Best Side Hustle Secrets: 10 Experts, 5 Passive Income Ideas

Gary Vaynerchuk:  

Alright, listen up. If you're here, it means you're looking for a way to make money outside of your 9-to-5. Maybe you’re sick of your job. Maybe you just want a little extra cash. Or maybe—like me—you’ve always had that entrepreneurial itch and you’re ready to take action.

Here’s the truth: we live in the best era for making money on the side. The internet has completely leveled the playing field. Whether you want to flip garage sale finds, sell digital products, start a YouTube channel, or build a Shopify store—you have zero excuses not to start.

But here’s what most people get wrong—they overthink, over-plan, and never actually do the thing. Execution beats ideas. That’s why today, we’re not just talking about theories. We’re giving you practical, step-by-step strategies so you can walk away and start making money.

To make this simple, we’re breaking it down into five proven side hustles that can bring in passive income. And I’ve got some of the smartest people in the game to guide you.

So let’s start with Affiliate Marketing. This is one of the easiest ways to get started making money online—without creating your own products. And to break it down for you, I’ve got a killer lineup of experts who’ve made millions in this space. Let’s go!

(Note: This is an imaginary conversation, a creative exploration of an idea, and not a real speech or event.)

Affiliate Marketing: The Ultimate Side Hustle Guide

Panel Experts:

• Pat Flynn – Smart Passive Income founder, expert in ethical affiliate marketing.
• Spencer Haws – Niche Pursuits founder, authority in SEO-driven affiliate websites.
• Doug Cunnington – Affiliate marketing & SEO expert specializing in the Amazon Associates program.
• Matt Diggity – Advanced SEO strategist, expert in ranking sites for high-ticket affiliate sales.
• Adam Enfroy – Scaled his blog to over $200K/month using affiliate marketing strategies.

Nick Sasaki (Moderator):

"Alright, let’s dive into Affiliate Marketing, one of the most beginner-friendly and passive income-friendly side hustles. The goal here is simple—recommend products and earn a commission for each sale, without creating your own product.

Pat, can you kick things off by explaining how affiliate marketing works at a basic level?"

Pat Flynn:

"Absolutely, Nick. At its core, affiliate marketing is just getting paid for recommending products that you already like or believe in. Here’s how it works in three steps:

1️⃣ Choose a Niche – Find a topic you're passionate about and that has profitable products.
2️⃣ Create Content – This could be blog posts, YouTube videos, or even TikToks reviewing products.
3️⃣ Monetize with Affiliate Links – Sign up for affiliate programs, place links in your content, and earn commissions when people buy through you.

The beauty of this business is that once your content is up, it keeps making money while you sleep."*

Nick Sasaki:

"That sounds great, but let’s get practical. Spencer, what are the first concrete steps someone should take today if they want to start affiliate marketing?"

Spencer Haws:

"If you’re starting from scratch, here’s a step-by-step plan you can follow today:

✅ Step 1: Pick a Profitable Niche – Choose a topic where people are actively buying products. Examples:

• Tech (Laptops, Headphones, Cameras)
• Health & Fitness (Supplements, Workout Gear, Yoga Mats)
• Personal Finance (Investing, Credit Cards, Budgeting Tools)
• Pets (Dog Training, Pet Food, Accessories)

✅ Step 2: Start a Website or a YouTube Channel

• If you like writing, start a blog using WordPress.
• If you prefer talking, start a YouTube channel and review products.

✅ Step 3: Find Affiliate Programs

• Sign up for Amazon Associates (good for beginners).
• Try high-ticket affiliate programs like Bluehost (web hosting), Kajabi (course platform), or ConvertKit (email marketing tool).

✅ Step 4: Create ‘Money-Making’ Content

• Write ‘Best X for Y’ articles (e.g., Best Laptops for Video Editing).
• Do product reviews (e.g., iPhone 15 vs Samsung Galaxy S24).
• Make tutorials (e.g., How to Start a Blog in 2024).

✅ Step 5: Drive Traffic

• Use SEO (Google search) to rank your articles.
• Use YouTube & TikTok for quick traffic.
• Share on social media & Pinterest for extra reach.

That’s it! Once you do this consistently, your content starts generating money passively."*

Nick Sasaki:

"Doug, let’s talk about beginner mistakes. What are some common pitfalls new affiliate marketers should avoid?"

Doug Cunnington:

"Great question, Nick. Here are the biggest mistakes I see beginners make:

❌ Choosing the Wrong Niche – If you pick a topic you don’t care about just for money, you’ll quit.

