Unlocking Financial Freedom: Christine Schaub On Innovative Side Hustle Strategies

An Interview With Eden Gold

Eden Gold
Authority Magazine
Published in
8 min readJun 3, 2024

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Laundry, ironing, sewing, cleaning services. So many working parents need help completing basic household tasks. Side hustlers can provide these services on- or off-site, charge a pickup/delivery fee, and bring relief to overwhelmed clients.

In an era where financial stability seems increasingly difficult to achieve with a single income source, side hustles have become more than just a trend — they’re a necessity for many seeking financial freedom and independence. However, not all side hustles are created equal, and the journey to finding one that offers both profitability and passion can be elusive. With the digital economy offering boundless opportunities, there’s a myriad of ways to build an additional income stream. Yet, the question remains: How can individuals unlock the true potential of side hustles to not just supplement income, but to pave the way to financial freedom? As part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Christine Schaub.

Christine Schaub is the author of the book, “Queen of the Side Hustle: Unleashing Your Potential for Extra Income.” She makes her living with no less than six side gigs, including being the host of the Telly Award-winning “Come On Over” web series about all things hospitality, with an emphasis on gardening, home décor, and no-fail recipes. Additionally, Schaub authored the critically acclaimed “Music of the Heart” historical fiction novels, as well as co-authored the #1 Amazon bestselling memoir of Hall of Fame vocalist, Larnelle Harris. She has edited non-fiction memoirs for speakers/singers, and fiction for budding writers. In the corporate world, Schaub was a former press secretary for a U.S. Congressman with more than 15 years in corporate communications for healthcare, pharmaceutical, real estate, and entertainment companies. She’s an award-winning, featured conference speaker with at-risk youth, and has performed in numerous stage productions as an actress, singer, and pianist. Schaub graduated from Anderson University with a degree in Mass Communications. She makes her home in Nashville, Tennessee where wildly creative and risk-taking entrepreneurs thrive.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series. Before we dive into our discussion our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share with us the backstory about what brought you to your specific career path?

I’ve been side-hustling for 20 years but didn’t have a title for it! I went full-on, full-time “hustle” after a company moved me to Nashville in 2000, then dissolved nine months later. Armed with a communications and music background, I thought, ‘I’ll work freelance until the money runs out.’ I wrote marketing copy for small companies, edited books, and taught piano. I babysat for friends, dog-sat for strangers, and worked part-time as a receptionist, personal assistant, caterer, and gardener. I “pieced together” enough income to pay my bills and have a little fun. Going on 24 years now, I regularly juggle SIX gigs — sometimes all at the same time!

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?

I once took a weeklong sitting gig for four rescue horses, a flock of egg-laying chickens, three loud roosters, two happy dogs, and one curious cat. I had zero experience feeding/mucking horses, and limited time with chickens. But I figured, how hard could this be? The first day was pretty stressful — It was brutally hot as I stood outside the horse barn with my sweaty instruction sheet and said, “Listen up, equines! Step 1: Into your stalls.” And in they went! The rest of the week went surprisingly smoothly. Well…except for the 5:10 AM crowing. Every. Freaking. Morning. Right outside my bedroom window.

You are a successful individual. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?

I can chalk up my side-hustle success with these three traits:

Work hard until the job is done.
I grew up on a Michigan cash-crop farm, and if you’ve seen a farmer in action you know this: We don’t quit anything partway through. We will harvest all night and only go to bed when the farm equipment is backed into the barn. Backed. In. That same principle applies in my side-hustles: No quitting until the last dish is put away, the plants are watered in, and the writing deadline is met.

Set limitations.
I’ve been in danger many times of working myself into exhaustion. I’ve learned to say “no” to sketchy gigs, “fire” difficult customers, and cut back on time away from home — yes, even when those limitations cost me money. Peace of mind is worth more than cash.

Know your value.
Before I started teaching piano, I did some research on local rates and discovered I’m worth more because I teach in students’ homes. I can also charge a premium for staying with pets in their homes. Catering clients must book me to not only cook gourmet food, but also work the party and serve the guests — for an hourly labor rate. Finding the sweet spot between fair rates and acceptable profit is challenging, but critical.

Ok, thank you for that. Let’s now jump to the primary focus of our interview about unlocking financial freedom. Can you describe a pivotal moment when your side hustle transitioned from a passion project to a profitable venture?

When my catering partner and I figured out we could — and should — charge a per-person rate for our four-course dinners (paired with wines) PLUS an hourly rate for working the party, we started being profitable. AND…we started enjoying the whole process more. We also add value by storing leftovers, cleaning the kitchen, and leaving little party tableaus of dessert/candles/flowers for our clients to discover before bed. We book all of our catering gigs via referrals, so we know our pricing and added values pay off.

What unique side hustle did you start that unexpectedly led to significant financial freedom, and what inspired its inception?

