Scaling Your Side Hustle Part III

Let me be straight with you: your side business probably isn’t stuck because of a lack of tools, followers, or ideas. It’s stuck because you’re caught trying to make everything perfect before you make anything real. I’ve coached tactical personnel, elite athletes, gen pop clients, and weekend warriors—and the same truth applies to business as it does to training: progress beats perfection every time.

If you're a coach trying to build something meaningful while juggling a 9-to-5 or a full-time contract gig, this one’s for you. If you haven’t read parts 1 and 2 of this series, I’d recommend checking those out first. This third part is where I give you the final lessons… some mindset, some actionable; that helped me (and others I know) go from making $100 a month on the side to consistently bringing in $2,000 or more. Nothing in here is fluff. Use what applies, skip what doesn’t. But don’t just read it. Implement it.

1. Start Simple: “Done” Beats “Ideal”

Your first version of anything, your website, your sales page, your logo, is going to be rough. That’s fine. The goal is to help someone solve a problem, not to impress other coaches. I’ve been there too, caught trying to make my offer look “legit” before I even had a single client. But at the end of the day, your clients care more about outcomes than aesthetics.

Instead of spinning your wheels trying to launch a masterpiece, just ship something. Create one offer. Make it clear and useful. Talk to people. Build from there.

Action Steps

• Pick one offer to test this week:
  “6-week BJJ Strength Blueprint,” “Minimal Gear Tactical Prep,” or “Busy Dad Fat Loss Jumpstart.”
• Build a simple sales page using Notion, Google Docs, or even your Instagram stories.
• Add a payment link (PayPal, Stripe, Calendly).
• Message 20 people who fit the offer.

Example:

“Hey man, I put together a quick strength blueprint for BJJ guys who train 3x/week and lift 2–3x. Want me to send it over?”

That’s it. That’s your launch. No countdown timers. No fancy site. Just conversations with real people.

2. Don’t Build Sideways, Build Deep

This is where most coaches get stuck. They start with five disconnected offers:

• A PDF no one downloads.
• A membership nobody logs into.
• A Zoom workout that’s draining them.
• A 1-on-1 tier they never really built out.
• A YouTube channel they resent recording for.

It’s not that their ideas are bad. It’s that the execution is scattered. Too many new coaches build wide thinking more products mean more money. However, in reality, your energy gets diluted, and nothing scares you into doing something profitable. If you want to grow something sustainable while still doing your full-time job, simplify. Build one offer that works. Get results. Systemize. Then, stack your value vertically like a ladder that your clients can climb. Not a maze they get lost in.

3. How to Stack Vertically (The Right Way)

Let’s say you start with premium remote coaching: $150/month for fully custom training, delivered through TeamBuildr.

You get your first 3–5 clients. You systemize onboarding. You set expectations. You deliver outcomes. People start referring to friends. You’re now building depth.

Now comes the stack:

• Offer a group version at $59–$79/month for those who want something structured but affordable.
• Add Zoom check-ins or nutrition coaching as a $30–$50/month upsell.
• If demand builds, create a self-paced course using the same system.

Each offer builds off the last. Each one meets your clients where they’re at financially or logistically, without burning you out in the process.

From experience: give yourself limits. Don’t offer four Zoom calls a month if you’re still coaching full-time. One weekly call max is plenty. You don’t need to build a monster—just a system that runs without breaking you.

One of the most valuable things I’ve learned from mentors: Simplicity scales. Chaos doesn’t.

4. Your Game Plan

Here’s how to execute this, without overcomplicating it:

Step 1: Choose Your Core Offer
Ex: $100/month for remote strength coaching, custom 5x/week plans, check-ins, and messaging access.

Step 2: Systematize It

• Intake form → welcome email → program delivery.
• Create 2–4 templates ranging from 8-20 weeks templates so you’re not building from scratch every time.
• Use Loom or voice notes to give feedback and check-ins.

Step 3: Add Layers Only After Traction

• Hit 5+ clients? Launch a group version.
• Get testimonials? Add a mid-tier upsell.
• Have extra time or interest? Build a course.

Step 4. Retention Is King

• Use group chats (WhatsApp, Discord, Signal) for connection.
• Send auto-generated monthly reports from TeamBuildr.
• Celebrate small wins. Personal touches matter more than automation.

5. Real Clients > Fake Reach

Followers don’t equal income. I’ve met coaches making six figures with under 1,000 followers, and others with 50k who couldn’t sell a $20 plan to save their lives. Why? The first group solves real problems. The second group posts flashy content that doesn't convert. If you’re just getting started, don’t waste energy trying to go viral. Focus on getting five real clients who know, like, and trust you. Build from that foundation.

Where to Start:

• Write down 50–100 people you already know. These could be former teammates. church friends, parents of athletes, graduated athletes, etc.
• Message them personally:

“Hey [name], I’m taking on 2 new coaching clients this month. Thought of you because I know you’ve been working on [goal]. Want me to send over the details?”

• Post weekly with a purpose:
  • A transformation story.
  • A client win.
  • A before/after breakdown
  • A lesson learned from coaching someone just like them.

Most of your revenue won’t come from hashtags or paid ads—it’ll come from the DMs.

Final Thought: Purpose Over Paralysis

You can spend the next week adjusting your website, switching fonts, and redesigning your logo—or you can get in front of five real people, make an offer, and start helping them today. One gets you validation. The other gets you momentum.

You can keep saying “the market is too saturated,” or you can be the one coach in your space who actually delivers with consistency and integrity.

It’s not easy. But it’s simple:

• Pick a lane you actually care about
• Build one offer that solves one real problem.
• Systemize it.
• Stack offers vertically, not sideways.
• Focus on people, not hacks.

Stick with that long enough, and you’ll separate yourself without shouting. Most people never even commit long enough to get good.

If there’s one thing I hope you take from this, it’s that you don’t need to build more… you need to build smarter. Keep things simple, serve people well, and stay focused on one offer at a time. You’ll learn faster, gain traction quicker, and avoid the burnout that comes with doing too much too soon. The coaches who win long-term aren’t always the loudest or flashiest… they’re the ones who consistently show up, deliver results, and stack value with purpose.