📪 HH #74: Side Hustle to Scalable Business: Foundational Steps
- Justin Hubbard
- Mar 29
- 20 min read
TL;DR – Start Your Side Hustle the Right Way
Even if it’s just part-time, treat your side hustle like a real business from day one.Set up structure, look professional, and prepare for growth.
🔹 Legal Setup – Start lean with a sole prop, or build credibility early with an LLC + EIN.
🔹 Business Name – Pick something clear. Lock down the domain + social handles.
🔹 Website – Use Wix/Squarespace. One page is fine to start. Expand later.
🔹 SEO – Mention what you do + where you do it. Add content as you grow.
🔹 Google Profile – Set it up ASAP. It’s free visibility.
🔹 Branding – Canva or Fiverr is fine. Just be clean + consistent.
🔹 Tools – Use Wave + Calendly (free), or upgrade to QuickBooks and premium scheduling later.
Start simple. Stay sharp. Scale when ready.
Lay the foundation now—future you will thank you.
Full article 👇
Launching a side business is exciting, but getting the foundational pieces in place early can save you headaches down the road. Even if you’re starting as a part-time gig, treating it like a “real” business from day one builds credibility and makes it easier to grow later.
For instance, forming a formal business entity (like an LLC) signals to customers that you’re serious and enhances trust . Proper setup also protects you legally – separating your personal assets from business liabilities means if something goes wrong, your own finances aren’t on the line.
Additionally, having things like a dedicated business name, a simple website, and professional tools in place gives your side hustle a polished image instead of just looking like a casual hobby.
In short, an early investment in structure and professionalism sets you up to scale smoothly, turning that small side gig into a thriving full-time enterprise when you’re ready.
Each topic in this guide offers two paths:
One for people keeping it simple right now, and another for those looking to scale down the road.
Because business advice isn’t one-size-fits-all.
Everything in this world is based on circumstance.
What you’re doing and what Billy Hayward is doing 1,000 miles away might look similar on the surface—but if your long-term goals are different, your steps should be too.
Every day, each of you should be taking different actions based on the future you're trying to build. Knowing this is key. That awareness is what creates meaningful progress over time.
There’s a quote I like—might be from Stephen Covey:
“You have to know which wall to lean your ladder against before you start climbing.”
Taking the time to get clear on your goals is how you figure out what wall you're leaning against.
Once that’s locked in, you can move with intention—no wasted energy, no spinning your wheels.
Let's dig in 👇
Setting Up Your Business Legally (LLC, EIN, etc.)
If you’re keeping it simple now: You can legally start as a sole proprietorship with minimal paperwork. In this lean approach, you operate under your own name (or a “doing business as” name) and report any income on your personal tax return.
This is perfectly fine for a small side hustle, especially if you won’t have employees or need business loans immediately. However, even as a sole proprietor, make sure you comply with any required local licenses or permits for your industry, and consider getting liability insurance.
It’s always best to be protected and insured, even for a casual side business. As for an EIN (Employer Identification Number), you technically don’t need one yet if you’re a one-person sole prop with no employees – you can use your Social Security Number for taxes.
But getting an EIN from the IRS is free and easy, and it lets you avoid giving out your SSN. Some banks even require an EIN to open a business bank account. So as a simple step, you might obtain an EIN now just to keep your finances a bit more separate and professional.
If you’re planning to scale soon: It’s wise to take a slightly more formal approach by registering an LLC (Limited Liability Company) for your business. Setting up an LLC creates a legal separation between you and your business – this protects your personal assets from business debts or lawsuits.
It also instantly boosts your credibility: having “LLC” after your business name shows clients and partners that you’re not just winging it, you’ve put in the work to legitimize your venture.
This can be beneficial if you eventually seek bank financing or want to work with larger companies (many banks and suppliers prefer dealing with an LLC or registered business). Registering an LLC is usually fast and inexpensive (often just a few hundred dollars and some online forms), so it’s a solid early investment in your future.
Along with the LLC, you will need to get an EIN (if you don’t have one already) to use for opening a business bank account, hiring employees down the line, or just keeping your taxes organized.
In summary, the “ready-to-scale” route means a bit more paperwork upfront – forming the LLC, possibly filing a DBA if needed, and getting that EIN – but it positions your business to grow with the proper legal and financial structure in place.
