Nicaila Matthews Okome 0:02

You're listening to side hustle Pro, the podcast that teaches you to build and grow your side hustle from passion project to profitable business. And I'm your host Nicaila Matthews Okome. So let's get started.

Hey, guys, hey, hey, it's Nicaila here. Welcome back to the side hustle pro podcast. And today I have a different episode a different kind of episode. This is actually the first of its kind podcast my goal Student Spotlight episode. So you will be hearing from one of my podcasts medical students to hear how she launched and scaled her podcast. Using the methods that I teach inside of podcast moguls, you'll hear how she went from just an idea when she started the program to launching putting her podcast out into the world. And now being sponsored by Google. Her name is Tolu Garcia. And let me give you a little background on Tolu. So total Garcia is the founder of UI narrative, which provides online learning for product design UI UX I XD in research, through the podcast, mentorship, and feature online courses. She's also a senior product designer at Matt Dev, a small design studio in Dallas, Texas, working with clients ranging from startups to large corporations, like Toyota and Google. When Tolu is not designing product solutions, you can find her hiking on her YouTube channel. And her next venture is going to be the course getting started in UX, which she'll share more about inside of this episode. So I want you to know that you can learn and grow your podcast through the techniques that I teach. And in case you don't know podcast, moguls is an accelerator program for aspiring podcasters whether you've started your podcast or just have an idea, this program is for you. And you can learn more about it over at podcast moguls.com/join. All right, now let's jump into the episode.

All right, welcome. Welcome to the guest here. Tolu. So glad to have you here.

Tolu Garcia 2:05

Hey, everybody, so glad to be on the podcast. This is like a dream come true to be

Nicaila Matthews Okome 2:09

Oh, that's so awesome. Well, it is so good to have you here. Because like I said, you know, we were chatting earlier, it is new to me to explore this territory of highlighting some of my podcast moguls students. But I realize that people don't really have much of an insight into what goes on inside of the program. And what kind of podcasters learn inside of podcast moguls? And what kind of things you learn how you can grow your show. So I wanted to share your journey. And for those who don't know you, can you share in your own words a little bit about who you are and what you do.

Tolu Garcia 2:46

Yeah, so I'm Tolu Garcia, full time. I'm a product designer, working with things like mobile apps, websites, basically any type of digital product. And on the side, I have my podcast UI narrative where I provide UX mentorship, so anyone that's looking to get started in UX, I help them get their foot in the door also to provide portfolio reviews, looking at resumes, and career coaching.

Nicaila Matthews Okome 3:12

All right, so what was your initial career path to get to where you are now?

Tolu Garcia 3:18

Yeah, so I actually started as a graphic designer. So I got a bachelor's in visual communication. And I was doing graphic design for a while. I was also doing website design as a part of some of my initial jobs. And it's funny, like, originally, I didn't know what UX was, it was from a coworker who told me that he thinks that career path would be right for me. Because in meetings, I would always be asking, like, Oh, why are we doing this things this way for the different websites that we would create. But I didn't realize that I already was kind of doing UX in a way I just didn't know what the terminology was. And UX hadn't been entirely coined at that time as far as like, people defining what it is. But it was being like implemented in different companies. So it was from there that I had went to get some UX training through an online course called General Assembly. And I already had a big background in like UI from doing website design. So it was more of me just wanting to get more comfortable with talking about UX and see if there was any gaps that I was missing, which there were because I didn't completely understand the extent of how US can affect a product. So through there, that was how I began building my career using that experience from the course and also to get into promotion at my job at the time to become a UI UX designer. And then from there, I've just been jumping around freelance for a while and now have landed out at a small design studio here in Dallas, Texas.

