Jake Smolarek

Side Hustle Coach From Zero To Six-Figure Income

As featured in „The Times, Business Insider & Yahoo”

27k+ hours spent coaching
18+ years of coaching experience
1600+ happy clients
177+ testimonials

No get-rich-quick schemes — Just hard work and dedication.

Get-rich-quick schemes have a bad rap for all the right reasons. They require very little planning and exorbitant initiation fees. Worst of all, they promise results quickly

In contrast, side hustles take the opposite approach to making money. There are no short-cuts, quick fixes or one-size-fits-all approaches, and there are no ridiculous ‘initiation’ or ‘membership’ fees either. Most importantly, side-hustles take time, patience and hard work. They’re called side-hustles because you have to hustle to attain results.

But here’s the kicker: side-hustles, if done well, are incredibly lucrative. In fact, nearly one in four people in the UK have at least one side-hustle and, combined, these projects contribute to roughly £72 billion in the UK economy, according to a white paper by the Henley Business School. Side-hustles are so effective at attaining income that experts predict exponential growth in this market over the next few years—largely in part due to the rapidly developing gig economy, e-commerce industries and remote working situations.

So, now that we’ve established the fact that side-hustles actually do make money, let’s define them. 

What is a side-hustle? 

A side-hustle is a side job, business or project that brings in extra income for you—usually on top of your regular job. Most often, it starts small and, when done well, can turn into a reoccurring source of extra revenue. If done really well, it can become your primary source of income. Alternatively, in times of financial insecurity, as many are experiencing now, side-hustles have been the life-saving cushion that helps them survive financially through budget cuts and job losses.

For those who are willing to put in extra work and hours, it can absolutely turn into a six- figure income. I know, because I have one and have helped my clients build their six- figure side-hustles too. My side-hustle programme is catered explicitly towards this emerging market which, now, more than ever, is becoming an essential source of income in our distressed times.

Is a six-figure side-hustle unrealistic to expect?

Yes and no. It all depends on how hard you’re willing to work. It also depends on your business experience. For the experienced entrepreneur, it usually takes less time to build a six-figure income—somewhere around six to 12 months. For those with little or no business experience, it usually takes longer; on average, one to two years. So, to answer the question, the expectation of a six-figure income immediately is definitely unrealistic. But, the expectation of a six-figure income with patience, time and hard work is realistic and very attainable.

Let’s build your own Vision Curious to see the outcome?

Check the testimonials and learn about my six-figure side-hustle programme and clients.

How do I start and do I need help?

There are quite a few things you need to do before embarking on your successful side- hustle journey. The key word here is ‘successful’. If you want to start a side-hustle without any planning, strategy or foresight, then you don’t need to do much—but your chances of being successful are slim.

If you want to start a successful side-hustle, then you’ll need to spend time on a plan that sets clear timelines, goals, deliverables and budgets—much like you would for a full-time business. This takes time and can be done on your own—but having guidance and experience makes the process easier.

Success Stories

Real Clients. Real Success. Real Results.
From feeling stuck professionally to landing a role far beyond what he expected. This is Egis’s story:

“Within the first couple of months of coaching, I achieved several incredible outcomes. I found an amazing, well-paid job, far beyond what I had expected, all with Jake’s support. I also entered a happy relationship, moved into the flat I had always dreamed of, started travelling the world, and gained a deeper understanding of myself. The journey has been truly transformative.” 

Egis — Business Change Manager at London’s Leading Law Firm

Let’s get serious

Book your complimentary initial consultation session!

Why coaches and mentors are invaluable to the experience

Working with a mentor and a business coach is a large part of company success in our modern world. Best-selling books like Tim-Ferris’s “Tribe of Mentors” and billion-dollar entrepreneurs like Bill Gates and Richard Branson have all hailed the benefits of having a mentor. At the same time, working with a life coach can help you balance your work and family life. That’s because a mentor’s ‘lived’ advice and experiences are truly invaluable. What they provide is an experience in the industry along with tried and tested approaches to business. They also know how to avoid costly mistakes and how to streamline processes for efficiency. Some of these assets can be learned on your own through classes, courses and full-time work at established companies, but they don’t replace the wisdom of someone who has already run the gamut. My personal coaching style is surprisingly practical, and precisely because it’s practical, it gets results.

Out of ideas?

Check my 20 good side hustle ideas.

Setting expectations towards success.

Another crucial part of developing a successful side-hustle is goal-setting. Many of my clients come to me with unrealistic goals to start off with. They’ll say things like “I want to be a millionaire,” and I’ll respond “How much do you earn now?”. If their earnings make it possible to establish a million-pound business, then I’ll let them know that their expectations are realistic. If their earnings are not within that range, I’ll tell them that, at this point and time, their expectations are not realistic. This doesn’t mean that they can’t become millionaires; it just means that they need to adjust their immediate plan to a lower number. When they reach that realistic milestone, they can incrementally aim higher. This is how all good business people approach goal-setting—because this approach works. That’s how my clients have become six-figure earners, and that’s how I’ve become a six-figure earner too.

The SMART principle.

