At Da Mic Productions · Pen of Tales Publications
Habit, Not Hobby
Structure over guesswork. A habit, not a hobby.
A co-hosted financial literacy and entrepreneurship podcast for first-time self-employed people. Side hustlers, gig workers, and independent operators already have a business — this show helps them run it like one, one habit at a time.
What is Habit, Not Hobby?
Habit, Not Hobby is a financial literacy and entrepreneurship podcast built for people running a side hustle without a business degree, formal training, or a roadmap — rideshare drivers, salon stylists, mobile DJs, resellers, house cleaners, freelancers, and other first-time self-employed operators. Each 24-to-36-minute episode teaches one clear financial or business concept in plain language, using real, relatable composite case studies, and ties directly into the book Side Hustle Banking & Building Wealth by Don Swann II, published by Pen of Tales Publications.
The show's central thesis: you are a CEO, regardless of title or business structure. The strategies large companies pay consultants to identify — separating cash flow, protecting margins, attaching income to existing work — are the same strategies available to any side hustler, for free or close to it.
Hosts
Marcus Rowe
Eleven years underwriting small-business loans at a community bank; later founded and sold an invoicing software company built for freelancers. Brings the banking and structure perspective to the show.
Renée Alston
Built a resale business that grew into a nine-year catering company, since sold; now works in marketing and launch strategy for independent authors and small publishers. Brings the hustle and real-talk perspective to the show.
Episodes
Full episode list →
01
You Already Have a Business
Marcus and Renée introduce the show's core reframe — that side hustlers already run a business, whether they call it that or not — through the stories of Malik, a mobile DJ juggling three payment apps with no unified tracking, and Sheryl, a salon stylist sitting on untapped affiliate income hidden in content she already posts. Ties to Chapter One of Side Hustle Banking & Building Wealth.
02
Separating Your Money Before It Separates You
Why mixing personal and business money is the single most expensive free mistake a side hustler can make. Marcus and Renée resolve Malik's payment-app problem from Episode 1 and introduce Tasha, a house cleaner navigating mostly cash income. Ties to Chapter Two of Side Hustle Banking & Building Wealth.
03
Understanding Your Credit
Marcus and Renée bust the biggest credit myth first — no history and bad credit are two different problems — and break down the five factors that make up a credit score. Introduces Jordan, a thrift-flipping reseller avoiding financing entirely. Ties to Chapter Three of Side Hustle Banking & Building Wealth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Habit, Not Hobby podcast about?
A financial literacy and entrepreneurship podcast for first-time self-employed people — side hustlers, gig workers, and anyone running a business without a formal business background. Each episode teaches one clear financial or business concept using real-world composite case studies, building toward long-term financial structure: separating personal and business money, understanding credit, growing visibility, and building a business that lasts.
Who hosts Habit, Not Hobby?
Marcus Rowe, a former small-business loan underwriter, and Renée Alston, a former reseller and catering business owner now working in author marketing.
Is Habit, Not Hobby connected to a book?
Yes — it's the companion podcast to Side Hustle Banking & Building Wealth by Don Swann II. Each episode ties to a specific book chapter. Get the book at penoftales.xyz (primary) or on Amazon.
Who is Habit, Not Hobby for?
First-time self-employed people with no formal business or finance background — rideshare drivers, stylists, DJs, resellers, house cleaners, freelancers, and other side hustlers who already run a real business but have never had the structure explained in plain language.
What does "you are a CEO" mean on this show?
The show's central thesis: anyone running a side hustle is already operating as a CEO, regardless of title or legal structure. The free or low-cost strategies covered — like separating business banking or attaching affiliate income to existing content — are the same strategies large companies pay consultants to identify.
Where can I listen to Habit, Not Hobby?
Via RSS, on Spotify, on Apple Podcasts, and wherever else podcasts are typically found.
Topics covered
Side hustle financial literacy · separating personal and business money · business banking basics for beginners · the 3 C's of credit — Credit, Collateral, Capacity · should I form an LLC · free and low-cost marketing for small business · affiliate income for content creators · visibility without ad spend · long-term business credit and bankability · paying yourself as a self-employed person · bookkeeping for solo operators · financial habits for rideshare drivers, stylists, DJs, resellers, house cleaners, and freelancers