Nicaila Matthews Okome 4:59

So of course, It's totally we got to, we got to rewind everyone. And we have to talk about these letters, acronyms. Like I know people are like UI UX you what you Yes. What is UI? And what is UX? First of

Tolu Garcia 5:13

all? Yeah, um, so I know, definitely, this is one of the number one questions that I get, because there's so much confusion around it. I was confused when I first heard UX, like I thought it was coding related. But it wasn't until my coworker cleared it up for me. So UX stands for user experience. And it's the way a person interacts with or experiences a product system or a service. So think of it this way, if you've ever you know, use a website, and you've had a moment where something was frustrating, like maybe you enter in your information in a form, you submitted it and you had an error, but you don't understand why you had an error. A UX designers job is to identify problems like that in products and fix them, basically. And another way to think about it, some of the products that have the best UX design, you don't even notice it because it feels so natural, you don't even have the second thing of like, oh, like, I click this button, what happens, you shouldn't have to think about that, you know, you're just trying to use a product and for whatever benefit of your own. And when it comes to UI design, that's specifically user interface design. So any digital product that you interact with even the TV, there are designers behind that, that create what that will look like.

Nicaila Matthews Okome 6:36

I'm so glad you define that, because I kind of was using those interchangeably when I think of when I think of your podcast when I think of what it is. So now I get it, it makes sense. And I was listening to your very first episode of the UI narrative. So your show your podcast is the UI narrative. And we'll get into that a little bit more. But I was first of all cracking up because you shared how, and even starting out your journey of wanting to go to art school, you were getting rejections. And one instructor even told you that? You What did he say that you're, you're you're designing with?

Tolu Garcia 7:13

Yes. Oh my gosh, that experience. That moment was like, so life changing to me. So for those who don't know, like design, school can be pretty intense. Because you spend hours creating something, right? And then you have to present it to everyone in your class and your professor. And basically, you're getting their feedback on it. So at the time, like I thought I was doing well. But when I presented this project, the professor was like, this is ugly. In my head. I'm just like, I felt like it was a personal attack against me. Because you know, you put you put so much of your soul and time into it. It's like, whoa, like, You're calling me ugly now, you know. But like, in a way, it also to inspire me to just understand, like, why would someone be so aggressive as far as like, feeling that my work does not look well. So that's when I started to get more serious, I guess. When it comes to the decision making with every pixel, I move every like type I use, like there being a good reason for why they work together. So it was a negative experience in a way, but it turned it into a positive as far as like pushing me to become a better designer.

Nicaila Matthews Okome 8:36

We love to hear that turning that negative into a positive. And it sounds like it informs how you think about UI and UX because you're like, Well, clearly you didn't get this. So maybe I need to be more thoughtful about how people are experiencing my design. So that's that's pretty awesome. So now you have started your podcast, tell people you know more about your podcast, what it is about and why you wanted to start it.

Tolu Garcia 9:08

Yeah, so initially, when I started my podcast, I knew I wanted a way for me to voice opinions that I had in my head. But I wasn't sure how to go about that. So how this evening came up as an idea was in meetings like as a UX designer. Yeah, I always felt like impostor syndrome. I felt kind of like scared, I guess, to express myself and say what I think about the designs, and it's like, I knew that I have a lot to say. So it was a way for me to just get more comfortable with speaking out loud voicing my opinions and becoming just more confident in my being being expressive about the decisions that I'm seeing like going on in meetings and being able To counter bad decisions that I was seeing. So how I came to like finding side hustle Pro, actually was listening to the podcast initially. And I heard about podcast moguls. And I was also seeing like, well, you know, like Kayla has an amazing podcast. So of course, like, I know, there's gonna be some good actionable steps to getting started. So at first I was a bit like nervous because I was like, well, will this be something that I actually stick with, but seeing how the curriculum was set up? I knew it was something that like, if I do commit and put my time into it, then I can have success, the program. So yeah, definitely one of the best decisions I've made.

