The good, the bad, and the ONE 🔥side hustle that actually worked

[@fancyflamingoxo]

Thanks for sharing! It's so nice to see that someone who has been so successful has also "been there" with trying things that didn't work, or walking away from things you started.

[@anginettemc9472]

Oh my gosh Mandy! I feel like we are living parallel lives. Thanks for the short cut on decision fatigue with these!

[@sarahlytle3577]

Mandy, thank you! Your positivity keeps me forging ahead. After finding your content on KZbin (after watching MANY other less informative and helpful videos) I truly believe that I will be able to achieve success using this business model. This video in particular, made me smile. Your genuine encouragement toward the end of the video was exactly what I needed to hear and I have a feeling many others have/will feel the same way. Wishing you continued success and here's to an excellend 2024!!!

[@digitalrevenuebooster]

Oh my goodness I have pretty much had the same journey. I've done handmade, I've done direct sales, KDP, coaching, I even had my own skincare line. While I had some success it just hasn't been worthwhile or held my interest. I found POD in September 2023. I love creating things, so I enjoy POD. I've not had a lot of success yet, I have only made 15 sales so far. I have a general shop, which I know doesn't fit what most people say about niching down. I decided a few weeks ago to open another Etsy store niching down to Christian products, but I'm keeping my other Etsy store too. I love your videos, they have been so helpful, and I am a member of your lower priced membership club. I plan to stick with POD and am praying for success. My background is in nursing. I'm semi retired, so I am spending as much time as possible on my business. Thank you for shating with us. I really appreciate everything you teach us.

[@beatniksvintage]

I'm also a serial entrepreneur. At 24 I opened my first brick-and-mortar store. I sold it 7 years later and started selling vintage clothing on Ebay. and moved over to Etsy in 2009 and also started making handmade handbags and totes. Stopped the handmade business, opened 2 more B&M shops, then back to Etsy, and also started traveling and selling at big vintage and antique markets. I also had a house-cleaning business squeezed in there! Theeeeen I found out about digital and printables!!! I started selling Public Domain art in different ratios, also learning new skills like Gimp and Canva (2 years ago, I didn't even know where my computer files were located lol). And that eventually led me to watch POD videos on KZbin and now I have my digital art shop and 2 POD shops. I stretch myself too thin so my digital shop is on the back burner. Right now I'm running a POD shop for pet parents and a "general store", but with common-themed niches. I'm still learning but I really hope I'm on the right track. This is the most I've ever enjoyed my work!! Sorry this was so long!

[@Soulseeker75]

I ABSOLUTELY Love YOU, Mandy! Thank you thank you thank you! 💕

[@kimmcdowell4821]

I followed a very similar path and am SO glad I discovered POD!

[@L0U1SE]

Thanks Mandy. Your generosity comes through in each video

[@amywillard4075]

🖐Serial Entrepreneur here too. Supplements (mostly) as I went through assorted health kicks, freeze dried food, writing, blogging... I'm still pretty new to Etsy and POD (less than a year) but I love this because it challenges my creative mind as well as my analytical mind. I hope to be as successful as you and work a LOT on this little shop of mine. Thank you for all your help!

[@beatniksvintage]

I left a long message but I didn't mention just how amazing you are! I've watched almost all of your videos and I've learned more from you than 10 other channels combined. You're so sweet and thoughtful and I feel like you actually do care about others succeeding. When I have a little bit more money I'll join your group :) Thank you Mandy!

[@lorrihalliday1499]

You are so clear. Thank you. Oh and perhaps we all drop "side hustles" you were creating Businesses. Kudos to you!

[@Autumn77077]

Love you channel Mandy and how honest you always are!! You are an inspiration!!

[@user-jq9bz9vg1z]

OMG Your story sounds familiar to me. I've faced similar challenges where I tried so many things, and they didn't work out as expected. now im traying Etsy and im struggling. your video keep me up . Thank you for sharing.

