Intro

What does it actually take…

👉 To get 40+ people to show up to your event?
👉 And turn that event into something that makes money?

In this solo episode, Elijah Bilel breaks down the behind-the-scenes strategy behind one of his most successful events.

This episode is part one of a multi-part series where Elijah expands on what was introduced in Season 3 Episode 1.

If you haven’t seen that yet, it’s highly recommended you check it out below before continuing, as it provides key visual context for what’s being discussed. 

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Episode Overview

This episode kicks off a 3-part (possibly 4-part) series covering:

• How the event achieved a 40+ person turnout
• Why specific questions were asked during the event
• How the event actually made money
• The strategy behind turning events into business assets

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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!

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Side Hustler’s Society Resources

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If you’re looking to build something similar—whether it’s a meetup group, event-based brand, or turning your skills into income—you can book a strategy session with Elijah Here

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Why This Episode Matters

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This episode expands on a major moment:

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The 10-Year Anniversary Event

Built around The Veggie Outers, this wasn’t just a celebration…

👉 It was a strategic business move

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What Most People Saw

• A large event
• Great turnout
• Strong community

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What Was Actually Happening

👉 Lead generation
👉 Brand positioning
👉 Monetization setup

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Key Takeaway

👉 Events aren’t just experiences—they’re assets

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Breaking Down the Series (What’s Coming Next)

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Elijah lays out the full roadmap:

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Part 1 (This Episode)

👉 How the event produced a large turnout

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Part 2

👉 Why specific questions were asked during the event

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Part 3

👉 How the event made money

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Potential Part 4 (Bonus)

👉 Depends on audience engagement

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The First Big Insight: Events Are Underrated

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One of the most important points early on:

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Most People Underestimate Events

Especially:

• Content creators
• Freelancers
• Solo entrepreneurs

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But Events Can Be Powerful

👉 They bring people together
👉 They position you as a leader
👉 They create monetization opportunities

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Key Insight

👉 If you can get “butts in seats,” you can build a business

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What Made This Event So Powerful

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This wasn’t just any event.

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1. It Positioned The Brand

The anniversary helped solidify The Veggie Outers as:

👉 A leading plant-based community in the area

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2. It Created a “Cultural Moment”

• Large turnout (~42 people)
• Unique experience (vegan buffet + Q&A + networking)
• People still talking about it afterward

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3. It Acted as a Soft Rebrand

After the event:

• More content output
• Expanded into health & wellness topics
• Better integration with The Side Hustler’s Society

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4. It Helped Others Make Money

• Restaurant partner benefited financially
• Vendors gained exposure
• Community members received value

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Key Takeaway

👉 The best events create value for multiple people—not just you

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Tip #1: Don’t Do It Alone

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One of the biggest reasons for the turnout:

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Collaboration

Instead of doing everything himself, Elijah:

• Brought in a host (Yoshi)
• Hired a videographer (Xander)

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Why This Matters

Each person:

👉 Promoted the event to their own network
👉 Brought in new audiences
👉 Increased reach organically

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Key Insight

👉 The more people invested in the event…
👉 The bigger it becomes

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Tip #2: Know Your REAL Target Audience

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This is where things get interesting.

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The Surprise

The Veggie Outers wasn’t originally built for vegans.

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The Real Target

👉 Non-vegans curious about plant-based living

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Why This Works

• Larger audience pool
• Easier entry point
• More opportunity for growth

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Key Takeaway

👉 Your audience isn’t always who you think it is

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Tip #3: Positioning Is Everything

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Most people fail here.

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What Most People Do

👉 “Hey, I’m hosting an event. Come through.”

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What Elijah Did Instead

He positioned the event as:

• A 10-year anniversary (built-in significance)
• A special experience (vegan buffet)
• A welcoming environment (new people encouraged)

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Why That Matters

👉 People need a reason to care

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Key Insight

👉 How you present the event determines turnout

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Tip #4: Make It Inclusive (Not Exclusive)

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A hidden mistake many people make:

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The Problem

People assume:

👉 “This event isn’t for me”

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The Fix

Elijah made it clear:

• First-timers are welcome
• You don’t need to be vegan
• Anyone curious can attend

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Key Takeaway

👉 Remove barriers → increase attendance

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Tip #5: Leverage Platforms Properly

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Another key factor:

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Multiple Platforms Used

• Facebook groups
• Meetup
• Event-based platforms

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Why This Matters

👉 Different audiences exist on different platforms

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Key Insight

👉 More platforms = more exposure

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The Bigger Lesson From This Episode

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This episode isn’t just about events.

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It’s About Leverage

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Because When Done Right

An event can:

• Build your brand
• Grow your audience
• Generate leads
• Create income opportunities

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Key Takeaway

👉 Events are one of the most underutilized business tools

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Final Thoughts

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If you take anything from this episode, let it be this:

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👉 Don’t just attend events
👉 Learn how to create them

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Because the real opportunity is this:

👉 Turning attention into community
👉 And community into income

Watch The Podcast On Youtube!