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What It's About
Kitchen utensils that help get kids cooking!
Business Model
Manufacturing
Skills Required
Product Development & Marketing
Complexity
Medium
Profit Potential
Medium
Words of Wisdom
Marci had some wonderful advice for future side hustlers:
"Without a doubt, the unexpected will come up, whether it's a design change or something unrelated in your life that will modify your timeline. Accept that as part of the path, and that you will get there. There will be bumps in the road. But even before getting to the bumps, have a clear vision of what you want your product to be and why."
Fun Fact
Here's a fun fact for you! Did you know that in 1995, potato plants were taken into space with the space shuttle Columbia? This marked the first time any food was ever grown in space.
Notes from Chris
Episode 936
As 2016 began, professional voiceover artist, writer, and producer Marci Heit felt that something was missing in her career. Based in Los Angeles, her work was successful and often appeared on television, radio, and in video games. But she realized she wanted to build something for herself... Thus, she decided to produce her own animated show. Owning her content would allow her to take control of her career while also showing off her skills to the casting directors and executives who hire voice actors. It would be a win-win! Marci began developing her own ideas between her other steady jobs. While volunteering at a local puppet show, she befriended Elda, a 90-year-old blind woman who was full of life. Elda inspired the audience with stories and talked about letting nothing stop her, including losing her eyesight at 70 years old. Well, to be fair, losing her eyesight did stop Elda from driving, so Marci would give her rides home and they soon became good friends. Marci was inspired by Elda … especially once she learned she was still baking and doing it alone. Elda had learned enough braille to label her spices and she put a mark on her oven at 350 degrees, so, as Elda put it, “she could continue to whip up whatever she so desired.” Marci realized that she found the inspiration for her next project. She soon created the concept for Q.D. Foodie, an animated show about a young blind girl who loves making things with food in her watermelon-shaped treehouse. The title character, Quinn Daisy, not only shares Elda’s vision issues but more importantly, is infused with ingenuity and a vibrant spirit. As part of development, Marci illustrated some kitchen tools that the characters would use as props in the series. Each looked like food—there was an eggplant-shaped whisk, a carrot mixing spoon, and a set of artichoke measuring cups. Marci liked the animated tools so much, she wanted them in her real kitchen. And why not? So Q.D. Foodie became Q.D. Foodie Kitchen Tools, with the new goal of actually making the utensils that she had first designed for a show. In May 2018, she launched a Kickstarter campaign. Using social media and her contacts, she raised about $50,000. This was important. Not only was it another proof of concept, it gave her the critical money that she needed to produce the product molds required for large scale production runs. Since then, Marci’s sales have continued to grow. She now sells direct to consumer through her website and the product will be available on Amazon shortly. The project generates several thousand dollars per month and she's actively growing the brand with recent features, including one in The New York Times. Marci hopes to make Q.D. Foodie her sole focus in the near future, but for now, she devotes every free minute to growing the project. She also plans to resume work on her animated series, the original idea, and she’s working on several retail partnerships. It’s been a long journey but worth the effort. If Marci has her way, Q.D. Foodie and Q.D. Foodie Kitchen Tools will be the next great brand and an inspiring force for generations of kids.MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
- Q.D. Foodie: Learn more about this sprouting side hustle over on Marci's website!
- WordPress: Marci used WordPress to set up her site for Q.D. Foodie, and here you can learn how to install your own WordPress site in 5 minutes
- ThomasNet®: The product sourcing and supplier discovery platform that Marci used to locate a manufacturer for her product line
- Kickstarter | Q.D. Foodie Kitchen Utensils: While you're at it, check out Marci's Kickstarter campaign!
- Former Teacher Becomes Children’s Magazine Publisher: A teacher begins working part-time as a personal chef at children’s baking parties, then starts a magazine about healthy food. The project now brings in around $5,000/month in recurring income
- Nomad Family Cooks Up $40,000 Profit With Houseware Import Business: A traveling family creates a houseware reselling business using the Fulfillment by Amazon model, with profits going straight to their travel fund
- Line Chef Makes Millions Cooking Up Apron Empire: A chef sets out to reinvent the humble apron, growing it to a multi-million-dollar company while still working in restaurants at night
Quote of the Day
"There will be bumps in the road. But even before getting to the bumps, have a clear vision of what you want your product to be and why. Keep pushing through. Trust your gut. Passion is infectious. Be prepared to work your butt off."
—Marci Heit #SideHustleSchool
