the brand
Key Insight
👉 Engagement is currency
Question: “How do you keep this sustainable long-term?”
Elijah’s Answer
👉 By not relying on the meetup itself to make money
Instead
Other businesses fund the brand
The brand feeds opportunities back into those businesses
Example
Veggie Outers content:
Acts as a video editing portfolio
Attracts new clients
Creates additional income streams
The System
👉 One ecosystem feeds another
Question: “How did you grow without social media algorithms helping?”
Elijah’s Answer
When The Veggie Outers started:
Facebook groups weren’t being pushed
Organic reach was limited
So What Worked?
👉 Direct outreach + word of mouth
Examples
Talking to coworkers
Networking in person
People sharing experiences
Key Takeaway
👉 You don’t need algorithms to grow
Question: “What made people keep coming back?”
Elijah’s Answer
👉 The experience + evolution
What Changed Over Time
Started as simple meetups
Evolved into a recognizable brand
Became something people identified with
Key Insight
👉 Retention comes from identity, not just events
The Hidden Business Model Behind Everything
One of the biggest takeaways from this episode:
The Veggie Outers Is Not the Product
👉 It’s the ecosystem
What It Does
Builds community
Creates content
Attracts opportunities
What Monetizes It
Services
Products
Other brands
The Lesson
👉 You don’t always monetize directly
Why This Episode Matters
This episode shows a real-world example of:
Turning a lifestyle into a brand
Growing without relying on algorithms
Monetizing without being pushy
Building something that lasts 10+ years
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
The Personalized Side Hustle Starter Kit
The Anatomy Of Financial Success Paperback
Final Thoughts
After 10 years, The Veggie Outers proves something powerful:
👉 Longevity is built through evolution
Not Just Starting
But:
Adapting
Expanding
Creating systems
And Most Importantly
👉 Building something bigger than yourself
Watch The Podcast On Youtube!
SHS049: VidSummit Review 2025: Is It Improving Each Time Or Getting Worse? Lets Talk!
Intro
VidSummit 2025 is officially in the books…
And as someone who has now attended multiple times, Elijah Bilel is back with another breakdown—this time with a panel and direct insight from speakers and long-time attendees.
This was Elijah’s third VidSummit, and instead of just reviewing the event, this episode goes deeper:
👉 How do you actually leverage VidSummit to grow your business?
Because attending is one thing…
👉 But maximizing it is something completely different
Going to this year's vidsummit? Click here to get your ticket and be part of Elijah's vidsummit crew during the event!
Commentary From Speakers & VidSummit Vets
Before diving into the panel, Elijah gathered insights from experienced creators and keynote speakers on one key question:
👉 How should someone leverage VidSummit for the first time?
Roberto Blake
Roberto makes something very clear:
👉 VidSummit is for people who are serious about content creation
His Key Advice
Prioritize community over sessions
You’ll get access to recordings anyway
Focus on meeting people and building relationships
Big Insight
👉 You can’t attend every session
But you CAN:
👉 Maximize your time with people
Hidden Opportunity
Smaller meetups within the event
Creator groups (vloggers, short-form creators, niche communities)
Organic conversations with high-level creators
👉 Learn more about Roberto Blake and his work here
Nick Nimmin
Nick reinforces that VidSummit is different from other events:
👉 It’s designed for creators who are actually serious
His Key Advice
Bring a notepad
Capture ideas constantly
Take advantage of both sessions AND conversations
Key Insight
👉 Learning doesn’t stop when sessions end
Even late at night:
Creators are still talking
Sharing ideas
Giving feedback
👉 Follow Nick Nimmin here
Andrew Kan
Andrew, a long-time attendee, highlights something simple but powerful:
His Advice
👉 Talk to people
Why This Matters
Everyone is there for a reason
There’s very little ego
Even top creators are accessible
Real Insight
👉 Opportunities often come from conversations people are too afraid to start
👉 Follow Andrew Kan here
Elijah’s Personal Strategy (And What Actually Works)
After hearing from the speakers, Elijah shares his own approach:
👉 Network FIRST, consume content SECOND
His Recommendation
Attend 20–30% of sessions
Spend 70–80% of time networking
Why
Because:
👉 The real value is in the relationships
Real Example from the Event
Elijah hosted a DFW creator meetup using the event app:
Started with ~12 people
More creators kept joining
Eventually took over an entire area
The Lesson
👉 Opportunities compound when you engage
If you’re looking to build your content, expand into multiple channels, and actually turn your ideas into income-producing platforms like Elijah did, you can learn the same systems inside Awesome Creator Academy Here .
