Bexa Boss Lady is the Blog Every Side Hustler Should Read
Rebecca Black has truly done it all. Cake decorator, social media consultant, fitness instructor—and that’s barely scratching the surface. She’s worked a 9-5 and she knows how to side hustle. Today, her blog Bexa Boss Lady might as well be a bible for people who want to do the same. In addition to sharing every tip and hack you’ll want to know about reselling, the self-proclaimed “Queen of Side-Hustles” also creates content for the person who wants to launch a business while working a day job.
From money-saving plans to productivity hacks to Instagram advice, Black is constantly adding helpful blog and video content to her growing repertoire. Ahead, the SHE Media partner shares her insights for aspiring resellers, side-hustlers, knowing when to start over, and more.
You have plenty experience going back and forth between a traditional job and the side hustle. Is there a myth around this lifestyle you’re sick of hearing?
I see this all the time on social media—the myth of the 24/7 hustle mentality. The belief that you must work nonstop towards your goal or you aren’t going to get there. These are usually people selling smoke and mirrors systems to look more successful. Every time I dig deeper into some of the people preaching their “24/7 hustle,” I find employees, virtual assistants, family members, etc. helping them.
Don’t get me wrong, there are people who have a fire and desire inside of them and can handle this workload but—it is not normal. It is not sustainable. It is not realistic. Honestly, I believe finding balance is harder than working 24/7. Balance is what will truly get you to your goals. The 24/7 hustle might get you there faster but it’s also much easier to burn out.
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What tools are required to make reselling a legit side hustle?
When I first started reselling, there were very few places you could sell your stuff online. Now, there are more than I can even name! Secondhand’s growth in the retail market exploded over the past few years and is predicted to continue on this trend. The greatest thing about reselling in 2021 is the ease of the process from online companies like Poshmark, Mercari, Offer Up, Facebook Marketplace, and more.
I always recommend starting going through your own stuff and listing those items to sell first. Don’t spend any money on inventory or tools until you know if you really enjoy reselling. By selling your own things, it’s the perfect no-cost way to get started. Plus you can clean out your house!
Once you’ve decided you enjoy reselling and want to make it into a side hustle or a business, my very best piece of advice is to build your organization and tracking systems from day one. Create an inventory spreadsheet, sign up for a bookkeeping service to track expenses, and try different ways to expedite the listing and shipping process. By getting organized in the beginning, you will save yourself from being frustrated down the road.
You make videos and write blog posts. How do you decide what to write about versus what to talk about on camera?
I like to make videos about topics needing a longer explanation or something personal to me. The added touch of seeing my face and connecting with my followers is something I cherish, so I want to be sure the content I put out is meaningful or helpful. Videos are very personal to me and I enjoy the connection it allows me to have with people.
For my blog posts, I provide more informational content that can be applicable on a larger scale. It’s more difficult for me to convey emotions in a blog post and I tend to save that content for posts that don’t have as much of a connection to them.
What technical skills do you recommend beginner content creators learn?
Over the years, I’ve spent a lot of time learning WordPress, video editing, photo editing, social media marketing, photography, and more. If I could go back and do it over again, I would learn how to put together a content calendar and creation schedule. Even now, all these years later, that’s one area I am very unorganized. I tend to write or create when I am inspired versus being consistent and having a plan.
As far as technical skills, pick one social media platform and learn as much as you can about that one before moving on to another. If you love creating video content, throw yourself into YouTube and learn about video editing, SEO, search results, analytics, and more. You will find many of the video skills learned through this experience will be translated to Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.
What’s your advice for someone starting a side hustle?
- Don’t burn yourself out. If you are working full time and creating a side hustle, learn your boundaries and focus on yourself. Never underestimate the power of self-care. It saddens me every time I see someone posting how they work 12-14 hour workdays, 7-days a week. That may be necessary once in a while but for the long haul, it’s not healthy for yourself or your relationships.
- Know when to start over. In the past 15 years, I’ve started so many different side hustles, I can’t even think of them all. I decorated cakes, consulted for social media marketing, taught group fitness, was a personal trainer, ran an antique booth, did MLM’s, blogged, and more. If something doesn’t stick or you aren’t happy doing it—just stop. It’s okay to have an idea pan out. This is a big reason why reselling is a great way to put your toes in the water without jumping in. You can try it for no cost by selling your own stuff. Starting over doesn’t mean you are a failure, it means you recognized the project isn’t working and you are adjusting. It’s not failing—it’s pivoting, and that’s what will make you successful in the future.
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