Turning A Side Hustle Into A Brand
From The Friday Habit by Mark Labriola II
January 23, 2026 · 43 min · Episode 217
About this episode
Emma Tessler shares her journey from a side hustle to leading a successful digital marketing agency.
In this episode of The Friday Habit, host Mark Labriola II interviews Emma Tessler, founder and CEO of NinentyFiveMedia, a digital marketing agency. Emma shares her journey from a side hustle in interior design to leading a successful remote team specializing in social media strategy and brand storytelling. The conversation covers the importance of building a strong company culture, the challenges of scaling a business, and the evolving landscape of video content in the age of AI. Emma emphasizes the significance of authenticity in marketing and offers actionable advice for entrepreneurs looking to grow their brands. 🧠 Takeaways: Emma Tessler transitioned from a side hustle to CEO of 95 Media. The importance of community engagement in social media marketing. Building authority online is crucial for trust and sales. Consistency in content creation leads to better results. Hiring for will over skill can enhance team dynamics. Video content should reflect authenticity to stand out. Niche down in services, but not in target audience. A remote team can provide flexibility and access to diverse talent. Scaling requires effective delegation and teamwork. Building a strong company…
People in this episode
Host: Mark Labriola II
Guest: Emma Tessler
Topics covered
- side hustle
- branding
- digital marketing
- company culture
- social media strategy
- entrepreneurship
Keywords
- side hustle
- branding
- digital marketing
- company culture
- social media
- entrepreneurship
- video content
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: NinentyFiveMedia
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