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Table of Contents
- The Problem With Most Business Advice
- Meet the Side Hustle King
- The Million-Dollar Insight Most People Miss
- Why These Ideas Work (When Others Fail)
- The Uncomfortable Truth About Making Money
- What You'll Learn in This Guide
- 1. Porch Pumpkins: Seasonal Decorating Service
- What It Is
- Target Customers
- Pricing Strategy
- Go-to-Market Strategy
- Revenue Potential
- Expansion Opportunities
- 2. Sport Courts: Backyard Recreation Installation
- What It Is
- Target Customers
- Pricing Strategy
- Go-to-Market Strategy
- Revenue Potential
- Competitive Advantages
- 3. In-ground Trampoline Installation
- What It Is
- Target Customers
- Pricing Strategy
- Go-to-Market Strategy
- Revenue Potential
- Operational Advantages
- 4. Mobile Fuel Delivery
- What It Is
- Target Customers
- Pricing Strategy
- Go-to-Market Strategy
- Revenue Potential
- Regulatory Considerations
- 5. Novelty Ice Cream Vending
- What It Is
- Target Customers
- Pricing Strategy
- Go-to-Market Strategy
- Revenue Potential
- Success Factors
- 6. AI Implementation Agency for Small Business
- What It Is
- Target Customers
- Pricing Strategy
- Go-to-Market Strategy
- Revenue Potential
- Service Offerings
- 7. Dollhouses for Men: Miniature Construction Kits
- What It Is
- Target Customers
- Pricing Strategy
- Go-to-Market Strategy
- Revenue Potential
- Product Development
- Key Takeaways for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
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The Problem With Most Business Advice
Open any entrepreneurship forum and you'll find the same recycled advice: start a dropshipping store, become an Amazon FBA seller, or launch a SaaS product.
The problem?
These markets are saturated, hyper-competitive, and require significant capital or technical expertise that most people simply don't have.
But what if there was another way? What if the best business opportunities weren't in Silicon Valley boardrooms or requiring venture capital, but hiding in plain sight in suburban neighborhoods across America?
Meet the Side Hustle King
Chris, dubbed the "Side Hustle King," isn't your typical entrepreneur. He doesn't pitch crypto schemes or promise overnight riches. Instead, he's built multiple successful businesses by solving mundane problems that most people overlook.
His first podcast appearance generated nearly a million downloads because he shared something refreshingly different: real businesses that real people can actually start.
His credentials? Chris currently owns stakes in nine RV parks managing $150 million in assets, previously sold an 8-figure e-commerce business, and has built over a dozen profitable companies. But here's what makes him different: he started every single one of them while working another job, with minimal capital, solving problems he noticed in his own neighborhood.
The Million-Dollar Insight Most People Miss
During a recent conversation, Chris revealed a pattern that changed how I think about business opportunities. While everyone's chasing the next tech unicorn, there's a massive wealth transfer happening in unglamorous service businesses.
The woman decorating porches with pumpkins?
She's clearing seven figures working three months a year. The guy digging holes for trampolines? He's making $5,000 for four hours of work with a rented excavator.
These aren't just random success stories. They represent a fundamental shift in how modern consumers spend money. As Chris explains, "We're in an economy where dual-income households will pay $1,000 to not spend their Saturday installing something themselves. They're not paying for the product – they're paying for their time back."
Why These Ideas Work (When Others Fail)
The businesses Chris identifies share three critical characteristics that most "business opportunities" lack:
1. Visible Demand with Social Proof
Every business started because someone saw neighbors asking, "Where did you get that?" Whether it's elaborate porch decorations or backyard sport courts, these services spread through neighborhoods like wildfire because they're inherently visible and shareable.
2. High Margins, Low Competition
While everyone's racing to the bottom selling products on Amazon, these service businesses command premium prices. Why? Because they require showing up, getting dirty, and dealing with coordination – things that can't be outsourced to China or automated away.
3. The "Weekend Test"
Each of these businesses can be validated with a single weekend of work. No need to quit your job, raise funding, or build an app. Buy some pumpkins, film yourself decorating a porch, post it on Facebook, and see if anyone bites. Total investment: maybe $200 and a Saturday afternoon.