Choosing a Business Name (and Securing Domains & Social Media)
If you’re keeping it simple now: You might start with something straightforward for your business name to get going quickly. Many solo providers simply use their own name or a clear descriptive name (e.g. “Jamie Nguyen Tutoring” or “A1 Home Yoga”) in the beginning.
This approach is fine – it’s easy and personal. Still, do a quick check that the name isn’t already in use locally or in your state (to avoid legal conflicts). You can search your state’s business registry and do a basic Google search.
It’s also smart to see if the domain name is free (even if you’re not making a website right away) and if a similar social media handle is available. If your exact business name is common and taken everywhere, consider tweaking it so you can have a unique presence.
Starting simple doesn’t mean you ignore branding entirely; it just means you won’t spend weeks brainstorming. Pick a name that is at least professional and relevant to what you do, and you can always refine the branding later as you grow.
If you’re planning to scale soon: Put more effort into choosing a distinctive name and securing it across platforms from the start. Your business name should reflect your brand identity and not conflict with any existing businesses in your field.
Brainstorm creative ideas, get feedback, and once you have a favorite, do the due diligence: check the USPTO database to ensure it’s not trademarked by someone else (you don’t want surprises later).
Next, see if the .com domain is available for that name – a matching domain is ideal for your website. Also search major social media sites (or use a tool like Namecheckr) to make sure you can get the handle that matches your name.
Consistency is key for branding; having the same name on your website, Facebook/Instagram, and other platforms makes it easier for people to find and recognize you.
If the name is clear, unique, and available across the board, consider officially registering it with your state (either as your LLC name or by filing a DBA/“fictitious name” if you’re not using the exact LLC name publicly).
This prevents others in your state from using it. Securing your business name, domain, and social media early on means you won’t have to undergo a costly rebrand later. It’s an upfront effort that pays off in brand recognition and avoids customer confusion.
Building a Basic but Expandable Website
In today’s digital age, even a side business needs an online presence. A website serves as your home base online, making you look established and helping potential customers find information about your services 24/7.
The good news is you don’t need to code or hire an expensive developer to get a professional-looking site. Website builder platforms like Wix and Squarespace are tailored for small business owners who have little technical knowledge . They offer user-friendly, drag-and-drop editors and a variety of design templates, so you can have a clean website up and running in a matter of hours.
Below are two approaches to setting up your site, depending on how much you want to invest in it now:
If you’re keeping it simple now: Aim for a lean, one- or two-page website that covers the essentials. Using Wix or Squarespace, choose a simple template and fill in the key details about your business: a homepage with a summary of what you offer, maybe an “About Me” section, your contact information, and possibly a brief list of services or pricing.
This can literally be a single scrolling page with sections. The goal is to have something you can point people to – it adds a level of professionalism you just can’t get with only a Facebook page or word-of-mouth.
Make sure the site looks decent on mobile (most templates are mobile-responsive by default). Don’t over-engineer it: a clean site with your name, what you do, your city (for local businesses), and how to contact you is enough to start.
If you’re really strapped for time, even a simple landing page with your basic info and a contact form is better than nothing. The beauty of these website builders is that they’re expandable – so you can start with a very basic site now and add more pages or features later when you have time and content. (For example, you might add a photo gallery, client testimonials, or a blog down the line.)
If you’re planning to scale soon: Take a slightly more robust approach to your website from the outset. You’ll still likely use Wix, Squarespace, or another platform like WordPress.com – but you’ll think ahead about the site’s structure. Consider building out a few core pages (Home, About, Services, Contact, maybe a Blog or Resources page).
Even if you don’t have much content yet, setting up the framework now can make your site look more complete and ready for growth.
These platforms support lots of advanced features when you need them: online booking systems, e-commerce to sell products, membership areas for online courses, etc., can often be integrated as your business demands it.
If you anticipate needing these, choose a platform/plan that can accommodate them (for instance, Squarespace has great templates for scheduling and selling courses, Wix has a broad app market for added functionality).
Pay attention to design – you might invest in a custom domain (definitely do this – e.g., yourbusinessname.com instead of a Wix subdomain) and even a custom email address for a truly professional image.
Ensure your branding (logo, colors, tagline) is reflected on the site. Starting with an eye toward scalability might also mean organizing your content in a way that’s easy to update; for instance, if you plan to blog, set up the blog section now even if the first post will come later.
Overall, the ready-to-scale website is still built lean (you’re not hiring a full-time web developer yet), but it’s strategically prepared to grow with your business. The site will give an impression that you’re an established professional, which is great for building client trust from the beginning .
