In December 2022, Emily Odio-Sutton started her side hustle on Etsy while watching a TV show. After months of research, she decided to try print-on-demand, where sellers create designs for products like T-shirts and mugs and have them printed by a third-party manufacturer. Her shop specializes in gifts for those with hyper-specific jobs or hobbies, and has brought in over $236,000 in revenue so far in 2024 — more than $26,200 per month on average, with $54,900 being her best month yet. About a third of her shop’s revenue is estimated to be profit, allowing her to scale down her full-time job to part-time and cover expenses like vacations and student loans.
Before her successful Etsy shop, Odio-Sutton tried another online side hustle known as “Amazon FBA,” which involved buying trending items from retail stores and reselling them on Amazon with slim profit margins. However, she found herself with excess inventory and unprofitable sales. Switching to print-on-demand for Etsy, she used tools like Google and ChatGPT to brainstorm niche designs for products like mugs and tote bags, targeting specific professions and hobbies. By duplicating successful designs and expanding to include items like candles and journals, she saw increased profits, with popular shopping months bringing in over $100,000 in sales.
Odio-Sutton’s extra revenue from her side hustle covers a mix of “fun and responsible” expenses, including investments in the stock market and college savings for her daughters. Working 20 hours per week at her publishing job and 10 hours per week on Etsy, she also manages other income streams like her Amazon seller account and a second Etsy store selling downloadable templates for events. Additionally, she works as a coach for Gold City Ventures, teaching aspiring Etsy sellers to open their own shops, and does contract work managing and marketing Pinterest accounts for business owners.
While some people may leave their day jobs to pursue their side hustles full-time, Odio-Sutton prioritizes spending time with her daughters. She plans her schedule around being there for school pickups and extracurricular activities, which remains important to her. Despite the potential for growing her side hustle into a full-time business, she values the flexibility and balance that her current routine provides. By carefully managing her time and leveraging her skills across multiple income streams, she has found success in her side hustle while maintaining a fulfilling family life.
