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What It's About
A new beard leads to the growth of a profitable side hustle slinging beard products.
Business Model
Product
Skills Required
Research & Grooming
Complexity
Medium
Profit Potential
Medium
Words of Wisdom
Chandler opted to use a method called content marketing—where you create valuable content like blog posts and podcasts to share information—blogging and sharing beard care tips to people across the internet. He also created his own Reddit thread where people can ask questions and he can respond instantly—and openly—with personalized tips.
Fun Fact
Late in 2016, Chandler was contacted by an NFL agent about donating some products to their clients. One played for the Raiders and one for the 49ers. It was perfect: 2 pro athletes from California teams using California Beard Company products!
Notes from Chris
Episode 229
At 10:09am on the 18th April 2010, cartographer Chandler Sterling took to Facebook to declare to the world that he felt it was time to start growing a beard. This crucial update gathered only two likes and eight comments from his friends, but little did they all know it was going to be a life changing decision. Because six years of itching, scratching and lost crumbs later, that decision would grow to become a profitable side hustle. He spent countless hours researching what ingredients made for a good beard oil, how they affected the skin, and what would help keep a well-kempt, healthy beard. Then he began to look for vendors in his local area of California where he could buy the raw materials for himself. So, in the summer of 2016, he founded the California Beard Company and began his venture as a side hustler. Using both an online and offline presence, his side hustle has been able to generate around $500 per month income, and nurture a customer base that is growing gradually each month.MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
- California Beard Co.: Check out Chandler's full line of beard products on his website!
- Reddit: The "front page of the internet" where Chandler received some additional traffic from as a result of his content marketing efforts
- Wordpress, Stripe, & WooCommerce: The trifecta that Chandler used to keep his startup costs low
- National Farmers Market Directory: In addition to selling his beard products on his website, Chandler also sells them at his local farmers market. Find your local farmers market here!
- Contently | 150 Content Marketing Tips: Here are some bite-sized tips to help you get started with successful content marketing
- Oncology Nurse Creates Products to Regrow Hair After Chemo; Earns $80,000: After kicking cancer to the curb, a Texas oncology nurse discovers the power of essential oils for hair regrowth and launches her own handmade hair care line
Quote of the Day
"Plan ahead for the future. Consider potential products and design your labels to be flexible. Pay someone up front to design your website, unless you're a pro, because an amateur looking website will not do as well as a polished site will."
—Chandler Sterling #SideHustleSchool