The Uncomfortable Truth About Making Money
Here's what Chris learned after analyzing hundreds of successful small businesses: the best opportunities are usually hiding in plain sight, disguised as "unsexy" work that educated professionals think is beneath them.
"People are very creative in coming up with excuses," Chris notes.
"They'll say 'What about insurance? What about liability?'
You buy insurance. That's what insurance is for.
If we were as creative at actually starting things as we are at finding reasons why they won't work, we'd all be millionaires by now."
The data backs this up.
While tech startups have a 90% failure rate, service businesses in affluent neighborhoods have success rates above 80%.
The difference? They're solving immediate, visible problems for people with money who value their time.
What You'll Learn in This Guide
This isn't another list of "passive income" fantasies or get-rich-quick schemes. These are real businesses with real customers generating real revenue. For each opportunity, I'll break down:
- The exact business model and why it works
- Specific pricing strategies based on actual market data
- Customer acquisition tactics that don't require a marketing degree
- Revenue projections from part-time side hustle to full-scale operation
- The hidden challenges nobody talks about (and how to overcome them)
Whether you're a burned-out corporate employee looking for an exit strategy, a stay-at-home parent wanting to contribute financially, or simply someone who recognizes that the traditional career path isn't what it used to be, these ideas offer something powerful: a way to build wealth on your own terms, starting this weekend.
The best part? You don't need an MBA, venture capital, or even a particularly original idea. You just need to notice problems that people with money are willing to pay someone else to solve – and be willing to be that someone.
Let's dive into seven businesses that are quietly minting millionaires in neighborhoods just like yours.
1. Porch Pumpkins: Seasonal Decorating Service
What It Is
A seasonal decorating service that transforms front porches into Instagram-worthy fall displays using pumpkins, gourds, hay bales, and other autumn decorations. Customers hire you to create elaborate, professional-looking seasonal displays without the hassle of shopping, designing, or setting up themselves.
Target Customers
- Affluent suburban homeowners ($150k+ household income)
- Busy professionals and dual-income families
- Social media-conscious homeowners who value curb appeal
- Neighborhoods where "keeping up with the Joneses" is prevalent
- Ages 35-55, primarily women making household decisions
Pricing Strategy
- Basic package: $500 (small porch, simple design)
- Standard package: $800-1,000 (medium display)
- Premium package: $1,200-1,500 (large, elaborate designs)
- Removal service: Additional $150-200
- Design consultation: $200
Go-to-Market Strategy
- Initial Launch: Buy retail pumpkins, create 5-10 display designs
- Content Creation: Film time-lapse videos of installations
- Local Marketing:
- Post in neighborhood Facebook groups
- Target local mom groups and community pages
- Partner with local real estate agents for staging
- Paid Advertising: Run geo-targeted Facebook/Instagram ads within 10-mile radius
- Referral Program: Offer $100 credit for each successful referral
Revenue Potential
- Year 1: 200 orders × $800 average = $160,000 (part-time, 2 months)
- Year 3: 800 orders × $1,000 average = $800,000
- Mature Business: 1,500 orders × $1,000 = $1.5M (matching Heather Torres)
- Profit Margins: 40-50% after labor and materials
Expansion Opportunities
- Christmas decorating (November-December)
- Spring porch flowers (March-May)
- Graduation/birthday yard displays
- Corporate office decorating
2. Sport Courts: Backyard Recreation Installation
What It Is
A specialized construction service that builds multi-sport recreational courts in residential backyards. These courts feature concrete bases with specialized sports tiles or painted lines for pickleball, basketball, volleyball, and other activities.
