Counselor to CEO: 5 Lessons to Take Your Side Hustle to the Next Level
Let’s talk about that moment—the one where you realize this can't be it.
You’re educated, dedicated, and working your heart out in a helping profession… but your bank account and your calendar keep trying to tell a different story. If you’re a counselor with a side hustle (or one brewing in your heart), 2025 could be your breakthrough year—but only if you do things differently.
I was reminded recently about how things a change when you take intentional action toward a specific goal. Everything really can change. Not everyone knows this about me, but about 11 years ago, I was bankrupt. Like literally, BANKRUPT. Going from that financial struggle to becoming a published author and entrepreneur recognized by Goldman Sachs’ 1 Million Black Women in Business program, building a business that lets me work on my own terms, was something I didn’t even know was possible at the time. But the biggest surprise for most people? I started my business the same year that I filed for bankruptcy.
If you’re looking at the world and feeling uncertain about your financial future, I want to encourage you today to not sit in the fear, discomfort or even shame. Take action today.
The Honest Truth: 5 Things That Hold You Back
Whether you’re selling journals on Etsy, hosting workshops, or thinking about launching your own private practice, growth isn’t just about more hustle. It’s about unlearning some patterns and picking up the right skills. Here are five things that 11 years in business has taught me.
Believing that OTHER people have something that you don’t.
Let’s start with mindset. If you’re secretly thinking successful people have some special sauce you don’t—like a trust fund, a tech-savvy cousin, or just more confidence—you’re not alone. But you’re also not right. The truth? Nobody feels 100% ready. But growth begins when you start acting like success is possible for you. Do you really think that with little to no money in my bank account, zero tech skills and 4 kids to care for that I was the poster child for a successful entrepreneur? Nope, I wasn’t. And trust me, I looked for someone like me who could be my blueprint. Pre-TikTok, people weren’t as willing to show their behind the scenes, so it was easy to think that there was something they had that I didn’t. But the truth is, I had things that they didn’t have either and more importantly spending time worrying about what I was missing wasn’t helping anyone.
Inconsistent Action
One post here, an email there... sound familiar? Lack of consistency in marketing, visibility, or even product development is one of the biggest reasons side hustles stay stuck. Showing up regularly (even imperfectly) builds trust, visibility, and yes—sales. The biggest reason people are inconsistent? They don’t know what to do to actually move the marker. Knowing what to do and doing it consistently, NOT perfectly, but on a regular basis is what will give you the progress you really want.
Your Circle Isn't Stretching You
We love our people. But if everyone around you is in survival mode, dreaming small, or quietly doubting your business, that energy matters. Your network can impact your net worth. It might be time to join rooms (virtual or real) where success is normalized, not questioned.
Fear of Being Seen
This one hits hard. A lot of us are helpers, not hustlers. Promoting yourself might feel weird or even “salesy.” But here’s the reframe: visibility isn't about ego—it's about impact. If people don't know that you exist or what you do, you’re not just missing out on income—you’re keeping someone from the support they need. There are ways of growing a ‘faceless’ business, but that requires a strategy too.
Skill Gaps
You’ve got skills. There’s no doubt about that. But running a business is a whole different ballgame than working for someone else. Maybe you’re amazing at helping clients regulate their nervous systems—but your eyes glaze over when someone mentions funnels or Facebook ads. That doesn’t make you a failure. It means you need training, not more guessing.
The solution? Get a Real Roadmap
If any of the five roadblocks above hit home, the good news is you don’t have to figure this all out alone. I have created what I wish was available while I was spending my nights and weekends on trial and error.
A few years ago, I was introduced to The Roadmap 3.0, as a complete business-building guide designed for folks who don’t have time to waste. I got the opportunity to buy the curriculum and then I added a few things to it to make it perfect for side hustlers who want to step into their CEO role.
The We’re talking:
Over 100 easy-to-follow video lessons
Real tutorials on platforms you’re actually using (TikTok, Facebook, IG, YouTube, and more)
Digital product creation using Canva
Step-by-step automation training so your biz runs while you rest
Plus, when you purchase access to this on demand course, you get a month of my personal mentorship—including office hours and a private Voxer coaching channel. Not fluff. Not overwhelm. Just clarity and action. Take the summer and get your business moving in the right direction and reap the rewards for years to come.
Your Next Step
If you're tired of watching others grow their businesses while you’re still sitting on your dream (or slowly burning out from trying to piece it all together), let this be the year you invest in real support.
You don’t have to know everything. You just have to take the next right step—and do it with the kind of support that makes quitting harder than continuing.
Want to know more about my Roadmap Business Development Course or how I can support you as a fellow counselor-turned-CEO? Drop your questions below or shoot me a message. You’re not alone in this.