After graduating from college, Francisco Rivera initially struggled to find a job in the music industry, despite earning a degree in music production. To make ends meet, he worked in an Apple Store and as an online tutor for Outschool. However, he found these jobs unsatisfying and not financially rewarding. Rivera took a leap of faith and started selling print-on-demand candles on Etsy in February 2023. Initially, his earnings were modest, but his side hustle took off after only a couple of months, bringing in over $400,000 in sales last year.
Rivera attributes the success of his Etsy shop to his past experiences working in customer service at Apple and as an online tutor. These roles taught him valuable skills such as multitasking, building relationships, and problem-solving, which he was able to apply to his online business. Leveraging these skills helped him quickly accumulate positive reviews and establish a strong reputation on the platform, ultimately leading to increased sales and success.
To stand out in a saturated print-on-demand market, Rivera experimented with different strategies, constantly updating his product descriptions, photos, and investing in internal marketing on Etsy. He found that focusing on hyper-specific niches, such as targeting hockey moms or new parents who dislike dirty diapers, was crucial to attracting customers. Despite the time-consuming research required to identify these niche markets, Rivera believes it is essential for his continued success.
Rivera’s side hustle model is simple and cost-effective, with minimal overhead expenses. He designs his products on Canva, lists them on Etsy for a small fee, and then relies on Printify to handle manufacturing and shipping. This allows him to work less than an hour per day while still generating substantial earnings. Rivera also values his free time and flexibility, prioritizing his music and travel pursuits over potentially expanding his business at the cost of sacrificing his personal time.
Moving forward, Rivera is considering expanding his business by leveraging his tutoring expertise to produce print-on-demand YouTube videos. While this may require him to give up some of his free time, he sees the value in maintaining a balance between work and personal interests. Rivera’s success story serves as inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to turn their passion into a profitable side hustle. By leveraging existing skills, experimenting with different strategies, and focusing on niche markets, anyone can achieve financial success through online business ventures.