[@shandaw38]

I just stumbled on your channel. I’m glad I did, you provide some much value & honesty. Thank you!!!!

[@100percentliving]

Oh my gosh! Yes!!! Been down this road. GREAT video! Those cupcakes made me hungry besides how gorgeous they were! You are very talented. I truly am committed to my POD journey for all the same reasons! Thank you for sharing Mandy! You are a wonderful human being!

[@RachaelSchup]

totally tried an MLM - beauticontrol - liked the product and idea...but it's not for me. I've also tried etsy - but WOW handmade business is no joke! I love the idea of POD which is how i found you

[@studiomdesignsco]

I 100% hear you! I’ve had my handmade biz for almost 7 years now and will be scaling it back considerably this year to focus on POD. It’s plenty of work too, but at least there’s zero inventory involved, which is the huge factor for me 😅

[@melaniemackenzie185]

My first real side hustle was dog poop pickup lol. I did weekly maintenance of yards and one-off "spring cleaning" service. Actually really good money per hour. Next did hand made and painted wood signs which was satisfying work but not great ROI - a lot customers were put off by my higher prices compared to makers doing cricut or laser cutting. Plus my signs were bit enough that I didn't even know how to start with shipping so it was all local events and private orders. Best money there came from doing "paint your own" nights. Gave it up when I got pregnant and was very ill, then was a single mom with a baby - which led to PoD! No inventory and something I could work on during naps! Haven't been very successful (about 300 sales in 10 months) but I'm going to try pushing myself to do more. Appreciate your content! 😊

[@RachaelSchup]

I love it! I’m learning so much from your videos and I’m going to try and model your ambitious goal for Q4. It’s seriously like drinking from a fire hose! 😂 I’ve got my eye on your private groups etc..but must keep costs low at the moment Any advice on filing as an actual business and when that should be done??

[@thecancerrevolution3134]

Thanks Mandy! Your authenticity is refreshing! I have heard to only have one shop. You say you have more than one. May I ask which type/niches shops you have and why you split them? What was the criteria?

[@studiomdesignsco]

For anyone starting out, definitely start with just one until you have consistent sales. I have an older shop that was more about my artwork when I started in the beginning. I have a primary general shop with a variety of niches - this is the one that I started when I got serious with POD. I also have a more focused dog mom shop that I use for teaching on this channel (though it is a real shop and it gets its own sales despite the low conversion due to searches coming from here lol). If I were starting out from scratch again, I would take the approach of having a single shop with an overall type/theme (for example, pet ownership or hobbies) that serves a variety of different audiences while still having overall cohesion. I talk more about this strategy in my Top Niches video in case it’s helpful 😊 kzbin.info/www/bejne/fKaQeZ98qK55ocksi=eURiwE6Fou2xar7B

[@thecancerrevolution3134]

Wow! What a generous response. Thank you!

[@shannonjohnson6381]

I love and appreciate everything you share Mandy! Thank you!!!❤

[@hydrolyzed_liquid_collagen]

Ooooo signing up for your class!

[@charmedlife7758]

I’m loving this video, so far! I’m glad you shared all of your past and current businesses. Bless you💕

[@studiomdesignsco]

Thank you! 💜 It’s been quite a journey over the years, but it all led me to the place where I feel like I’m supposed to be 🥰

[@user-gy8nu5ch4u]

Love your transparent and positive content! Thank you!!

[@sonz4205]

Thank you ❤

[@ChantelleArts]

Amazing video, it looks fantastic 😊😊

[@shirleykathan-sayess5764]

Mandy, you rock! ❤ your videos. They are so detailed, so easily understood. Thank you again, so much! ❤ Shirley

[@studiomdesignsco]

Thank you so much! I appreciate the support! 💜💜

[@lisamarie870]

Great video Mandy, thank you 💜

[@clevelandnewsstories]

Love your transparency. I would love to do a store with personalized custom coffee mugs but I'm concerned that I might overwhelm myself with the number of orders and with limited time to work on design and uploads.

