Outdoorsman Creates “Boat in a Backpack”

Notes from Chris

Episode 257

Today’s side hustle was inspired by the great outdoors. Pete Flood has always enjoyed traveling, as long as it involves nature. Getting away from the crowds and up to the mountains, lakes, and rivers is his refuge from everyday life. He’s spent many a trip camping, fishing, hunting, and scuba diving—from the Bahamas to Alaska—and wanted a boat that could help him explore these hard to reach places a little easier.

For years he would wake up in the middle of the night, thinking of a slightly different way to design the boat. It would have to be light, versatile, and easy to assemble. And it would help if he could carry it in like a backpack. Unfortunately, nothing exactly like this existed on the market.

So finally, after years of thinking about it, Pete started his folding boat side hustle with a trip to the hardware store where he purchased PVC pipe, glue, and some fittings. At the time, he was also building and flying ultralight airplanes, so he was able to borrow ideas and techniques, as well as some of the materials that are used in airplane construction.

Several design tweaks and a patent later, Pete decided that it was time to find a manufacturer, and got to work building Folding Boat Co..

Now, this story is a little bit different than the stories we've featured up til now. One thing to keep in mind is that this process didn't occur over the course of a few months or even a year—Pete has been building this business for 10 years.

And it serves as a reminder that side hustle goals are different and unique—some people want to make quick cash, others want to replace their income.

One benefit of a side hustle that we haven’t explored at all—the ability to pursue a big project over time without going all-in and risking your savings. When I first heard this story, I thought it might not be right for Side Hustle School because it’s a 10-year project to invent a new kind of boat, one that folds into a backpack.

But then I realized that the outdoorsman who invents the boat is able to do this because of his full-time job. He’s able to devote this time and take some risks while working full-time, and he can take his time building his side hustle intentionally.

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MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Folding Boat Co.: Float on over to Pete's website and see the amazing foldable boat yourself!
• Outdoor Retailer Show: The event that allowed Pete to directly sell to his potential customers
• Pakboats: Pete met the founders of Pakboats at the show and they left as new friends
• SquareSpace: The website building platform that Pete used to create the Folding Boat Co. website
• Stripe & Square: The two payment processing platforms that Pete used to process sales

SEE ALSO:

• Patent Process Overview: If you're considering patenting your idea, here's an overview on the patent application and maintenance processes associated with it
• Clothing Store Salesman Invents Baby Harness, Earns $100k Per Year: An innovative salesman creates a baby harness that benefits both parent and child, all the while creating a six-figure side income for himself
• Hair Salon Owner Designs Mittens for Cold Runners: An avid runner has a difficult time finding gloves or mittens that feel comfortable enough for running while also keep her fingers warm in the winter. She decides to make her own and pursues a patent for her idea

Inspiration is good; inspiration combined with action is better. Now get back to work!

Yours in the revolution,