the side hustle to ceo pipeline.

and what no one talks about when you’re walking it.

editor’s note (updated april 2025):
this post has been updated to reflect how i coach, write, and show up today.
the message still lands — but the voice is clearer, and the direction is sharper.

everyone loves a good before-and-after story.

the broke-to-booked transformation.
the six-figure screen grab.
the “i used to cry in my car” testimony.

but here’s what no one says out loud:
there’s a long stretch between side hustle and ceo —
and it’s full of doubt, silence, and stuff you don’t post about.

i lived it firsthand.

when i first moved to la, i thought i’d transfer my cosmetology license from michigan.
i loved doing hair — it was creative, it was fun — but every time i tried to finish the paperwork, something stopped me.
i'd do three out of four steps — different ones every time — and then miss the deadline, forget about it, or just... not finish.

for a long time, i felt guilty about it.

but now i see it clearly:
i wasn’t failing.
i was letting go of what didn’t fit anymore.

letting go of the side projects.
choosing to focus my energy.
moving toward something that actually lit me up — fully.

even now, balancing two businesses, the overlap feels aligned in a way nothing else ever has.
and that clarity started the minute i stopped trying to force myself into a version of success that didn’t fit me anymore.

the pipeline is real.

but it’s not cute.

it’s not just about making more money or finally leaving your 9–5.
it’s about becoming someone who believes they’re allowed to take up space.
who trusts their voice.
who raises their rates.
who says "no" faster — and doesn’t apologize for it.

it’s about looking at what you’ve built and saying:
"this isn’t just a hustle anymore.
it’s my business.
and i’m gonna treat it like one."

that shift?
it’s quiet.
it happens before the photoshoots.
before the rebrand.
before anyone claps for you.

and here’s the real truth:

if you’ve been in that weird middle space —
where you’ve outgrown the hustle but don’t feel quite ready to own the ceo title —
you’re not behind.

you’re just in the pipeline.
that liminal space between knowing you’re meant for more and fully stepping into it.

it’s uncomfortable.
it’s clarifying.
it’s where the real growth happens.

if that’s where you are, I see you.

and i’m not here to rush you through it —
but i am here to help you walk through it with more clarity, strategy, and self-respect than you’ve ever had.

👑 rooted & rich™ is built for this exact season — to turn quiet shifts into real foundations.
🖤 stay ready™ is a powerful jumpstart if you need traction right now.

Let’s work together → visit my website: nrgbusinesscoach.com to learn more.