Archives: Podcast

Q&A: Should I accept Bitcoin as a payment method?

What It’s About

A listener seeks advice on accepting Bitcoin as a payment type. What should they know?

Notes from Chris

Episode 1390

Today’s listener is wondering about Bitcoin, the world’s best-known cryptocurrency—should he accept it as payment for his new app?

I would tell my younger self three things:

  1. Don’t be so afraid
  2. Don’t let them take the edge off your rebellious side, it will serve you well
  3. As soon as you can, put all your money into Bitcoin

Alas, my future self was not able to convey that message to my younger self.

“Hi Chris, this is Nick from Salem and I recently found your show after a friend recommended it. I’m really enjoying all of the side hustle stories. I’m getting ready to launch a new app that will be available for Android devices. I’m going to apply for listing in the Google Play store, as well as several other online directories, but I also want to offer it for direct sale on my own website. That way, I can sell to people who discover it there without paying commission to a third party. I can even offer a discount for direct sales and still come out ahead by splitting the commission savings between me and my customer. 

But of course, to sell directly I need a way to accept payment.

PayPal is easy enough, but a friend suggested I offer an option to take Bitcoin as well. I’m not sure if that’s a good idea, or even how I would go about doing it … since there’s not really a Bitcoin bank on every corner, at least not where I live. Also, what do you think about cryptocurrency in general? Thanks and I look forward to your response.”

Listen to today’s episode to learn more…

 

 

SEE ALSO:

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

Yours in the revolution,

cg-sig-newsletter

Resources

CREATE YOUR ONLINE STORE

Create your online store with Shopify using an exclusive discount for Side Hustle School listeners. For a limited time, get a free 21-day trial and a 10% discount for a whole year.

Many Side Hustle School listeners are building sites using Shopify's easy-to-learn platform. Try it free today! Learn More

GET YOUR FIRST 1,000 EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS

Social media is nice, but building an email list is still the single best way to get customers and clients for your hustle. It's not hard to get started—sign up for a 30-day trial and join the list-building challenge! You’ll be up and running in no time. Learn More

Sponsors & Gratitude

Don't Do Business Without It

Side Hustle School is brought to you by American Express.

No matter what you do in business, from working nine-to-five to working five-to-nine, it’s easier when you don’t go it alone. Get the powerful backing of American Express—don't do business without it! 💳 Visit American Express

Like the Show? Leave a Rating!

Side Hustle School is for you! If you’re enjoying it, please take a quick moment to leave a rating or write a quick review. It's really easy and it makes a difference! ✅

It also makes a huge difference when you tell your friends about the show. Remember, it's 100% free and listener-supported.
Here's How

Keep in Touch

There’s a new story every single day on Side Hustle School. Episodes are produced to be short and to the point—I know you’re busy. Be sure you subscribe to get instant notification of the day’s broadcast!


To infinity and beyond,

Chris Guillebeau

Marketing Guy Isn’t Afraid Of Ghostwriting

What It’s About

A novelist drafts a new story for his life becoming a ghostwriter for others.

Words of Wisdom

Brian shares some helpful thoughts regarding side hustling: “There are no shortcuts. Put in the hard work first, lay the proper foundation, make sure you’ve got a good reputation and protect it scrupulously. Treat your side hustle like any startup business, meaning don’t expect instant results. Patience is definitely a plus. “

Fun Fact

Las Vegas is a large city and famous all over the world. Yet, despite it’s size and notoriety to the locals it still operates much like a small town.

Notes from Chris

Episode 1389
Over twenty years ago, a Las Vegas local known as Brian Rouff began a new chapter in his life story. He became a partner in what would eventually become a mid-sized marketing agency serving clients both inside and outside of Sin City. Starting a new business was an exciting next step for him. Not least of all because it came directly after he achieved a lifelong dream.

