This transcript was generated from the episode audio and may contain minor errors.
[Music]
In this week's first $1,000 segment, discover how a Malibu bartender began designing home bars, added a line of custom bar tools, and launched virtual cocktail classes to reach $150,000 a year. That's right, $150,000 a year as a side hustle. Sounds pretty good to me. From Malibu bartender to at-home bar designer, this is part of a feature we call your first $1,000. And as you might guess, it's all about how somebody made their first $1,000.
Of course, we're gonna get to that $150,000 point here in this story, but we focus on the origins so that you understand what kind of business ideas are the most profitable. And you have lots of different ideas. There are lots of things you could do. There are all kinds of different side hustles and small businesses you could start, but you have limited time, and you want to make sure that you're choosing ideas that not only are profitable, but also you're excited about or gonna be helpful to people and so on. There's more than one factor, but being profitable is one of those factors, to be clear.
The podcast is called Side Hustle School. After all, it's not hobby school. So with that in mind, today's feature comes from Jason in Malibu, California. I've already mentioned what his business has grown to become. Well done, Jason.
But what about that first $1,000? Let's hear it from him. I'll come back at the end with a quick wrap up. [Music]
I'm Jason, and my love for mixology started behind the bar of a beachfront restaurant in Malibu. I spent years serving celebrities and party goers, refining my techniques and learning everything from classic cocktails to modern experimental drinks.
Friends would say, "Why are you still bartending for others? You should design bars of your own." One day, I took the hint. I started offering design consultations for homeowners who wanted more than just a corner cabinet of booze. They wanted a real bar experience in their living rooms or backyards. My first paid project came through a friend of a friend who was remodeling their home in Pacific Palisades.
They asked for a sleek, modern bar set up with a built-in wine fridge, specialized glassware shelves, and lighting that could switch between party mode and soft ambiance. For $500, I provided a design blueprint, equipment recommendations, and a mini menu of signature cocktails. When that client posted a few pictures and tagged me on social media, my DMs lit up with requests from others looking for a similar setup. By the end of the month, I'd booked another project for $500 and crossed that $1,000 milestone. From there, I focused on curating the entire at-home bar experience.
Homeowners didn't just need a bar counter. They needed bartending tools, glassware that didn't shatter easily, and a practical layout that allowed them to entertain without feeling overwhelmed. I'd suggest the best shaker sets, jiggers, muddlers, and garnish containers, often finding deals through my old restaurant supply connections. It wasn't just about building a bar. I offered a two-hour training session so clients could learn how to mix drinks properly, handle garnish, and even pour liquor the professional way.
Those sessions became the highlight of my service. Couples were excited to show off new bartending skills at their next get-together. Designing each bar brought it an average of $1,200 per project, but I realized there were only so many bars I could physically design and install in a month. So I branched out, partnering with a local metalworker to develop my own line of bar tools. Simple, but stylish shakers, strainers, and stirrers.
Over time, I built a small inventory and launched an online store. Clients who booked my bar design service would often add these tools to their order, boosting my profits with minimal extra effort. Next came cocktail classes. Several of my old clients were hosting corporate happy hours or team-building events online. They asked if I'd lead a group class, showing everyone how to make, say, three signature cocktails in under an hour.
I charged a flat rate for up to 50 people, emailed an ingredient list beforehand, and I joined a Zoom call where we all mixed the drinks together. The corporate crowd loved it. It was a fun break from the typical Zoom meeting. By the end of the year, I combined revenue from bar designs, bar tool sales, and online classes hit $70,000. Despite the growth, I keep things personal.
I still reply to emails about, what if we want a tiki theme, or how do I store my fancy bitters? My customers aren't just buying a bar. They're investing in a lifestyle that celebrates craft cocktails and entertaining. And every time I watch someone master a new mixology technique or show off their newly decked out home bar, I remember why I started. [Music]
All right, thanks to Jason for telling us about his first $1,000.
Although in his case, it's more like his first $150,000, which, you know, that's 150 is better than one, you know, when it comes to thousands of dollars. Anyway, listeners, I hope you found it encouraging. So excited to make the podcast for you. We are right at 3,000 episodes coming up in two days, two episodes from now. And it's just a joy to make the podcast for you.
Always completely free. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, or listen to the entire archives on the website, sidehustleschool.com. Leave us a quick five star review if you don't mind. That helps other people discover the show. And most importantly, take care of yourself.
Do one thing to get closer to a goal you believe in. My name is Chris Guillebeau. You're listening to "Side Hustle School." [Music]
from the Onward Project.
