Tips For Turning Your Side Hustle Into Your Job From a 21 Year-Old CEO
Forget your 9 to 5 job -- today it’s all about the side hustle that consumes all of your time outside the office. Side hustles are what keep us sane from our hectic or sometimes mundane jobs -- it gives us an escape to unleash what we’re passionate about. In the current climate of the job market, unemployment is the highest it’s been since the Great Depression. Many Americans while quarantined and self-isolated at home have been cut or furloughed from their jobs and are using the extra time to turn ideas that they’ve had on the back burner into a potential business.
I got to catch up with 21 year-old CEO of Flighthouse, Jacob Pace to discuss how he navigated the start of his career. With almost 25 million followers, Flighthouse is the biggest short form media brand on the social media app TikTok -- working with various brands and influencers. With a team of 18, Jacob’s goal is to build a digital entertainment network that really knows how to communicate to young adults through different mediums across music, podcasts and original content.
Everyone can have a great idea, but it’s really about how you can take something you’re passionate about and turn it into a profitable business. How can your idea help solve a problem in the world today? Jacob and I talk about advice for entrepreneurs of any age who are ready to turn this side hustle into their main hustle...
Break social norms.
It doesn’t matter how young or old you are to chase what you’re passionate about. Born and raised in El Paso, Texas, Jacob did a lot of acting and at the age of 14 started a Youtube channel as he loved everything from music production to playing in rock bands. Jacob says, “I reached out to this blog I liked when I was 14 and told them I was 24 years-old. They set me up with a writer account and I learned how to use Wordpress and all that. This eventually led me to write and handle public relations for another company based in Belgium, then to another in Los Angeles, eventually leading me to Flighthouse.”
Oftentimes the youngest person in the room, he isn’t intimidated by it at all. He chased his passions which led him to moving to Los Angeles two weeks after high school graduation and not attending college -- which he never saw as a disadvantage.
Small goals turn into big ones.
Don’t be fooled from what you see online -- success does not come overnight. "Taking small steps is really key. A lot of people tend to overcompensate their ideas, and then they become too overwhelmed to execute it. The small steps are going to lead you to the big milestones. If you want to be a writer for the New York Times, start a blog or start writing for smaller publications and build your portfolio up," Jacob adds.
Another great way to tackle small goals is to make a business plan. It sets the groundwork to look at the business from all angles from budgets to branding and the value of the product or service. Take the time to build yourself a solid foundation before you start to grow. What would make someone want to buy your product or service?
Let your passion chase the money, not the other way around.
Investing in yourself financially is not about the money at all. Jacob tells me, "If you’re chasing the money, I think you’re doing it for the wrong reasons. I don’t want to generalize that but you have to be passionate. Quick money is the wrong way of looking at it. Start with your passion first and then the money will follow. For me, I didn’t get paid for my first year putting in the work. I never did any of this to make a lot of money...I just really enjoyed doing it."
Put in the hours.
For anyone starting their own business, you need to be in it 100% as a top priority. How can you expect your business to launch if you’re not fully invested in it yourself? The founder wears multiple hats from acting as the finance department, creative department and marketing team of their company. While it can definitely be a challenge, the light at the end of the tunnel will be worth the long hours and struggle.
"I was juggling high school with what I was doing when I was 14 (writing, public relations, marketing). I would wake up at 5:30 AM so I could get in touch with the London team with the company I worked for then. During school I was answering emails on my phone and getting articles written up during lunch in the library. I’d wait for my mom to pick me up so I could go back to the library, get on the wifi, and work some more," he explains.
If you’re not growing, switch it up.
Jacob says, "Right after high school I moved out to LA not knowing anyone. I knew it was the next step for me. There were so many moments where I would think 'Jacob you have to do something different because you're not growing anymore.' Stepping out of your comfort can be hard but worth it."
Taking action on your side hustle requires a level of self confidence. You have to ask yourself, "why not me?" because if you don't believe in yourself, then who will? If you’re currently working at a full-time job, take advantage of the resources that company has to offer to help jumpstart your thinking. Starting your business should be a culmination of all life experiences, even those you've outgrown.
Have an intention when reaching out.
"Before I came out to LA, I was networking through communities I found on the internet. I would find people on the web that I gravitated to. I thought they were smart and I’d reach out and offer free value to them. How can they benefit from the conversation too? Come to them with ideas for their business. Don’t give an empty compliment," Jacob explains.
Many young entrepreneurs reach out to Jacob, without a plan. Questions shouldn’t be vague but the initial communication should show a clear intention on what you're asking. It saves everyone time and you'll create a stronger relationship and get better answers. "They’ll reach out and not really know what to say. Have a distinct plan of action. I’m taking time out of my day to talk to you but there's questions you should be asking. Have an intention and do your research," he adds.
No matter what business you want to start, you’re never going to feel completely ready -- you just have to jump in. It's a risk that can have an even greater reward.
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