❌ Going for Only Low-Ticket Products – Amazon pays small commissions. Instead, look for high-ticket programs (like $500+ commissions).

❌ Not Collecting Emails – If you only rely on Google or YouTube traffic, you’re vulnerable. Use ConvertKit or Mailchimp to build an email list and send affiliate offers.

❌ Not Focusing on SEO – If no one finds your site, you make $0. Learn basic SEO (keywords, backlinks, and content optimization) to get free traffic from Google."*

Nick Sasaki:

"Matt, let’s go advanced. How do people scale affiliate marketing into a full-time passive income business?"

Matt Diggity:

"Once you're making your first $500–$1,000/month, you can scale big by doing this:

🔥 Build More Websites – Instead of one site making $3K/month, have three sites making $10K/month.

🔥 Outsource Content – Hire writers to create more articles so you scale faster.

🔥 Use Paid Ads – Run Google or Facebook ads to send instant traffic to your affiliate offers.

🔥 Sell Your Website – Once a site makes $5K/month, you can sell it for $150K+ on Flippa or Empire Flippers.

🔥 Reinvest Profits – Take your earnings and build another site, invest in YouTube, or even real estate for more passive income streams."*

Nick Sasaki:

"Adam, you took your blog from $0 to $200K/month in two years. What’s your biggest shortcut to success in affiliate marketing?"

Adam Enfroy:

*"The biggest shortcut? Skip the small stuff & go for high-ticket affiliate programs.

Most people spend time on Amazon Associates, making pennies per sale. Instead, focus on:

🚀 $100+ Commissions – Promote high-ticket software like Kajabi, Clickfunnels, and WPX Hosting.

🚀 Create a Simple Blog or YouTube Channel – Make “How-To” guides with your affiliate links.

🚀 Leverage AI & Outsourcing – Use ChatGPT & Fiverr writers to scale content fast.

🚀 Be Omnipresent – Don’t just do blogs—use YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn, and TikTok to reach more people.

That’s how you skip the slow game and get to $10K/month faster."*

Nick Sasaki:

"Wow! That was packed with actionable steps. Let’s wrap up with final tips. Pat, if someone had only one hour per day, what should they do first to start affiliate marketing?"

Pat Flynn:

"If I had just one hour per day, here’s the game plan:

📅 Week 1-2: Pick a Niche & Create a Website

• Buy a domain at Namecheap and set up WordPress on SiteGround.

📅 Week 3-4: Write 5 High-Quality Articles

• “Best X for Y” list, product reviews, and comparison posts.

📅 Month 2: Start YouTube & Email List

• Make product review videos & collect emails.

📅 Month 3+: Get Traffic & Monetize

• Focus on SEO, Pinterest, and YouTube growth.

Stick with it for 6–12 months, and you’ll start seeing passive income roll in."*

Nick Sasaki:

"There you have it! A step-by-step guide to making money with affiliate marketing.

Next, we’re diving into Print-on-Demand, where you can sell t-shirts, mugs, and art online without holding inventory. Let’s bring in our experts!"

Print-on-Demand: The No-Inventory Side Hustle

Panel Experts:

• Neil Lassen – Merch Informer founder, Amazon Merch & Etsy POD expert.
• Michael Essany – Print-on-demand specialist, helping entrepreneurs scale their designs.
• Rachel Rofé – Known for selling low-cost, high-profit POD products on Etsy & Shopify.
• Travis Marziani – YouTube entrepreneur who scaled multiple POD stores.
• Parker Kane – Branding & design expert, focusing on unique, high-demand POD products.

Gary Vaynerchuk (Introduction):

*"Alright, if you loved the Affiliate Marketing breakdown, now let’s talk about another killer side hustle—Print-on-Demand (POD).

This is for people who want to sell physical products like t-shirts, mugs, and posters, but don’t want to buy inventory, deal with shipping, or handle customer service. POD lets you create designs, upload them, and get paid when someone orders—without ever touching the product.

It’s one of the easiest ways to start an online business today. Let’s break it down with the best in the game!"*

Nick Sasaki (Moderator):

"Neil, let’s start with you. Can you explain how Print-on-Demand works?"

Neil Lassen:

*"For sure, Nick! Print-on-Demand is an e-commerce model where you:

1️⃣ Create a design – This could be text-based, hand-drawn, or AI-generated.
2️⃣ Upload it to a POD platform – Think Merch by Amazon, Redbubble, Teespring, Printful, or Etsy.
3️⃣ Customer places an order – Your supplier prints and ships the product.
4️⃣ You get paid – You keep the profit without handling inventory.

