Former Tech Employee’s Side Hustle Leads to $100,000 a Month

This Aspect Hustle Highlight Q&A options Julie Berninger, Etsy store proprietor and co-founder of Gold City Ventures with Cody Berman.

What was your 9-5 job and/or main supply of revenue if you began your Etsy store?

I labored as a undertaking supervisor for large tech corporations. I’ve my masters in pc data techniques and deliberate to work within the tech subject endlessly.

When did you begin your Etsy facet hustle, and the place did you discover the inspiration for it?

I listened to private finance podcasts on my lunch break and commute to and from work. I used to be impressed by individuals who began Etsy and Amazon retailers as side hustles. I used to be additionally impressed by the “monetary independence, early retirement” (FIRE) motion, the place folks traded in workplace jobs for jobs with extra life-style freedom. I cherished my job, however I additionally cherished to journey and needed a bit extra flexibility with how and the place I labored.

Associated: His Side Hustle Solved a Common Problem for Homeowners. Now the Business Brings in $3 Million a Month During Peak Season.

What had been a number of the first steps you took to get your facet hustle off the bottom?

I picked a distinct segment on Etsy that I knew very nicely: the bachelorette celebration area of interest as a result of I used to be going to a bunch of bachelorette events. I observed how folks had been prepared to pay for throwaway gadgets for these occasions, and order portions had been excessive as a result of so many individuals attended the occasion (normally teams of 15-20 ladies, with one individual making the big buy for the group). It appeared like an amazing area of interest for my store. I began with momentary tattoos as a result of I knew they might be simple to retailer in my tiny condo in Silicon Valley. I did not have room to promote bigger items. I did not have a finances for pictures, however I put the tattoos on, went for neighborhood walks and took footage in entrance of my neighbors’ stunning rose bushes. There are some gorgeously landscaped lawns in Silicon Valley!

What had been a number of the largest challenges you confronted whereas constructing your facet hustle, and the way did you navigate them?

I used to be averaging round $15-$20 per order with the momentary tattoos, however I used to be pressured for time. I used to be squeezing in journeys to the publish workplace earlier than and after work. I used to be additionally podcasting and interviewing eight friends per week about how they achieved financial independence. I met somebody at a convention who bought printables on Etsy, and I used to be hooked. I switched my product line to promoting bachelorette celebration scavenger hunts and was satisfied digital merchandise had been the best way to go going ahead as a result of they required much less time. There’s little or no to no work performed after the sale.

Associated: She Started a Furniture-Flipping Side Hustle to Pay Off a $10,000 Dental Bill. It Surpassed Her Full-Time Job’s Income Within a Year — Earning Up to $37,000 a Month.

How lengthy did it take you to start seeing constant month-to-month income, and at what level did the facet hustle’s revenue surpass that of your full-time job (if it did)?

I made round $10,000 per 12 months promoting digital merchandise as a facet hustle on Etsy. My plan wasn’t to depart my day job, although, since I cherished working in tech. I did not have a plan or the area in my life for promoting on Etsy to change into a full-time factor. Full-time entrepreneurship occurred slowly over time. I used to be additionally a well-paid tech worker with a grasp’s diploma, so it felt very scary to take a leap — and it might have taken some time to interchange my revenue. However I did make six figures complete over a number of years between Etsy and running a blog about my personal finance journey. I finally left my full-time job in 2021; by then, the cash from my ventures changed my full-time job.

When and the way did that facet hustle result in Gold Metropolis Ventures? How does Gold Metropolis Ventures assist aspiring facet hustlers?

The episodes on my podcast about my side hustles had been all the time the favourite episodes with listeners. I recorded how I created and bought digital merchandise on Etsy in YouTube movies first.

I had my first child in 2019, and I launched Gold Metropolis Ventures, my on-line course enterprise, quickly after with a enterprise accomplice utilizing these movies as the principle curriculum. We have improved our curriculum over time and now have the step-by-step course to start out an Etsy store for digital products.

Over 15,000 college students have purchased the course, and a few have achieved some wonderful outcomes. We have had college students who make this their full-time job and have earned over $70,000 in a single 12 months on Etsy. It has been a whole lot of enjoyable to assist folks start small businesses.

What I really like about Etsy is that it brings the shoppers (90 million per 12 months) to you, and digital merchandise are a low-risk small enterprise because it would not price a lot to start out, and you do not have to purchase stock; you’re simply spending your time. It is also good if somebody solely has a number of hours additional per week and simply needs a facet hustle.

Associated: This Former Teacher Started a Side Hustle That Made More Than $22,000 in One Month: ‘I Have Never Been More Fulfilled’

How a lot common month-to-month income does Gold Metropolis Ventures herald now?

Gold Metropolis Ventures makes over $100,000 per thirty days, and we have expanded to supply many extra providers reminiscent of stay teaching, a group and done-for-you templates.

What’s your greatest recommendation for different facet hustlers who hope to seek out success promoting on-line?

Do not begin a enterprise by your self! Choose a enterprise accomplice and scale faster! Additionally, do not waste time attempting to piece data collectively on YouTube. Pay for a step-by-step program or a enterprise marketing consultant as a result of your time is efficacious.