[@audreytang8184]

Great content! Thank you Mandy. Could you please share about your experience of Etsy payment reserve? Also things about seed money and finance related to the POD business?

[@heatherszenfulcrochet]

I sold Pampered Chef for a bit. It was fun for a while but didn't like having to try to get others to sign up to sell

[@muzettecasas1242]

Great candid content, thank you

[@shannonjohnson6381]

How do you keep up with personalized products if it grows even beyond using Hello Custom?

[@socialite8218]

Thank you 🙏🏾

[@shannoncotter4911]

Love this!

[@anndavidson6950]

Love your content Mandy :), just curious, how many POD shops do you run currently?

[@studiomdesignsco]

I have 3 POD shops technically, but I really only focus on 2 of them 😊

[@anndavidson6950]

Cool :)@@studiomdesignsco

[@hydrolyzed_liquid_collagen]

I can't figure out print on demand...researching more but I thought I understood but I do not know where to start? I need a shop before stay right?

[@Qaundaledingle677]

What is the net profit tho?

[@sosweetstill]

Mandy - is the $200K net or gross in 18 months?

[@tampistol]

I sold Mary Kay back in the day.

[@giseletheriault8633]

I don't agree with the saying "those who can't, teach" in general but it needs to be discussed. If you are successful on Etsy why would you work so hard on youtube videos and why would you encourage competition? I think a video on the topic would interest viewers.

[@studiomdesignsco]

I can’t speak for others, only myself, but I teach on YT because I was a trainer for many years and love it and I also have a process improvement background so I love finding ways to do things better/more efficiently. I’ve been a business owner for a long time, and helping others learn and find success and have their own ah-ha/proud moments brings me joy. The messages I get from my audience and from those in my group who find success keep me going every time. I’m also a big believer in “there’s room for everyone”. Marketplaces always get crowded, but tons of people are starting and finding success when they put in the right work. I can’t do the work for people at the end of the day - and so the reality is that the vast majority of people won’t do it either (or will give up when it gets hard or decide it’s not for them). I walked away from a lot of things because it didn’t work for me, and lots of people will walk away from POD because it doesn’t work for them. But for those who are in it and ready to roll up their sleeves and do the work, I’m here for it 😊 I spent my entire career in the nonprofit sector, so in general the spirit of giving back and helping others is simply a large part of who I am 💜

[@giseletheriault8633]

@@studiomdesignsco Great answer and very authentic as you answered so quickly it must have come straight from the heart. I have watched another of your videos in which you emphasize that it is not passive income and takes time. I have just begun your step by step series. I am about to begin the first homework. I think a video including why you do youtube as opposed to just etsy would be interesting as well as the percentage of income you get from youtube. I know you don't want to be critical of other youtubers but you might want to show specific bad advice. I watched one guy for awhile you wanted people to post 30 items a day and do that thing where you just replace a few words and change the font. Some of them seem like circus barkers or snake oil sales people. This is long so one last suggestion. Ask us to share our fears.

[@studiomdesignsco]

@giseletheriault8633 I appreciate this! 💜 Also be sure to check out my video on terrible advice if you haven’t already (it’s a couple weeks back). I don’t call out anyone specifically (never my style), but there’s definitely a lot of terrible stuff out there that really seems to serve more for clickbait and shock value than anything else 🫣🥴

[@cassiopeia444]

Not everyone has scarcity mindset

[@giseletheriault8633]

@@studiomdesignsco I will check out all of your videos because I have watched handfuls of others, some dreadful and very annoying, others more professional, but yours are the first that resonate with me because you set reasonable expectations based on the amount of effort invested. In this particular video I appreciate your emphasis on enjoying the process being important to success. But now I best get to doing the homework step by step so I can decide if this is something I can be successful at.