You see, for his whole life until then, Brian wanted to be a writer—a novelist, to be precise. Like many aspiring writers, he found it difficult to turn the page on that career. But he kept working at it, and after much effort Brian would eventually self publish his first novel. It was called Dice Angel and revolved around a down on his luck character who meets a mysterious woman who promises to turn it all around.

Although Dice Angel never graced the bestsellers list, it still opened up a lot of doors. He appeared at local book fairs, libraries, festivals and conferences … basically anywhere he could get a leg in before the door slammed shut.

As he spoke more, more people read his book. His Amazon reviews climbed and, serendipitously, a big-time casino magnate contacted Brian with a proposition. He’d read Dice Angel, noticed Brian’s contact details in the back of the book, and reached out to discuss an opportunity.

The magnate was big on ideas, but short on time and writing talent. He loved Dice Angel and wanted Brian’s help in writing a book of his own. A deal was struck and Brian was paid mid-five figures to write the book. It was a lot of money—although, over the next year he would earn every penny.

From then on, every time he spoke at an event he’d subtly mention that he offered ghostwriting and coaching services. This led to a steady stream of interest in his expertise. Brian felt like there was really something to this ghostwriting thing, so he started taking it a little more seriously.

What’s even more impressive, is that Brian has kept up this gig for twenty years, as a side hustle to his main marketing business. He did that not only because he loves writing, but because it’s also quite lucrative.

As he approaches retirement from his business, Brian hopes ghostwriting can become an even larger source of income. It can certainly keep him busy.

 

 

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

SEE ALSO:

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

Yours in the revolution,

cg-sig-newsletter

Resources

WEB HOSTING @ $2.49/MONTH

Want to build any kind of website for your hustle? If so, you'll need somewhere to host it! This is the reliable company I've used for many websites. It's cheap, flexible, and offers support 24-7.

Get your own hosting plan for just $2.49 a month!
Learn More

GET $625 IN FREE TRAVEL

Earn 50,000 travel rewards points (enough for 2 round-trip plane tickets or $625 in travel credit). You'll also earn 2x points on all travel and dining spend, with zero foreign transaction fees.

I use this card every day all over the world! ✈️ Learn More

Quote of the Day
"There are no shortcuts. Put in the hard work first, lay the proper foundation, make sure you’ve got a good reputation and protect it scrupulously.”"
—Brian Rouff #SideHustleSchool

Sponsors & Gratitude

Try ShipStation for 60 Days FREE!

Today’s episode of Side Hustle School is brought to you by ShipStation, the #1 choice of online sellers. 📦

To get a 30-day trial AND an additional month free, click the microphone at the top of their page and enter the word HUSTLE.
Get it Here

Like the Show? Leave a Rating!

Side Hustle School is for you! If you’re enjoying it, please take a quick moment to leave a rating or write a quick review. It's really easy and it makes a difference! ✅

It also makes a huge difference when you tell your friends about the show. Remember, it's 100% free and listener-supported.
Here's How

Keep in Touch

There’s a new story every single day on Side Hustle School. Episodes are produced to be short and to the point—I know you’re busy. Be sure you subscribe to get instant notification of the day’s broadcast!


To infinity and beyond,

Chris Guillebeau

CLASSROOM: Dealing with Customer Complaints

What It’s About

How to manage complaints, stay sane, and keep customers happy.

Notes from Chris

Episode 1388

Today, let’s look at the topic of … customer complaints. I get asked about this all the time, especially from anyone who wants to share some kind of message online. They’re worried about criticism, and if they sell something, they’re worried that people won’t be happy about it.

So let’s go through a few examples from the archives and consider how our case studies have dealt with some challenges, as well as what we can learn from that experience.

First, as I looked through the archives, I was reminded that so many moneymaking projects start out of a complaint or dissatisfaction.

