SHS057: How To Make A Full Time Living As A Drone Pilot Freelancer With James Travis!
Intro
What if your freelance income…
👉 Didn’t have to be unpredictable?
👉 Could actually feel stable like a job—but pay more?
In this episode, Elijah Bilel sits down with James Travis to break down how to turn a skill into consistent income through contracts, positioning, and smart negotiation.
This is a must-listen for anyone trying to go full-time with a trade skill.
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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 James Travis
James Travis is a full-time entrepreneur specializing in drone services, photography, and videography.
He focuses on:
Drone piloting for companies
Capturing high-quality aerial footage
Documenting construction and work sites
Creating visual content for businesses
His journey into entrepreneurship came after leaving a corporate sales role and betting on himself full-time.
👉 Check out James’s website here
👉 Check out his YouTube channel here
Episode Overview
In this episode, we cover:
How to price your freelance services
The difference between short-term vs long-term clients
Why contracts create stability
How to transition from a job into self-employment
Using niche skills (like drones) to stand out
Negotiation strategies that increase your 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
Imovie Video Editing Course
The $200/Hour “Mistake” That Changed Everything
One of the standout moments in this episode:
👉 James accidentally priced himself at $200/hour
What Happened
He intended to say $200/day
Instead said $200/hour
Stayed quiet after saying it
The Result
👉 The client agreed
Key Lesson
👉 Silence is powerful in negotiations
👉 The first person to talk often loses leverage
Takeaway
👉 Price higher than you think—and let the market respond
Freelancing Doesn’t Have to Be Unstable
There’s a big misconception:
👉 Self-employment = inconsistent income
Reality
👉 It depends on how you structure it
Two Ways to Earn
1. Short-Term Work
One-off projects
Quick cash
Less predictable
2. Long-Term Contracts
6–12 month agreements
Consistent income
More stability
Key Insight
👉 Contracts turn freelancing into predictable income
How James Became a Full-Time Entrepreneur
His Background
Worked in sales for 8 years
Chose sales intentionally to build a valuable skill
Saved aggressively (around 30% of income early on)
The Breaking Point
Put on repeated performance plans
Environment became unsustainable
Decided to walk away
The Decision
👉 Bet on himself full-time
Key Takeaway
👉 Preparation (saving + skills) creates options
Why Sales Skills Matter More Than You Think
James’s sales background played a huge role in his success.
What Sales Taught Him
Negotiation
Pricing confidence
Communication
Positioning value
Real-World Application
👉 Setting higher rates
👉 Structuring deals
👉 Closing contracts
Key Insight
👉 If you can sell, you can survive in business
The Power of a Niche Skill (Drone Services)
Instead of being “just” a photographer or videographer…
👉 James positioned himself as a drone pilot first
Why That Matters
Less competition
Higher perceived value
Specialized skillset
What He Offers
Aerial photography
Drone videography
Worksite documentation
Content creation
Key Takeaway
👉 Niches command premium pricing
Freelancer vs Contractor Mindset
This was a key mindset shift discussed in the episode.
Most People Think
👉 “I need a job for stability”
But There’s Another Option
👉 Become a contractor
How That Works
Work with companies
Set your own terms
Negotiate higher pay
Maintain independence
Key Insight
👉 You can have stability without giving up control
Financial Discipline Made This Possible
Before going full-time:
👉 James built a financial cushion
What He Did
Saved consistently
Invested (401k + Roth IRA)
Managed expenses
Why It Matters
👉 It gave him the confidence to leave
Key Takeaway
👉 Freedom is built before you need it
Final Thoughts
This episode shows a clear path:
Step 1
👉 Learn a skill
Step 2
👉 Get paid for it
Step 3
👉 Increase your rates
Step 4
👉 Secure contracts
Step 5
👉 Go full-time
At the end of the day
👉 Freelancing can feel unstable…
…but when structured correctly:
👉 It becomes predictable, scalable income
Watch The Podcast On Youtube!
SHS056: How To Scale A Video Editing Business Using Contractors With Branko Hodzic From H6Productions!
Intro
What if your freelance skill…
👉 Could evolve into a full business?
👉 One where you’re no longer doing all the work yourself?
