Podcast Summary: "The Side Hustle Show" Episode 638: 10 Scary-Good Side Hustles That Make Real Money
Introduction
In Episode 638 of "The Side Hustle Show," host Nick Loafer teams up with Jared Bauman, the man behind the Niche Pursuits podcast, to delve into ten innovative and lucrative side hustles. While many of these ventures are tied to the Halloween season, others offer year-round opportunities. The conversation is rich with practical insights, real-world examples, and actionable tips for aspiring side hustlers.
1. Reacting to Horror Movies with Katherine Fogel
Timestamp: [00:46]
Nick introduces Katherine Fogel's YouTube channel, "Kat Watches Horror Movies," which boasts over 80,000 subscribers. Katherine's unique approach involves reacting to classic horror films without being a horror enthusiast herself, making her content relatable to viewers who share her apprehensions.
Notable Quote:
"She's got her reacting to some of these older classic horror movies like Exorcist and Predator and Aliens and Silence of the Lambs... earning up to $2,000 a month in YouTube ad revenue."
— Nick Loafer [02:46]
Katherine monetizes her channel through YouTube ads and a Patreon campaign, offering exclusive content to nearly 300 patrons. This model exemplifies how leveraging proven content formats, like reaction videos, can be adapted to niche interests successfully.
2. Pumpkin Carving with Mark Evan and Chris Soria
Timestamp: [04:52]
Leveraging the Halloween season, Mark Evan and Chris Soria founded ManicPumpkinCarvers.com, a business specializing in high-end pumpkin carvings. Charging between $100 and $700 per pumpkin, they cater to corporate clients, weddings, and special events, generating substantial seasonal revenue.
Notable Quote:
"Over the course of eight weeks, they cash in $100k to $150k by creating custom pumpkin art for clients who value unique, artistic designs."
— Nick Loafer [06:33]
Their success underscores the potential of seasonal art-based businesses and the importance of targeting clientele willing to invest in premium, customized products.
3. Selling Live Crickets with Jeff Neal
Timestamp: [08:00]
Jeff Neal runs TheCritterDepot.com, an e-commerce business supplying live crickets to reptile owners. With annual profits averaging $30,000, Jeff capitalizes on the niche market of exotic pet care, offering a reliable source of necessary pet food.
Notable Quote:
"Crickets are super easy to breed and fast to breed, creating a self-perpetuating supply that minimizes ongoing costs."
— Nick Loafer [11:34]
Jeff's venture highlights how solving a specific problem within a niche community can lead to a profitable side hustle with low overhead costs.
4. AI Baby Picture Generator by Yifan Go
Timestamp: [12:04]
Yifan Go's OurBabyAI.com uses artificial intelligence to generate baby pictures by merging parents' photos. Charging $9 per set, the service quickly amassed over $10,000 in revenue before being sold for a five-figure sum.
Notable Quote:
"He relied on solid SEO, appearing on the first page for 'AI baby generator,' to drive traffic and sales organically."
— Nick Loafer [15:58]
This side hustle demonstrates the power of AI in creating novel, shareable content and the effectiveness of SEO in scaling online businesses.
5. Cotton Candy Vending Machines
Timestamp: [21:26]
CottonCandyVendingMachines.com was started by an entrepreneur who placed vending machines at resorts, fairs, and events. Initially earning $800 per weekend from a single machine, the business expanded to ten machines, projecting revenues of up to $500,000 in 2024.
Notable Quote:
"With low material costs and high demand at events, each cotton candy machine can generate between $6k to $15k in revenue per season."
— Jared Bauman [22:29]
The venture emphasizes the scalability of vending-based businesses, especially when coupled with strategic placement at high-traffic events.
6. Holiday Light Installation Services
Timestamp: [26:29]
LightUpYourHolidays.com offers custom holiday light designs, including Halloween ignitions. Charging packages starting at $1,800, the business adapts year-round by extending services to other holidays like Christmas, Valentine's Day, and the Fourth of July.
Notable Quote:
"Free design consultations ensure that clients receive unique, tailored holiday decorations, enhancing their festivities while generating significant revenue."
— Nick Loafer [27:44]
This model showcases how seasonal services can transform into year-round businesses by diversifying offerings to accommodate various holidays.
7. Porch Pumpkins by Heather Torres
Timestamp: [29:06]
Heather Torres, known as PorchPumpkins.com, decorates customers' porches with aesthetically arranged pumpkins. With 34,000 Instagram followers and $1 million in revenue over four months, Heather has tapped into the demand for hassle-free, visually appealing seasonal decor.
Notable Quote:
"By handling the logistics of sourcing and arranging pumpkins, Heather provides a convenient solution for homeowners looking to enhance their Halloween displays without the effort."