Target Customers
- Families with children ages 8-18
- Active adults interested in pickleball (fastest growing demographic)
- Homeowners with large backyards (0.25+ acres)
- Household income $200k+
- Suburban and exurban communities
Pricing Strategy
- Basic half-court (30×30 ft): $25,000-30,000
- Standard court (30×50 ft): $35,000-45,000
- Premium court (40×70 ft): $50,000-70,000
- Add-ons:
- LED lighting: $5,000-8,000
- Premium fencing: $8,000-12,000
- Basketball hoop systems: $2,000-5,000
Go-to-Market Strategy
- Lead Generation: Create before/after videos for social media
- Facebook/Instagram Ads: Target local homeowners interested in sports, home improvement
- Partnerships:
- Local youth sports leagues
- Pickleball clubs
- Home builders and landscapers
- Referral Incentives: $1,000 credit for successful referrals
- Financing Options: Partner with home improvement lenders
Revenue Potential
- Year 1: 20 courts × $40,000 = $800,000 revenue
- Year 2: 40 courts × $45,000 = $1.8M revenue
- Mature Business: 80 courts × $50,000 = $4M revenue
- Profit Margins: 35-40% after subcontractor costs
Competitive Advantages
- Less saturated than pool installation
- Year-round usability (unlike pools in many climates)
- Lower maintenance than pools
- Appeals to multiple age groups
3. In-ground Trampoline Installation
What It Is
A specialized excavation and installation service for in-ground trampolines. The service includes digging the hole, installing drainage and retaining walls, and setting up the trampoline flush with ground level for improved safety and aesthetics.
Target Customers
- Families with young children (ages 4-14)
- Safety-conscious parents
- Homeowners in wind-prone areas
- Upper-middle-class suburbs
- Households valuing backyard aesthetics
Pricing Strategy
- Basic installation (12-14 ft trampoline): $4,000-5,000
- Premium installation (15-16 ft): $5,500-6,500
- Includes:
- Excavation and hauling
- Drainage system
- Retaining wall
- Safety padding
- Trampoline sold separately or bundled
Go-to-Market Strategy
- Partner with Trampoline Retailers: Become preferred installer for Trampolines.com and local stores
- Google Ads: Target "in-ground trampoline installation [city]"
- Social Proof: Before/after photos, safety statistics
- Bundle Deals: Partner with trampoline manufacturers
- Seasonal Promotions: Spring break specials
Revenue Potential
- Part-time (weekends): 4 jobs/month × $5,000 × 8 months = $160,000
- Full-time operation: 15 jobs/month × $5,000 × 8 months = $600,000
- With crew: 40 jobs/month × $5,000 × 8 months = $1.6M
- Profit Margins: 50-60% (equipment rental model)
Operational Advantages
- No equipment ownership required (rent as needed)
- 4-6 hour job completion
- Minimal overhead
- High customer satisfaction
4. Mobile Fuel Delivery
What It Is
An on-demand fuel delivery service that brings gas directly to customers' vehicles at their home or office. Customers schedule deliveries through an app, and a specialized truck arrives to fill their tank without them having to visit a gas station.
Target Customers
- Busy professionals and executives
- Parents with young children
- Elderly or mobility-impaired individuals
- Fleet managers for small businesses
- Luxury car owners
- Corporate campuses
Pricing Strategy
- Fuel cost: 20% markup over local average
- Delivery fee: $5-10 per fill-up
- Subscription models:
- Basic: $29/month (1 fill-up)
- Premium: $79/month (unlimited fill-ups)
- Corporate: $500/month (5 vehicles)
Go-to-Market Strategy
- B2B Focus: Target office parks and corporate campuses
- Luxury Partnerships: High-end residential buildings, country clubs
- App Development: User-friendly scheduling and payment
- Referral Program: Free month for each new subscriber
- Corporate Perks: Partner with companies for employee benefits
Revenue Potential
- 100 customers: $5,000/month recurring = $60,000/year
- 500 customers: $25,000/month = $300,000/year
- 2,000 customers: $100,000/month = $1.2M/year
- Customer lifetime value: $5,000+
- Profit margins: 25-30%
Regulatory Considerations
- Hazmat transportation licenses
- Local fuel delivery permits
- Insurance requirements
- Environmental compliance
5. Novelty Ice Cream Vending
What It Is
A mobile ice cream business using specialized machines that create Instagram-worthy rolled ice cream, nitrogen ice cream, or other novel frozen desserts. The visual preparation process becomes part of the entertainment and marketing.