In this episode, Elijah Bilel sits down with Branko Hodzic to break down how to go from being a solo video editor…
👉 To building a team and scaling your income beyond your own time.
This conversation is especially powerful for freelancers looking to transition into business owners.
Intro to Branko Hodzic
Branko Hodzic is a professional video editor and the founder of H6 Productions LLC.
His background includes:
Studying at Berklee College of Music
Experience in music, film, and storytelling
Editing across multiple niches including:
Automotive
Lifestyle
Food
Commercial content
He has worked with a wide range of creators and brands while building a team of editors under his company.
👉 Check out Branko Hodzic’s work and website here
Episode Overview
In this episode, we break down:
How much video editors can realistically earn
The limits of freelancing vs scaling
How to build and manage a team
The transition from editor → business owner
Project management at scale
The realities of workload and growth
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
How Much Can You Really Make as a Video Editor?
Starting Out
Branko Hodzic shares that early on:
He was making around $200–$500 per week
Scaling Up
As he gained more clients:
👉 He reached around $8,000–$10,000 per month working solo
The Problem
👉 There’s a ceiling
Why
Because:
Your time is limited
Your energy is limited
You can only edit so much
Key Takeaway
👉 Freelancing alone has an income cap
The Shift: Freelancer → Business Owner
The Realization
At a certain point, Branko understood:
👉 If he wanted to grow, he couldn’t do everything himself
What He Did
Started hiring editors
Built a small team
Began delegating projects
The Goal
👉 Move into a managerial role
Why This Matters
This is the bridge:
👉 From self-employed → business owner
The Reality of Scaling (It Gets Harder Before It Gets Easier)
What Most People Think
👉 Hiring help = more freedom immediately
Reality
👉 It actually gets harder first
Branko’s Experience
Managing multiple projects at once
Coordinating team members
Handling client revisions
Constant communication
The Challenge
👉 Juggling everything at once
Key Insight
👉 Growth comes with new problems
The “In-Between” Phase (Where Most People Quit)
Branko Hodzic describes being in a transition phase:
What That Looks Like
Still editing full-time
Managing a team
Handling more clients than before
Working long hours
The Reality
👉 You don’t get your time back immediately
But…
👉 It’s temporary
Key Takeaway
👉 You have to push through this phase to reach the next level
Why VidSummit Changed Everything
After attending VidSummit:
👉 Branko gained:
More clients
More exposure
More opportunities
The Result
👉 His workload increased significantly
Which Forced Growth
Hiring full-time editors
Expanding operations
Improving systems
Key Insight
👉 Opportunities create pressure
👉 Pressure creates growth
Project Management Becomes the Real Skill
As Branko scaled, something changed:
Before
👉 Get project → edit → deliver
After
👉 Assign → manage → review → revise → deliver
New Challenges
Tracking multiple projects
Handling changes mid-project
Communicating with both clients and editors
Key Takeaway
👉 Editing is no longer the hardest part
👉 Managing people is
Why Most Editors Stay Stuck
Most editors never make this transition.
Why?
Fear of letting go of control
Lack of systems
Not trusting others with their work
But The Tradeoff Is
👉 Staying stuck at a certain income level
The Bigger Lesson From This Episode
This episode highlights a major truth:
There Are Levels to Freelancing
Level 1:
👉 You do everything yourself
Level 2:
👉 You start outsourcing
Level 3:
👉 You build a team
Level 4:
👉 You manage the business
And Each Level Requires
👉 A new skillset
If You Want to Skip the Trial and Error…
If you’re looking to hire a video editor who already understands content, storytelling, and what actually works on platforms like YouTube…
👉 You can book Elijah for a video editing project Here
Final Thoughts
This episode makes one thing clear:
👉 Your skill can only take you so far
To Grow Further, You Need
Systems
People
Leadership
Because at the end of the day
👉 Freelancing pays
👉 But systems scale
Watch The Podcast On Youtube!
SHS055: From Dump Truck To Thriving Food Truck Business With Chef Rico From Hopeboy's Kitchen!
Intro
What if your next business…
👉 Didn’t come from a plan…
👉 But from people constantly telling you, “You should sell this”?