SEO and Content Basics for Visibility
Having a website is step one; step two is making sure people can actually find it when they search online. This is where SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and content come in. Don’t worry – you don’t have to become an SEO guru right away.
The idea is to do a few simple things now so that your business shows up for relevant searches (especially local searches), and to lay groundwork that you can build on later.
If you’re keeping it simple now: Start with the basics of SEO. First, make sure your website clearly states what you do and where you do it – search engines scan your site for keywords, so include those naturally in your text (e.g., “Certified Pilates instructor in Tampa” or “affordable math tutor serving the Dallas area”).
This helps Google understand your relevance to those searches. Many website builders have an SEO settings section where you can set a title and meta description for your site – fill those in with a concise description of your business (“Jane’s Pilates – Private at-home Pilates classes in Tampa, FL,” for example).
That way, when your site appears in search results, people see a relevant blurb. You should also ensure your site is indexed by search engines (most likely it will be by default, but it’s worth checking the settings for any “hide from search engines” toggles to make sure they’re off!).
For content, at minimum have a few paragraphs on your homepage or services page that describe your offerings in detail – this is content, and it contains the keywords someone might search. You don’t need a blog or lots of articles at the start, but do cover the who/what/where/why of your service on the site.
These simple steps can help you start appearing when locals search for your service, without any paid ads. Also, leverage free and easy wins: ensure your business name, address, and phone number are consistent across the web (website, Google listing, Facebook page, etc.) – this consistency can aid local SEO.
In short, a lean SEO approach = clear, relevant info on your site + making use of your basic SEO settings + consistency. It’s low effort and, over time, can organically bring in clients who find you on Google.
If you’re planning to scale soon: Consider developing a richer content and SEO strategy over time. Early on, you might set up your site structure to accommodate future content – for instance, maybe reserve a section for blog posts, FAQs, or resources that you can populate gradually.
High-quality content is one of the best ways to improve your search visibility long-term.
Perhaps start writing a monthly blog post about topics related to your business (e.g., a tutor could blog about study tips, a wellness coach could write about stress management techniques). Each piece of content is an opportunity to target new keywords and appear in more search results.
As you create content, do a bit of keyword research (there are free tools where you can see what people search for). For example, you might find that “at-home Pilates for seniors” is a popular search – if that’s something you offer, you could write a blog or a detailed service page on it.
Over time, these efforts improve your rankings and drive organic traffic (people finding you through search).
On the technical side, ensure your site continues to be fast and mobile-friendly – Google considers these factors. The nice thing about Wix/Squarespace is they handle a lot of technical SEO aspects automatically (like sitemaps, mobile layouts), but as you grow you might implement advanced tactics like optimizing image sizes, using headings and schema markup for clarity, etc.
You might also work on getting backlinks (other websites linking to yours) – perhaps by getting listed in local directories or partnering with related businesses to exchange links. Backlinks and good content are two major factors that can boost your SEO over competitors .
In summary, the scale-focused approach means continuing to add valuable content to your site, polishing the behind-the-scenes SEO factors, and maybe even engaging in content marketing (guest posts, videos, etc.) to build your online presence. You’re planting seeds with SEO that will bear fruit in terms of visibility as your business matures.
Google My Business: A Low-Effort, High-Value Step
If you’re keeping it simple now: One of the best things you can do early (even before you fully launch) is set up your Google My Business listing – now technically called Google Business Profile. This is completely free and can be done in minutes, but it yields huge benefits.
By registering your business on Google, you ensure that when people search for your type of service in your area, your business can show up in the local results and Google Maps.
For a home-based or mobile service business, you can choose to hide your address and just list an area you serve.
The key is to get on the map (literally).
Fill out your business name, category, address or service region, hours, phone, and website if you have one. This makes you look legitimate and helps customers find you easily – as Google is often the first place people look for anything.
In fact, being on Google Business is so important that it’s often the first step to getting noticed online for a local business. Once verified, your profile will appear when people search your name or keywords related to your service, showing your contact info and reviews.
It’s a minimal effort for maximum local visibility. Even if you have no website yet, you can use the Google listing as a mini web presence (you can post updates or offers there too). So for a lean start, do not skip this step – it’s arguably the highest ROI action to take early on.