It’s completely hands-off once you upload the design, and that’s why it’s a killer passive income stream."*

Nick Sasaki:

"Michael, if someone is a complete beginner, what’s the best way to start their first POD business?"

Michael Essany:

"Here’s an easy step-by-step guide to get started today:

✅ Step 1: Pick a Niche – Go beyond generic designs. Choose:

• Funny Quotes (e.g., "Introverted but Willing to Discuss Aliens")
• Pet Lovers (e.g., "Dog Dads Are the Best Dads")
• Hobbies (e.g., "I’d Rather Be Fishing")
• Trending Topics (use Google Trends to spot viral ideas).

✅ Step 2: Create Simple Designs

• Use Canva (Free) or Photoshop for basic typography.
• If you’re not a designer, hire someone on Fiverr ($10–$20 per design).

✅ Step 3: Choose a Platform

• Beginner? Start with Etsy + Printify or Redbubble (low risk).
• Advanced? Shopify + Printful gives more control.

✅ Step 4: Upload & Optimize

• Write SEO-friendly titles & descriptions (e.g., "Funny Dog Dad T-Shirt for Pet Owners").
• Use tags like "dog dad, funny pet gift, dog lover tee".

✅ Step 5: Promote & Get Sales

• Pinterest & TikTok – Post mockups & viral videos.
• Instagram Reels – Show off designs & user testimonials.
• Run Etsy Ads ($5/day) for instant traffic.

Do this for 30 days, and you can start making passive sales!"*

Nick Sasaki:

"Rachel, you’ve built a POD empire. What’s your top strategy for consistent, high-profit sales?"

Rachel Rofé:

*"My #1 secret? Focus on products beyond t-shirts.

Most people sell shirts, but the real gold mine is in high-margin, unique products like:

🛍 Mugs (People gift them year-round!)
🎨 Wall Art (Downloadable prints & posters are hot!)
🛏 Blankets & Pillows (Higher ticket = bigger profits)
📱 Phone Cases & Stickers (Low-cost, high repeat purchases)

I’ve seen people make six figures just selling mugs and pillows on Etsy! So don’t sleep on these.

Also, add personalization (like names or custom dates). People LOVE buying personalized gifts."*

Nick Sasaki:

"Travis, let’s talk traffic. How do people drive free and paid traffic to their POD store?"

Travis Marziani:

*"If you don’t want to rely on Etsy SEO alone, here’s how to get traffic fast:

🔥 Pinterest Marketing – Create pins of your designs daily. Pinterest posts last forever!
🔥 TikTok & Instagram Reels – Make fun videos showing your designs or reacting to trends.
🔥 YouTube Shorts – Showcase designs with “Best Gift Ideas for…” videos.
🔥 Reddit & Facebook Groups – Share your designs in relevant communities.
🔥 Etsy Ads ($5/day) – Etsy pushes your product to more buyers immediately.

Using a mix of organic traffic (SEO, social media) and small paid ads is the best way to scale."*

Nick Sasaki:

"Parker, let’s say someone wants to hit $5K/month+ with POD. What’s the best way to scale?"

Parker Kane:

*"Scaling a POD business to $5K+ per month comes down to:

🚀 Expanding Product Lines – If a shirt sells well, add a hoodie, mug, and sticker with the same design.
🚀 Leveraging Holidays & Trends – Black Friday, Christmas, Father’s Day = huge sales spikes.
🚀 Automating Designs – Use AI tools like MidJourney or hire a Fiverr designer to scale up.
🚀 Building an Email List – Capture emails and re-market to past customers for repeat sales.
🚀 Using Shopify & Influencer Collabs – Work with micro-influencers for cheap product promotions.

Once you find winning designs, double down on them and launch variations!"*

Nick Sasaki:

*"That was an insane amount of value! Let’s wrap up with final tips.