Nicaila Matthews Okome 10:55

I am so happy to hear that. And I'm glad that you know you found the curriculum laid out in a way that was attainable and accessible. Now, I want to know more about your Getting Started process. So you started podcast moguls at the very beginning. Had you even launched your podcast yet? Like was it out there on the on the apps? You just had it done many episodes? Where were you in the process? Yeah, so

Tolu Garcia 11:20

I didn't have a podcast at all. At the time. I just had the idea. And I knew I wanted to do it. But I wanted to have a direction. So that way, I know I could stay consistent with it. Because yeah, something about me when I put my mind to something I don't like to like, you know, have acid, you know, I want to go full into it and commit. When I initially started the podcast, it was definitely me getting over my fear of failing. And I needed to feel like what I went with would be a good foundation for sure.

Nicaila Matthews Okome 11:57

Yeah, I think we can all relate to that, that like AM, if I'm about to put myself out there like I don't want to fail. I don't want to fall on my face. And I don't want to do it halfway. So I remember how focused you were when you got it. And you were asking the questions. You're like, you know, narrowing down your topic and your topic name. So did you have a name in mind? Or were you choosing between like several,

Tolu Garcia 12:21

I was choosing between several. So I don't think I've told anyone this but the first name I had was actually UI collective. Because I had this idea in mind, like I would have this blog where I would show different types of UI designs, and go hand in hand. But then I saw that domain name was already taken. So then I was like, what's another way to express like what UX is, but also to like, really hinting that this is like a more design heavy podcast. So that's how I came up with the UI narrative of the podcast talking about the narrative of how different products are created, but you know, UI being the focus of what the user actually sees.

Nicaila Matthews Okome 13:01

And you know, the great thing about your name, and we always talk about this is that when you are starting a podcast, like you, you have an ideal listener, and that person is going to get you. I don't recommend that people use like a play on words or things like that, you know, I'm all about keeping it straightforward. Because if you want to come up in the SEO searches, and you want to come up in the podcast searches, they have to be able to find you if someone's looking for people who work in UI guess what they're gonna type in. So you know, great job on really like making sure you stayed on track. And you kept that in mind as you were naming it. Now. Tell me if I'm right or wrong, though, has that name been helpful in helping your person find you?

Tolu Garcia 13:48

Oh, completely. I've had people send me DMS and emails saying like, Oh, I found your podcast and Spotify because I was searching for a UI podcasts or UX podcast. Nice. And like, I'm so glad that you included that like within the lessons of like, how to go about creating the name of your podcast, because I definitely could have come up with something real stupid. Now, I would have regretted so I think that that really helped me narrow it down to something that would be memorable and also too easy to find with SEO.

Nicaila Matthews Okome 14:21

So talk to us about launch week. What was that? Like? Like leading up to it when you finally said, Alright, I'm putting this out there in the atmosphere.

Tolu Garcia 14:31

Yeah, it was nerve racking. I'm so glad that I decided to have like a couple of few episodes with launch. Because it took off the stress too of like, okay, well now I need to be consistent. Let me go ahead and you know, record my next episode, you know, for the cause I have a biweekly so for the next next week, and it was just like, Whoa, now it's out there. There's no turning back. I can't I can't take it off. It was kind of weird. Um, but also to I know, like, when I was going through the training, something you really like made us focus on was like who was our target audience? And that was something that kind of struggled with at the beginning, because my podcast specifically focuses on people of color. Who are you are UX designers? In at the beginning, I did have a couple white people on the podcast because I was still trying to figure out like, what, who am I trying to tailor to? And at first, I'm like, I want everyone to listen to my podcast, everyone always says, and then I was like, Wait, the whole purse like reason I started this was because I was feeling like the only black designer in the world. So it's like, why would I try to cater to an audience that, you know, has enough podcasts out there for them? You know, I was like, I gotta show people that there are designers like me out there. And I gotta find other black designers out there. Because like, I know, I can't be the only one. Yeah.

