Breaking Free from the 9 to 5: Philip’s Inspiring Side Hustle Success

This week we’re introducing you to Philip Wride, a dynamic entrepreneur in the midst of an inspiring transition. 

Philip is not your typical consultant; he’s a visionary with a passion for carving out his own path in the digital landscape. 

As he embarks on his journey from running a consulting agency to establishing a thriving side hustle in coaching, course creation, and authorship, he’s embracing the exciting world of entrepreneurship.

In this interview, we’ll delve into Philip’s fascinating story, exploring his motivations and the challenges he’s encountered along the way. 

With a fresh book release that focuses on liberating folks from the constraints of the 9 to 5 grind, Philip is set to share his wisdom on various business models that facilitate this transformation.

Join us as we uncover Philip’s remarkable journey, offering insights into the digital realm and his quest to break free from the traditional 9 to 5 routine! 

This week’s newsletter brings you: 

  • Strategies – Find out how Philip found success in the business world and what he’s doing now to grow his new side hustle!
  • Tool of the Week – Do you have a burning desire for more freedom in your personal and professional life? Check out Philip’s latest book, Finally Find Freedom!

Strategies

Please note that this interview has been edited for clarity, ensuring you get the most valuable takeaways from our conversation.

Jeff: So Philip, tell us a little bit about your consulting agency. What inspired you to start it?

Philip: Well, I’ve actually been an entrepreneur since the age of 16, starting in the video games industry, which not many people would think of. I’ve always enjoyed playing games, which naturally led me to start playing in competitions. My first venture was organizing both online and offline gaming events and tournaments. I continued doing this throughout my formal education and during my time at university.

I was also headhunted to manage some of the world’s top gaming teams, which, if we look at the industry today, is significantly larger than it was back in 2001 to 2003. As I approached the end of my undergraduate degree, I had to decide between pursuing a traditional job or creating something of my own. So, in 2007, I founded my first consultancy business, a digital agency specializing in events and providing consultancy services to brands. This venture continued until 2009 when the financial crash occurred. I was in the middle of client projects, but as the financial crisis hit, I realized that marketing budgets were the first to be cut. It was a challenging period, and I eventually had to close that business.

I transitioned to a different role within the games industry, working for EA Sports on the FIFA video game. However, my entrepreneurial mindset persisted. I’ve always had a desire to build and grow something, and it just so happened that agency work and consulting felt like a natural fit. Conversations about the industry I was passionate about came easily to me, and it made sense to offer my expertise to those who wanted to understand how the industry works, how to get involved, and what pitfalls to avoid. So, it was a logical progression from my existing involvement in the gaming community and my passion for the industry.

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The Catalyst for Change

Jeff: So, you had this business, but then you came to the realization that you didn’t want to continue with it, and that’s what led you to start your own side hustle. Can you tell us about that moment when you decided, “I’m just over this”? When did that happen?

Philip: Well, the main realization occurred during COVID due to the lockdowns. A significant portion of the business was event-focused, and suddenly, all the events disappeared. I managed to secure some online projects, which is one of the advantages of the video game industry. Many aspects can be done online, including competitions, marketing campaigns, and collaborations with influencers. However, it was challenging because businesses were uncertain about their marketing budgets due to COVID. They were unsure whether to spend or save and see what happens.

During this period, the business faced real challenges, and I had to decide whether to continue on the same path or make changes. Additionally, a couple of other significant events occurred in my life around that time. Just before COVID hit, I broke my neck while playing sports and couldn’t afford surgery, so I had to let it heal naturally. That was in January 2020, and as we know, COVID began in February and March. These two events, along with COVID, started to change my perspective on both life and business. I felt like I had been given a second chance, but my business wasn’t working. It made me realize that I needed to start making changes in the business and see what I could do. So, these two factors together began to alter the direction I was heading in.

Starting a New Side Hustle

Jeff: So, what was the initial idea for the side hustle you’ve started now?

Philip: Well, it’s coaching. I’m also an author, and I’ve just launched my second book. My personal development journey began in 2021, during the COVID period. I took courses, learned from various people, and started to understand their approaches to the field.

I began thinking about how I could contribute and add value in a different way. My previous approach involved sitting in an office, absorbing information from a business, and creating strategies or event proposals. While it worked, it was project-based and inconsistent. I wanted to leverage my experiences and challenges differently.