Panel Cast
Host:
Elijah Bilel – Founder of The Side Hustler’s Society
Panelists:
Joe’s Phenomenal
👉 Check out his YouTube channel hereAshia
👉 Check out her YouTube channel hereDelo
👉 Check out his YouTube channel hereMatthew
👉 Check out his YouTube channel hereRebecca
👉 Check out her YouTube channel hereGregory
👉 Check out his YouTube channel hereYuly
👉 Check out her YouTube channel hereBranko
👉 Learn more about his work here
Episode Overview
In this panel discussion, we break down:
Overall impressions of VidSummit 2025
Whether the event is improving or changing
How creators are leveraging the experience
The importance of networking vs learning
What attendees should do differently next time
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 Real Value of VidSummit (From the Panel)
A consistent theme throughout the discussion:
👉 VidSummit is not just about information
It’s About Environment
Being around serious creators
Sharing ideas in real time
Getting feedback instantly
Why This Matters
You can learn online…
But you can’t replicate:
👉 Real-time collaboration
The App Advantage (Underrated Strategy)
One thing highlighted in this episode:
👉 Using the event app (Hoova) strategically
What It Allows You To Do
Discover meetups
Ask speakers questions
Find niche communities
Key Insight
👉 The event is bigger than the schedule
What Most People Do Wrong
The panel makes this clear:
👉 People try to attend everything
The Problem
They miss conversations
They miss opportunities
They overwhelm themselves
The Better Approach
👉 Be selective
👉 Be intentional
The Bigger Takeaway
This episode reinforces a powerful idea:
👉 VidSummit rewards action
Not Just Attendance
Talk to people
Join conversations
Create opportunities
Because at the end of the day
👉 Access is given
👉 Results are earned
If you’re serious about building a creator-based business and want a structured way to grow, monetize, and expand like Elijah did—from one channel to multiple income streams—you can get started inside Awesome Creator Academy Here .
Final Thoughts
VidSummit 2025 delivered on one key principle:
👉 The value is there—but only if you use it
Best Way to Approach It
Focus on people
Leverage the environment
Follow up after
Because ultimately
👉 The biggest opportunities don’t come from watching
👉 They come from engaging
Watch The Podcast On Youtube!
SHS048: The Perfect System For Lead Generation For Freelancers | Season 2 Podcast Finale
In this Episode, Elijah will be premiering the seasons 2 podcast finale.
SHS047: Strict Cancellation Policy For Airbnb Hosts Is Gone! Host Are Now Responsible For Chargebacks!?
Intro
Airbnb is making major changes…
And depending on how you run your business:
👉 These changes could either hurt your profits
👉 Or position you to win long-term
In this episode, Elijah Bilel brings together experienced operators to break down what’s really happening—and how to adapt.
Panel Cast
Host:
Elijah Bilel – Founder of The Side Hustler’s Society
Panelists:
Micheal Brown – Founder of PBD Stays
👉 Learn more about his business hereFederico Zimerman – Founder of Black Bird Hospitality
👉 Connect with him and his work here
Episode Overview
In this panel discussion, we break down:
Airbnb’s new cancellation policy changes
Why hosts are now responsible for chargebacks
How pricing strategy ties into policy changes
The shift toward more “professional” hosting standards
Why many operators are moving toward direct bookings
How to compete with hotels (not just other Airbnbs)
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!
Why This Panel Matters
Elijah Bilel intentionally brought on operators with larger portfolios and different business models to give a more complete perspective.
Because Not All Hosts Are the Same
Small operators → fewer units, simpler systems
Large operators → teams, systems, scaling challenges
The Key Insight
👉 The bigger your operation, the more these changes matter
If you’re newer to Airbnb or looking to build a stronger foundation before navigating changes like these, you can get access to a free 5-part video series on getting started as a host by joining The Side Hustler’s Society newsletter Here .