In this episode, Elijah Bilel sits down with Chef Rico, the owner of Hopeboy’s Kitchen—a viral vegan food truck that’s been making serious noise in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
This conversation blends:
Business and entrepreneurship
Health and lifestyle transformation
Real side hustle growth strategies
And it all started… in a parking lot.
👉 If you’ve already heard about the food or want to see how it landed with The Veggie Outers, check out The Veggie Outers review of Hopeboy’s Kitchen here
Intro to Chef Rico
Chef Rico is the owner of Hopeboy’s Kitchen, a highly successful vegan food truck based in Dallas.
His journey includes:
Former dump truck business owner
Self-taught vegan chef
Started cooking from home during the pandemic
Built a loyal customer base from scratch
Hopeboy’s Kitchen has:
Won multiple awards in the DFW area
Become one of the most popular vegan food spots locally
Grown through pure word-of-mouth and consistency
👉 Follow Hopeboy’s Kitchen on Facebook here
👉 Follow Hopeboy’s Kitchen on Instagram here
Episode Overview
In this episode, we break down:
How Chef Rico built his food business from zero
The real numbers behind a food truck
Why passion matters more than just making money
How health transformation changed his entire life
The mindset required to grow a side hustle into a full-time 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
From $700 Weeks to $7K–$10K Weeks
The Growth Journey
Chef Rico shares:
Started at around $700 per week
Grew to $7,000 to $10,000 per week
What Changed?
Consistency
Customer experience
Word-of-mouth growth
Product quality
Key Takeaway
👉 Most people quit before momentum kicks in
The Parking Lot Hustle That Built the Brand
The Setup
Cooking from home
Taking pre-orders
Meeting customers in a Target parking lot
How Long He Did This
👉 About 18 months
What Happened
Traffic kept growing
New customers every week
Eventually forced to scale
Turning Point
👉 Got kicked out of the parking lot
What He Did Next
Bought a food truck
Got permits
Took the business legit
Key Insight
👉 Sometimes getting pushed out of one stage forces your next level
Why Passion Beat Profit
He Could Have Stayed Comfortable
Dump truck business was profitable
Stable income
But…
👉 He didn’t love it
What Changed
Fell in love with cooking
Found purpose in helping people
Built something meaningful
Key Takeaway
👉 Money alone will not sustain you
👉 Passion and purpose will
The Health Transformation That Changed Everything
Chef Rico’s Reality
He was diagnosed with:
Type 2 diabetes
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
What He Did
👉 Changed his diet immediately
The Result
👉 Reversed all conditions in 7 weeks
Why This Matters
This was bigger than business
👉 It became a mission
His Purpose
👉 “My people deserve healthy options.”
👉 If you want a closer look at the food that helped build that reputation, you can check out The Veggie Outers review of Hopeboy’s Kitchen here
The Meaning Behind “Hopeboy’s Kitchen”
Chef Rico’s Background
Formerly involved in street life
Incarcerated for several years
Struggled after release
Turning Point
Found faith
Left that lifestyle behind
Rebuilt his life from scratch
What “Hopeboy” Represents
👉 Transformation
👉 Redemption
👉 A second chance
Key Insight
👉 Your past does not have to define your future
Entrepreneurship Means Flexibility
Ice Storm in DFW
Had to shut down temporarily
Adjusted schedule
Opened on a different day to compensate
Lesson
👉 Entrepreneurs control their time more than most people realize
Key Takeaway
👉 Flexibility is one of the biggest benefits of being self-employed
The Power of Community Support
Growth Came From People
New customers every week
Strong local support
Word-of-mouth marketing
Key Insight
👉 Community can build your business faster than ads
The Bigger Lesson From This Episode
You Don’t Need Everything Figured Out
Started from home
No formal chef background
No perfect plan
What You Do Need
Consistency
Passion
Willingness to evolve
Because at the end of the day
👉 Businesses are not built overnight
👉 They are built week by week
Final Thoughts
This episode is a reminder that:
👉 Your side hustle can start anywhere
A kitchen
A parking lot
Or even your current situation
But if you stay consistent…
👉 It can turn into something much bigger
Watch The Podcast On Youtube!
SHS054: From Driving A Dirt Truck To Having 1.3 Million Followers With White George!
Intro
What if the biggest skill holding you back…
👉 Isn’t money, resources, or opportunity…
👉 But your ability to connect with people?