Nicaila Matthews Okome 15:57

And how awesome is that, too, because it's kind of like, you kill so many birds with one stone in terms of you are now building your network, right, you have the best excuse ever to reach out and connect with people. And then you're also helping other people to see you really do have to see yourself. And also you learn from other people, if your path doesn't go the way you wanted it to if they're bumps along the road, like being able to hear that others experienced it, too. It's just so so helpful. And it's

Tolu Garcia 16:29

extremely inspiring to talking to different people seeing their journeys and struggles, or getting into UX, because it just helps me realize that no matter like what background you come to, like, this could be a potential opportunity for you. And it's just a matter of like seeing someone else's experience of how they got into it, to see how it's relatable to like your own experiences.

Nicaila Matthews Okome 17:02

Now, I want to know more about your actual podcasting life. What you know, what equipment did you use? Like, how did you go about getting started? Did you start on your phone? Did you start with a laptop? Have you changed how you record since then,

Tolu Garcia 17:18

um, I pretty much a court court record the same way. I'm a big tech junkie. And maybe that just comes with the job of UX designer always trying to see what the latest tech is. So when I saw like the blue mic, which is what I'm using right now was out there. I was like, I gotta get that mic, you know,

Nicaila Matthews Okome 17:34

is that the Blue Yeti? Yeah, the Blue Yeti, okay.

Tolu Garcia 17:38

And I use my laptop as well. But as far as like microphone, and headphones, that is have my regular wired headphones. And sometimes I have another one that I use. When it comes to recording the podcast. I currently use Zen caster, but I'm liking this Riverside that we're using right now. I'm like,

Nicaila Matthews Okome 18:02

Yeah, and I gotta I gotta affiliate code for you guys. Like, I mean, they let anybody you know, who joins and likes the platform have one. So it's not like I have a huge deal with them. But I do enjoy the to enjoy the platform a lot, a lot. So sponsor me Riverside, and who? Now, was it hard? getting to a place where you were consistently recording? Like, was it hard getting people to interview? Did you have bumps along the road? What were some of those challenges? If so,

Tolu Garcia 18:33

yeah, it was challenging at first getting people to agree to interviews. And that's something that you just have to be really resilient and consistent with, because I've gotten so many rejections, saying, just ghosting me or just deciding they didn't want to do it or whatever reason. And it's no hard feelings there. You know, I would only want someone to come on that, you know, feels completely comfortable and wants their voice out there. But yeah, it was a bit of a struggle as far as thinking like, oh, every person I contact will say, Yes, I would reach out to people. I'm like, Oh, I'm good for the month. But I'm like, wait, no one like that. So now I gotta make a solo episode. So it's just like figuring out the balance of like, Wait, like, do I have content for the next you know, the next podcast release? But I feel like I've gotten the flow of that now as far as like being a month ahead and understanding not everyone I reach out to will say yes, so having like a buffer amount and then sometimes I do get everyone to know Okay, cool. Now I'm super ahead and then trying to weigh out the balance of like, wow, I've had guessed on for quite a bit. Now. I should probably do a solo episode so people know that I'm good to

Nicaila Matthews Okome 19:54

write and then that's, that's a balance. I still struggle with like, oh wait, you guys haven't heard from me. You have no idea. Do what I've got going on with. So I hear you on that. And how many, when did you launch? And how many episodes do you have now?

Tolu Garcia 20:11

So I launched in 2019, March or May. And I actually just got to my 50th episode. I love that congrats, which is bizarre to me. Because like, being consistent for this long, I'm just like how, like, I can't believe I didn't get I'm just so amazed at myself, because I've seen so many competitors in the market too, that have come up and I'm like, Oh, they have a great podcast, but like, they didn't last as long as me. So it's like the what did they say? The snare the turtle? The slow one run. When? The turtle?