Neil, if someone has just one hour per day, what should they focus on first?"*

Neil Lassen:

*"Here’s the 1-hour-per-day Print-on-Demand game plan:

📅 Week 1: Market Research & Setup

• Pick a niche
• Open an Etsy shop & connect Printify or Printful

📅 Week 2: Create & Upload 10 Designs

• Use Canva, Kittl, or MidJourney AI
• Optimize titles, descriptions, and tags

📅 Week 3: Marketing & Sales

• Post daily on Pinterest, Instagram, TikTok
• Run a $5/day Etsy ad

📅 Month 2+: Scale Up

• Add 5-10 new designs weekly
• Test new product types (mugs, posters, blankets)
• Collaborate with influencers for viral traffic

Stick with this for 6 months, and you can have a $2K–$10K/month POD business."*

Nick Sasaki:

"That was amazing! We just walked through a step-by-step guide to starting Print-on-Demand—no inventory, no shipping, just passive income.

Next up: Self-Publishing eBooks & Online Courses, where you can make money by sharing knowledge. Let’s bring in the experts!"

Self-Publishing eBooks & Online Courses: The Knowledge Monetization Side Hustle

Panel Experts:

• Steve Scott – Bestselling Kindle author, expert in self-publishing and book marketing.
• Graham Cochrane – Teaches automated income from online courses & memberships.
• Ankur Nagpal – Founder of Teachable, expert in creating & selling profitable online courses.
• Amy Porterfield – Authority in course creation and digital product launches.
• Marisa Murgatroyd – Founder of Experience Product Masterclass, expert in engaging course design.

Gary Vaynerchuk (Introduction):

*"If you’ve got knowledge or skills, you can turn them into a money-making machine by selling eBooks or online courses.

And here’s the kicker—once you create the content once, it can keep making money forever. No shipping, no inventory, and it’s 100% profit after the first sale.

The trick is knowing how to package & sell your expertise. So today, we’ve got some of the best minds in self-publishing & online education to break it down."*

Nick Sasaki (Moderator):

"Steve, let’s start with you. How does self-publishing an eBook work?"

Steve Scott:

"Self-publishing is one of the easiest ways to start making passive income, and here’s how it works:

1️⃣ Pick a Profitable Topic – Your book should solve a problem or teach a skill. Examples:

• "Keto Diet for Beginners" (Health)
• "Side Hustles That Make $1K/Month" (Finance)
• "10-Minute Meditation Techniques" (Self-Improvement)

2️⃣ Write a Short & Valuable Book – 15,000–30,000 words is enough. Use ChatGPT for brainstorming & outlining.

3️⃣ Publish on Amazon KDP – Format it in Word or Google Docs, create a cover on Canva, and upload it to Kindle Direct Publishing.

4️⃣ Launch & Market It – Promote with:

• Amazon SEO (keywords in title & description)
• Social media (TikTok, Pinterest, Twitter)
• Email list (even a small one helps)

5️⃣ Make It Passive – Turn it into an audiobook on Audible and a paperback with Amazon Print-on-Demand.

Once your book is up, it can sell forever—even while you sleep!"*

Nick Sasaki:

"Graham, if someone prefers online courses over eBooks, where should they start?"

Graham Cochrane:

*"If you know anything valuable, you can sell an online course. Here’s the simple $10K/month course roadmap:

✅ Step 1: Pick a Course Idea

• What skill do people ask you for help with?
• What have you learned that changed your life?
• What problem can you solve?
  Example Courses:
• Photography for Beginners
• How to Start a Profitable Etsy Shop
• Personal Finance for Millennials

✅ Step 2: Outline & Film Your Course

• Break it into 5–10 short modules (each 5–15 minutes long).
• Record with a phone & a simple mic—no fancy equipment needed!
• Upload it to Teachable, Kajabi, or Udemy.

✅ Step 3: Build an Audience While Creating

• Start a YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok account and share free tips.
• Offer a free PDF guide to collect emails.

✅ Step 4: Sell Your Course with a Simple Funnel

• Create a landing page with a free webinar or email sequence.
• Sell it for $97–$497 (mid-ticket works best).

✅ Step 5: Automate & Scale

• Use Facebook Ads or YouTube Ads to get more students.
• Turn it into a membership site for recurring revenue.

That’s how one course can bring in $10K–$50K+ per month!"*

Nick Sasaki:

"Ankur, let’s talk platforms. Where should people publish their courses for maximum profits?"

Ankur Nagpal:

*"Great question! You’ve got two main options:

🛠 1. Hosted Platforms (Full Control, Higher Profits)

• Teachable (My platform, easy setup, own branding)
• Kajabi (Best for membership sites & automation)
• Thinkific (Good for detailed courses & quizzes)

💰 2. Marketplaces (Fast Exposure, Lower Profits)

• Udemy (Great for beginners, but low pricing & competition)
• Skillshare (Membership model, pays per watch time)

Best Strategy?