In this episode, Elijah Bilel sits down with George Sedbury—also known online as White George—to break down what it really takes to master networking.
This conversation goes deeper than surface-level advice…
👉 It shows how networking can literally change your life trajectory
Intro to White George
George Sedbury, also known as White George, is a speaker, content creator, and entrepreneur who has built a powerful personal brand through:
Speaking at HBCUs
Traveling across the country
Walking over 2,800 miles across America
Building a massive following on social media
His story is unique:
👉 From being an ex-con…
👉 To building influence, connections, and opportunities through networking
👉 Follow White George on TikTok here
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!
Episode Overview
In this episode, we break down:
Why networking is the foundation of success
How to approach people in real-life situations
Why rejection is actually an advantage
The biggest mistakes people make at events
How to stand out in group environments
Why social skills are becoming more valuable than ever
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 Networking Is Everything
Early in the episode, Elijah reinforces a key principle:
👉 Business is the art of managing relationships
What That Means
Opportunities come from people
Access comes from connections
Growth comes from relationships
Real Context
White George’s background made this even more important:
👉 With certain doors closed, networking became the way forward
Key Takeaway
👉 It’s not just about what you know
👉 It’s about who you know—and how you connect with them
The 3 Rules of Networking (That Most People Miss)
White George breaks networking down into something simple—but powerful:
1. Be Kind
2. Be Fearless
3. Be First
What This Looks Like in Real Life
Instead of overthinking conversations:
👉 Just start with something simple
Example:
Compliment someone’s shoes
Ask a genuine question
Introduce yourself
Why This Works
👉 People remember how you make them feel
Key Insight
👉 Networking isn’t about being perfect
👉 It’s about being genuine
Why Most People Fail at Networking Events
Elijah shares a real observation from VidSummit:
What He Saw
People:
Walking in circles
Looking for someone “easy” to talk to
Avoiding group conversations
The Problem
👉 They don’t know how to enter conversations
The Reality
At high-level events:
👉 Everyone is already in groups
The Solution
👉 You have to insert yourself into conversations
What Elijah Did
Pulled people into conversations
Showed them how to engage
Helped them build confidence in real time
Key Takeaway
👉 Confidence is a learned skill
Why “No” Is Actually an Advantage
One of the most powerful parts of this episode:
White George’s Perspective
👉 “Nos don’t scare me”
Why
Every “no” gets you closer to a “yes”
There’s a limited number of rejections before success
Handling rejection correctly keeps you memorable
Even More Powerful
👉 A “no” today can become a “yes” later
Key Insight
👉 Rejection is not failure
👉 It’s progress
The Hidden Problem with Social Media
The conversation shifts into something deeper:
The Issue
👉 Social media is making people less social
What’s Happening
Less face-to-face interaction
Weaker communication skills
Difficulty reading body language
The Result
👉 People struggle in real-world networking situations
Key Takeaway
👉 Social skills are becoming a competitive advantage
Fear of Success vs Fear of Failure
A powerful moment in the episode:
White George’s Realization
👉 He was more afraid of success than failure
Why
He understood failure
He was used to it
Success was unfamiliar
Key Insight
👉 Sometimes fear isn’t about losing
👉 It’s about stepping into something new
Why You Need to Keep Evolving
Another major theme:
You’re Either Growing or Dying
Applies To
Business
Relationships
Personal development
Key Takeaway
👉 There is no middle ground
The Bigger Lesson from This Episode
This conversation highlights something critical:
Your Network = Your Net Worth
What That Means
More connections → more opportunities
More relationships → more leverage
More exposure → more growth
And Most Importantly
👉 Networking is a skill you can learn
Final Thoughts
This episode makes one thing clear:
👉 Success is not just about talent
It’s About
Relationships
Communication
Confidence
Because at the end of the day
👉 Opportunities don’t just appear
👉 They come through people
Watch The Podcast On Youtube!
SHS052: How To Make 4 Figures A Day As A Content Creator With Nikki Connected!
Intro
What if your content wasn’t just content…
👉 But a direct driver of revenue?
In this episode, Elijah Bilel sits down with returning guest Nikki Connected to break down how her business has evolved since her first appearance on the show.