The first step in this journey was in the education space. My partner is a teacher, and she needed resources for her students. I created courses on using video games to enhance math skills, and my first book focused on managing screen time and online safety for parents. I was already on the path of creating assets and resources that others could access, whether through courses, downloads, or books.

During an online challenge for parents, I developed a new model called the “12 Chains.” I realized it was not just a model for screen time or math skills; it was a model for life. I’ve always valued freedom, which is why I’ve been an entrepreneur for so long. These “chains” represented things I’d worked through in my own life and some I’m still working on. I felt compelled to share this to help others understand what might be holding them back.

My personal development journey started around April 2021, and by the end of 2022, I had launched my first book in the education space. In mid-2023, I introduced the “12 Chains” model, which aligns more closely with my core values, particularly freedom. I’ve written a new book called “Finally Find Freedom,” which delves into these 12 chains, including insights from my experiences with projects and the challenges of the business model. I’m working on creating assets and leverage to make my offerings available without consuming all of my time. This journey has led me to realize that what I’ve been doing so far has provided great experiences and opportunities but doesn’t align with the stability and freedom I seek.

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Jeff: So, how are you funding your side hustle?

Philip: Well, the existing structure of my business, including client projects, is still generating revenue and funding the transition to the side hustle. I recognize that this will be necessary in the short term until I can build the side hustle to a point where I can fully shift my focus. The timeline for that transition, whether it will take six months or a year, is uncertain. However, I now have clarity about what I’m building and where I want to go. I’ve made the decision that I don’t want to continue with the agency model. There may come a point where I switch entirely, or it might even involve getting a job to provide the stability needed to invest in my side hustle.

So, whether it’s through the existing agency, even though it has been inconsistent with projects, or through other means like getting a job, I am committed to finding the funds necessary to grow the side hustle until I can make a full transition.

Jeff: So, one of the crucial aspects of a side hustle often isn’t just about making money, but it’s about pursuing something you’re passionate about. You’ve mentioned the importance of freedom and your passion for what you’re doing. How significant is this passionate purpose for you in terms of sustaining your journey?

Philip: It’s become a core driver for me, especially considering the experiences I had with my injury. I could have been permanently incapacitated, and that shifted my perspective on life. Now, I’m determined to find the freedom I desire. However, I also feel a strong compulsion to support others because life is filled with challenges and unexpected events. If I can assist people in looking at things differently or navigating their own challenges, that’s important to me.

While I do hope that the financial aspect aligns with my goals because it would provide the freedom I seek, my primary focus is on making a meaningful contribution and adding value to others. This purpose goes hand in hand with my pursuit of personal freedom, enabling me to have the time and resources to engage in activities like podcasting, presentations, or creating courses – all of which represent freedom to me. It’s about both pursuing my own goals and making a positive impact on others.

The 12 Chains Model

Jeff: Can you tell us about the 12 chains you talk about in your book?

Philip: Certainly, I’ve divided these 12 chains into three levels. The first level, level one, includes chains related to self-directed actions, things we have control over. These chains are knowledge, convenience, speed, and relationships.

  • Knowledge: We often believe we have all the knowledge we need, but that’s rarely the case. To break this chain, it’s essential to identify the knowledge we require to move forward toward our goals.
  • Convenience: This refers to the allure of things like an extra slice of pizza or an extra episode on Netflix. While they make life easier, we can give in to them at the expense of more productive activities.
  • Speed: It’s essential to understand that things will happen at their own pace and in their own time. We can’t always force things to move faster. Accepting this helps break the speed chain.
  • Relationships: This chain encompasses both positive and negative relationships. It’s helpful to evaluate and rate our relationships to determine which ones may be draining us and adjust our time spent accordingly.

Moving on to level two, these chains relate to external influences, including people and the environment:

  • Time: How we use our time and who influences it is crucial. External factors can impact our ability to allocate time to our priorities.
  • Location: Whether we choose our location or it’s imposed on us, it affects our ability to pursue our goals and priorities.
  • Responsibilities: Responsibilities fall into two categories: those we willingly take on and those imposed on us by others. Managing these effectively is essential for our personal growth.
  • Priorities: Our priority list can be influenced by external factors, and we may find ourselves prioritizing tasks or responsibilities that don’t align with our personal goals.

Each of these chains represents areas where we can take control, make adjustments, and align our actions with our goals and priorities. Breaking these chains is crucial for personal growth and pursuing our side hustles or passions.

Marketing and Promotion Strategies

Jeff: What does your marketing and promotion strategy look like now?

