At what point does a side hustle stop being a hobby? On this episode of The Messy Parts, Marla Aaron tells Maryam the exact moment she realized she could no longer hedge her ambition. What began as a creative outlet eventually became a full-fledged business, but not without years of doubt, rejection, and financial anxiety. In this episode, Marla and Maryam explore the tension between security and risk, why waiting to feel “ready” is a trap, and how fear can coexist with clarity. They also talk about loneliness, creativity, social media as an unexpected unl...
At what point does a side hustle stop being a hobby? On this episode of The Messy Parts, Marla Aaron tells Maryam the exact moment she realized she could no longer hedge her ambition. What began as a creative outlet eventually became a full-fledged business, but not without years of doubt, rejection, and financial anxiety. In this episode, Marla and Maryam explore the tension between security and risk, why waiting to feel “ready” is a trap, and how fear can coexist with clarity. They also talk about loneliness, creativity, social media as an unexpected unlock, and what it really takes to start over later than planned.
Key Moments
“So Happy. Not Scared at All.” 😮
Marla describes the emotional moment she finally quit her corporate job and why relief outweighed fear.
Becoming Comfortable With Discomfort 🌍
Marla connects her childhood independence and studying abroad at 17 to her lifelong willingness to take risks.
Graduating Into a “Bad Job Market” 📉
Why Marla believes focusing on opportunity matters more than economic doom narratives for young professionals.
“I’m Scared of Everything.” 😬
A candid conversation about fear, impostor syndrome, and doing hard things anyway.
Choosing Money Over Passion (At First) 💼
Marla explains walking away from journalism due to low pay and financial anxiety.
Fired, Divorced, and a Single Mom 💥
The emotional and financial rock bottom that forced Marla to keep moving forward.
The Boring Job That Funded Creativity 🔄
How working a job she didn’t love gave her space to build her dream at night.
A Hobby With a Dream 💭
How Marla quietly built her jewelry business at night while working full-time and raising a child.
“Everyone Told Me I Was Insane.” 🔥
The Cannes turning point: burnout, injury, rage, and the final decision to quit.
“This Is Not a Hobby.” 🚨
The pivotal boardroom moment when a CEO unknowingly pushed Marla to fully commit.
Instagram Unlocks the Business
How learning social media from her kids helped Marla grow a global direct-to-consumer brand.
The Loneliness of Building Something Alone 🧍♀️
Marla opens up about the isolation that comes with entrepreneurship and leadership.
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