• Use Udemy for fast students, then upsell to Teachable for big profits.
• Run a webinar funnel to sell premium courses ($497+).

That’s how you maximize your income!"*

Nick Sasaki:

"Amy, let’s talk about launching. How do people successfully launch a course and get sales fast?"

Amy Porterfield:

*"If you want a big course launch, follow this proven formula:

🔥 Step 1: Build a ‘Warm’ Email List Before Launching

• Give away a freebie (checklist, mini-course, eBook) to collect emails.
• Run Instagram Live & Facebook Groups to warm up your audience.

🔥 Step 2: Do a Webinar to Sell the Course

• Teach 1-3 powerful lessons for free.
• At the end, offer your full course for $297–$997.

🔥 Step 3: Use Urgency & Bonuses

• Offer early bird pricing for the first 5 days.
• Include bonuses (extra PDFs, coaching calls).

🔥 Step 4: Automate for Passive Sales

• After the live launch, turn the webinar into an evergreen funnel.
• Use Facebook & YouTube ads to scale.

That’s how you turn a course into a 6-figure business!"*

Nick Sasaki:

"Marisa, your specialty is engaging courses that people actually finish. What’s your secret?"

Marisa Murgatroyd:

"Most courses fail because people don’t complete them. Here’s how to fix that:*

✅ 1. Make It Interactive – Add quizzes, challenges, and community discussions.

✅ 2. Create a ‘Hero’s Journey’ – Show clear progress levels (e.g., Beginner → Expert).

✅ 3. Use Milestone Rewards – Give badges, certificates, or bonuses as they progress.

✅ 4. Keep It Simple – No fluff! Short, high-value lessons keep students engaged.

✅ 5. Add Live Support – Offer Q&A sessions or private communities for accountability.

This makes your course FUN, EFFECTIVE, and PROFITABLE!"*

Nick Sasaki:

"This was insanely valuable! We covered how to create & sell eBooks and Online Courses step-by-step.

Next, we’re talking about Real Estate Investing & Passive Income from Rentals. Let’s bring in the experts!"

Real Estate Investing: The Passive Income Powerhouse

Panel Experts:

• Grant Cardone – Real estate mogul focused on multifamily properties & passive income strategies.
• Brandon Turner – BiggerPockets expert, known for rental property investing & BRRRR strategy.
• Ken McElroy – Multifamily investor & author of The ABCs of Real Estate Investing.
• Kathy Fettke – Expert in passive real estate investing & market trends.
• Keith Weinhold – Get Rich Education host, focused on buy-and-hold rental strategies.

Gary Vaynerchuk (Introduction):

*"Alright, let’s talk about real estate investing—one of the best ways to build passive income and generational wealth.

I don’t care if you’re broke, young, or have zero experience—real estate can be for anyone if you play it smart. Whether you start with rental properties, REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts), or house hacking, there’s a way to get in the game.

Today, we have some of the best real estate investors to give you the exact blueprint to build passive income in real estate—even if you’re a total beginner. So let’s go!"*

Nick Sasaki (Moderator):

"Grant, let’s start with you. What’s the fastest way for a beginner to start making money with real estate?"

Grant Cardone:

*"The fastest way? Multifamily rentals.

Real estate is the ultimate passive income game, and here’s my formula to start right now, even if you’re broke:

✅ Step 1: Learn the 10X Rule of Real Estate

• You don’t want one small rental—you want 10 units, 20 units, or more.
• Bigger deals attract better financing and create more cash flow.

✅ Step 2: Use OPM (Other People’s Money)

• If you don’t have cash, partner with investors.
• Use seller financing, hard money lenders, or syndications to buy properties with little money down.

✅ Step 3: Buy Cash Flowing Properties

• Only invest in multifamily properties that pay for themselves from rent.
• Example: Buy a 10-unit building where rent covers mortgage, taxes, and profit.

✅ Step 4: Scale Up Fast

• Reinvest profits into bigger deals.
• Build a real estate portfolio that prints passive income forever.

If you follow this, you can own millions in real estate—even if you start with zero money."*

Nick Sasaki:

"Brandon, what if someone can’t start big? What’s the best low-cost way to start real estate investing?"

Brandon Turner:

*"If you don’t have a ton of money, here are 3 ways to get into real estate investing today:

🔥 1. House Hacking (Live for Free!)

