They Spent $2,000 on a Side Hustle. It Now Brings In $295,000 a Year
How one couple spotted a market gap, scaled fast, and what you can apply to your own side hustle
Most side hustles stay small. Some never break $500 a month. A few grow into serious businesses.
Tayo and Dolu Lanlehin built one of the rare exceptions.
They started with a simple problem. They could not find themed chairs for small kids while planning their son’s first birthday party in Oakland, California. No local rental company offered them.
That gap turned into a business.
They invested about $2,000 in 48 child-sized chairs. They launched a party rental side hustle. As of November, the business reported $295,000 in revenue for 2025.
Here is what made the difference, and how you can apply the same thinking to your own idea.
Why this side hustle worked
The idea was simple. The execution was focused.
Tayo noticed unmet demand. Parents wanted themed kids furniture. No one nearby supplied it.
They validated demand fast. Event planners used their rentals. Social posts spread the word. Affluent parents followed.
They targeted the right buyers. High-income families nearby were willing to pay premium rates.
They used direct outreach. Tayo contacted an NBA player’s wife on Instagram after noticing an upcoming birthday. That single message led to four paid events.
They kept overhead low. They stored inventory in their basement. They reinvested profits. They did not take salaries.
They limited time investment. They spend about eight hours a week on the business. They outsource delivery, setup, and maintenance to six contractors.
This was not luck. It was market awareness plus fast action.
How much do most side hustles actually earn?
Stories like this are rare.
Data shows most side hustles generate modest income.
A Self.inc survey found:
- 26.1 percent earn $1 to $50 per month.
- 32.1 percent earn $51 to $250 per month.
- Only 1 percent earn more than $4,000 per month.
- 51.4 percent earn 0 to 20 percent of their total income from side work.
An Omnisend survey across the US, UK, Canada, and Australia found:
60.3 percent earn $500 or less per month.
The takeaway is clear. Income depends less on effort and more on demand.
What most people underestimate when starting
Low revenue becomes worse when costs creep in.
Common costs include:
- Vehicle wear and fuel for delivery or driving gigs.
- Platform and listing fees for ecommerce.
- Licensing and permits.
- Insurance.
- Contractors for marketing, bookkeeping, or fulfillment.
If your margins are thin, these costs erase progress fast.
The Lanlehins avoided this by starting small, reinvesting early, and expanding only after demand proved itself.
What you should learn before starting your own side hustle
This story offers practical lessons you can apply.
Start with a specific problem. Look for complaints, delays, or missing options people already want to pay for.
Check who can afford it. High-income customers change the math quickly.
Use skills you already have. Dolu’s consulting background helped with early market research.
Keep your first investment controlled. $2,000 tested demand without risking long-term debt.
Protect your time. Burnout is real. Be honest about how many hours you can give each week.
Plan for taxes early. Extra income can shift your tax bracket. A tax professional can prevent costly errors.
Know the rules. Check licensing and insurance requirements before you launch.
Be realistic about income. Most side hustles grow slowly. Treat early revenue as proof, not a paycheck.
How AI can shorten your learning curve
Market research, idea testing, pricing, and outreach take time. Many people stall because they do not know what to ask or where to start.
This is where the right prompts matter.
If you want help validating ideas, spotting demand gaps, and planning smarter from day one, download 25 High-Impact ChatGPT Prompts to Launch or Grow Your Side Hustle.
You can use them to:
- Test side hustle ideas before spending money.
- Research demand in your local or online market.
- Create offers people already want.
- Plan growth without guesswork.
Smart questions save time. Better inputs lead to better decisions.