Nicaila Matthews Okome 20:47

Yeah, it's true. You can't get distracted by you know, people who pop up like I've had that instinct. I think it's just a gut instinct that we all have like, you're like, oh my god, so and so's doing a podcast now. And then 10 episodes, and I think 10 is that magic number? Like? I think that most people don't get past 10. And so yeah, there are a lot of people who I see it and they have the 10 up there. And I'm like, All right. Are we coming back? Oh, yeah. Hiatus was going on. And that's no not to anyone on podcasting is more tough than people realize. It requires a commitment. But I'm so proud of you. Because not only have you committed, but you are doing good work. Like your episodes are so good. They're so helpful. Like, I just listened to the 50th episode. And you know, I was still that idea. Let me tell you right now you have people call in when it was so cool. It's like listening to and I've heard that before. But you know, the way you did it, it was just I really enjoyed hearing the different people's voices, like the different cultural accents and everything. And so people called in and they asked their questions, and he responded. So it was a 50th episode anniversary q&a. What made you decide to do that? Yeah, so

Tolu Garcia 22:05

it was my way of just giving back to listeners, they're always sending me like, comments, DMS, ask them questions about UX. And I was like, these people are also, you know, really important to the community, people need to hear that they're struggling with trying to figure out their path into UX as well. And I just wanted to share that commonality between everyone's in the same boat of this, figuring out their place, trying to learn information, like if you're confused, someone else is probably confused too. And trying to just get out like whatever the most common questions our that people ask and making sure they have an answer to it.

Nicaila Matthews Okome 22:47

So I want to know, how did your first sponsorship with Google Design come about? I think everyone listening is probably like, Oh, my goodness, how do you get a sponsorship with such a big brand? Tell us more about that? Yeah, it

Tolu Garcia 23:02

still wells me. Like, when I see the ad, I'm just like, is this real? I know, it's been like several months now. But yeah. So I actually had reached out to their customer service to get in, which is, I don't know if that's, you know, common, but I was having trouble trying to find like a direct contact to the marketing department within the design part of the company. So that was my way of like getting in. And then I had the luck of someone actually sending it to the right person to connect to me. And it was just like, right time, right place, they were actually considering doing podcast sponsorship, because they don't typically do sponsorships. But podcast. So from there, I gave them my pitch based off of the, you know, the training you gave, I had my deck together. And it just I felt so professional. Because like, without that training, I would not have known what to do. Like, I don't talk to Google, like I don't know what to say. I don't pinch people like you know, so I was incredibly nervous, but it went well. And they agreed to sponsor the podcast. So yeah, I'm super excited to have as sponsor, it's been a great working relationship with them.

Nicaila Matthews Okome 24:23

Congratulations. And you guys, the training she's referring to is you know, inside of podcast moguls, there's a module, module eight all about how to, you know, pitch your first sponsor, and module seven is actually how to prepare yourself. So that's when we go over things like your media kit, actually provide examples and then yes, I also give you language actual email templates of how to pitch what to say when they respond. I don't just leave here like you gotta know how to respond. You know, you gotta look like you know what you're talking about. Because that process can be intimidating if you don't have haven't done it before. And starting out with such a big brand, actually always recommend people start out with smaller brands. So starting out with such a big brand, it's like you definitely you know, you don't want to mess it up. So I'm so proud of you and what you did there. And another thing to keep in mind when it comes to podcast sponsorship is a lot of brands are just learning the territory, too. So that kind of takes should take some of the intimidation factor out of it, because they're learning. We're learning, we're learning together, it's still a very relatively new space, as far as sponsorship of the content, you know, podcasting has been around, but the world the monetization of it is still relatively new.

Tolu Garcia 25:44

Yeah. And just to encourage some of you guys that are, you know, pitching sponsors, I had pitched, probably like five other companies that said, No, so yeah, just keep going. Someone will eventually say yes, you know, just have to be consistent, and, you know, show the report of like, how everything's going.