  • – An operations manager who moves to a new state and wants to find a Mandarin-speaking nanny for her daughter, then ends up starting a network to connect people like her
  • – A programmer who was always forgetting his friend’s birthdays wrote a script that will check Facebook for him and post “Happy birthday” messages on his behalf – then he created a web browser extension called Birthday Buddy
  • – Tattoos to cover up surgical scars
  • – Two Women Create Swimwear Brand for D-Cups and Up

And so many more! So it’s obvious that complaints can be an interesting genesis or inspiration. But what about when someone is complaining about your business?

Listen to today’s episode to learn more…

 

 

THIS WEEK’S ASSIGNMENT:

Think of two ways to make your customers happier.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

 

 

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

Yours in the revolution,

cg-sig-newsletter

Resources

WEB HOSTING @ $2.49/MONTH

Want to build any kind of website for your hustle? If so, you'll need somewhere to host it! This is the reliable company I've used for many websites. It's cheap, flexible, and offers support 24-7.

Get your own hosting plan for just $2.49 a month!
Learn More

GET $625 IN FREE TRAVEL

Earn 50,000 travel rewards points (enough for 2 round-trip plane tickets or $625 in travel credit). You'll also earn 2x points on all travel and dining spend, with zero foreign transaction fees.

I use this card every day all over the world! ✈️ Learn More

Sponsors & Gratitude

Don't Do Business Without It

Side Hustle School is brought to you by American Express.

No matter what you do in business, from working nine-to-five to working five-to-nine, it’s easier when you don’t go it alone. Get the powerful backing of American Express—don't do business without it! 💳 Visit American Express

Like the Show? Leave a Rating!

Side Hustle School is for you! If you’re enjoying it, please take a quick moment to leave a rating or write a quick review. It's really easy and it makes a difference! ✅

It also makes a huge difference when you tell your friends about the show. Remember, it's 100% free and listener-supported.
Here's How

Keep in Touch

There’s a new story every single day on Side Hustle School. Episodes are produced to be short and to the point—I know you’re busy. Be sure you subscribe to get instant notification of the day’s broadcast!


To infinity and beyond,

Chris Guillebeau

Off Road Enthusiast Wanders Into Profit

What It’s About

A passion for building custom 4x4s kicks into high gear and steep profits.

[podcast_details]

Words of Wisdom

Collin shares some valuable advice about networking; “It’s important to develop a network and rely on it! If I really think back and try to connect the dots, most of the opportunities I have had have come from some sort of introduction, mutual friend/colleague, etc. I have found extreme value in my network and realized that it’s largely responsible for the handful of clients I am fortunate enough to have at this point in our story.”

Fun Fact

There are around a million Jeeps sold in the USA every year which means there are several million Jeep owners America wide. Although niche, they are a fanatical market who love their cars and often spend large amounts of money modifying and upgrading them.

Notes from Chris

Episode 1387
Collin Coates was still in college when he bought his first Jeep, and instantly took to it. The vehicle’s ability to go anywhere across any terrain had a lot of appeal to a guy who loved the outdoors. Over the next year he made some minor modifications and then decided to sell it. Having enjoyed the process, he bought a new Jeep almost straight away.

He enjoyed the second one as much as the first. This time, he spent two years upgrading it, before—you guessed it—selling it and buying a third.

This ability to build unique Jeeps began to give him a reputation among the fanatical community of Jeep lovers—and yes, that’s a thing. So much so that he was able to negotiate with a local 4×4 vendor, who offered him some free parts in exchange for including a little promotional artwork on his latest vehicle. He carried that momentum forward, making deals with a few other aftermarket manufacturers to sponsor him for various components.

That was the moment his side hustle engine began to rumble. He wanted to come up with ways to make enough money to cover his Jeep hobby, and maybe even make a little extra on top. So he came up with an action plan.

Collin named his new brand Built2Wander, and he engaged the four-wheel-drive on the next phase of his plan. He cold-called a few new vendors and pitched his idea to their marketing department. To his surprise, they were interested—or at least willing to see his proposal. So as soon as he got off the phone he sent them a pitch in writing. It outlined the marketing materials they’d receive in exchange for the parts provided. The first vendor returned the signed proposal in no time at all.

