Permission to Post: A Corporate Girl’s Guide to Disclosing a Side Hustle

Disclose your brand deals without getting in trouble—a modern-day balancing act between career and creativity.

There are more ways than ever to earn a little extra cash on the side. Whether it’s modeling, posting, writing, or building something of your own. But if you work in a regulated industry (hi, Wall Street), it can feel like your job was built to keep you in a box. Especially when it comes to doing anything creative.

I spent 4 years in private banking while modeling and earning through brand deals. Balancing both worlds wasn’t always easy, but it was definitely possible.

When the fourth person this week asked me how to disclose a brand deal to their firm, I figured it was time to finally write this all down.

What I Did When the Brand Deals Started Coming In

Once I started getting consistent offers—from modeling gigs to one-off brand partnerships—I knew I had to figure out how to protect the career I’d already built and the one I was starting to grow.

Here’s this entire post in 5 steps, but read the whole thing if you want the debrief.

✅ Step 1: Talk to compliance
✅ Step 2: Disclose through an LLC
✅ Step 3: Wait for written approval
✅ Step 4: Keep your job off your socials
✅ Step 5: Make your money, stress-free

1. Talk to compliance—early.

The worst thing you can do is post first and scramble to explain later. Especially if you’re licensed. If you work in finance, law, healthcare, or anything similarly regulated, you’re not just an employee—you’re held to legal standards that most people don’t even know exist.

I asked for a quick meeting and was honest about what was coming my way. I explained that I would be taking occasional modeling jobs and brand partnerships outside of work hours, and that I had zero intention of ever referencing where I worked online.

Talking to compliance early shows you’re not trying to sneak around. It buys you trust, flexibility, and time to get your setup right.

2. Ask for privacy (if you want it)
One of my biggest fears early on was that I wouldn’t be taken seriously at work if people found out about my “other life.” I didn’t want my modeling or brand deals to change how I was seen in the office.

Turns out… no one blinked. They were supportive, busy, and honestly had bigger things to worry about than my little Hannah Montana double life. But if you're worried about word getting around the office, you can ask compliance to keep it confidential. And trust me—they’ve seen it all. You are not the first person to request approval for outside business activities.

3. Open and Disclose an LLC

If you're juggling fast-moving gigs, an LLC can make everything a lot easier (and cleaner) when you're working a corporate job.

Here’s why it helps:

• Freedom to say yes to quick-turn deals without disclosing each one individually

• Streamline all your side hustle work under one entity

• Clear line between your 9–5 and your creative life

• Makes compliance more comfortable signing off on everything up front

I came up with this solution after talking it through with my compliance team—so make sure you have that convo first. It’ll save you a ton of stress (and potential issues) down the line.

BONUS: If It’s a Big Deal...

If a gig becomes recurring (e.g., monthly collabs, paid whitelisting, usage rights), treat it like a full business. Disclose it again, and make sure compliance is looped in with all the details. Better to over disclose.

Go forth and create!

There are too many fun, creative ways to earn on the side to stay pigeonholed into just one career. It’s easier than ever to bring in extra income—and protect your full-time job while doing it. Don’t let the red tape scare you into playing small. Have the conversation, get your structure in place, and go build the multi-hyphenate life you are capable of.