Meet Jessica L. Williams

In honor of Black Business Month, we're shining a spotlight on Jessica L. Williams, aka Tech Biz Gurl, a dynamic entrepreneur and multi-faceted professional who has mastered the art of balancing a full-time career, caregiving responsibilities, and a thriving side hustle. Jessica's journey from a passionate side hustler to a renowned speaker and resource provider is nothing short of inspiring. Through her weekly newsletter, #jesspicks, and various speaking engagements, she offers practical advice and valuable resources to help others build and sustain their own side hustles. Jessica's story is a testament to the power of persistence, community, and the ability to thrive under pressure, making her a standout figure in the celebration of Black Business Month.

Can you share some strategies that have helped you successfully manage your career, caregiving, and side hustle?

Jessica: Absolutely! Balancing a career, caregiving, and a side hustle can be quite the juggling act. As I like to say, "The juggle is real." Here are some strategies that have worked for me.

Baby Steps: I focus on one main task at a time and break it down into smaller, manageable steps. For example, if I'm creating a new product, I might spend one week outlining it, the next week recording videos, and so on. This approach helps me to make consistent progress without feeling overwhelmed.

Grace: As a caregiver, I've learned that priorities can shift at any moment. So, I've learned to give myself grace and remember that "Tomorrow is another day." Sometimes, balls will have to drop, and that's okay.

Self-Care: Burnout is real, so making time for self-care is essential. I attend dance class and get assisted stretching at StretchLab every week, in addition to getting as much sleep as possible. Taking care of myself helps me stay balanced and energized.

How do you define success for your side hustle, and what key milestones have you set for yourself along this journey?

Jessica: For a long time, I thought I would take my side hustle full-time, and that would mean I had reached success. But that changed somewhere along this journey, and I realized that it's OK to like my day job and keep my side hustle a side hustle.

When I shifted my messaging to focus more on helping side hustlers manage all their commitments, I redefined success for myself. I leaned into my strength of curating and sharing valuable resources for my audience and started a newsletter called #jesspicks. It's something I enjoy and have done consistently since 2016, publishing over 300 issues to date.

If I can get the newsletter issue out every week, I consider that a success. And to zoom out a bit, success for my side hustle is about making an impact and helping others feel empowered to start their entrepreneurial journeys. It's not just about the money but the fulfillment and joy I get from sharing my knowledge and seeing others succeed.

How do you ensure you keep your own cup full amidst your busy schedule? What activities or habits do you prioritize for self-care and relaxation?

Jessica: I've learned that it is important to prioritize my own care and joy, especially during busy times. One of my favorite self-care habits is dancing. I attend a BeMoved dance class every week to let loose, have fun, and connect with myself. It's my time to be present and move in a way that doesn't feel like exercise. It's great for my soul and mental health.

Also, jigsaw puzzles. I loved them as a kid and got back into them as an adult. I can sit in one position for hours, feeling calm and relaxed. Self-care doesn't have to be big; it's about doing something that recharges you or helps you feel more like yourself.

What advice would you give to someone who is just starting their side hustle while managing a full-time job and other commitments?

Jessica:

-Understand your motivation for starting the side hustle. Your why will keep you going on tough days - and trust me, there will be tough days.

-Use time blocking to identify the time you can dedicate to your side hustle. Even small blocks of time can be productive.

-Start with small, manageable tasks and view everything as an experiment. There is no such thing as failure.

-Use technology tools like scheduling and project management apps to manage your tasks and time more efficiently.

-You can also take my Side Hustle Idea Kickstart training to help you get started!

How have your speaking engagements influenced your side hustle, and what's the most valuable lesson you've learned from interacting with your audience?

Jessica: Speaking engagements have allowed me to share my journey and experiences and have taught me the importance of being genuine and open. By sharing personal stories during my talks, I've connected with my audience and inspired them to pursue their goals. It's incredibly fulfilling to know that I've impacted and inspired someone.

Ultimately, these engagements have reinforced the idea that you don't have to be an expert to be an entrepreneur; sometimes, being a few steps ahead is all it takes to inspire and help others move forward.

How important is community and networking in building a successful side hustle? Can you share an example of how your network has supported your journey?

Jessica: When I started my journey, attending the Spark and Hustle conference for women entrepreneurs was a game-changer. It opened my eyes to the power of sharing knowledge and supporting one another. I met women who were also starting their businesses, and we exchanged tips and resources, which was incredibly motivating.

One specific example of how my network supported my journey is when I began blogging about social media and inspirational topics. I received positive feedback and requests for help from people who read my blog. This validated my efforts and turned into opportunities to offer services. The encouragement and demand from my network were pivotal in transforming my blog into a business.

Another example is my newsletter. Cross-promotions with other newsletter creators were incredibly helpful as I was looking to grow my subscriber base. We would shout each other out, which introduced our content to new audiences and built a sense of camaraderie and mutual support. Participating in bundles with other entrepreneurs also allowed me to find new fans for my work. These collaborations were only possible with a strong network.

What's your vision for Tech Biz Gurl in the next five years? How do you plan to scale your side hustle while maintaining its core values and mission?

Jessica: My vision for Tech Biz Gurl in the next five years is to continue being a resource that provides support and inspiration for those who are juggling multiple responsibilities.

I'm at a point in my life where I plan to keep my business a side hustle and continue working a 9–5. So, in terms of scale, I plan to take baby steps, much like my advice to my clients. Here are some things that I have in mind:

-I want to build up passive income by focusing on affiliate marketing, sponsorships/partnerships, and creating digital products. I love the idea of making money while I'm sleeping or taking care of other things.

-Pursuing more speaking opportunities and being able to share my experiences and advice with more folks. This will allow me the flexibility of being "on" for a period of time and disconnecting as needed.

-Offering coaching and encouragement asynchronously so folks can get help while juggling the rest of their lives.

I want my business to remain a space where side hustlers can experiment, grow, and find joy in their lives, knowing they have someone cheering them on.

Learn more by visiting https://techbizgurl.com.