Target Customers
- Event organizers (birthdays, weddings, corporate)
- Farmers market shoppers
- Festival and fair attendees
- Shopping center foot traffic
- Social media-conscious millennials and Gen Z
Pricing Strategy
- Individual serving: $8-12
- Event packages:
- Small (50 servings): $500
- Medium (100 servings): $900
- Large (200 servings): $1,600
- Catering minimum: $500
Go-to-Market Strategy
- Visual Content: Film preparation process for TikTok/Instagram
- Event Partnerships: Wedding planners, party venues
- Farmers Markets: Regular weekend presence
- Corporate Catering: Tech companies, office parties
- Seasonal Locations: Beaches, parks, sports venues
Revenue Potential
- Farmers Markets: $1,500/weekend × 30 weekends = $45,000
- Events: 4 events/month × $800 = $38,400/year
- Festivals: 10 festivals × $3,000 = $30,000
- Total Year 1: $100,000-150,000
- Scaled with multiple units: $500,000+
- Profit margins: 70-80%
Success Factors
- Location selection
- Social media presence
- Unique flavors/presentations
- Consistent quality
6. AI Implementation Agency for Small Business
What It Is
A consulting service that helps small businesses implement AI tools to automate routine tasks, improve customer service, and increase efficiency. Services range from simple chatbots to complex workflow automation.
Target Customers
- Small businesses (10-50 employees)
- Service businesses (HVAC, plumbing, landscaping)
- Professional services (law firms, accountants)
- E-commerce businesses
- Medical and dental practices
Pricing Strategy
- Setup fees:
- Basic AI phone system: $2,500
- Customer service chatbot: $3,500
- Workflow automation: $5,000-10,000
- Monthly maintenance:
- Small business: $500-1,000
- Medium business: $1,500-3,000
- Custom projects: $150-250/hour
Go-to-Market Strategy
- Educational Content: YouTube tutorials, case studies
- Industry Associations: Speak at trade groups
- Partnership Channel: CRM providers, software vendors
- Free Audits: Offer AI readiness assessments
- Referral Network: Accountants, business consultants
Revenue Potential
- 10 clients: $10,000/month recurring = $120,000/year
- 30 clients: $45,000/month = $540,000/year
- 50 clients: $75,000/month = $900,000/year
- Add project revenue: +$200,000-400,000/year
- Total mature business: $1.5-2M/year
- Profit margins: 70-80%
Service Offerings
- 24/7 AI phone answering
- Appointment scheduling automation
- Customer service chatbots
- Document processing
- Lead qualification
- Internal workflow automation
7. Dollhouses for Men: Miniature Construction Kits
What It Is
High-quality, realistic miniature building kits that allow adults to construct detailed scale models of houses, complete with framing, drywall, electrical, and plumbing components. Think sophisticated Lego meets actual construction.
Target Customers
- Men aged 35-65
- DIY enthusiasts and hobbyists
- Former tradesmen and contractors
- Engineering-minded professionals
- Model train/plane enthusiasts
- Gift buyers for Father's Day/Christmas
Pricing Strategy
- Starter kits: $299-499 (simple structures)
- Standard kits: $699-999 (full house models)
- Premium kits: $1,299-1,999 (complex builds)
- Subscription box: $99/month (monthly projects)
- Tool sets: $199-299
- Add-on packs: $49-99
Go-to-Market Strategy
- Content Marketing: Time-lapse build videos on YouTube/TikTok
- Influencer Partnerships: DIY YouTubers, makers
- Hobby Communities: Model building forums, Reddit
- Trade Shows: Maker Faires, hobby conventions
- Gift Marketing: Target wives/children for gift-giving seasons
Revenue Potential
- Year 1: 500 kits × $800 = $400,000
- Year 2: 2,000 kits × $900 = $1.8M
- Subscription model: 1,000 subscribers × $99 × 12 = $1.2M
- Mature business: $3-5M annually
- Profit margins: 60-70%
Product Development
- Partner with architects for authentic designs
- Create famous building replicas
- Develop educational series for schools
- Custom kit creation service
- Virtual reality companion app
Key Takeaways for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
- Start Where You Are: Most of these businesses can begin part-time with minimal investment
- Leverage Social Media: Every business benefits from visual content marketing
- Focus on Affluent Markets: Target customers who value time over money
- Build Recurring Revenue: Subscription models and repeat customers create stability
- Test Before Scaling: Validate demand with small tests before major investments
The beauty of these ideas lies in their accessibility. None require revolutionary technology or massive capital. They solve real problems for people willing to pay for convenience, and they can all start as weekend side hustles before growing into full-time businesses.
Watch the full episode here -
