From Web Developer to Print-On-Demand Entrepreneur: How I Turned Passive Income into a Full-Time Gig
Title: Former Web Developer Turns Print-on-Demand Side Hustle into $14,600 Monthly Passive Income
In 2014, Ryan Hogue was earning $85,000 a year as a full-time web developer. Feeling like he was putting too much time into his job, he sought out opportunities to make passive income in e-commerce. After experimenting with dropshipping, he stumbled upon a Reddit post that inspired him to start a print-on-demand side hustle.
Print-on-demand allowed Ryan to sell T-shirts while outsourcing the printing, packaging, and shipping to a third-party vendor. By 2020, he had made enough money to quit his job and focus on his side hustle full-time. Now, at 33, Ryan makes an average of $14,600 a month in passive income from his print-on-demand business, working on it just one hour a day.
Starting with a poorly-drawn Loch Ness monster design, Ryan now uses platforms like All Sunsets, Creative Fabrica, and Vexels to create his designs. These sites provide commercial-use illustrations for print-on-demand sellers without extensive graphic design experience.
About 50% of Ryan’s passive income comes from Amazon Merch on Demand, where he sells a variety of products without paying upfront for inventory. He also utilizes Printful to list his designs on eBay and Etsy, further expanding his reach.
Ryan’s success lies in researching popular keywords using tools like DS Amazon Quick View and PrettyMerch Chrome extensions to create designs that resonate with customers. He also shares his knowledge through a YouTube channel and online courses, aiming to inspire others to pursue passive income opportunities.
Ryan’s story serves as a testament to the potential of turning a side hustle into a lucrative source of income with creativity and determination.
