Is there such a thing as a business where you earn a lot but put in little work? Francisco Rivera, a 26-year-old American man, believes he is one of those lucky ones. Despite not liking candles, he manages to generate an annual secondary income of $462,000 through candles. What’s even more enticing is that he only needs to spend 20 minutes a day handling this side business.
In the midst of relentless inflation, many people are seeking additional income opportunities. While not everyone can pursue the same side business or succeed in replicating what successful individuals do, the inspiration gained can point you in the direction of finding a suitable side hustle that can become your money-making machine.
Inspired by the concept of “print-on-demand,” Rivera embarked on his candle side business journey. Now, he shares his success story hoping others can benefit from it.
In February 2023, Rivera, who was still residing in Orlando, Florida, was working part-time for an online tutoring company called Outschool. As post-COVID activities resumed, the demand for online tutoring decreased, prompting Rivera to explore other avenues for additional income.
He stumbled upon a video about the “print-on-demand” side business on YouTube, where sellers design patterns for products like T-shirts or mugs and showcase them on platforms such as Etsy or Amazon. Once customers place orders, manufacturers print the designated designs on the products and ship them out.
Rivera was inspired by this model and opted for organic candles with a “humorous” theme and neutral colors. Utilizing Canva, he created his own design patterns, showcased them on Etsy, and connected with manufacturers through the Printify platform.
Why candles instead of T-shirts or mugs for the online print-on-demand business? Rivera explained to CNBC Make It that he wasn’t actually fond of selling candles and, in fact, was allergic to them. However, at the time, candles were a new category for “print-on-demand,” and after browsing through YouTube and Printify’s product catalogs, he liked the idea of adding a touch of humor to products. He felt there were more opportunities in the candle business as they are popular gifts purchased by many on Etsy.
Rivera’s candle side business venture turned out to be a huge success. According to CNBC Make It, his sales on Etsy amounted to approximately $462,000 last year, enough for him to quit his online tutoring job in December 2023.
Although running a side business incurs some costs such as Etsy fees, marketing expenses, and Printify service fees, Rivera estimates a profit margin of around 30% to 50% per sale.
Rivera highlighted that the beauty of “print-on-demand” lies in its low-risk nature. The cost of listing a product on Etsy is just $0.20 per item. Rivera utilized someone else’s Canva account for pattern designs, with the professional version costing $120.
Not only did this side business bring in significant additional income for him, but it also offered the allure of time. Rivera mentioned that he typically spends only 20 minutes working per day. Occasionally, he invests a maximum of two hours researching trends and designing new candle labels.
“Though I earn more than ever before, the amount of work I put in is less than ever,” summed up the 26-year-old Rivera regarding the advantages of the candle side business.
The primary challenge of the candle side business is copyright infringement. Rivera noted that imitators replicate the same “humorous phrases” or very similar designs after seeing popular candles, leading him to submit copyright infringement documents.
The time and flexibility advantages brought by this side business are especially valuable to Rivera.
He shared that many people he knows are interested in such side hustles but feel lost on how to start. It’s not actually difficult; consistency is key. Rivera explained that if you already follow a routine like starting work at 9 a.m. and finishing at 5 p.m. daily, you are following the principle of consistency. You just need to apply this consistency to the side hustle you want to pursue.
When sharing tips for success, Rivera emphasized not letting yourself be tied down by what you create. If a design you love doesn’t sell as well as expected, then let it go. Look into what products sell well and incorporate your ideas into them.
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