This transcript was generated from the episode audio and may contain minor errors.
[Music]
In this week's episode, this week's first $1,000 segment, I should clarify an upcycler transforms forgotten vintage luggage into functional art pieces. Hey there, what's up? Welcome to Side Hustle School. We had an episode about a month ago about a guy who's doing something with the unclaimed baggage center, trying to make a YouTube channel, going strong with that. Today we're gonna hear a little bit different story.
Somebody who takes way back, throwback retro vintage luggage, and then up cycles it, recycles it in a way that's pretty cool. And they end up building a little business around it. This is Avery from Madison, Wisconsin. The whole point of our first $1,000 series is to show how people get started. What can you do to make money pretty soon?
In a relatively brief period of time, by using a skill you already have without quitting your job, without going into debt, all the good points of having a side hustle. So let's hear from Avery. Let's let them tell the story. I'll be back at the end with a quick wrap up. [Music]
Hi there, I'm Avery.
And I'm here to tell you about my unexpected venture into upcycling vintage luggage. It all began when I stumbled upon some old suitcases in my grandmother's attic. They were sturdy and charming, but useless in the modern age. That's when an idea clicked. Why not turn these into decorative storage or furniture?
I started by researching my competitors, and soon enough, I noticed a gap in the market. Most returning old luggage into tables or dog beds, but they lacked a unique touch. I decided to add vintage maps, repurpose leather, and even install electric sockets for a functional touch. Pricing was tricky. Each piece required different amounts of material and labor.
And after some experimentation, I landed on a tiered pricing model based on the size and complexities of the piece. Small pieces started at $150, medium at 250, and large intricate designs could go up to $400. Marketing was extremely organic. I began posting before and after photos on Pinterest and read its upcycling forum. The visual transformation was compelling enough to get people interested, at least enough to make my first sales.
For efficiency, I streamlined my operation by doing batch work. I'd spend one day sourcing luggage and another focused on design and refurbishment. I also created templates for the most common suitcase sizes to cut down on planning time. Shipping was a bigger hurdle. The varying sizes made it hard to predict costs, so I decided to incorporate shipping into the product price and advertise it as free shipping to simplify things.
A pivotal moment came when an interior design blogger purchased one of my pieces and featured it on her Instagram. The visibility from that post boosted my inquiries by 200%, and I was able to make my first $1,000 within three months. What did I learn? Never underestimate the power of social proof. The blogger's post provided more value than any of my paid ads.
Also, don't cut corners. Vintage pieces come with their quirks. Invest time in understanding each piece to maintain its character while making it functional. Thanks for letting me share my journey. [Music]
Big thanks to Avery for telling us about their first $1,000.
I gotta get me some vintage luggage to go with my nice Briggs and Riley bag that I've been using to travel lots of places, took it to India last month, taking it on a little vacation, coming up here end of year, and then a lot of travel I've got booked for next year as well. But vintage luggage would be cool too. So love hearing how people get started, how they take an idea and turn it into income. If you listeners have a question or an update, sidehustleschool.com/questions. Today's notes, sidehustleschool.com/2536.
Thank you so much for tuning in today. I hope you're doing well over there. I hope you're not too overwhelmed during this holiday season. Be sure to take some time for yourself, most importantly. And of course, I hope you'll continue to listen.
Your episode each day. My name is Chris Guillebeau. This is "Side Hustle School." [Music]
From the "Onward Project."