He repeated this process with a few more vendors, slightly modifying the terms for each as requested. By the time he was done, he essentially had his fourth Jeep customized completely free. Now that he had traction, he took the idea of brand building more seriously.

One contact he made was with a large media company that specifically produces content for motor vehicle enthusiasts. The head of the company agreed to sponsor Collin’s current Jeep build, and was thrilled when he saw how well it turned out. A few months later, to Collin’s surprise, the company came back and offered him the chance to host a new vlog series on their YouTube channel. This resulted in increased exposure for Collin and extra dollars in his pocket.

And this bottom line is far from bottoming out. Collin now has several clients and generates up to six thousand dollars per month. He isn’t slowing down either—now he’s launched an apparel line and eCommerce store to complement the main business. It’s all proof that by making the right connections, anyone can offroad themselves into side hustle success.

 

 

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

  • Learn more about Collin and his custom builds at his website, Built2Wander.com.

SEE ALSO:

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

Yours in the revolution,

cg-sig-newsletter

Resources

GET $625 IN FREE TRAVEL

Earn 50,000 travel rewards points (enough for 2 round-trip plane tickets or $625 in travel credit). You'll also earn 2x points on all travel and dining spend, with zero foreign transaction fees.

I use this card every day all over the world! ✈️ Learn More

CREATE YOUR ONLINE STORE

Create your online store with Shopify using an exclusive discount for Side Hustle School listeners. For a limited time, get a free 21-day trial and a 10% discount for a whole year.

Many Side Hustle School listeners are building sites using Shopify's easy-to-learn platform. Try it free today! Learn More

Quote of the Day
"I have found extreme value in my network and realized that it’s largely responsible for the handful of clients I am fortunate enough to have at this point in our story."
—Collin Coates #SideHustleSchool

Sponsors & Gratitude

Learn More With Skillshare!

Supporting the sponsors keeps the show free. Today’s episode of Side Hustle School is brought to you by Skillshare. 📷

Skillshare is giving Side Hustle School listeners 2 months of unlimited access—for $0.99! Join the 2 million students learning everything from street photography to SEO on Skillshare today!
Get Started Here!

Like the Show? Leave a Rating!

Side Hustle School is for you! If you’re enjoying it, please take a quick moment to leave a rating or write a quick review. It's really easy and it makes a difference! ✅

It also makes a huge difference when you tell your friends about the show. Remember, it's 100% free and listener-supported.


Here's How

Keep in Touch

There’s a new story every single day on Side Hustle School. Episodes are produced to be short and to the point—I know you’re busy. Be sure you subscribe to get instant notification of the day’s broadcast!


To infinity and beyond,

Chris Guillebeau

Q&A: My product is selling on Amazon … but how can I get more attention?

What It’s About

A listener from Singapore wants more sales for her biodegradable party cups.

Notes from Chris

Episode 1386

For much of 2020, we’ve been trying to focus on this broad topic: you’ve made it, now how can you sell it.

In today’s story: a listener from Singapore sells biodegradable party cups with cheerful designs.

She’s selling them on Amazon, and wondering how to get noticed by more people.

“Hi, this is Keri from Singapore. I’ve been listening to the show since reading your first book, The Hundred Dollar Startup. I’m always inspired by the stories in the show and find your advice practical and positive. So thanks for that. My side hustle is a brand called Happy Cups, which are biodegradable party cups that have colorful, cheerful designs. One of flamingos and the other of avocados.

My sister and I designed and launched the product on Amazon. Since it is a new product, we do not have many reviews yet and sales are slow. We’ve let our family and friends know and have set up an Amazon campaign to advertise the products. We also started an Instagram account @HappyCupsParty, but are new digital marketing. So my question is, how do we advertise a new product on Amazon?”

