How Buying a Cricut Turned into a $15,000 a Year Side Hustle
Ever wondered how a simple crafting machine could transform into a lucrative side hustle? Here’s my story on how purchasing a Cricut led me to a $15,000 a year business, and how you can do it too!
You might think 15 grand isn’t much, but consider this: It’s just a side hustle. A few more hours a week could build things up to be full-time or create a sellable asset that someone will take further.
The Beginning: Inspiration from TikTok I first stumbled upon Cricut on TikTok. The creativity and potential to make sellable items instantly hooked me. With an initial investment of $500, I could have spent LESS on startup, here’s why:
For anyone starting out: Some of the best vinyl is the cheapest. Products like HTVront are amazing, and replacement blades and mats can be bought in bulk for as low as $10. I made the mistake of buying Cricut brand tools and vinyl on startup, which I no longer use.
Learning the Ropes The learning curve wasn’t steep, but it did require some dedication. I picked up most of the skills from YouTube tutorials, though a lot of my expertise came from plain old experimentation. My first projects included decals, cards, and cupcake toppers.
They were “okay,” but I quickly realized that upgrading to an Epson EcoTank printer would significantly improve the quality, compared to my old inkjet printer.
First Sales: The Spark The turning point came when I sold my first batch of cupcake toppers and decals on Facebook Marketplace. They sold out quickly, revealing a strong demand even if the initial price points weren’t ideal. This success made me realize the potential of this venture.
Marketing Strategy: Leveraging Online Platforms I took my products to online marketplaces like eBay, Amazon, and Etsy. While these platforms charge fees (12.5% in fees and up to 15% in advertising costs), the exposure and effortless customer acquisition made it worthwhile. The reach these platforms provided was invaluable.
Growing the Income: Data-Driven Decisions To scale my income, I focused on creating items that people were actively searching for. Using tools like Google Keyword Planner and Terapeak, I identified trending themes and tailored my products accordingly.
From there, I’ve expanded by designing my own lollipop covers and other party decorations. You can purchase those files here.
Best Sellers: Surprising Hits Surprisingly, my best-selling products are simple themes like Hawaiian cake toppers, bowling night party items, and other basic designs. They don’t require licensed characters, which keeps costs low and the demand is high.
Customer Feedback: A Key Driver The feedback from my customers has been overwhelmingly positive. Many appreciate the quick turnaround times, which means they aren’t waiting weeks for custom items. This positive feedback loop has been crucial for maintaining high sales and repeat customers.
Balancing Act: Juggling Responsibilities Balancing this side hustle with a full-time job as a social media and community manager can be challenging, especially during busy weeks. However, I prioritize building the business and tackle household chores later. Having supportive employers at Preface Social Media, who allow for some flexibility, makes a huge difference.
Future Plans: Scaling Up Looking ahead, scaling up means investing in more expensive equipment, like the Roland BN20, a commercial machine priced at $26k. While this is currently a dream, it’s a goal I’m steadily working towards.
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs Don’t let anyone dictate how to run your business, especially if they don’t have one themselves. Marketing-wise, either learn the ropes yourself or thoroughly research before hiring someone. Knowledge is power, and it will save you money and headaches in the long run.