If you’re planning to scale soon: Leverage Google Business Profile to the fullest as part of your growth strategy. This means not only claiming your listing but also optimizing and regularly updating it. Add photos of your work or your business (people love seeing authentic images – e.g., a tutor might show a cozy tutoring setup, a yoga instructor might show their home studio or classes in session).
Encourage your early customers to leave Google reviews on your profile – a strong rating and positive reviews will greatly increase trust and attract new clients (plus, reviews and ratings can improve your local search ranking).
Make sure all information stays current – if you expand your hours or add new services, update the listing. Google often allows you to add multiple categories (e.g., “Yoga Instructor” and “Fitness Trainer” if both apply); choose all relevant ones so you appear in more searches.
Take advantage of the Posts feature on Google Business: you can publish short updates (like announcing a new class or a seasonal promotion) which shows that your business is active – this can subtly help your profile’s engagement. Being active on your Google listing sends signals that can improve your visibility in local search results.
Additionally, as you grow, you might use Google Business insights (the analytics it provides) to learn how customers find you and where they come from, informing your marketing efforts.
In essence, the scale-minded use of Google My Business is about turning that simple listing into a dynamic funnel for customers: high-quality info, lots of good reviews, regular engagement, and integration with your overall marketing (for example, linking to your website or scheduling page). It’s free marketing real estate – use it thoroughly.
(Side note: “Google My Business” was the old name; Google calls it Google Business Profile now, but many people still refer to “getting on Google” as setting up the GMB listing. The advice is the same whatever you call it!)
Branding and Logo Design
If you’re keeping it simple now: When you’re just starting out, you don’t need a fancy, expensive branding package – but you should have at least a basic logo or consistent visual that represents your business. Luckily, there are budget-friendly ways to do this.
One popular approach is the DIY route using tools like Canva. Canva is an online design tool that even non-designers can use; it has templates for logos where you can plug in your business name and try out some icons or fonts. It’s either free or very low-cost (you can do a lot with the free version).
You could create a simple wordmark logo (just your business name in a nice font with maybe a small icon or color flourish) in an hour.
Another option is to hire a freelancer on a platform like Fiverr, which connects you with designers globally. Many freelancers on Fiverr offer logo design services starting around $5-$50 – though typically, higher quality or more custom work might cost a bit more. Still, for, say, $50 or $100, you can often get a decent custom logo.
When going low-budget, keep it simple: a clean design that looks good small or large, and use that on your website, social media, and invoices. Consistency in how your business name appears (same colors, same logo image) will already put you ahead of many casual side hustlers.
If even Canva feels overwhelming, at minimum choose a color scheme (perhaps two colors that you like or that match the vibe of your industry) and a couple of fonts, and use those everywhere (website, documents, etc.). That way you have a cohesive look.
The bottom line: you can start lean on branding by doing it yourself or spending a few bucks, and then upgrade later. Just avoid looking sloppy – no mismatched graphics or clipart mashups. A simple, neat logo (or even just your business name in a stylish font) is enough for now to look professional.
If you’re planning to scale soon: Strong branding can be a big asset as you grow, so you may choose to invest a bit more into it from the get-go. This doesn’t necessarily mean thousands of dollars on an agency, but it could mean budgeting a few hundred for a quality logo and brand kit.
One route is using AI-assisted branding platforms like Tailor Brands or Looka. These allow you to input your business name and style preferences, and then they generate logo concepts for you. They often provide a whole suite of branding materials (fonts, color palettes, social media kit) for a moderate cost, and they cater to various budget levels .
Alternatively, you might hire a freelance graphic designer with a strong portfolio to create a custom logo that really captures your business’s mission and appeals to your target audience. A well-designed logo is more than just pretty – it helps foster brand recognition and trust among your customers.
Think about logos you remember; likely they gave you a certain impression. You want yours to convey the right message (e.g., friendly and approachable, or expert and high-end, depending on your style). When scaling, also consider the broader branding elements: your brand voice (how you write and talk to customers), brand values, and the story you tell.
But visually, ensure you have high-resolution logo files, maybe variations of the logo for different uses, and a guide for your colors and typography. This will make it easy to create marketing materials later or even get things like T-shirts or signage if you ever need them.
You’re basically future-proofing your brand identity. Importantly, secure your logo’s rights – if a freelancer designs it, make sure you have the right to use it freely (typically this is standard, but double-check).
In summary, the scale-ready approach to branding means treating your side hustle like a brand from day one: investing in a distinctive logo and cohesive look that can become recognizable as you expand. It makes your business look established and trustworthy, even when it’s just you running it.