Listen to today’s episode to learn more…

 

 

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

 

SEE ALSO:

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

Yours in the revolution,

cg-sig-newsletter

Resources

CREATE YOUR ONLINE STORE

Create your online store with Shopify using an exclusive discount for Side Hustle School listeners. For a limited time, get a free 21-day trial and a 10% discount for a whole year.

Many Side Hustle School listeners are building sites using Shopify's easy-to-learn platform. Try it free today! Learn More

GET YOUR FIRST 1,000 EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS

Social media is nice, but building an email list is still the single best way to get customers and clients for your hustle. It's not hard to get started—sign up for a 30-day trial and join the list-building challenge! You’ll be up and running in no time. Learn More

Sponsors & Gratitude

Don't Do Business Without It

Side Hustle School is brought to you by American Express.

No matter what you do in business, from working nine-to-five to working five-to-nine, it’s easier when you don’t go it alone. Get the powerful backing of American Express—don't do business without it! 💳 Visit American Express

Like the Show? Leave a Rating!

Side Hustle School is for you! If you’re enjoying it, please take a quick moment to leave a rating or write a quick review. It's really easy and it makes a difference! ✅

It also makes a huge difference when you tell your friends about the show. Remember, it's 100% free and listener-supported.
Here's How

Keep in Touch

There’s a new story every single day on Side Hustle School. Episodes are produced to be short and to the point—I know you’re busy. Be sure you subscribe to get instant notification of the day’s broadcast!


To infinity and beyond,

Chris Guillebeau

Q&A: Are there other types of digital assets?

What It’s About

A listener wants to know what kinds of digital assets can be created and sold.

Notes from Chris

Episode 1385

Our story of a woman in New Zealand who sells virtual paintbrushes for iPad users (episode #457) was very popular, and a listener is wondering: are there any other “digital assets” that can be made for resale?

This topic is one of those “whole new world” concepts that maybe some of our listeners think is totally normal—and of course, future generations won’t think there’s anything out of the ordinary about it—but for anyone my age or older, there’s still this element of wait, how does this work?

“Hi Chris, this is Amber from Toronto and I’ve been listening to the show for a couple of years and still loving the puns. I really liked the story of the woman in New Zealand who sells virtual paintbrushes for iPad software. I never knew such a thing existed! It got me thinking: what else is like this? Of course I know about things like ebooks and apps, but the paintbrushes seem like a different category. What about all of the items that people buy for games like Fortnite and Starcraft? Or something else? I love the idea of selling something for real money in a virtual world or digital platform.”

Listen to today’s episode to learn more…

 

 

SEE ALSO:

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

Yours in the revolution,

cg-sig-newsletter

Resources

CREATE YOUR ONLINE STORE

Create your online store with Shopify using an exclusive discount for Side Hustle School listeners. For a limited time, get a free 21-day trial and a 10% discount for a whole year.

Many Side Hustle School listeners are building sites using Shopify's easy-to-learn platform. Try it free today! Learn More

GET YOUR FIRST 1,000 EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS

Social media is nice, but building an email list is still the single best way to get customers and clients for your hustle. It's not hard to get started—sign up for a 30-day trial and join the list-building challenge! You’ll be up and running in no time. Learn More

Sponsors & Gratitude

Don't Do Business Without It

Side Hustle School is brought to you by American Express.

No matter what you do in business, from working nine-to-five to working five-to-nine, it’s easier when you don’t go it alone. Get the powerful backing of American Express—don't do business without it! 💳 Visit American Express

Like the Show? Leave a Rating!

Side Hustle School is for you! If you’re enjoying it, please take a quick moment to leave a rating or write a quick review. It's really easy and it makes a difference! ✅

It also makes a huge difference when you tell your friends about the show. Remember, it's 100% free and listener-supported.
Here's How

Keep in Touch

There’s a new story every single day on Side Hustle School. Episodes are produced to be short and to the point—I know you’re busy. Be sure you subscribe to get instant notification of the day’s broadcast!


