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.
Clark Rinehart is up.
Who are you and what do you do?
I’m a Miami native who has lived in the Research Triangle area (Raleigh, NC) since 2009. I’m also a husband, father to 2 small kids and have recently launched myself into the world of entrepreneurship. In undergrad at the University of Miami, I studied Industrial Engineering and Economics because math and science always came natural to me. But, I decided to go to graduate school at Duke Divinity School because I wanted to study theology. Little did I know that I’d find myself serving as a vocational staff pastor after the program for 7 years. After leaving my staff pastor role, I joined the staff of a young coworking community called The Loading Dock and helped it grow from 1 to 3 locations with 2 more opening in 2021. For this next chapter of my life, I want to bring together my technical skills with a deep passion for seeing all people flourish, both personally and professionally. Although I’m at the beginning of the journey, I think that looks like finding the intersection of community engagement, community development and economic development through a few different ventures.
What did it take / how did you get started?
The global pandemic pushes me to ask myself the question: “why not now?” So, I saw an opportunity to work for myself, create a platform that would connect people and bring together a lot of seemingly disparate skills into a few new ventures. The most developed venture right now is Coworking NC, which is a digital platform that elevates local, organic and independent workspaces across North Carolina. Website will officially launch in this month (February 2021).
What does the future look like for you and your hustle?
It looks like building better—more robust, equitable and connected—systems. There are a lot of systems that operate behind the scenes in our lives and I think it’s time to take a close look at them. How were the systems created? Who were they created by and for? Do these systems stack the cards in a particular people group’s favor? If so, why? My hope is to use some of my skills via several new ventures in the not-too-distant future to have a meaningful impact in my community then inspire others to do the same in their communities.
What drives / motivates you?
In a word: people. I’m a 110% extrovert and people person. I love understanding what makes people tick. Ultimately, I want to make the world a better place for more and more people.
What advice would you give someone interested in doing what you do?
Take the leap. Ask a lot of questions. Remain curious about life. Trying something new and “failing” is a part of the journey. Why remain stagnant or wonder “what if”? Create a plan, work hard and build the future day by day.
What has been the hardest part of the hustle?
Balancing work with being a parent of young kids. I have 2 small kids and a wife, Laura, that has a very full-time at a thriving tech company. So, we’re constantly working to strike a balance in our lives. We want to ensure our kids learn how to balance as well and model that for them each day.
What are a few resources that you'd recommend?
I listen to podcasts a lot. I really like 99% Invisible, Business Made Simple, The Way We Work, Next Economy Now, City of the Future and How I Built This to name a few.
The STATS
Side or full-time hustle?
Full.
List the founders
Just me.
How many hours a week do you work on this hustle?
Who knows. 50-60?
# of Employees?
None.
When did you start?
Legit started on January 1, 2021. So, just hitting the ground.
How much did it cost to launch?
Leaving my great, full-time, secure W2 job and about $5K.
What were your funding methods and ballpark amount raised?
Used savings money.
Annual Revenue?
Just started. So, we shall see.
Projected Revenue?
$200k.
Any call to action?
Looking for like-minded people to partner and collaborate with in the American South (especially).