When you first start thinking about a side hustle, ideas can feel like they're coming from everywhere. But how do you sort through the noise and land on the one that’s actually right for you? It helps to have a system, something that lets you compare your options without getting overwhelmed.
We’ve all heard it: “Do you want fries with that?” It’s McDonald’s most famous line, but it’s also a masterclass in business. Once you have an initial offer that gets customers in the door and cash in your hand, you’ve won half the battle. If you’ve done it right, you might even be profitable. But the real goal is to maximize what you earn in the short term. The answer is simple: you need to make more money from each transaction.
I once walked up to a car rental counter to pick up a vehicle I’d reserved for $19 a day. I handed my ID to the smiling agent, who quickly told me, “Hmm. It looks like we don’t have the car you reserved. We have an equivalent, but… you’re a big guy. Would you prefer a roomier pick-up truck instead?”
It’s a frustratingly common story: your business seems to have all the right pieces in place. The product is solid, the pricing makes sense, and people seem interested. Yet, the sales just aren’t there. The number one reason so many businesses struggle isn't a fundamental flaw in their model—it’s a breakdown in the art of selling.