Nicaila Matthews Okome 26:03

Yeah. Do you know how many downloads you had? per episode? By the time? Well, total? And then like, you know, average by the time you started pitching? How many months into it? Were you like, six months? Or? No, I was a year. And year in okay. Yeah. And I think I had about like, 40. It wasn't that high. It was like 40, I think. And so what I always tell people is, it's not so much about the number yes, numbers matter. But it's also who your audience is, you know, Google Design wanting to get in front of more UI UX designers, or excuse me, people who want to work in that space and, and want to learn about that space. And guess what they're listening to, they're listening to you. I narrative, like a niche need, and a niche space is going to have a niche audience. And that's okay. So be encouraged by that as well. It's really not about numbers only. Now, I want to know, how do you balance your full time job because you have a whole very important intense job. And then you also have your podcast, which is your side hustle. So how are you juggling it these days? When do you interview? How do you fit in your recording schedule into your life?

Tolu Garcia 27:19

Yeah, at first, it was very hard because I was working a corporate job, which was like a nine to five in an office. So I had to record usually on weekends, which would take up my time all weekend, you know, nobody wants to work on every weekend. But now how I manage it, I work remotely. And I don't necessarily have a nine to five job, it's more of I set my hours each day, as long as I get my work done for the clients that I have, and there's no issues. So I typically like to record in the evenings or on Fridays, anytime. But yeah, I try to schedule them in a way that I have a break in between, I don't like to have more than one interview a week, just because I've I've learned that I get a lot of adrenaline from whatever I do record an episode. So I'm like on a high energy. And then I crash from being I guess mentally exhausted, which is so like, from the outside. It is probably super extroverted, you know, and that's just how I show up. When I talk to people. I love talking to people, but like, I'm also pretty introverted, to where it's like, I could go weak and not say a word to anyone you know. So I try to balance out that to make sure I'm not over pushing myself because it's like, I still have to go to my client meetings, and have those types of, you know, interactions. So this makes sure I'm on a good mental level when it comes to exerting my energy.

Nicaila Matthews Okome 28:58

Yes, I completely relate. And we also have like the same recording time preference. So we are similar in that way. Like I love evenings, and we're recording this on a Friday. And then yeah, like, you also have to be cognizant of how it's gonna get your mind pumped up. Even yesterday, you know, I had a podcast mobiles training, and I, after that could not go to sleep. I was just like, even though I was mentally exhausted, so that is something to keep in mind when you develop your schedule. So how is this side hustle kind of shifted your goals in life in terms of it sounds like since starting the podcast, you've really shifted some of the things you're doing career wise.

Tolu Garcia 29:42

Yeah. It's gotten me in the education if you will told me three years ago, I was gonna get an education I would be like, No, people, like that sounds miserable. But now I'm like so passionate about it. And anytime someone He's looking to get into UX, I'm the first one that want to raise my hand and show them the front door of like how to get in. And I feel like it's just, it's come through me figuring out like, there's always going to be mountains. Like to overcome with my imposter syndrome. I like every level I get to in this career. But people giving me the feedback that like what I have to say, inspires them, or encourage them to get into UX is just like change my perspective of like, the value that I add to education, like I would have never expected to go this route to be a mentor, teaching people and also to now working on a course to help people get into UX.

Nicaila Matthews Okome 30:46

I love it. I love it. And I also really love how you show up online, how you show up on on Instagram, how you show up on your social media pages, because it's very easy to understand what you do, who you are and what you're about. And a lot of us make that really complicated. But you do such a good job at that. What went into your thought process in terms of how you market your podcasts and how you promote yourself your show online?

Tolu Garcia 31:18

Yeah, so something that's always frustrating to me about, like the UX industry, in general, is just how confusing everything is. There's a lot of different terminology out there, that goes over most people head of like, trying to figure out like, Okay, wait, do I need to do this? Like, what's interaction design? Like? What's the product? Like, there's so many different terms for things? So yeah, something I've always kept in mind is like, okay, when someone interacts with my content, or sees my page, like, I want them to be able to understand what I'm talking about, even if they have no idea about this industry. So it's like, how can I simplify it in the easiest way possible to where if they're just passing by, like one of my like reels or my story, anything, they can grasp it and at least like learn a little bit of information, even if it means they might have to, like Google, search something a little bit later to like, go in debt. But as far as I'm understanding what I'm talking about, that's really important to me.

