Notes from Chris

Episode 377

Gianluca De Stefano’s side hustle involves both socks and gorillas. You might be wondering how those two things are related, but to Gianluca and his business partner, Gavin Kamara, the connection was clear. The idea came to them one day in 2015 while they were riding bikes along the Hudson River. They’d known each other since they were roommates in college. Starting a side hustle was something they’d talked about for years, but they didn’t have a specific idea to launch them on their way.

During this bike ride, Gavin mentioned that he’d just been reading about bamboo fibers. He was intrigued to learn that bamboo fibers are eco-friendly because bamboo is the fastest growing plant in the world, and it requires 1/3 the water needed to grow cotton. Beyond the environmental factors, bamboo fibers are also antibacterial. They’re also great at thermoregulation—so bamboo fabric keeps you warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

With all these great features and their shared love of socks, Gianluca and Gavin thought that bamboo fibers would make excellent socks.

But they didn’t just want to own a sock shop. They both had good jobs in finance, so starting a side hustle wasn’t just about earning extra money. They wanted to have fun and do good with their business. They wanted their brand to give back. So they knew from the start that they wanted to partner with a nonprofit organization and donate a percentage of profits.

But before they could give back, they needed something to give. Specifically, they needed a product. So they set about doing some market research. They had noticed that business attire in the corporate world, in both New York and London, had slowly become more relaxed. Fewer men were wearing ties, and more were using socks as a way to differentiate their style. So they wanted to tap into that market, in a more sustainable way, using bamboo fibers.

Since launching Gorilla Socks in October 2016, sales have increased month by month. They’ve made more than $10,000, but so far are investing most profits back into the business, in addition to making multiple donations to the Gorilla Fund.

For Gianluca and Gavin, that’s been the best part so far—knowing that they’re contributing to something bigger than themselves, creating a brand built on possibility, and finally building the venture they’d long talked of.

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MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Gorilla Socks: Learn more about Gianluca and Gavin's sock manufacturing side hustle and check out their lineup on their website
• Shopify: Gianluca and Gavin used Shopify to set up their store for Gorilla Socks, and they're offering a 21-day trial and exclusive discount for all Side Hustle School listeners!
• Alibaba: The platform that Gianluca and Gavin used to locate a manufacturer for their bambook fiber socks
• Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund: The charity that Gorilla Socks donates to that takes great steps towards protecting and studying gorillas while helping communities build their conservation capabilities

SEE ALSO:

• Alibaba 101: How to safely source products from the world's biggest supplier directory
• Detroit Women Make Jewelry for Profit and Social Good: An attorney starts a jewelry company with purpose, employing disadvantaged women in Detroit to help them transition from a life of dependence into one of self-reliance
• Every Dog Has Its Side Hustling Day: Two sisters team up to create a side business with a social good component. It’s a dog-eat-dog world out there… are you working on your hustle?
• Yoga Teacher Cleans Up with Home Organizing Business: After attending a live podcast taping, this longtime side hustler starts a new project that helps people declutter while donating items to local refugees.

Inspiration is good; inspiration combined with action is better. Now get back to work!

Yours in the revolution,

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