Breaking Down Airbnb’s Policy Changes
This episode focuses on three major updates:
1. Cancellation Policy Changes
Airbnb is removing the strict cancellation policy
👉 Hosts now have less control over refunds
What This Means
Previously:
Hosts could keep more revenue on late cancellations
Now:
Guests have more flexibility
Hosts take on more risk
Why This Is Controversial
👉 It directly impacts profitability
Especially for:
Larger properties
Higher nightly rates
Perspective Shift: Not Everyone Sees This as Negative
Federico provides a contrarian perspective:
👉 Airbnb may just be catching up to the rest of the industry
His Take
Other platforms already prioritize flexibility
Flexible policies can increase booking volume
Pricing strategy should adjust accordingly
Meanwhile, Micheal Brown Adds Another Layer
Micheal Brown highlights that operators also need to think beyond just Airbnb policies and focus on:
👉 how they generate and control their own demand
His Focus
Direct outreach (cold + warm)
Retargeting past guests
Building B2B relationships
Why This Matters
👉 If you rely ONLY on Airbnb…
You’re more exposed to platform changes
The Bigger Lesson: Adaptation Over Complaining
Across the panel, there’s a shared theme:
👉 The operators who win are the ones who adapt
What That Looks Like
Adjusting pricing models
Understanding booking behavior
Diversifying lead sources
Reality Check
👉 The platform will change whether you like it or not
Why Flexible Policies Can Increase Bookings
Federico emphasizes:
👉 Flexibility lowers friction
Consumer Psychology
People are more likely to book when:
Risk is low
They have options
They feel protected
Additional Insight from the Panel
Even when cancellations happen:
👉 Listings may get boosted again in visibility
Micheal Brown’s Strategy: Control the Demand
While policy changes matter…
Micheal Brown focuses on something deeper:
👉 Not relying on platforms alone
His Approach Includes
Direct marketing to businesses
Outreach to corporate clients
Following up with past guests
Key Insight
👉 The more control you have over your leads…
👉 The less these changes affect you
You’re Not Just Competing With Airbnb Hosts
This was one of the biggest insights from the discussion:
👉 Your real competition is hotels
Why This Matters
Hotels offer:
Flexible cancellations
Consistent experiences
Predictability
So If You’re Competing…
👉 You need to match or beat that experience
Example: Why Strict Policies Can Hurt You
Elijah Bilel shares a real experience:
Launched a listing
Used a strict cancellation policy
Got no bookings
What Changed
👉 Switching to a more flexible policy
Result
👉 Immediate booking activity
Understanding Customer Behavior
The panel also highlights how people actually book travel:
Typical Booking Flow
Flights
Events
Accommodation last
Implication
👉 Many bookings are last-minute
So If Your Policy Is Too Strict
👉 You miss those opportunities
Advanced Strategy: Competing Smarter
Federico shares a powerful positioning strategy:
Example
Offering 1-night stays
Capturing overlooked demand
Charging premium pricing
Meanwhile, Micheal Reinforces
👉 Demand isn’t just captured—it can be created
Through:
Outreach
Relationships
Strategic targeting
The Bigger Trend: Professionalization of Airbnb
A core theme throughout the panel:
👉 Airbnb is evolving into a more structured marketplace
What That Means
Less flexibility for hosts
More standardization
Closer alignment with hotels
Why This Is Happening
Shareholder pressure
Customer expectations
Market maturity
Final Thoughts
This panel makes one thing clear:
👉 Airbnb is changing—but opportunity still exists
Key Takeaways
From Federico:
👉 Adjust your pricing and strategy
From Micheal:
👉 Build systems outside the platform
From Elijah:
👉 Understand the customer and adapt
Because at the end of the day
👉 The operators who win aren’t the ones who resist change
👉 They’re the ones who move with it
If you want a step-by-step breakdown of how to actually get started and position yourself as a host in today’s market, you can get access to the free 5-part Airbnb starter video series by joining The Side Hustler’s Society newsletter Here .
Watch The Podcast On Youtube!