The SMART acronym is a good basis for any goal. It asks you to make your goals:

S
Specific
M
Measurable
A
Attainable
R
Realistic
T
Time-bound

How to apply it?

Imagine you’re making 40k a year. A SMART goal would be increasing your income to 60k per year, then 80k, then 100k. To get there, you’ll need a business strategy, commitment to daily work and determination when the processes seem difficult. Mentors and coaches help push you to be accountable if you let things slip, which is a massive part of my success process: giving you the encouragement, tools and strong reminders to keep moving when you feel despondent.

No time? No Side-Hustle.

The biggest failures I see in the side-hustle business stem from poor time management.

For sure, time is limited for many. Full-time work, partners, kids, friends and extended family all take up part of your day, but that hasn’t stopped some of the most successful people in the world from turning their side-hustles into extremely profitable businesses. The key to handling it all is time management.

The best entrepreneurs I’ve worked with all have excellent time-management skills. They know how much time they can set aside for their side-hustle, they track the time, they adjust it based on their work and home demands, and they create a practical plan that lets them push in increments toward their goals. Those who don’t follow these processes generally end up making excuses for not having enough time. What they don’t realize is that they simply just didn’t manage their time well. 

If there is one part of my job that I love most, it’s helping clients with this aspect of growing a successful side-hustle. It is one of the most important foundational elements to business building, and it takes work, strategy and practice to do it well.

Is it worth it?

When some people hear that a side-hustle could take years to turn into a six-figure income, they immediately turn the other way. Some of the complaints I’ve heard are “that’s too long” “I don’t have the time to wait that long” and “there’s got to be a faster way“.

That’s when I politely tell them that if they are unhappy with their current work or if they want a real shot at six-figure success, that’s what it costs—time. For those who view it as not being worth the time, they usually walk out the door and go back to the routines that made them feel unfulfilled in the first place. 

For those who see the value of the time investment, they work with me right away, understanding that months or years of part-time work are a small price to pay for what you get in return: financial freedom. 

A successful Side-Hustle is simple to achieve, but not easy.

The steps to creating a six-figure side-hustle are simple, but they aren’t easy. They take effort and time. My job is to guide those who truly are dedicated to their goals through the business principles and steps that achieve six-figure success. These steps have worked for my clients and me, and they can work for you too if you have the right mind- set.

My Clients Say

Before my coaching sessions with Jake, I was in a terrible position. My relationship was in a bad state, my feelings and sense of self-worth were very low, and I was barely able to stay emotionally stable. I hated my job and my whole life. However, since working with Jake, I’ve become much stronger; my self-belief has gone through the roof, and I know how valuable I am. I have found a company I love to work for, and my relationships with others are much more profound and exciting.

Tina Patel – Lawyer

When I began working with Mr Smolarek, the business was under considerable strain. Too many decisions were coming back to me, and several key roles were not working as they should. He helped me look at the organisation with much greater clarity. We made some difficult changes, strengthened the structure and put better people in the right positions. Within a quarter, margins had doubled.
UPDATE: I first worked with Mr Smolarek in 2020 and continued for over five years. He still visits our London headquarters periodically to offer an independent perspective.

Daniel Williams – Director & Co-owner

When I started coaching with Jake, I was in the darkest depths of my relationship, my business, and my entire life. I was a walking shadow, and I couldn’t see any light at the end of the tunnel… However, Jake helped me to turn everything around and put me on the right track. His coaching helped me to change how I can see the world. The impact it has had on my business and personal life is priceless. His business ideas are so easy to implement and at the same time very powerful!

Ben C. – Business owner (Surname withheld for privacy)

Jake’s work as a business coach has had a tremendous impact on both my business and my life. Working with him helped me focus on my vision, goals and the actions that actually mattered. In just a few months, I made more progress than I had in the previous five years. I became much clearer about what I wanted and far more decisive about what needed to happen next.

Neil Coker – Founder and CEO

The only thing I can say is a huge thank you, Jake! I already had the right tools in place to create a good income, but Jake added a few missing pieces to my plan and helped me grow my coaching business much faster. In just a few weeks, he helped me see what I was missing, make better decisions, and improve how I was positioning and developing the business. It wasn’t always easy, but it was worth it.

Denise Green – Peak Performance Coach

Jake helped me change my life when I felt lost. I decided to work with him because I wanted to change my career path. With his genuine personality and sense of humour, I instantly connected with him. He helped me find my new way, and I am now doing what I always wanted to do, but wasn’t brave enough to try. Jake believed in me when I doubted every action and feeling I had. He pushed me to my limits, so I had to break them, and to my surprise, I did.

Tom Bayliss – Writer and editor

Working with Jake changed the way I thought about my business and the decisions I was making. Even after the first few sessions, I could see things more clearly and approach problems differently. He helped me improve my sales and communication, challenged some of the assumptions that were holding me back and pointed out opportunities I had not considered. Over time, I became more productive, made better decisions and had more freedom in how I ran the business.