To infinity and beyond,

Chris Guillebeau

TBT: Florist Offers Nationwide, DIY Wedding Flowers

What It’s About

Amidst the challenges of operating during a pandemic, this florist hasn’t wilted.

Notes from Chris

Episode 1384

Welcome to Throwback Thursday / “Where are they now?” where we take an in-depth look at someone who’s story has evolved considerably since we first featured them.

We recently heard from an accountant who sells spreadsheet templates and other financial resources to creatives, an Australian musician who’s created an online community to teach students how to play the saxophone, and many more.

Today, in our latest feature, we’ll hear from Amy McCord Jones, a wedding florist in Oklahoma who has a creative idea to offer DIY wedding flowers to brides across the country. This is more affordable for the brides and has opened up a whole new market for Amy, one that eventually surpassed her local business and is now her full-time work.

Since we featured her, she’s quadrupled her business and dealt with lots of supply chain and shipping issues to COVID, in addition to a lot of weddings being planned with shorter lead times due to all the uncertainty.

Naturally, she’s handled the pressure well and business is still growing. So let’s hear directly from her. I’ll be back at the end to wrap us up.

Listen to today’s episode to hear Amy’s updates…

 

 

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

  • Flower Moxie: Cut the stems off of some of those wedding costs—head over to Amy’s website to learn more!
  • Shopify: Amy used Shopify to set up her site for Flower Moxie, and they’re offering a 21-day trial and exclusive discount for all Side Hustle School listeners!

 

SEE ALSO:

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

Yours in the revolution,

cg-sig-newsletter

Resources

CREATE YOUR ONLINE STORE

Create your online store with Shopify using an exclusive discount for Side Hustle School listeners. For a limited time, get a free 21-day trial and a 10% discount for a whole year.

Many Side Hustle School listeners are building sites using Shopify's easy-to-learn platform. Try it free today! Learn More

GET YOUR FIRST 1,000 EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS

Social media is nice, but building an email list is still the single best way to get customers and clients for your hustle. It's not hard to get started—sign up for a 30-day trial and join the list-building challenge! You’ll be up and running in no time. Learn More

Sponsors & Gratitude

Don't Do Business Without It

Side Hustle School is brought to you by American Express.

No matter what you do in business, from working nine-to-five to working five-to-nine, it’s easier when you don’t go it alone. Get the powerful backing of American Express—don't do business without it! 💳 Visit American Express

Like the Show? Leave a Rating!

Side Hustle School is for you! If you’re enjoying it, please take a quick moment to leave a rating or write a quick review. It's really easy and it makes a difference! ✅

It also makes a huge difference when you tell your friends about the show. Remember, it's 100% free and listener-supported.
Here's How

Keep in Touch

There’s a new story every single day on Side Hustle School. Episodes are produced to be short and to the point—I know you’re busy. Be sure you subscribe to get instant notification of the day’s broadcast!


To infinity and beyond,

Chris Guillebeau

Q&A: How can I monetize a site for fans of Black superheroes?

What It’s About

How can a listener monetize their action-packed idea to create a blog featuring Black superheroes?

Notes from Chris

Episode 1383

Even though Comic Con couldn’t happen this year, millions of people will look forward to its return—and of course, comics and anime and fantasy culture continue in lots of other forms as well.

In today’s episode, a listener wants to build a fan site showcasing Black superheroes from DC and Marvel comics—and of course he wants to know how to monetize it.

“This is Kendrick from Dallas, Texas, and I’ve been listening to the show for about a year now. The stories give me the extra motivation I need to keep working on my side hustle. So I’m thinking about building a website that showcases all of the black superheroes in the DC and Marvel universes. It will feature profiles of the characters. The latest news and updates, as well as where they can be found on TV shows or movies. So my question is, what’s the best way to monetize a fan site like this, preferably without plastering a lot of ads on the site, which I think takes away from the overall user experience. “

Listen to today’s episode to learn more…

 

 

SEE ALSO:

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

Yours in the revolution,

cg-sig-newsletter

Resources

CREATE YOUR ONLINE STORE

Create your online store with Shopify using an exclusive discount for Side Hustle School listeners. For a limited time, get a free 21-day trial and a 10% discount for a whole year.