Nicaila Matthews Okome 32:18

And when do you find the time because people always say, I don't have time, I don't know how to do this, blah, blah, blah, there's a lot of intimidation when it comes to social. And you weren't necessarily a person who wants to create content on social media. But I've noticed that shift and making it work for you. And you know, finding ways to do things that come to you organically, but just adapting it to the platform. So talk to us about that. Yeah, a little

Tolu Garcia 32:46

trick I have, when I'm have a moment where I'm like, Okay, I really want to be consistent with content. For the next few weeks, I bought content. So I'll have a day, or I will just record a bunch of things. I'll change outfits, if I need to know that's a little tricky. Because it needs to seem like you know, it several days that this has passed by, but I will block out hours. First of all, I feel like the hardest part is coming up with the idea of like, okay, what do I even want to post what is going to be like, the benefit of this. So blocking out more time than you would expect, you would think like, oh, let me just get an hour and I'll come up with, like, you might need a whole day to get everything out. And also to like, just think about what type of like visual, like, if you want to do a video, if you want to do an image? Is it gonna be something you have to create, like going into Canva or something to put something together? So I literally write down every process like for the different post. So I know just like, how much time will this actually take me versus like how much time I think it's going to take me so bulking going all out like within a week is how I can say consistent with social.

Nicaila Matthews Okome 34:03

Love it. I'm a big fan of bulking, also bulk content creation. And that's what my exercise your content creation. And another tip I will add to that is when an idea comes to you because sometimes it will happen when you're doing something else like quickly jot it down in a note on your phone, or on a piece of paper that you keep your ideas on. You can even keep a small notebook with you at all times. And then when you're ready for it, when you have that day that you're planning it out, you'll be able to go through your ideas of all the things that you want to do. So ideas come all the time you also just be prepared to write it down. And then there's less pressure on the day that you want to think about it so you're not like alright, what can I create? Let me go research things. So I'm glad that we're touching base on that. Now, before we shift and you know, say goodbye to you Tolu. I'd love to know a little bit more about what you have going on. So talk to us about what's next for Tolu.

Tolu Garcia 35:06

Yeah, so the biggest thing coming up next is this course I'm working on. I know you have been hearing me talk about it for a while. But I promise you, it's because I'm, I'm really cooking until it's done. I don't I don't want to give you all something that's like everything else out there that will confuse you more about the UX industry. Yes, yes. Like what to expect from this Getting Started course I'm working on is it's going to be the one stop shop for you to understand how like, first of all, what UX is, will all the terms and everything that you've heard about it, like what all those things mean. And then helping you choose the path that you want to take in UX, because I feel like it's, it's easy to go a path with something just because you may have paid for like a bootcamp or a course, and feel stuck with that path, because you already spent money on it. But I really want to educate you on choosing what's best for you, and also to based off of your budget, because I know some people may not be able to spend 1000s of dollars on a bootcamp and showing you that you have options. One might just you know, require a little bit more work than the other, and also providing you a list of all the different types of resources and when to use those resources. Because if you're like me, I can be a bit of a resource junkie. Yeah, lifting things, but then I never go back to it. So yeah, it's given a bit of instruction of like, okay, when you get to this stage, here's a few things that you should look at, you know, don't worry about the other ones. And then after your, you know, getting all your education, what to do when you're done, like, how do you go about finding the type of job you want, and getting the career that you want?

Nicaila Matthews Okome 36:48

I love it. And I think it's really, really well, I know, it's gonna be really, really helpful. And that's something that I also want people to know that, when it comes to what you know, what you know, is important, and it's valuable. And so sometimes I think people are like, oh, there's already courses out there, there. You know, people can do what I did, and learn XYZ and all if you think about all the different things that you pieced together in your life, to now know what you know. And you think about how easier it could have been, if you just had one course, and you learn from somebody who you relate to, then you realize why people are continuing to create courses, and why it's important that people create courses, because just like you wanted to learn from me, you know, someone who you can relate to someone who's a side Hustler, a black woman entrepreneur, like people want to learn from Tolu, you know, who has all these experiences that they can relate to, they can, you know, relate to feeling like an only when they're talking with these other people and feeling maybe some imposter syndrome, or just a little bit of intimidation to speak up, even though you know, you know what you're talking about, or that your questions are valid. So I applaud you for starting this course. And I really hope you guys will check it out. Send us any information when you have it. Or you know, a landing page waiting lists, whatever you got girl.