SHS046: How To Build & Manage Multiple Income Streams With Yoshi Mei
Intro
Most people are taught to focus on one thing:
👉 One career
👉 One skill
👉 One identity
But what happens when you’re good at… a lot of things?
In this episode, Elijah Bilel sits down with multi-talented entrepreneur Yoshi Mei to break down how to turn multiple skills into income streams—without feeling scattered.
Intro to Yoshi Mei
Motivational rap artist and creative
Content creator and entrepreneur
Former professional dancer
Cybersecurity professional
Spiritual practitioner offering healing services
Military wife and mother of three
Yoshi is known for helping people turn their pain into purpose—and get paid while doing it.
To check out her content and connect with her on Instagram, click here .
Episode Overview
In this episode, Elijah and Yoshi discuss:
Why “not knowing anyone” is a weak excuse
How networking can happen anywhere (even casually)
The reality of becoming skilled at multiple things
How to monetize different talents simultaneously
Why content creation ties everything together
The mindset needed to thrive as a multi-hyphenate entrepreneur
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
The Personalized Side Hustle Starter Kit
“I Don’t Know Anyone” Is Not a Real Excuse
One of the most powerful moments in this episode:
👉 “Not knowing anyone is an excuse.”
What That Actually Means
Yoshi explains that:
You can meet people anywhere
Conversations happen naturally
Opportunities come from simple interactions
Real Example
She describes:
Talking to someone casually
Giving advice
That conversation turning into value
The Takeaway
👉 The world is full of people
So:
👉 You’re always one conversation away from opportunity
Networking Isn’t Just Events
A lot of people think networking means:
Conferences
Meetups
Business events
But In Reality
Networking happens:
At coffee shops
In stores
Through casual conversations
Key Insight
👉 Support is free
Even something as simple as:
Sharing someone’s work
Recommending them
Talking about them
Can create opportunities
The Multi-Skill Advantage
A major theme in this episode:
👉 You’re going to develop multiple skills anyway
Especially If You Go Full-Time
Elijah Bilel explains:
You’ll wear multiple hats
You’ll gain new skills over time
You’ll become valuable in different areas
Examples Mentioned
People typically come to Elijah for:
App-based income
Airbnb / real estate
Content creation
Freelancing
The Opportunity
👉 Each of those can be monetized separately
Why Most People Miss This
Society teaches:
👉 “Pick one thing and stick to it”
The Problem
That mindset:
Limits income potential
Ignores your real capabilities
Prevents you from evolving
Yoshi’s Approach to Success
Yoshi Mei didn’t try to become multiple things…
👉 She already was
Her Skills Were Natural
From a young age:
Dancing
Performing
Speaking life into people
Creating
What Changed
👉 She started monetizing what was already there
Content Creation Is the Connector
One of the biggest hidden gems in this episode:
👉 Content ties everything together
Why This Matters
If you:
Have multiple skills
Offer different services
Content allows you to:
👉 Showcase ALL of them
Example
Instead of choosing one identity:
You can be:
Artist
Entrepreneur
Healer
Creator
And Content Makes It Make Sense
Because your audience sees:
👉 The full picture
The Real Skill: Monetization Awareness
A key point Elijah brings up:
👉 Knowing how to monetize what’s in your head is a skill
Why This Matters
When your main income slows down:
Economy shifts
Demand changes
Your Backup Plan
👉 Other skills become income streams
That’s How You Stay Independent
Instead of:
👉 Going back to a job
How This Happens Naturally
Yoshi didn’t force this path.
It Happened Through:
Natural abilities
Consistent interaction with people
Being visible
Taking action
Key Insight
👉 People start recognizing you for different things
And over time:
👉 You become known for them professionally
The Identity Shift
One of the hardest parts:
👉 Explaining what you do
Why It’s Difficult
Because:
You do multiple things
You’re evolving constantly
Reality Check
It can take YEARS to:
👉 Simplify your identity into one clear message
But Eventually…
👉 It clicks
Final Thoughts
This episode reinforces a powerful idea:
👉 You don’t need to limit yourself to one path
Instead
Develop your skills
Share them
Monetize them
Because in today’s world
👉 Being multi-skilled is an advantage
Not a weakness
Watch The Podcast On Youtube!