Many Side Hustle School listeners are building sites using Shopify's easy-to-learn platform. Try it free today! Learn More

GET YOUR FIRST 1,000 EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS

Social media is nice, but building an email list is still the single best way to get customers and clients for your hustle. It's not hard to get started—sign up for a 30-day trial and join the list-building challenge! You’ll be up and running in no time. Learn More

Sponsors & Gratitude

Don't Do Business Without It

Side Hustle School is brought to you by American Express.

No matter what you do in business, from working nine-to-five to working five-to-nine, it’s easier when you don’t go it alone. Get the powerful backing of American Express—don't do business without it! 💳 Visit American Express

Like the Show? Leave a Rating!

Side Hustle School is for you! If you’re enjoying it, please take a quick moment to leave a rating or write a quick review. It's really easy and it makes a difference! ✅

It also makes a huge difference when you tell your friends about the show. Remember, it's 100% free and listener-supported.
Here's How

Keep in Touch

There’s a new story every single day on Side Hustle School. Episodes are produced to be short and to the point—I know you’re busy. Be sure you subscribe to get instant notification of the day’s broadcast!


To infinity and beyond,

Chris Guillebeau

Insurance Manager Finds New Shelves for Old Antiques

What It’s About

An insurance manager breathes new life into vintage antiques, selling them on Etsy.

Words of Wisdom

Christy didn’t plan to start a business at first, but was convinced that all it took was time: ““Maybe if I have enough items for sale, I can make $1,000/month and use the profits to go on vacation.” I figured it was a numbers game and if I had enough products, I could get the sales to the place I wanted.”

Fun Fact

Delivery providers often use commercial airlines for priority mail, so things take longer to be delivered with a slowdown in air travel. Plan around deadlines and expect things to take longer than usual!

Notes from Chris

Episode 1382
When Christy Tharp first listed five of her products on Etsy, she didn’t think it would be the start of a new business. Her husband had recently passed away, and she was left with a home filled with antiques that no longer held as much meaning. Not wanting to keep them, Christy decided that she would find a way to sell them. She thought that she could get the best prices by listing them on Etsy, where people go to purchase craft and vintage items.

As she started listing her items, Christy found that she enjoyed the process. Most of the fun came at the product photography stage, where she would think of creative ways to showcase the aesthetics of the item she was selling. After several weeks of doing this, the process got easier and she developed a routine. This left her wondering if she could keep selling on the side, even after she cleared her own collection.

She worked as an insurance manager by day and wanted to use her free time productively. As she recalls, “I figured it was a numbers game and if I had enough products, I could get the sales to the place I wanted.”

The first step was to head to thrift stores to purchase more items to sell. In the beginning, there was no process that she used to pick out her inventory—it was all just based on gut feel. But as she listed and sold more products, she developed a better sense of what customers wanted.

This mix of market research and gut feel has worked well for Christy. She’s learned to include relevant tags in each listing and write clear product descriptions. She’s also had some luck with Etsy’s programs to promote her listings on Google. On the other hand, while she has tried to build up a presence on Instagram and Pinterest, her posts there haven’t translated to many product purchases.

Despite these challenges, Christy has actually seen sales increase in 2020, a pleasant surprise. This year she’s brought in over $12,000 profit and she’s certainly surpassed her initial goal of simply clearing out her collection. By moving old antiques to new shelves, Christy now has the ability to move herself across continents for annual vacations—at least when she’s able to travel again.

