Meet Ruby Chase. She’s a musician, a brand ambassador, a leader, and she’s the Queen of Hustle.

What Are Your Side Hustle(s)?

Music is my main thing. I’m working on my own stuff, but there are side hustles within the music realm, like writing for other people or doing demo vocals. Everything that I do is a little bit of side hustle, it’s all very specific and in the same realm.

I do character work with a lot of different entertainment companies, which I call “adding the party to the party”. [She mentions that in LA, most people look great, but also look like they wish they were having fun.] That is how I have been earning the most of my money, lately.

Other side hustles that I do are random modeling or acting gigs, DJ-ing, managing social media pages [doing takeovers for companies and events], throwing immersive experience events, and I also work with brands as a brand ambassador. I am really specific about what I represent, and always try to make sure it’s top-quality stuff. [Purium is her favorite company to collabrate with.] I’m also curating an artist program called The Red Word, a six-month program to unlock your voice and embody your artist essence, which will turn into an artist collective.

Why did you decide to get into your side hustle?

I have always been very specific about things lining up to my end goal, which is to be a world-touring recording artist with a full stage show production. I’m doing things right now that can make me money but that also refine my skills and abilities in all the areas that I’m going to need to reach my end goal.

I just make sure that all the things I am doing are within the realm of anything musical, anything with the curation of people and being a leader, and anything with health and wellness. When things show up, if it feels like they’re aligned with my end goal, I add them in. I don’t just do things for money, it has to be in line with where I’m going.

Do you have a full-time job as well?

My money comes in from all of these different areas. I don’t have a full-time job. It really is all combined, and I’ve found a way to make it work.

Describe your day from waking up to sleep:

Usually, I’ll wake up snuggling with my roommate’s puppy, Pookie Bear. Then, my day is a lot of time spent coordinating emails and social media. Usually, I get into some music, writing a song or recording a song at my house or at a studio. Very often, I try to get some sort of workout or something spiritual in my day, like yoga or breath work. I love going to fun, vegan restaurants. I go to a lot of events, like an edgy arts event that I sing at or help with their live stream or something, and then I go to a warehouse party at the end of the night, where I DJ.

What are your goals and dreams for the hustle?

To build a body of music and an interactive show that we can tour around the world that inspires people and gives them a life-changing experience. Think Cirque du Soleil meets Lady Gaga, plus 3-D projection mapping.

How do you organize your finances?

Most of what I do is direct deposit or random freelance, so it’s all very sporadic. I want to get better at organizing my finances, honestly, like being more specific with how much I save and how much I invest.

Lately, it just all goes into one account, and it always works out. I don’t stress too much about it, but I want to get better at it. I’m getting to the point where I am calling in a manager, an accountant, and a booking agent, people that can be doing a lot of that work for me, because it’s not my strong suit. I’ll always oversee it, but I’m hoping to start booking those roles out.

What are some of the challenges you face?

I’ve actually been thinking about this a lot lately. It’s really hard for me to take time off. I don’t have a normal 9-to-5 and then a weekend to take time off from work. I’m on-duty all the time, which can be really intense. It can be really hard for me to take a vacation. I have a really hard time validating a vacation unless it’s work-related.

I do go to a lot of festivals and events, but I’m either performing there, running social media, or coordinating something. I had plans to go to Hawaii and maybe Europe this summer, but I just don’t think I can validate leaving right now; I need to be present. There’s so much momentum, so much going on, and all the producers I want to work with are here. The level I am going for is Super-Stardom and until I’m there, it’s a “don’t sleep ‘til you’re there’ kind of thing, so I guess I’m not sleeping, ever. It’s a blessing and a curse; it’s hard to take time off as my own boss. I’m doing it all myself, and self-care is how I am doing all of it!

What’s one piece of wisdom you’ve picked up along your journey?

If it’s not a “Hell, Yes!”, it’s a “Hell, NO.” It applies to everything. If it’s not 100% aligned with who you are and what you believe, drop it now. No amount of money is worth going against that. The more you say no, the more doors there are to open to “Hell, Yes!” opportunities that are above and beyond anything else.