SHS045: The Correct Way To Do Lead Follow Up With Giuseppe Grammatico
Intro
Most people think making money in business comes down to one thing:
👉 Closing the sale
But what if the REAL money…
👉 Comes after the first conversation?
In this episode, Elijah Bilel sits down with franchise expert Giuseppe Grammatico to break down why follow-up is one of the most overlooked (and profitable) skills in business.
Intro to Giuseppe Grammatico
Franchise consultant helping professionals transition into business ownership
Former financial advisor with deep experience in sales and client acquisition
Franchise owner with nearly two decades of experience
Host of the Franchise Freedom Podcast
Helps people achieve time and financial freedom through franchising
To learn more about Giuseppe and his work, click here .
Episode Overview
In this episode, Elijah and Giuseppe discuss:
Why “the fortune is in the follow-up”
The biggest mistake people make after hearing “no”
How timing—not rejection—kills most deals
Why staying top of mind is everything
How to use content as a follow-up system
Practical follow-up strategies that actually work
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
The Personalized Side Hustle Starter Kit
The Real Problem: People Give Up Too Early
One of the biggest insights from this episode:
👉 Most people try once… and quit
As Elijah explains, many entrepreneurs:
Pitch once
Hear “no” (or nothing)
Move on immediately
But in reality:
👉 Most people don’t buy on the first interaction
Why This Happens
It’s usually NOT because:
They aren’t interested
It’s because:
The timing isn’t right
They’re distracted
They need more information
They’re unsure or hesitant
The Truth About Follow-Up
According to Giuseppe Grammatico:
👉 Follow-up is about staying top of mind
Not being pushy.
Real Example
A prospect reaches out…
Then:
Loses their job
Gets busy
Shifts priorities
They don’t respond—not because they’re not interested…
👉 But because life happened
Why Follow-Up Works
Follow-up allows you to:
Re-engage at the right time
Build trust over time
Educate your prospect
Address hidden objections
Key Insight
👉 Sales is not just about convincing
It’s about:
👉 Timing + trust
The Wrong Way to Follow Up
Most people follow up like this:
“Just checking in…”
“Following up…”
“Are you still interested?”
The Problem
👉 This adds ZERO value
And makes you easy to ignore
The Right Way to Follow Up
Instead of being repetitive…
👉 Be valuable
Example Approach
Share a relevant podcast
Send an article addressing their concern
Provide new insights
Offer helpful resources
Why This Works
Because now you’re not:
👉 Selling
You’re:
👉 Helping
Content = Follow-Up System
One of the biggest gems in this episode:
👉 Content creation can automate your follow-up
How Giuseppe Uses It
Monthly newsletter
Podcast episodes
Educational content
Industry insights
The Strategy
Instead of chasing people…
👉 Let your content follow up for you
Example
If someone is unsure about:
👉 Funding a business
Send them:
👉 A podcast breaking down funding options
Now you’ve:
Answered objections
Built authority
Stayed relevant
Multi-Touch Follow-Up Strategy
Giuseppe doesn’t rely on just one method.
He uses:
Email
Phone calls
Newsletters
Direct mail
Content
Key Insight
👉 Different people respond to different channels
Underrated Tactic
Direct mail (like postcards)
Why?
👉 Nobody gets real mail anymore
So when they do…
👉 It stands out
The Psychology of Follow-Up
A major takeaway:
👉 Silence ≠ rejection
It often means:
Confusion
Hesitation
Lack of clarity
Your Job
👉 Identify what’s holding them back
Then:
👉 Provide value that solves it
Elijah’s Approach to Follow-Up
Elijah Bilel highlights a key strategy:
👉 Make it natural
Instead of This
“Just checking in…”
Do This
Build rapport
Reference past conversations
Start with something relatable
Then transition into business
Example
Instead of jumping straight into sales:
👉 Start with a shared interest
Then:
👉 Bring the offer into the conversation naturally
Final Thoughts
This episode makes one thing clear:
👉 Most sales are lost due to lack of follow-up
Not lack of opportunity
The Big Lesson
If you want to make more money:
👉 Don’t just generate leads
👉 Nurture them
Because at the end of the day…
👉 The fortune is in the follow-up