Stop Chasing Side Hustles… This Is the Recession-Proof Model for 2026 (Episode 171)
Mon Feb 02 2026
👉 Ready to start your own online store? Start here →
https://dropshipunlocked.com/start?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep171-stop-chasing-side-hustles-recession-proof-model-2026
🗣 In this episode, Lewis Smith and James Eardley break down why the “side hustle hopping” era is quietly destroying people’s progress — especially heading into 2026.
They explain why most people never win online because they keep resetting to zero, and why the model they teach works differently: it’s built on existing demand, real compounding, and skills that don’t disappear when the economy tightens.
🎥 Prefer to watch instead? Watch on YouTube → https://youtu.be/ygpbxWfymh4
🧭 Topics Discussed
★ Why side hustles don’t compound — the hidden cost of constantly restarting and losing momentum
★ The boring-business advantage — why long-term, stable models beat hype-driven opportunities
★ Why high-ticket e-commerce works — existing demand, predictable buying intent, and strong margins
★ Why recession punishes inconsistency — and rewards people who stick to proven foundations
★ The real “recession-proof” edge — not the product, but the structure + transferable skills you build
★ How to get in front of buyers ready to purchase — demand validation + Google ads + Performance Max
🛠 Links & Resources Mentioned
Lewis’s Book → https://dropshipunlocked.com/book
Shopify £1-for-3-months Offer → https://dropshipunlocked.com/shopify
Free Trial of a Professional Phone Line → https://dropshipunlocked.com/circle
📌 Episode 143 (mentioned): How to choose high ticket products that actually sell → https://youtu.be/efusffFBxXA
💡 Key Takeaways
★ Side hustle hopping kills progress — you don’t fail, you just never stay long enough to win
★ Compounding beats hype — pick one vehicle, push through the build phase, and let results stack
★ Existing demand is the cheat code — you’re not “creating” buyers, you’re showing up where they already are
★ High-ticket gives you room for error — more profit per sale = more resilience when conditions tighten
★ The model is recession-proof because the skills are — demand validation, ads, supplier leverage, systems
📲 Follow Us
Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/dropshipunlocked/
X / Twitter → https://twitter.com/DropshipUnlockd
LinkedIn → https://uk.linkedin.com/company/dropship-unlocked
YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/c/dropshipunlockedlewissmith
Website → https://www.dropshipunlocked.com
🚀 Free Training
🌏 Want to create location, time, and financial freedom?
Watch our free training →
https://dropshipunlocked.com/start?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep171-stop-chasing-side-hustles-recession-proof-model-2026
More
👉 Ready to start your own online store? Start here → https://dropshipunlocked.com/start?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep171-stop-chasing-side-hustles-recession-proof-model-2026 🗣 In this episode, Lewis Smith and James Eardley break down why the “side hustle hopping” era is quietly destroying people’s progress — especially heading into 2026. They explain why most people never win online because they keep resetting to zero, and why the model they teach works differently: it’s built on existing demand, real compounding, and skills that don’t disappear when the economy tightens. 🎥 Prefer to watch instead? Watch on YouTube → https://youtu.be/ygpbxWfymh4 🧭 Topics Discussed ★ Why side hustles don’t compound — the hidden cost of constantly restarting and losing momentum ★ The boring-business advantage — why long-term, stable models beat hype-driven opportunities ★ Why high-ticket e-commerce works — existing demand, predictable buying intent, and strong margins ★ Why recession punishes inconsistency — and rewards people who stick to proven foundations ★ The real “recession-proof” edge — not the product, but the structure + transferable skills you build ★ How to get in front of buyers ready to purchase — demand validation + Google ads + Performance Max 🛠 Links & Resources Mentioned Lewis’s Book → https://dropshipunlocked.com/book Shopify £1-for-3-months Offer → https://dropshipunlocked.com/shopify Free Trial of a Professional Phone Line → https://dropshipunlocked.com/circle 📌 Episode 143 (mentioned): How to choose high ticket products that actually sell → https://youtu.be/efusffFBxXA 💡 Key Takeaways ★ Side hustle hopping kills progress — you don’t fail, you just never stay long enough to win ★ Compounding beats hype — pick one vehicle, push through the build phase, and let results stack ★ Existing demand is the cheat code — you’re not “creating” buyers, you’re showing up where they already are ★ High-ticket gives you room for error — more profit per sale = more resilience when conditions tighten ★ The model is recession-proof because the skills are — demand validation, ads, supplier leverage, systems 📲 Follow Us Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/dropshipunlocked/ X / Twitter → https://twitter.com/DropshipUnlockd LinkedIn → https://uk.linkedin.com/company/dropship-unlocked YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/c/dropshipunlockedlewissmith Website → https://www.dropshipunlocked.com 🚀 Free Training 🌏 Want to create location, time, and financial freedom? Watch our free training → https://dropshipunlocked.com/start?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep171-stop-chasing-side-hustles-recession-proof-model-2026