Turning a Couch Hobby Into a Six-Figure Success

In December 2022, Emily Odio-Sutton sat on her couch watching “Real Housewives” when inspiration struck. Armed with months of research, she launched a small Etsy shop specializing in print-on-demand products like T-shirts, mugs, and tote bags. Fast forward to 2024, and her side hustle has become a major source of income, earning up to $54,900 in a single month.

Her shop, which features gifts tailored to niche jobs and hobbies, now brings in an average of $26,200 per month in revenue. In her best shopping seasons, her monthly profits have even matched her full-time salary. Thanks to her success, she was able to scale back her corporate job to part-time, pay off $20,000 in student loans, and create a more flexible lifestyle for her family.

Finding the Right Side Hustle Fit

Before discovering Etsy’s print-on-demand model, Odio-Sutton experimented with other side hustles, including Amazon FBA. That venture, which involved buying and reselling trending products, left her house filled with inventory and slim profit margins. She knew she needed a more flexible, time-efficient option.

Print-on-demand offered the perfect solution. She didn’t need prior business or design experience, and there was no inventory to manage. Using programs like Canva, she created simple designs — mostly text-based — aimed at specific professions and hobbies.

One of her most popular items? A candle that reads, “The only podcast I listen to are the voices inside my head.”

After some trial and error, Odio-Sutton shifted her focus to gift-friendly products like mugs, tote bags, and journals. Sales started rolling in, especially during peak shopping months. Between November and December of last year alone, her shop generated over $100,000 in revenue.

Balancing Fun, Finances, and Family

For Odio-Sutton, the extra income provides both financial freedom and family flexibility. She uses her earnings to cover a mix of “fun and responsible” expenses, including vacations, investments, and college savings accounts for her daughters. It also allowed her to cut back to a 20-hour workweek at her corporate job, giving her more time for family and her growing side hustle.

In addition to running her Etsy shop, Odio-Sutton has opened a second store selling downloadable templates for events. She also coaches aspiring Etsy sellers through Gold City Ventures and manages Pinterest accounts for business owners.

Despite her many ventures, Odio-Sutton’s priority remains her family. Her flexible schedule means she can pick up her daughter from school, take her to gymnastics, and maintain the lifestyle she envisioned. “My initial vision for [this routine] was always really strong,” she says.

From Debt to Financial Freedom

Odio-Sutton’s Etsy side hustle shows how a simple idea, fueled by persistence and creativity, can lead to life-changing financial freedom. Whether you’re looking to pay off debt, scale back your hours, or spend more time with your family, her story is proof that with the right approach, a side hustle can do more than just make extra money — it can transform your life.