• Buy a duplex, triplex, or 4-plex with an FHA loan (only 3.5% down!)
• Live in one unit, rent the others—your tenants pay your mortgage.

🔥 2. The BRRRR Strategy (Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat)

• Buy a fixer-upper with a low down payment.
• Fix it up, rent it out, refinance, and pull out your cash to buy another property.

🔥 3. Wholesaling Real Estate (No Money Needed!)

• Find a distressed property below market value.
• Get it under contract & sell the contract to an investor for $5K–$50K profit—no cash required!

Any of these will get you into real estate with little to no money."*

Nick Sasaki:

"Ken, let’s talk about scaling. What’s the best way to go from one rental to a full portfolio?"

Ken McElroy:

*"The key to scaling in real estate is focusing on:

✅ 1. Cash Flow First – Don’t buy properties for appreciation; buy assets that make money every month.

✅ 2. Leveraging the Right Financing – Get low-interest mortgages and use 1031 exchanges to reinvest profits tax-free.

✅ 3. Property Management Systems – Hire a property manager so you’re not fixing toilets at 2 AM.

✅ 4. Reinvesting Your Profits – Instead of spending cash flow, use it to buy more properties.

✅ 5. Getting into Bigger Deals – Syndicate or raise capital to buy 20-50 unit properties, where cash flow multiplies fast.

Scaling isn’t about working harder—it’s about buying smarter properties that grow your wealth automatically."*

Nick Sasaki:

"Kathy, let’s talk about passive real estate investing. What if someone wants to invest without managing properties?"

Kathy Fettke:

*"Not everyone wants to be a landlord—and you don’t have to be! Here are 3 passive ways to invest in real estate:

🏡 1. Real Estate Syndications (Group Investing)

• Invest $50K+ into large apartment deals led by experienced investors.
• You earn passive income while someone else manages it.

📈 2. REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts) (Stock Market Real Estate)

• Buy shares in REIT funds (like Vanguard’s VNQ).
• Get quarterly dividends without owning physical property.

💰 3. Turnkey Rental Properties (Done-for-You Rentals)

• Buy rented, managed properties from companies that handle everything.
• Great for people who want cash flow with no effort.

These methods let you profit from real estate without being a hands-on investor."*

Nick Sasaki:

"Keith, what’s the best way to build wealth for the long term using real estate?"

Keith Weinhold:

*"If you want to build wealth that lasts for generations, here’s the long-term real estate formula:

🏡 1. Buy & Hold Forever – Focus on buying rental properties, not flipping. Hold them for life while tenants pay off your mortgage.

🔄 2. Recycle Profits with 1031 Exchanges – Sell properties and roll profits into bigger deals tax-free.

📈 3. Use Inflation to Your Advantage – Inflation increases rent & property values, making real estate even more valuable over time.

💵 4. Never Sell, Only Refinance – Refinance properties to pull out tax-free cash and buy more rentals.

🏦 5. Own 10+ Properties for True Freedom – When you own 10 cash-flowing properties, you’ll have financial freedom for life.

That’s how you build wealth that lasts forever."*

Nick Sasaki:

"This was packed with real estate investment strategies anyone can start today!

Next, we’re diving into Automated Dropshipping Stores, where you can sell products online without inventory. Let’s bring in the experts!"

Automated Dropshipping: Sell Products Online Without Inventory

Panel Experts:

• Anton Kraly – Founder of Drop Ship Lifestyle, expert in high-ticket dropshipping.
• Sebastian Ghiorghiu – YouTube entrepreneur who scaled Shopify dropshipping stores.
• Kevin Zhang – Built a $20M dropshipping business in under two years.
• Franklin Hatchett – Authority in dropshipping and paid traffic strategies.
• Sarah Chrisp – Founder of Wholesale Ted, known for beginner-friendly dropshipping strategies.

Gary Vaynerchuk (Introduction):

*"Alright, let’s talk about dropshipping, one of the fastest ways to start an online business without holding inventory.

The idea is simple: you sell a product, but a supplier ships it for you. No warehouses, no upfront inventory costs. Just focus on marketing & branding while suppliers handle the rest.

But listen—dropshipping isn’t dead, despite what some people say. It just takes the right strategies to make it work. And today, we’ve got the best dropshipping experts here to give you a step-by-step blueprint to start making money online. Let’s go!"*

Nick Sasaki (Moderator):

"Anton, let’s start with you. What’s the simplest way for a beginner to start a profitable dropshipping store?"