Phillip Larsen – CEO

I had a good job and was earning well, but I wanted to build something of my own. I found Jake online, booked an initial consultation and told him I had no idea what that business should be. Through our conversations, I became interested in online advertising. Jake encouraged me to take it seriously and helped me turn it into a business.
UPDATE 2026: Seven years later, I still run the agency full-time. I deliberately kept it small and specialised, working with freelancers and focusing mainly on advertising for cleaning businesses across London and other UK cities.

Magda Kowalczuk – Agency Owner

By the time I was introduced to Jake, I had already built a successful fashion business, but I was carrying too much of it myself. The company was growing, the pressure was increasing, and I had very few people around me who truly understood what it meant to run a business.
Jake helped me think more clearly, challenge my assumptions and make better decisions. Over time, the business became larger, more profitable and far less dependent on me.
UPDATE: I first worked with Jake in 2019. In 2026, I sold the business in a lower nine-figure deal and began considering what I wanted to build next.

Barbara Johnson – Fashion Entrepreneur

I started working with Jake in 2020 when I was 22 and trying to turn my fitness work into a proper business. He helped me understand the commercial side, including sales, branding, marketing and positioning. Within about six months, I was earning £10,000-£14,000 a month and had built a six-figure business. Jake gave me structure, challenged my thinking and helped me focus on what actually moved the business forward. His guidance made a real difference in how quickly I progressed.
UPDATE: By the second quarter of 2026, I had grown the business to eight figures in annual revenue.

Rakesh Patel – Fitness Entrepreneur

Jake, thank you. You genuinely changed my life for the better. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I was really moving forward and doing what I had always wanted to do. You helped me believe that I could make it happen, and then actually start doing it. That confidence carried into my business as well. I started making clearer decisions, taking opportunities more seriously and building with much more purpose than before.

Romario Ramirez – Business owner, Speaker & Artist

Jake is a great coach. Our conversations challenged the way I was looking at several problems and reminded me that there is always more to learn. He is very observant, experienced and good at seeing what may be difficult to notice when you are too close to a situation. I am genuinely grateful for the support and perspective he gave us during a difficult period. I can see why business coaching suits him so well.

Steven P. – COO of a large corporation (Surname withheld for privacy)

When I started working with Jake, the business was doing around £6 million in turnover, but too much still depended on me. Jake helped me see that I had become the bottleneck and pushed me to change the way I was running the company. We improved delegation, brought in the right support and put better systems around the business. Once I stepped back from things I should not have been doing, the company grew into eight figures. Jake helped me see what needed to change and held me to it.

Michael Chadwick – Founder

At a certain level, it becomes difficult to get completely honest feedback. Jake gave me that. He challenged some of my assumptions, said things others around me were unlikely to say and helped me look at several decisions more clearly. What I valued most was the directness. There was no need to impress me or agree with me. The conversations helped me sharpen my thinking, delegate better and make cleaner decisions.

Oscar A. – Founder & CEO (Surname withheld for privacy)

Jake coached and mentored me through the early stages of my online business. He gave me confidence, helped me understand what I needed to do and supported me while I built my online fashion company. His guidance made a real difference in those early years, especially when I was still learning how to think about the business and make decisions with more confidence.
UPDATE: I started working with Jake in 2017. Now in 2026, the business is generating more than $40 million in annual turnover.

Jane Ho – Online Entrepreneur

I can highly recommend Jake Smolarek as a business coach. He must be one of the best in the business. He helped me take my business to the next level and become much clearer about the decisions I needed to make. I did not always like what Jake had to say, but he is tough, fair and very direct. Looking back, some of the things I least wanted to hear were exactly what I needed. He helped me see what I was missing and approach the business with much more clarity.

Susan Mason – Business Owner

I worked with Jake for more than 5 years. When we started, I was still employed and building my business from scratch. He helped me make the decisions I needed to make, including leaving my job and going full-time with the business. Over the years, I grew the company from zero to around £2 million in turnover. Jake was there through every stage, helping me with decisions and growth. He was always direct, and I knew I would get his real opinion. Working with him made a huge difference to me and the business. I would highly recommend him to any serious business owner.

Paul Jackson – Business Owner

Jake challenged the way I was looking at the business and pushed me to make a few decisions I had been avoiding for too long. Some were uncomfortable, but they changed the way we led the company and how the business was structured. Within less than twelve months, turnover grew from around £80 million to £140 million. Jake has a very good eye for what is actually getting in the way and is not afraid to say it.

Sean McKenzie – Founder and CEO

Jake is a fantastic business coach who gets to the heart of the problem very quickly. He helped me take some drastic steps (they were needed!), which made a huge difference to both my business and family life. In practical terms, I now work less, earn roughly twice what I used to and have considerably more time with my kids. What I like about Jake is that he can be straightforward when needed. He is not afraid to ask difficult questions when the situation calls for them. An outstanding return on investment. Thank you, Jake. See you again soon.

Peter Barnes – Entrepreneur

Jake is one of those people I call “my people”. He was the business coach I needed when I was trying to get clear on what I wanted to build and how to move forward. His feedback helped me clarify my objectives and build a very profitable online business. He challenged me when I needed it and gave me practical tools I still use in both business and life. I am in a much better place today because of the work we did together. Thank you, Jake.

Robert Yau – Online Entrepreneur

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