I met Steve Chou at New Media Expo this spring, and was fascinated by his story.
He’s built three different six-figure businesses, all while still working a day job in Silicon Valley. In fact, I was really surprised to find out he’s still working TODAY, despite all this side hustle success.
Those businesses are an ecommerce store at BumblebeeLinens.com, his blog and podcast at MyWifeQuitHerJob.com, and his online course teaching others how to get started in ecommerce.
In this episode we cover some of the initial strategies in coming up with product ideas and validating demand, sourcing so you don’t get burned, and the kind of customers you can target most profitably.
One thing to keep in mind is that Steve has been doing this for a long time, since 2006-2007, but is quite an impressive empire either way, and goes to show how the entrepreneurial path can compound over time.
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Tweetable:
How to build a 6-figure online store on the side.
Learn:
- Steve’s suggestions for brainstorming product ideas (and the tools to use).
- How to validate market demand for your potential products before you go all in.
- How you may be able to pick up sample inventory on the cheap.
- The different ecommerce business models and when dropshipping makes sense.
- How to ramp up your orders slowly so you don’t get burned by poor quality manufacturing.
- Steve’s most effective marketing tactics for Bumblebee Linens.
- How they increase their average order value and target a business-to-business customer.
- Steve’s #1 tip for Side Hustle Nation.
Links:
- MyWifeQuitHerJob.com
- BumblebeeLinens.com
- Long Tail Pro
- TeraPeak
- Alibaba
- My interview with Will Mitchell from StartupBros
- My interview with Travis Marziani from BuildMyOnlineStore
- Authority by Nathan Barry
The state magnets I wanted to import:
Download the Free PDF "Highlight Reel" from this Episode
With all of my guest's top tips and resources included.
Enter your email to access it now:
Success! You just unlocked the highlight reel from this episode ... AND over 200 other subscriber-only bonuses. Check your email for details :)
(If it doesn't show up in 5-10 minutes, check spam/promotions.)
You'll also receive my best side hustle tips and weekly-ish newsletter. Opt-out anytime.
great site and story…I will be diving in this weekend!
Thanks Scott! Nice to see you again.
Nice read. Steve is obviously a very ambitious person!