Episode 6: Acres of Diamonds: Turning Life’s Setbacks into Side Hustles with Bart Merrell, The
Side Hustle Samurai

Guest Speaker: Bart Merrell—international entrepreneur, author, and the “Side Hustle Samurai.”

In this episode of The Potentializer Podcast, Lance Edwards sits down with Bart Merrell—international entrepreneur, author, and the “Side Hustle Samurai.” Bart is on a mission to help people create financial security by monetizing what they already know, already do, and already love.

From growing up on a pig farm in New Mexico, to DJing as a teen, to bungee-jumping in Japan, Bart has turned life’s opportunities (and even its setbacks—including the amputation of his leg) into income streams. His philosophy is simple but powerful: when life gives you lemons, build a lemonade stand and sell the stuff.

In this conversation, Bart and Lance explore:

• Why everyone needs a side hustle (or three).
• How to recognize overlooked opportunities right under your nose.
• The biggest mistake people make when choosing a side hustle.
• How Bart transformed personal tragedy into a way to serve others.
• The “Acres of Diamonds” story that will change how you see your own opportunities.

Episode Timestamps

• 00:30 – Welcome and today’s big question: “Are you prepared for when life happens?”
• 02:00 – Meet Bart Merrell: The Side Hustle Samurai. 03:00 – What is a “Monetized Mindset”?
• 04:00 – Losing a leg… and monetizing it.
• 06:00 – Growing up on a pig farm and learning multiple streams of income.
• 07:30 – Bart’s first side hustle: a 15-year-old DJ with a community disco.
• 09:00 – Dreaming of the FBI, but pivoting to international entrepreneurship.
• 10:45 – Building bungee towers in Japan and discovering opportunity in risk.
• 12:00 – The definition of luck: preparedness + opportunity + action.
• 13:00 – Helping others: why Bart wrote Monetize Your Mindset.
• 15:00 – The Jamberry success story: from grandma’s garage to millions.
• 16:30 – Why money worries often rival life’s hardest challenges.
• 17:30 – Bart’s six-list exercise for discovering your side hustle.
• 20:00 – How a weight-loss journey became an unexpected income stream.
• 23:40 – Why you’ll be wrong at first—and why that’s okay.
• 26:30 – The #1 pitfall in picking a side hustle.
• 29:00 – Loving what you do (and why that matters more than money).
• 32:20 – Why Bart calls himself a “Side Hustle Strategist” (not a coach).
• 35:00 – Helping others discover their unique ability.
• 36:00 – The school bus driver who found her “aha” side hustle.
• 38:40 – Workshops without fluff: actionable strategies for income.
• 41:00 – Acres of Diamonds (and Pig Poop): the story that reframes opportunity.
• 44:30 – Final thoughts: don’t overlook the opportunities right in front of you.

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