Notes from Chris

Episode 1324

Tyler and Lauren Mills are a typical suburban family living in Cullman, Alabama. With four boys under the age of ten, things in the Mills household are quite busy, even in the quietest of times.

It was March 2015 when they started a side hustle that turned out to be tree-mendous. They’d always liked those rustic-looking wooden signs, the kind with beautiful calligraphy you might see at ranches, homesteads, or upon entering a wedding reception. For a while they’d been making them for display around their home.

She’d seen the popularity of ‘paint a canvas’ parties and knew painting timber signs could be even more enjoyable. She and Tyler decided to start a ‘paint a custom sign party’ business.

The idea was simple. They’d find someone interested in hosting the event who could provide the location. Tyler and Lauren would provide instruction and every attendee would take home their very own sign. The concept had already been proven with the painting parties, and they were confident their offering was even simpler. After all, to paint a sign all one needed was a lap rather than a full easel setup.

To pitch the idea, they once again turned to social media. Funnily enough, one of their first parties was actually hosted in a paint-a-canvas store location! Each guest paid thirty-five dollars, the same price they’d pay for a sign they didn’t make themselves. That meant, for a party of ten they’d make three hundred and fifty dollars before materials cost.

From there, the brush strokes kept coming. Tyler and Lauren saw the signs and knew they were on to a good thing. But, like selling custom signs before it, the concept wouldn't grow itself. So they came up with unique ways to promote their new endeavor.

This persistent effort has helped the Scrap Mills parties grow over the years. Currently, they host a party nearly every week with up to twenty guests per party. That volume brings in well over two and a half thousand dollars per month. That’s more than Lauren was taking home from her full-time job, which she now doesn’t have to go to.

While it’s not enough for Tyler to quit his job as well, they’re hoping their next move will offer that opportunity. They’ve created a course that outlines exactly how someone can start their own paint party side hustle. All signs are pointing in the right direction that this too will be a success.

 

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  MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Learn more about Lauren and Tyler's sign painting parties at their website, ScrapMills.com.

SEE ALSO:

• Nashville Paint-by-Numbers Kits Become Etsy Bestsellers: A visual arts teacher creates “paint by numbers” kits to help others experience joy through painting.
• Graphic Designer Paints a Picture Worth $8,000/Month: This designer is the picture of success with a side hustle that draws in a full-time income.
• Texas Banker Teaches Classes on Painting Your Pet: A former banker hosts pop-up art classes where the paint flies and the creative ideas flow.

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

Yours in the revolution,

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