Anton Kraly:

*"Great question, Nick. Here’s the exact roadmap to start dropshipping the right way:

✅ Step 1: Pick a Niche That Makes Money

• Don’t sell cheap $5 gadgets—they have low profit margins.
• Instead, sell high-ticket products ($300–$3,000) where one sale = big profit.
• Example Niches:
  • Standing Desks & Office Chairs (Remote Work Boom)
  • Electric Bikes & Scooters (Eco-Friendly Market)
  • Luxury Pet Accessories (High-Profit, Passionate Buyers)

✅ Step 2: Find Reliable Suppliers

• Don’t use AliExpress! Instead, work with US-based suppliers via SaleHoo, Spocket, or private manufacturers.
• Contact brands directly and ask to become an authorized retailer.

✅ Step 3: Build a Shopify Store

• Buy a domain (Namecheap)
• Use Shopify ($39/month) + premium theme
• Add 10+ high-ticket products and create SEO-friendly descriptions.

✅ Step 4: Run Google Ads for Fast Sales

• Target high-intent buyers searching for products ("Buy Electric Scooter Online")
• Set a $20–$50/day budget to start.

✅ Step 5: Optimize & Scale

• Once you get profitable sales, reinvest in better branding & influencer marketing.

This model has less competition, bigger profits, and is way more sustainable than selling cheap products."*

Nick Sasaki:

"Sebastian, what are the biggest mistakes new dropshippers should avoid?"

Sebastian Ghiorghiu:

*"Here’s what kills most dropshipping businesses before they even start:

❌ Selling $5 Gadgets with No Profit – Low-ticket items mean you’ll struggle to make money after ad costs.

❌ Using Only AliExpress – Slow shipping kills customer trust. Use US-based suppliers instead.

❌ Not Testing Before Scaling – Beginners throw $1,000+ on Facebook ads without knowing if their store converts. Test small first!

❌ Ignoring Branding & Trust Signals – If your website looks cheap, people won’t buy. Get a clean logo, fast loading speed, and customer reviews.

❌ No Customer Service – Dropshipping isn’t set-and-forget. Answer customer emails fast to avoid chargebacks."*

Nick Sasaki:

"Kevin, how do you scale a dropshipping business to $10K/month+?"

Kevin Zhang:

*"If you’re serious about scaling, here’s what you need to do:

🔥 1. Build a Real Brand (Not Just a Store)

• Create a custom domain & branded Shopify store.
• Order products and take professional photos.

🔥 2. Sell Evergreen, Problem-Solving Products

• Focus on high-demand, year-round products that people need (e.g., home office gear, pet accessories).

🔥 3. Automate Fulfillment with a Reliable Supplier

• Use CJ Dropshipping, Zendrop, or work with private suppliers for faster shipping & better quality.

🔥 4. Scale with Paid Ads & Influencers

• Google Shopping Ads (high-intent buyers = high ROI).
• TikTok Ads & UGC (User-Generated Content) work great for viral products.
• Partner with small influencers (5K–50K followers) for authentic reviews.

🔥 5. Move Beyond Dropshipping (Private Labeling)

• If a product sells consistently, work with a supplier to brand it under your own name (ex: white-label supplements, pet products, beauty items).

That’s how you turn a small dropshipping store into a real business."*

Nick Sasaki:

"Franklin, let’s talk traffic. What’s the best way to get cheap, high-converting traffic to a dropshipping store?"

Franklin Hatchett:

*"Traffic makes or breaks your dropshipping business. Here’s what works right now:

🚀 1. TikTok Organic & Ads

• Post 3-5 TikToks per day showcasing products in action.
• Use TikTok Ads ($10/day to start) to target impulse buyers.

🔍 2. Google Shopping Ads (Best for High-Ticket Products!)

• Target buyers searching for your product right now.
• Example: If you sell electric scooters, run ads on “Buy Electric Scooter Online” searches.

📌 3. Pinterest SEO & Ads

• Create pinnable images & link them to product pages.
• Use Pinterest Ads ($5/day to start) to get viral reach.

🎥 4. YouTube Shorts & Instagram Reels

• Create “Unboxing” and “Before & After” videos of your product.
• Showcase real customer testimonials for trust-building.

🚀 5. Micro-Influencer Marketing

• Pay small creators ($50–$100 per promo) to review your product.

If you mix organic content + paid ads, you can drive traffic profitably from day one."*

Nick Sasaki:

"Sarah, what’s the best beginner-friendly strategy for someone who only has $500 to start?"

