The goal of Hardly Hustle is to provide inspiration, drive and motivation in a 10 minute read or less. What you see is what you get. This is hot off the press without an editing team.
Chris Claflin is up.
Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Chris Claflin and I moonlight as a Financial Coach solopreneur. In my practice, ClaflinFinancial, I help couples find financial peace through 1on1 coaching. I coach others because it is--by far--the most joyful professional pursuit I've discovered to date. There is a Japanese concept called "Ikigai", meaning "a reason for being". Picture a venn diagram with 4 circles 1) What You Love, 2) What the World Needs, 3) What You're Good at, and 4) What You Can Get Paid to Do. Ikigai is the dead center. That's what financial coaching is for me. I hope every human on earth gets a chance to make money in their Ikigai at some point in their life.
What did it take / how did you get started?
I started working as a financial coach almost by accident. Early in college I became obsessed with personal finance. I read every book I could find, took every class, and talked to countless mentors and millionaires all around the world. After several years of deep obsession and personal action, close friends and family started to come to me with basic financial questions. My early coaching sessions were often with these friends and family... and sometimes in exchange for free food. (Maple bars, I'm looking at you). I found a real passion for distilling everything I'd learned down to simple action items for others. I found even more joy watching others transform their very lives implementing these prescribed actions. With this joy as the foundation, my coaching practice has grown organically over the last 6 years.
What does the future look like for you and your hustle?
I can't see myself stopping any time soon. As long as there are people to help, who would like *my* help, I'll keep helping.
What drives / motivates you?
I'll mention 3 things. 1) Saving marriages and families. This answer may be surprising to some since I'm not a therapist. However, finances are the #2 cause of divorce worldwide. The principles I teach bring deep, abiding peace and serve as a protection from the sometimes relationship-destroying nature of finances. This really drives me. 2) Helping others scale their impact for good. It's a known fact that those who can manage their own money better, can give more to others, thus raising the quality of life for all. 3) Providing for my family. I have a wife and 2 sweet girls, and making sure they have what they need drives me.
What advice would you give someone interested in doing what you do?
Just start! You get 1 point for talking and 9 points for doing. He who eats when he dreams is still hungry upon waking. Take actual, real action toward your dream. Every. Single. Day.
What has been the hardest part of the hustle?
Finding balance. I work full-time, am a husband, father of 2, am active in my church group (including teaching early morning bible study to youth 5X per week), and I strive to find time to exercise. Making sure my priority list (1) God, 2) Family, 3) Health, 4) Work) stays in check, is the most important, and sometimes the hardest part.
What are a few resources that you'd recommend?
More important than any specific learning resource(s) is a commitment to learn every day. Those who commit to lifelong learning, in time, will gravitate toward the resources that are best for *them*. (And those probably wouldn't be the same as mine or someone else's).
The STATS
Side or full-time hustle?
Side hustle
List the founders
Just me
How many hours a week do you work on this hustle?
Depends
# of Employees?
1
When did you start?
2016
How much did it cost to launch?
~$5k
What were your funding methods and ballpark amount raised?
100% bootstrapped.
Annual Revenue?
Not provided.
Projected Revenue?
Not provided.
Any call to action?
If you're interested in leveling up your own personal finances, let's jump on a free consult to see if I can help. https://stan.store/ChrisClaflin