About The Side Hustler | Start Your Side Hustle Journey

Welcome, hustler friend! I’m so glad you’re here.

Who Am I & Why This Blog Exists

Hi, My name’s Lee Warren-Blake, and five years ago, my life changed overnight.

I was diagnosed with prostate cancer — and it devastated me. I’d always thought I had more time. More time to chase my goals. More time with my family. More time to figure it all out. But hearing the word “cancer” shattered that illusion. After the surgery and a long, soul-searching recovery, I realized something deep and irreversible: I’d been given a second chance — and there was no way I was going back to life as it was before.

That diagnosis profoundly altered the course of my life. Suddenly, the 9-to-5 grind, the stress, the working-for-someone-else routine — it all felt meaningless. What I wanted wasn’t more money or titles. What I wanted was freedom. More time with my loved ones. Space to create, build, and live on my own terms. I didn’t want to survive — I wanted to live.

So I left the traditional workplace behind, and I started again — this time, on my terms.

That’s where this blog comes in.

Why I Created The Side Hustler

This blog wasn’t born out of a perfect plan. It was born from a moment of truth — a wake-up call that made me realize life’s too short to spend it building someone else’s dream.

I started experimenting with online income: blogging, selling digital products, trying freelance gigs, diving into Pinterest marketing. Most of it I had to figure out from scratch. I made mistakes (a lot of them). But little by little, I built something real — side income that gave me back control. It wasn’t flashy, but it was freedom. And freedom is everything.

Now, I’m here to help you start doing the same.

You don’t need to hit rock bottom to make a change. You just need a reason to start — and someone who’s been in the trenches and figured out what actually works.

What You’ll Find Here

On The Side Hustler, I keep it simple, honest, and actionable. No fluff, no hype — just the real tools and strategies I’ve tested myself.

Blogging

How to pick a profitable niche, build a blog that attracts the right audience, and monetize it with real results. Whether you’re brand new or stuck in neutral, I’ll walk you through the process — step by step.

Pinterest Marketing

My not-so-secret weapon. I’ll teach you how to drive thousands of monthly visitors to your site (without spending a dime on ads) using Pinterest as a search engine. This strategy alone changed everything for me.

Freelancing

Want to earn using skills you already have? I’ll help you start a freelance service from scratch and find your first paying clients, even if you’re starting with no experience.

Affiliate Marketing

Earn while you sleep by recommending products you genuinely use and trust. I’ll show you how to build passive income streams ethically and sustainably.

My Promise to You

Everything I share here comes from my real-life journey. If it’s on this site, I’ve tried it myself — sometimes the hard way. I’m not some overnight success story or millionaire guru. I’m a regular guy who faced something terrifying, took a long hard look at life, and decided to live differently.

Here’s what you can expect from me:

Beginner-friendly: I break everything down so anyone can follow it — even if you’re not techy.
No-fluff: I respect your time. Every post has a purpose: to help you take action.
Honest: I won’t sell you dreams. Building a side hustle takes effort, but it’s doable — and worth it.

If I fail, you’ll hear about it. If something works better than expected, you’ll hear about that too. I’m in this with you.

A Bit More About Me

I’m 45, a former manual worker turned full-time side hustler.
I’m a self-taught digital nerd who grew up in the early days of dial-up internet.
I’ve built multiple income streams from scratch — mostly through persistence, coffee, and lots of trial and error.
I believe anyone can build something powerful online, even if you’re starting from zero.
I’m proof that it’s never too late to reinvent your life.

Where Should You Start?

Here are some reader favorites to get you moving:

Let’s Make This Your Year

You don’t need permission. You don’t need perfection. You just need a reason — and maybe a little push.

That’s what this blog is here for. Whether you’re chasing extra income, more freedom, or a total life reset, I hope my story and strategies help you carve your own path.

Let’s build your side hustle future — one post at a time.