---
title: "From Side Hustle to Full-Time Brand: Elena Ciccotelli on Building a Human-Centered EV Media Business"
description: Elena Ciccotelli discusses building a human-centered EV podcast, the challenges of monetization, and the importance of personal branding in the latest PartsEdge Podcast episode.
---

[Blog - PartsEdge ](https://www.partsedge.com/blog)

# [From Side Hustle to Full-Time Brand: Elena Ciccotelli on Building a Human-Centered EV Media Business](https://www.partsedge.com/blog/elena-ciccotelli-from-side-hustle-to-full-time-brand)

 Written by [PartsEdge](https://www.partsedge.com/blog/author/partsedge) | May 29, 2025 7:00:00 AM

**Podcasting, Personal Brands & EV Storytelling**

 

In this energetic and transparent conversation, Kaylee Felio sits down with **Elena Ciccotelli**, the Founder of *EVs for Everyone*, a brand that brings the human element to the fast-evolving world of electric vehicles. Elena shares the origin story of her show, built not from a strategic blueprint—but from a creative itch that corporate life couldn’t scratch.

After years in auto and tech—including an early stint at Lyft and partnerships with Rivian—Elena saw a gap in the market: an EV podcast that told *people* stories, not just tech specs. So she built it. And now, she’s taking her content on the road—covering conferences, interviewing big names, and growing a profitable brand from the ground up.

 

**The Realities Behind a Successful Podcast**

 

This episode peels back the curtain on what it *really* takes to make a podcast thrive:

- The early days of podcasting with “janky gear and a dream”
- How consistency (not celebrity) drives momentum
- Monetization myths—and how Elena turned exposure into revenue
- The “biz dev hack” of using podcasts to start real conversations

Elena also discusses the business therapy that comes with building a brand around your voice. She’s refreshingly honest about burnout, mistakes (like forgetting to hit record during a high-stakes EV interview), and the personal growth required to stick with it.

 

**Corporate vs. Personal Podcasting — A Spicy Take**

 

Elena and Kaylee dive into the debate so many creators face: **Who owns the show?** Elena doesn’t hold back. She urges companies to let their hosts build personal brands, or risk ending up with “another background podcast with a mic and a car.” It’s a sharp reminder that people don’t follow brands—they follow *humans*.

 

Kaylee shares her own crossroads between *The Parts Girl* and *Trailblazer Path*, navigating brand clarity while honoring the audience she's built. Together, they validate something many podcast creators feel: it’s okay to do both.

 

**Takeaways**

- Podcast success starts with consistency, not gear.
- Corporate podcasts *need* a human face and personal brand.
- Monetization requires confidence in your value—and the courage to charge for it.
- Build your podcast around real connection, not corporate talking points.

**Quote**

“You only get to be a public figure by trailblazing your own path.” — *Elena Ciccatelli***

 

Listen to the full episode now: 

[https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/VZOe47m0UUb](https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/VZOe47m0UUb)

 

**Connect**

**Elena Ciccotelli**  
🔗 [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaciccotelli/)  
🎧 [*EVs for Everyone* Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3VtndP61qvyhPvmLNL9XgR?si=2ee1e72ced864b61)

**Kaylee Felio**  
🔗 [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/gotopartsgirl)  
🌐 [www.partsedge.](https://www.partsedge.com/)

[View full post](https://www.partsedge.com/blog/elena-ciccotelli-from-side-hustle-to-full-time-brand)

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