Imagine building a six-figure income stream by dedicating only 20 minutes of your day to a simple yet powerful side hustle. Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, Francisco Rivera, a part-time online tutor, proved it's possible. Despite being allergic to his own product—candles—he created a thriving online business that earns $462,000 annually.
This blog will walk you through how Rivera’s unique approach to an unconventional niche turned into a life-changing income source. By following these steps, you can set up your own successful side hustle in just a few hours a week.
Ready to learn how to start earning big? Let’s dive in!
Step 1: Finding Your Profitable Niche
One of Rivera’s key strategies was thinking outside the box. Instead of choosing popular print-on-demand products like T-shirts or mugs, he focused on a less saturated but high-demand product: candles with witty and humorous labels.
He discovered this niche by researching on YouTube and exploring Printify’s product catalog (use the link and enter promo code ROCKSTARACADEMY for a free month of Printify Premium).
How to Find Your Own Unique Product Idea:
Brainstorm under-served niches: Consider eco-friendly tote bags, quirky stationery, or personalized journals.
Check market demand: Use tools like Google Trends or Etsy search to see what’s trending.
Get inspiration: Explore social media platforms like Instagram or Pinterest for emerging design trends.
Scenario Tip: If you’re thinking of targeting students, create custom-designed notebooks. For freelancers, try practical yet fun office accessories. The key is to find something people love but isn’t oversaturated in the market.
Step 2: Designing Your Product with Canva
Rivera didn’t have a background in design, but that didn’t stop him. He used Canva to create eye-catching, funny, and relatable designs that made his products stand out.
How to Create Designs with Canva:
Sign up for a free account: Canva is beginner-friendly and offers tons of templates.
Get creative: You can use Canva to create funny quotes or sayings for candles, tote bags, or stationery. If you’re stuck, try using ChatGPT for inspiration. Here’s a great prompt: “Give me funny sayings or quotes that I can place on print-on-demand candles, tote bags, and stationery.”
Choose a template: Click on "Templates" and search for "Quotes." Pick one that fits your niche.
Customize your design: Replace the placeholder text with your chosen quote. For example:
For candles: "Burning Away My Problems, One Candle at a Time"
For tote bags: "This Bag Contains My Entire Social Life"
For notebooks: "Taking Notes... Mostly on How to Survive Adulthood"
Download your designs: Increase the PNG size for better print quality and, if needed, make the background transparent.
Canva makes it easy to design stunning visuals even if you have zero design experience.
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Step 3: Bringing Your Designs to Life with Printify
With your designs ready, it’s time to create actual products. This is where Printify comes into play. Printify connects you with manufacturers who produce and ship your products, allowing you to focus on marketing and design.
How to Use Printify:
Sign up for Printify: Use the link above and enter promo code ROCKSTARACADEMY for one month of Printify Premium.
Select your product: Choose from a variety of items, such as candles, mugs, tote bags, or journals.
Upload your design: Click "Start Designing" and upload your Canva creations. Use the mock-up tool to visualize your product.
Set your price: Make sure to factor in production and shipping costs. Aim for a profit margin of 30-50%.
Connect to Etsy or other platforms: Printify integrates seamlessly with Etsy, eBay, and more. When a customer places an order, Printify handles everything from production to shipping.
Rivera’s candle designs went viral, and he quickly scaled his business to reach over 5,000 reviews on Etsy. This seamless process is what allowed him to transition from tutoring to a full-time, lucrative business.
Step 4: Managing Your Business Efficiently
Rivera’s approach is both simple and effective. After the initial setup, he spends only 20 minutes a day managing his business. During this time, he checks orders, responds to customer inquiries, and brainstorms new designs. When he first started, he dedicated 4-5 hours daily but gradually streamlined operations as his business grew.
Pro Tips for Time Management:
Use productivity tools: Trello or Asana can help keep you organized.
Automate where possible: Use automated email responses for common customer questions.
Batch-create content: Spend a few hours one day designing multiple products and schedule them to launch throughout the week.
By managing his time wisely, Rivera was able to scale his side hustle while keeping his work-life balance in check.
Step 5: Tackling Challenges and Staying Ahead
Like any business, Rivera faced obstacles, with copycats being the biggest issue. As his designs gained popularity, competitors started to replicate his products. Instead of focusing on the negativity, Rivera consistently created new and trending designs, staying ahead of the game. His adaptability and creativity were key factors in his ongoing success.
How to Handle Copycats:
Stay creative: Keep innovating and adding fresh designs to your store.
Use trademarks: If your designs are unique enough, consider trademarking them.
Engage with your audience: Build a loyal community that values your brand’s originality.
Conclusion: Start Your Own Six-Figure Side Hustle
Francisco Rivera’s story is a powerful testament to the potential of a well-thought-out side hustle. From starting with minimal investment to earning $38,500 a month, his journey shows that with the right tools and mindset, anyone can achieve similar success.
Rivera’s side hustle began in early 2023, and although it took a few months of dedication, he now works just 20 minutes a day. His story isn’t just about financial freedom but also about resilience, creativity, and the rewards of thinking outside the box.
Ready to follow his footsteps? Start by:
Finding your niche
Designing standout products with Canva
Using Printify to automate production and shipping
Managing your business efficiently
Your journey to a six-figure income could be just 20 minutes a day away. Why not start today?
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