Sarah Chrisp:

*"If you only have $500, here’s how I’d start dropshipping on a budget:

📌 Step 1: Pick a High-Profit Niche – Choose $50+ products so you have room for ad spend.

🌐 Step 2: Build a Simple Shopify Store – Use a free theme & create a clean, fast-loading site.

📸 Step 3: Post Organic TikToks & Reels Daily – Show products in action and follow trends.

🔥 Step 4: Run $5–$10/Day Google Shopping Ads – Target buyers ready to purchase.

📩 Step 5: Collect Emails & Upsell Customers – Use email marketing to drive repeat buyers.

💰 Step 6: Reinvest Profits & Scale with Paid Ads – Once you’re profitable, start Facebook & TikTok ads to scale up!"*

Nick Sasaki:

"That was a complete dropshipping blueprint! We covered everything from beginner strategies to scaling a $10K/month+ store.

Now, which side hustle are you going to start?"

Short Bios:

Nick Sasaki – An entrepreneur and marketing expert with a passion for passive income strategies, online businesses, and wealth-building opportunities. He moderates discussions to extract the most valuable insights from top experts.

Gary Vaynerchuk – Serial entrepreneur, investor, and CEO of VaynerMedia, known for his expertise in branding, digital marketing, and motivating people to start side hustles and businesses with a no-excuses mindset.

Pat Flynn – Founder of Smart Passive Income, an affiliate marketing and blogging expert who teaches people how to generate passive income through content creation.

Spencer Haws – Creator of Niche Pursuits, an SEO and affiliate marketing strategist specializing in building profitable niche websites.

Doug Cunnington – Affiliate marketing and SEO expert, known for helping people earn passive income through the Amazon Associates program and niche site-building.

Matt Diggity – Advanced SEO strategist who specializes in ranking websites for high-ticket affiliate marketing and scaling profitable online businesses.

Adam Enfroy – Blogger and digital entrepreneur who scaled his affiliate site to over $200K/month by using content marketing and high-ticket affiliate programs.

Neil Lassen – Founder of Merch Informer, a print-on-demand expert who teaches entrepreneurs how to sell t-shirts and other custom merchandise without holding inventory.

Michael Essany – Print-on-demand specialist known for helping sellers maximize profits on Etsy, Shopify, and Amazon Merch.

Rachel Rofé – E-commerce entrepreneur focused on selling low-cost, high-profit POD products, making passive income through simple, scalable designs.

Travis Marziani – A YouTube entrepreneur who shares print-on-demand and Etsy strategies for building a successful side hustle.

Parker Kane – Branding and design expert who helps entrepreneurs create high-converting POD products across multiple marketplaces.

Steve Scott – Bestselling Kindle author and expert in self-publishing, helping people write, publish, and sell books that generate long-term passive income.

Graham Cochrane – Course creation expert and entrepreneur who teaches people how to build automated online courses that generate passive income.

Ankur Nagpal – Founder of Teachable, a leading platform for course creators looking to package and sell their knowledge online.

Amy Porterfield – Digital marketing and course launch expert, known for helping entrepreneurs turn expertise into profitable online courses.

Marisa Murgatroyd – Founder of Experience Product Masterclass, an expert in making courses engaging, interactive, and highly profitable.

Grant Cardone – Real estate mogul, investor, and author, specializing in multifamily real estate and passive income strategies through large-scale property investments.

Brandon Turner – BiggerPockets expert in rental property investing, famous for the house hacking and BRRRR strategies to build real estate wealth.

Ken McElroy – Real estate investor and author focused on multifamily properties and financial independence through cash flow strategies.

Kathy Fettke – Passive real estate investing expert, known for helping investors earn rental income without hands-on management.

Keith Weinhold – Get Rich Education host, teaching buy-and-hold real estate investing for long-term wealth-building.

Anton Kraly – Founder of Drop Ship Lifestyle, expert in high-ticket dropshipping, helping people build sustainable e-commerce businesses.

Sebastian Ghiorghiu – YouTube entrepreneur known for scaling Shopify dropshipping stores and using paid traffic for high returns.

Kevin Zhang – E-commerce expert who built a $20M dropshipping business, specializing in brand-building and product automation.

Franklin Hatchett – Dropshipping and digital marketing expert, helping entrepreneurs scale their stores with Facebook Ads and Google Shopping.

Sarah Chrisp – Founder of Wholesale Ted, providing beginner-friendly dropshipping advice with a focus on long-term brand building.