How it started
2017: Amazon customer return pallets from a local bulk reseller
I began selling Amazon customer returns after my best friend suggested it to me. We bought one pallet each at a time, with prices varying from $360 to $900. My budget was $500. Whenever I made enough sales to purchase another pallet, I would go for it. I primarily sold items locally on Offer Up and managed to complete over 200 sales before transitioning to other ventures.
Late 2018: Customer return pallets from liquidation.com
In late 2018, I made the decision to start purchasing my customer return pallets online. This change came about because I was frustrated with buying pallets without knowing their contents. By switching to online purchases, I gained greater control over the items I was buying.
Jan 2019: Started a T-Shirt business
In January 2019, I came up with the idea of starting a T-shirt business after watching a YouTube video by Reyes The Entrepreneur about making money in that industry. The video inspired me to reach out to my brother, a talented artist, and ask if he would be interested in collaborating on a T-shirt business. I believed his art would make for fantastic designs, and he was immediately excited about the idea.
Late 2019: Retail Arbitrage
By late 2019, I decided to stop selling Amazon customer returns. The profits were not substantial, and the time required to test, clean, and repackage the items made the return on investment unworthy of the effort. I transitioned to retail arbitrage instead. Similar to buying Amazon returns online, retail arbitrage allowed me complete control over my purchases for resale. I was able to calculate profit margins and determine whether an item was worth buying. As of mid-2021, I still sell items acquired through retail arbitrage on eBay, although sales declined significantly after the pandemic struck.
Late 2020: Side Hustles Brand Is Born
In September 2020, I proudly launched the Side Hustles Brand company, a realization of my vision for "Side Hustles Build Empires" that had been developing since 2019. Embracing this message inspired me during difficult moments when I felt like giving up. I created the Side Hustles Build Empires clothing line to serve as a source of inspiration and empowerment for fellow side hustlers. I firmly believe that those of us with side hustles often navigate a challenging landscape filled with obstacles and limited support. The journey can feel isolating, and those outside our world may struggle to understand the emotional highs and lows we experience. Even a small spark of motivation can significantly transform our path.