Philip: For the book, I run free promotions every quarter on Amazon, as they offer that feature. I’m also looking to list the book on other marketplaces like Barnes and Noble to increase its visibility. The book serves both as a model and a framework, as well as a lead generation tool. I encourage readers to download supporting worksheets and engage in the exercises mentioned in the book. This captures their information and brings them into our community, ultimately funneling them into our membership community called the Freedom Hunters Club.

I’m working on a strategy that doesn’t consume all my time but focuses on effectiveness. Right now, I’m in the midst of a year-long challenge to post a two-minute video every day. This is something I had never done before, and it’s helping me overcome fear and demonstrate consistency. It also serves as a lead generation tool as it sparks conversations with those who comment and engage with the videos.

I’m also considering podcasting, having the book as a foundation, and potentially exploring paid advertising in the future, but that’s on hold until I can bring the business to a point where it makes sense to invest in paid advertising. It’s all part of a test and learn process to ensure that our marketing efforts are effective in increasing visibility. After all, marketing is about not only conveying a message but also being visible to the right audience.

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Tools for Scaling Your Business

Jeff: What tools are you using to help scale yourself?

Philip: One of the primary platforms I’m using is ClickFunnels. It allows me to create traditional sales pages and funnel flows. For example, when someone registers for the free resources from the book, I can guide them through a process, showing them a thank you page and offering additional resources. What’s great is that I can also host my membership community and courses on the same platform, making it easy to manage multiple aspects of my business.

From a social media perspective, I’m running my daily challenge on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. I also engage with relevant Facebook groups where I can connect with the people I’m trying to support. While I’m active on several social media platforms, I’ve chosen to focus on those where I can maintain consistency and not feel overwhelmed.

For email marketing, I use ActiveCampaign, which allows for integrations and automation. When someone registers or engages with me, they receive a series of emails introducing them to what I offer and providing additional information. It helps nurture relationships and keep the audience informed.

Jeff: Do you write blog posts or guest blog at all?

Philip: I used to blog regularly in previous roles, particularly when I was focused on community building. I had a personal blog where I would post twice a week, mainly about topics related to the forums I was managing and conversations with other community managers. This helped me build an audience over time.

However, I reached a point where I had to consider the SEO game that comes with blogging. Did I want to invest my time in that aspect? To be honest, not really. I preferred to focus my energy elsewhere. Every time I attempted to get back into blogging, I realized I was getting drained by the effort. So, I’ve made a conscious decision to simplify my online presence. I now have a one-page personal website because I didn’t want the hassle of maintaining a full blog. I understand the benefits, but for me personally, I’ve chosen to move away from it.

That said, I do contribute guest articles to other platforms because they already have existing audiences I can tap into. However, when it comes to growing something myself through blogging, I’ve decided to step back from that.

Top Takeaways for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Jeff: Any final tips you can share with our readers who are on their own side hustle journey? 

Philip: 

  • Consider the Long-Term Viability: When starting a side hustle, think about whether it aligns with your life situation. If you’re still in a 9 to 5 job and plan to transition to your side hustle, ensure it’s sustainable and won’t consume all your time as it grows. Create assets and processes that make your life easier.
  • Identify and Overcome Barriers: Identify the things that are holding you back from taking necessary actions. These could include reaching out to people or getting on video. Recognizing and understanding these barriers allows you to start making changes and progress.
  • Diversify Revenue Streams: Consider how your side hustle generates revenue. Is it consistent, one-off, subscription-based, or service-oriented? Aim for revenue models that offer consistency rather than a feast-and-famine cycle. This consistency will make it easier to transition your side hustle into your main gig.

These tips can help you navigate the journey of building and scaling your side hustle effectively.

Tool of the Week

Do you feel like life is a never-ending struggle, where every step forward is met with resistance and frustration?
Do you have a burning desire for more freedom in your personal and professional life?

“Finally Find Freedom” is your beacon of hope, illuminating the invisible chains that bind you and providing a roadmap for breaking free.

In this transformative book, Philip Wride explores the depths of human experience and unveils the 12 chains that hold countless individuals back from realizing their vision, goals and dreams.

Through personal stories, practical exercises, and empowering insights, Philip offers a powerful process for liberating yourself from these constraints, empowering you to embrace a life of boundless freedom, success, and happiness.

Plus it includes free bonus worksheets and a Freedom Tracker to support your journey!

Grab your copy here.