My publicist overheard me recounting a wild weekend of cooking/hosting a client-turned-friend and guest at a coffee shop. The next day, she told me, “You need to start a YouTube channel.” That conversation led to the Telly-award-winning “Come On Over Show” about all things hospitality, which garnered media appearances, which inspired my book, “Queen of the Side Hustle.” In a media-savvy environment, entertaining how-to/instructional information is golden…all the way to the bank.

How do you balance the demands of your main career with the growth of your side hustle without compromising on the success of either?

My main side-hustle moneymaker has always been teaching piano on specific days/times — weekday afternoons (never weekends). Those appointments are sacrosanct, and I reserve work on other gigs outside those timeframes. BUT… As the other five gigs became more profitable, I started reducing my teaching days (from five to three) and enjoying more flexibility. And flexibility improves job satisfaction for gig workers.

What innovative strategies have you employed to scale your side hustle that others might not have considered?

I work off this mantra: When you do more without being asked, you increase your value. It’s like I’ve stamped “Extra features!” or “Upgrade!” onto my clients’ experiences. So, I (1) include thank-you notes/statements with my invoices, (2) offer bonus/specialized skills (medicinal shots for animals), (3) bundle services, like gardening whilst dog sitting, (4) stay adaptable when clients’ plans change, (5) create referral lists for skills clients need, but I don’t possess, and (6) create memories — catering tableaus, gardening settings, photos/logs of pets’ days. With this strategy, I make sure I’m the first teacher/pet-sitter/gardener/caterer/writer/YouTuber to cross clients’ minds when they need help. And they never blink when I raise my prices!

Based on your experience and research, can you please share “5 Innovative Side Hustle Ideas?”

1. Gardening. This isn’t necessarily hardcore “landscaping.” Sometimes it’s putting together affordable front-door pots, helping clients shop for seasonal/perennial flowers, even using tree/shrub trimming expertise to help areas just look better. I like to do “drive-by” plantings (fill a front pot with seasonal blooms) to inspire interested clients to get started.

2. Transporting pets. Long before Uber Pets was an option, I was transporting dogs and cats to daycare and vet offices for working clients. It’s a quick and profitable service, and clients are thrilled with the option.

3. Résumé writing. Most people are unable/unwilling to “brag” about their achievements. That’s when savvy writers should step in! When clients start talking about their work experiences, writers cleverly shape that information into quantifiable bullet points of experience. Older/younger workers particularly need this service.

4. Laundry, ironing, sewing, cleaning services. So many working parents need help completing basic household tasks. Side hustlers can provide these services on- or off-site, charge a pickup/delivery fee, and bring relief to overwhelmed clients.

5. Make/sell pet supplies. If you’re crafty in the sewing room or kitchen, you can make custom items for the huge amount (66%) of people who have family pets. Demand for premium food/treats is high, and 76% of adults plan to “dress up” their pets for any occasion.

Reflecting on your journey, what is one piece of unconventional advice you would offer to someone looking to start a side hustle for financial freedom?

Test your product/service — and get feedback — on a small scale before fully committing to the time/effort/cost of launching a side hustle. That’s the only way you’ll really know how the market will respond to your idea. If you want to cater, prepare your specialties for a group of friends. If you’re into web design, create a FREE website for someone who needs one but has limited funds. If you’re a dog whisperer, see how you manage ONE dog for a friend/neighbor/relative over an evening or long weekend. Receive the critique with an open mind, then adapt your product/service accordingly.

You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)

Specifically with my YouTube web series, I am on a mission to reinvigorate the lost art of hospitality, one home at a time. My parents and grandparents were so casually good at inviting over friends, family, neighbors and strangers for coffee, games, supper — for any reason, really. I think anyone could benefit from an invitation to sip cocktails on a deck, roast marshmallows over a bonfire, try a new pastry recipe, play cards over dessert, or pull up an extra chair for a home-cooked meal. Let’s gather and fellowship again, shall we?

How can our readers further follow you online?

So glad you asked!
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ComeonOverShow
Website: https://www.comeonovershow.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/comeonovershow/
X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/annabellespeaks
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/comeonoverwithchristineschaub

Thank you for the time you spent sharing these fantastic insights. We wish you only continued success in your great work!

About The Interviewer: Eden Gold, is a youth speaker, keynote speaker, founder of the online program Life After High School, and host of the Real Life Adulting Podcast. Being America’s rising force for positive change, Eden is a catalyst for change in shaping the future of education. With a lifelong mission of impacting the lives of 1 billion young adults, Eden serves as a practical guide, aiding young adults in honing their self-confidence, challenging societal conventions, and crafting a strategic roadmap towards the fulfilling lives they envision.

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Authority Magazine
Authority Magazine

Published in Authority Magazine

In-depth Interviews with Authorities in Business, Pop Culture, Wellness, Social Impact, and Tech. We use interviews to draw out stories that are both empowering and actionable.

Eden Gold
Eden Gold

Written by Eden Gold

Youth speaker, keynote speaker, founder of Life After High School, and host of the Real Life Adulting Podcast

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