 

 

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

SEE ALSO:

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

Yours in the revolution,

cg-sig-newsletter

Resources

WEB HOSTING @ $2.49/MONTH

Want to build any kind of website for your hustle? If so, you'll need somewhere to host it! This is the reliable company I've used for many websites. It's cheap, flexible, and offers support 24-7.

Get your own hosting plan for just $2.49 a month!
Learn More

GET $625 IN FREE TRAVEL

Earn 50,000 travel rewards points (enough for 2 round-trip plane tickets or $625 in travel credit). You'll also earn 2x points on all travel and dining spend, with zero foreign transaction fees.

I use this card every day all over the world! ✈️ Learn More

Quote of the Day
"I figured it was a numbers game and if I had enough products, I could get the sales to the place I wanted.”"
—Christy Tharp #SideHustleSchool

Sponsors & Gratitude

Try ShipStation for 60 Days FREE!

Today’s episode of Side Hustle School is brought to you by ShipStation, the #1 choice of online sellers. 📦

To get a 30-day trial AND an additional month free, click the microphone at the top of their page and enter the word HUSTLE.
Get it Here

Like the Show? Leave a Rating!

Side Hustle School is for you! If you’re enjoying it, please take a quick moment to leave a rating or write a quick review. It's really easy and it makes a difference! ✅

It also makes a huge difference when you tell your friends about the show. Remember, it's 100% free and listener-supported.
Here's How

Keep in Touch

There’s a new story every single day on Side Hustle School. Episodes are produced to be short and to the point—I know you’re busy. Be sure you subscribe to get instant notification of the day’s broadcast!


To infinity and beyond,

Chris Guillebeau

Q&A: What are your top tips for daily writing?

What It’s About

How can this listener keep up her streak of writing 1,000 words a day?

Notes from Chris

Episode 1381

Writing is a form of communication, and ultimately almost all writing is persuasive—you’re trying to demonstrate knowledge and convince the reader of something.

If you want to write more, start by … writing more.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. Today’s caller is hoping to improve her writing streak. How can we help her keep writing 1,000 words a day?

“Hi Chris, this is Cara from Ann Arbor and I’ve been following your projects since the Art of Non-Conformity. I read that you write 1,000 words a day, and I want to emulate that habit—but it’s a struggle. I get on a hot streak for a while, but then I get stuck and before I know it, it’s been two weeks since I’ve written anything. Do you have any tips to keep it going? Thanks Chris. Can’t wait to hear from you.”

Listen to today’s episode to learn more…

 

 

 

SEE ALSO:

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

Yours in the revolution,

cg-sig-newsletter

Resources

WEB HOSTING @ $2.49/MONTH

Want to build any kind of website for your hustle? If so, you'll need somewhere to host it! This is the reliable company I've used for many websites. It's cheap, flexible, and offers support 24-7.

Get your own hosting plan for just $2.49 a month!
Learn More

GET $625 IN FREE TRAVEL

Earn 50,000 travel rewards points (enough for 2 round-trip plane tickets or $625 in travel credit). You'll also earn 2x points on all travel and dining spend, with zero foreign transaction fees.

I use this card every day all over the world! ✈️ Learn More

Sponsors & Gratitude

Don't Do Business Without It

Side Hustle School is brought to you by American Express.

No matter what you do in business, from working nine-to-five to working five-to-nine, it’s easier when you don’t go it alone. Get the powerful backing of American Express—don't do business without it! 💳 Visit American Express

Like the Show? Leave a Rating!

Side Hustle School is for you! If you’re enjoying it, please take a quick moment to leave a rating or write a quick review. It's really easy and it makes a difference! ✅

It also makes a huge difference when you tell your friends about the show. Remember, it's 100% free and listener-supported.
Here's How

Keep in Touch

There’s a new story every single day on Side Hustle School. Episodes are produced to be short and to the point—I know you’re busy. Be sure you subscribe to get instant notification of the day’s broadcast!


To infinity and beyond,

Chris Guillebeau