Tolu Garcia 38:13

Yeah, for now, people can go to UI narrative.com/email club to sign up for my email list. Those will be the people that get the first access to the course when the beta launches. And yeah, well might even throw it a discount in there.

Nicaila Matthews Okome 38:26

Okay. Now speaking of discount, I want to know, I keep saying I want to know because I'm just so intrigued by your path, your journey, obviously, I relate to it as someone who had whose side hustle was a podcast? How are you approaching building sustainable revenue streams from your podcast? Yeah,

Tolu Garcia 38:47

so currently, with the sponsorship I have, I did a year contract with them. So I'm already got my list together of like, who I'm gonna pitch for the following year, and also to thinking about having different types of like retainers for sponsors. And then I have a layout grading system, which is just a ebook teaching people how to build foundational good layout design. And what I mean by that is like good scaling what you're type good hierarchy for if you are putting together like a UI screen, just some foundation work there. And then also, too, I have my mentorship calls. So what some people I'll have them do like a couple calls or a few calls, depending on their needs, but providing them whatever educational services that they need through those calls.

Nicaila Matthews Okome 39:41

Okay. Now, before we go, tell us what do you think are some of the biggest things that you have learned from being a part of podcast moguls being inside the program, having access to the curriculum and getting coaching from me? Yeah,

Tolu Garcia 39:57

I would say the biggest thing that I learned is that my voice is, it means something you know, no matter like, what type of job you have, you may feel intimidated by maybe it's like someone senior than you or someone that you might think is smarter than you on the team. Or maybe people are saying words that you don't even know what they mean. But it's just like with the podcast, it awakened. Another side of me that made me realize, like, I do have stuff to say, it may take me a moment to pause to get it out. But it's just shown me like that I can articulate anything that I'm thinking about no matter like how intimidated I feel impostor syndrome that I feel like, and I'm smart, like,

Nicaila Matthews Okome 40:50

Yes, you are. You are amazingly smart and amazingly gifted. And I am so glad that you have the opportunity to share that with the world, and that everyone is able to recognize it and see it because you didn't keep it inside your head, you released it into the world, which is what I'm always trying to get people to do take your idea from your head and release it into the world allow us to benefit from it. So thank you. Thank you so much, Tolu for doing that. Where can people connect with you after this episode?

Tolu Garcia 41:20

Yeah, you can find me on Instagram at ui narrative, and on Twitter at your narrative CEO. And if you have any questions about UX design, feel free to email me at hello at ui narrative.com. And also to head over to my website, your narrative.com to see all the latest podcast episodes. We're also on all podcast platforms out there. And yeah, I'd love to talk to you feel free to DM me too on Instagram, I'm really feel about that type of stuff. And approachable so I can't wait to talk to you. So some of you guys.

Nicaila Matthews Okome 41:53

Alright guys, you have to take her up on that offer and I will have all of her social links and website in the description box. So thank you so much. And I will talk to you guys next week. There you have it. Hey guys, thanks for listening to side hustle Pro. If you like the show, be sure to subscribe rate and review on Apple podcasts. It helps other side hustlers just like you to find the show. And if you want to hear more from me, you can follow me on Instagram at side hustle Pro. Plus sign up for my six bullet Saturday newsletter at side hustle Pro, that CO slash newsletter. When you sign up, you will receive weekly nuggets from me, including what I'm up to personal lessons and my business tip of the week. Again that side hustle pro.co/newsletter to sign up. Talk to you soon

Transcribed by https://otter.ai