Invoicing and Scheduling Tools for Professionalism
If you’re keeping it simple now: In the early days of your side business, you might be inclined to just send a Venmo request or a quick email to schedule appointments.
However, using dedicated invoicing and scheduling tools – even basic ones – can elevate your professionalism greatly (and make your life easier). For invoicing, there are free options like Wave that let you create and send professional-looking invoices without any cost. Instead of a plain email saying “That’ll be $100, please pay,” you can send a branded invoice (with your business name/logo, an invoice number, etc.), which not only looks more legit but also helps you keep records.
Free invoice template generators (e.g., from PayPal or QuickBooks) can also do the trick if you prefer one-off tools. The benefit is that your clients see you as an established business when you provide a formal invoice or receipt.
For scheduling, consider using a tool like Calendly (which has a free plan). Rather than endless back-and-forth messages like “What time works for you next week?”, you can send someone a Calendly link to let them pick an open time slot on your calendar. It automatically handles time zones and prevents double-booking. This saves you time and hassle in coordinating appointments.
Clients also appreciate the convenience – they can book or reschedule on their own. Using such a tool demonstrates that you have systems in place, even as a one-person operation. And again, many scheduling apps have free tiers that cover a single appointment type (which is often enough for a side hustle).
By implementing a simple invoicing process and an easy scheduling method early on, you’re automating away some small tasks. That frees you up to focus on the actual work and gives customers a smooth, professional experience (they get clear invoices and effortless booking). It’s a win-win with minimal or no expense.
If you’re planning to scale soon: As your business grows, you’ll want more robust solutions to handle your finances and appointments — and you might as well start integrating them early. For invoicing and bookkeeping, investing in a platform like QuickBooks, FreshBooks, or Xero can be hugely beneficial. These not only let you send invoices, but also track expenses, manage receipts, and generate reports, which becomes important as you scale up.
QuickBooks, for example, can automate recurring invoices and send payment reminders – features that help businesses get paid faster on average. Using such software, you can also create branded invoice templates (with your logo and brand colors) to reinforce your business identity on all billing communications.
A professional invoice that matches your brand makes a great impression on clients, showing that you have an organized operation. On the scheduling side, you might need advanced features as you grow: maybe the ability to let clients choose different types of services or durations, group meeting functionality, or integration with your website and email marketing.
Tools like Acuity Scheduling or the premium version of Calendly allow for these complexities. For instance, you could embed a scheduling widget on your website so clients can book directly there. These tools can also handle sending automated confirmation emails and reminder texts, which reduces no-shows (when people forget appointments).
When you have many clients, such automation is a lifesaver.
Additionally, if you plan to scale to a team (say you add another tutor or another yoga instructor), many scheduling systems can manage multiple calendars and team assignments.
By adopting a robust invoicing and scheduling system early, you also collect all your data in one place – which makes it easier to review your finances or appointment history later. The insight you get (e.g., which services are most booked, or which invoices are still unpaid) will help you make informed decisions as you expand.
The overarching theme here is automation and professionalism: the right tools handle repetitive tasks for you (saving time), ensure nothing falls through the cracks (so you don’t forget to follow up on an unpaid bill or miss scheduling a client), and present a polished image to your customers (they see a smooth process, not chaotic manual handling).
It sets the stage for growth because your operations become scalable – you’re not manually juggling everything. As a side benefit, when the time comes to go full-time or even seek funding/partnerships, you can confidently show that you have systems in place for billing and client management, reinforcing that your business is well-run.
Final Thoughts
Transitioning a side hustle into a thriving business is a journey. Entrepreneurship requires a little bit of crazy—because most people won’t make it.
But if you set up the right foundations from the start, the road becomes a whole lot smoother.
By handling the legal basics, securing your name, establishing an online presence, and using the right tools, you’re effectively treating your small venture with the respect of a larger enterprise – and it will pay off.
Remember, you can start lean and simple in each area, then level up each aspect as you grow. The important thing is to approach your business (even if it’s just you in a home office right now) with a mindset of professionalism and future growth.
This mindset, combined with the practical steps outlined – from forming an LLC if appropriate, to having a basic website, to leveraging free Google tools and smart apps – will set you on the path to not just run a side business, but to grow a successful company when you’re ready to take it to the next level.
Good luck with your entrepreneurial journey. I'll be the guy on the side, always rooting for you✌️
Justin Hubbard
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