The Side Hustle King: 11 Easy Businesses Anyone Can Start
Timestamps are as accurate as they can be but may be slightly off. We encourage you to listen to the full context.
Podcast Summary
In this high-energy second episode, serial entrepreneur Chris shares actionable business ideas that everyday people can execute to generate substantial income. The episode dives deep into seasonal decorating services (like porch pumpkins generating 7 figures annually), backyard recreation businesses including sport courts and trampolines, and the growing demand for AI automation services for small businesses. (00:22) The conversation reveals how entrepreneurs can identify underserved markets and capitalize on consumer trends before they become mainstream.
- Core themes include identifying scalable service businesses, leveraging social media for customer acquisition, and the importance of execution over perfection in business ventures
Speakers
Chris (The Side Hustle King)
Chris is a serial entrepreneur who has built over a dozen businesses across various industries, generating millions in annual revenue. He owns interests in 29 RV parks worth $150 million under management, has successfully exited an 8-figure e-commerce business selling iPhone parts, and currently operates multiple service businesses including tree trimming and sport court installation. Known for his ability to spot and execute on business opportunities rapidly, Chris has built a substantial social media following sharing practical business ideas.
Sean Puri
Co-host and entrepreneur with experience building and scaling multiple businesses. Sean brings strategic insight and analytical thinking to evaluate business opportunities and their scalability potential.
Sam Parr
Co-host and successful entrepreneur who provides grounded perspective on business execution and market validation. Sam is known for his ability to cut through hype and focus on practical implementation challenges.
Key Takeaways
Start With Proven Demand Before Building
Chris emphasizes the importance of validating market demand before investing heavily in infrastructure or inventory. (12:36) Using the porch pumpkins example, he recommends starting by buying retail pumpkins and copying successful designs rather than worrying about wholesale pricing or perfect margins initially. This approach allows entrepreneurs to test market response and refine their offering without major upfront investment. The key is to prove the business model works at a small scale before optimizing for efficiency and profitability.
Leverage Social Media as Your Primary Sales Engine
The most successful businesses Chris profiles use short-form video content as their primary customer acquisition strategy. (08:17) He consistently points to Facebook and Instagram as the go-to platforms for generating leads across various industries. The strategy involves creating 5-10 organic videos to test which content resonates, then pushing paid advertising behind the winners. This approach works particularly well for visual, transformation-based services where before/after content naturally performs well on social platforms.
Focus on High-Margin Service Businesses Over Product Sales
Chris demonstrates through multiple examples that service-based businesses typically offer better profit margins and cash flow than product-based ventures. (19:00) The sport court business, for instance, can generate $30,000 profit per installation with relatively low overhead once the contractor relationships are established. Service businesses also allow for easier scaling through subcontractors rather than requiring significant capital investment in inventory or manufacturing capabilities.
Ride Emerging Trends Before They Hit Mainstream
One of Chris's key insights is observing trends in forward-thinking markets (like Dubai) and bringing them to underserved areas before competition arrives. (23:22) He mentions Dubai chocolate, perfume vending machines, and automated manicure machines as examples of innovations that started internationally before spreading to the US market. This first-mover advantage allows entrepreneurs to establish market presence and customer relationships before the space becomes saturated.
Partner Strategically to Scale Without Burnout
Chris has learned through experience with 15 different business partners that successful scaling requires clear expectations and strategic partnerships. (69:18) He now prefers taking smaller equity positions in multiple businesses rather than trying to manage everything himself. His approach involves being transparent about his limited time commitment upfront and finding partners who can handle day-to-day operations while he provides strategic input, marketing expertise, or initial capital.
Statistics & Facts
- Porch Pumpkins generates between $1.3-2 million annually with 20% cost of goods sold, clearing potentially $1+ million in profit for just 3 months of seasonal work. (03:50)
- Sport court installations have a $30,000 profit margin per job when executed properly with established subcontractor relationships, representing a 100% markup over direct contractor costs. (19:00)
- Chris's RV park portfolio has grown to $150 million under management across 29 properties, with individual parks generating $1.2 million annually after improvements, representing significant returns on the typical $1.6 million down payment per property. (59:00)