This time around, the conversation shifts from voice acting and ACX…
👉 To livestreams, digital products, and building a real online business
Intro to Nikki Connected
Nikki Connected is a former police officer turned full-time digital entrepreneur who helps people:
Make money from home
Build online income streams
Create and sell digital products
Since her first appearance on the show, her platform has grown significantly—going from around 30,000 subscribers to nearly 90,000 and beyond
She now runs multiple brands, including:
Nikki Connected (income + digital products)
Nikki For Real (lifestyle + behind-the-scenes content)
👉 Check out Nikki’s platform, YouTube, and resources here
Episode Overview
In this episode, we break down:
How livestreaming impacts revenue
Why content should be treated like a business asset
The transition from saving money → making money
Building digital products that generate long-term income
What a real day in the life of a content creator looks like
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
How Livestreaming Became a Revenue Driver
One of the biggest shifts since Nikki’s last appearance:
👉 She now livestreams consistently
The Result
According to Nikki Connected:
👉 Livestreams can generate four-figure days in under an hour
Why This Works
Livestreams allow:
Real-time interaction
Instant trust-building
Immediate Q&A
The Bigger Insight
👉 People buy faster when they can ask questions
And More Importantly
👉 Livestreams shorten the sales cycle
Awesome Creator Academy
If you want to learn how to turn your content into something that actually generates income—and not just views—you can start building that system inside Awesome Creator Academy Here.
Content Is Not Just Content (It’s a Traffic Source)
One of the most important points Nikki Connected makes:
👉 Her YouTube channel is NOT for entertainment
It’s a Business Tool
She describes her content as:
👉 An ad for her products
But Done Strategically
Education + entertainment (“edutainment”)
Value-driven content
Clear monetization pathway
Key Takeaway
👉 Your content should lead somewhere
From Saving Money to Building Income
When Nikki first started, her content focused on:
Saving money
Finding deals
Budgeting
But That Shifted
As demand changed:
👉 People wanted to learn how to MAKE money
So She Pivoted
From “Deal Finding Diva” → Nikki Connected
From saving → earning
From quick cash → long-term income
Her Current Focus
👉 Digital products and passive income
Why
Because:
👉 Quick money doesn’t last
The Real Goal
👉 Build something that pays you repeatedly
The Power of Digital Products
A major theme in this episode:
👉 Digital products = leveraged income
Why They Work
Created once
Sold repeatedly
Available 24/7
Nikki Connected’s Strategy
Courses
Training programs
Educational content
Key Insight
👉 You don’t need to trade time for money
What a Real Day Looks Like as a Content Creator
A lot of people assume creators have a fixed routine…
Reality
👉 Every day is different
Nikki Connected’s Workflow Includes
Meditation (sometimes using VR tools)
Content scheduling
Managing multiple platforms
Setting up automations
Responding to emails and brands
Editing and publishing content
One Key Strategy
👉 Automations
Example:
Comment triggers
Affiliate links
Auto-responses
Why This Matters
👉 Systems create leverage
Balancing Multiple Brands
Nikki Connected now operates:
A business brand
A lifestyle brand
The Challenge
👉 Time management
The Solution
Prioritizing what feels aligned that day
Scheduling content ahead of time
Leveraging systems
Key Takeaway
👉 Flexibility is part of the business
The Difference Between Quick Money vs Real Income
This is where the conversation gets deeper.
Quick Money
Surveys
Apps
Small payouts
The Problem
👉 It disappears quickly
Real Income
Digital products
Business systems
Recurring opportunities
Elijah’s Perspective
Income that isn’t managed properly:
👉 Feels like it was never earned
Key Insight
👉 Money should be saved or reinvested
The Bigger Lesson From This Episode
This conversation highlights something critical:
Most People Stay in “Quick Money Mode”
But The Real Goal Is
👉 Building systems that generate income long-term
And The Bridge Between Those Two
👉 Content
If you’re serious about turning your content into a real business—where your videos, posts, and audience actually generate income—you can start learning how to do that inside Awesome Creator Academy Here.
Final Thoughts
This episode makes one thing clear:
👉 Content creation is not just about posting
It’s About
Strategy
Systems
Monetization
Because at the end of the day
👉 Views don’t pay
👉 Systems do