— Jared Bauman [29:26]
Heather's success highlights the importance of simplifying decorative tasks for clients, allowing them to enjoy the festive season without the associated labor.
8. Airbnb Hosting While Traveling
Timestamp: [31:05]
Nick shares his strategy of renting out his home on Airbnb while traveling, turning vacant properties into income-generating assets. This approach not only offsets travel costs but also maximizes the utility of existing real estate.
Notable Quote:
"Hosting on Airbnb while abroad has allowed me to generate passive income, making my travels more affordable and sustainable."
— Nick Loafer [50:11]
Airbnb hosting exemplifies how leveraging existing assets can create steady streams of passive income with minimal additional investment.
9. Selling Digital Clothes for Roblox with Keisha Watson
Timestamp: [34:06]
Keisha Watson, a 22-year-old entrepreneur, designs and sells digital clothing for Roblox. Partnering with major brands to integrate their apparel into the game, Keisha earned over $110,000 in her first year by tapping into the burgeoning virtual fashion market.
Notable Quote:
"Creating digital clothes once and selling them repeatedly exemplifies the potential for scalable, low-overhead digital products."
— Nick Loafer [35:02]
Keisha's venture illustrates the vast opportunities within virtual economies, where digital goods can be created and distributed with minimal costs while reaching a global audience.
10. Arbitrage Sports Betting
Timestamp: [38:37]
Nick explores the concept of arbitrage sports betting, where bettors exploit differing odds across sportsbooks to guarantee a profit regardless of the game's outcome. Although challenging and requiring meticulous tracking or specialized software, it presents a potential avenue for profit for math enthusiasts.
Notable Quote:
"If there's ever risk-free profit like that, that lane tends to get crowded right away. There's probably risks associated in anything, but it doesn't last forever."
— Nick Loafer [42:13]
This side hustle underscores the importance of understanding the inherent risks and the transient nature of arbitrage opportunities in competitive markets.
11. Bicycle Ice Cream Business with Catherine O'Brien
Timestamp: [42:28]
Catherine O'Brien founded CreamCruiser.com, a mobile ice cream business operating from bicycles. Serving at farmers' markets, weddings, and corporate events, Catherine earned $10,000 a month with low initial investment. She further monetized her expertise by launching BikeBusinessUniversity.com, teaching others to replicate her model.
Notable Quote:
"Starting with under $10,000, Catherine's bike-based ice cream business offers a low-overhead, scalable model that transitions into a profitable educational platform."
— Jared Bauman [43:17]
Catherine's dual approach of providing a service and educating others on replicating the business model exemplifies strategic expansion and the creation of multiple income streams from a single venture.
12. Wedding Crasher with Ernesto Rainares Varrea
Timestamp: [46:08]
Ernesto Rainares Varrea from Spain offers professional wedding crashing services, charging €500 (~$550) to pretend to be a long-lost lover of the bride, providing a dramatic exit at the altar. While unconventional, this niche service caters to specific emotional needs, demonstrating the diversity of market demands.
Notable Quote:
"For €500, Ernesto ensures a memorable, albeit unconventional, solution for brides experiencing cold feet, showcasing that there's a market for every unique service."
— Nick Loafer [47:16]
Ernesto's service highlights how understanding and addressing unique personal challenges can pave the way for niche businesses, even in unconventional areas.
Conclusion
Episode 638 of "The Side Hustle Show" offers a treasure trove of innovative side hustle ideas, blending seasonal themes with evergreen opportunities. From leveraging digital platforms and AI technologies to capitalizing on niche markets and seasonal events, Nick Loafer and Jared Bauman provide listeners with diverse strategies to generate substantial income alongside their primary occupations. The episode emphasizes the importance of creativity, niche targeting, scalability, and adapting proven models to new contexts, empowering listeners to embark on their own profitable side ventures.
Key Takeaways:
- Leverage Niche Interests: Targeting specific communities or interests can lead to dedicated followings and steady income streams.
- Seasonal Opportunities: Capitalizing on seasonal events like Halloween can yield significant profits with strategic planning.
- Scalability and Adaptation: Successful side hustles often start small but have the potential to scale by replicating or expanding their models.
- Diversify Income Streams: Combining service-based enterprises with educational platforms or digital products can create multiple revenue sources.
Further Resources:
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Jared Bauman's Platforms:
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Featured Side Hustles:
Notable Quotes Reference:
- All quotes are attributed with the speaker and corresponding timestamp from the podcast transcript provided.
This summary aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the podcast episode, capturing all critical discussions and insights shared by Nick Loafer and Jared Bauman. Whether you're seeking a seasonal side hustle or a year-round venture, the ideas presented offer valuable inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs.