Welcome Back To Side Hustle Weekly!

I’m excited to share with you another great side hustle you can start today! Today we will be discussing how you can scale a print on demand business to over $15k per month.

Before We Get Started Here’s Your News Recap:

📉 Fed Holds Rates Steady; Signals No September Cut
The Federal Reserve maintained rates at 4.25–4.50%, noting solid labor conditions and persistent inflation. Expectations for a September cut have now dipped below 50%, led by comments from Chair Powell that policy remains modestly restrictive.

📈 U.S. Q2 GDP Jumps 3%; Underlying Weakness Emerging
Second-quarter U.S. GDP climbed an annualized 3%, exceeding forecasts. Yet, the advance reflected weak imports rather than robust domestic demand—raising concerns about sustainability.

💼 Tech Earnings Fuel Stock Gains, but Tesla Dips Again
Microsoft and Meta’s cloud and AI beat expectations, pushing S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures up 1.3%. Meanwhile, Tesla shares slid further amid weak guidance and lingering tariff uncertainty.

📊 Starbucks, Hershey & VF Corp Beat Forecasts
Starbucks stock gained over 4%, Hershey rose ~1.4%, and VF Corp (Vans owner) rose 2.6% after all posting earnings above street estimates—even as UnitedHealth and Merck disappointed.

🤝 U.S.–EU Trade Deal Eases Tariff Tensions
A framework trade agreement has cut threatened duties to a flat 15%, underpinning market confidence and pulling European and global equities higher on renewed sentiment.

⏳ China–U.S. Talks Resume in Sweden Ahead of August 12 Deadline
Negotiators reconvened in Stockholm to extend an interim tariff truce, looming with potential duties up to 145% if unresolved by August 12.

🙂 Consumer Confidence Climbs Slightly in July
The Conference Board's Sentiment Index rose to 97.2, beating forecasts of 95.0. However, job availability ratings remain at their weakest since March 2021, signaling persistent labor anxiety.

💸 Copper Collapses 19.4% on Tariff News
Trump announced new 50% tariffs on copper pipes and wiring, triggering a 19.4% plunge in copper prices amid escalating protectionist measures.

🚀 Oil Closes Up Again on Trade Optimism
Brent and WTI climbed over 1%, buoyed by easing trade tensions—especially following the U.S.–EU deal—despite mixed macro data from China.

📈 China PMIs disappoint, dragging Asian equities and copper further amid policy uncertainty.

📊 HSBC profit falls due to weak China; Adidas warns U.S. tariffs may cost it €200M—FTSE ripple effects ensue.

🌏 BOJ signals caution: Japan raised its inflation forecast but kept rates at 0.5%, strengthening the yen slightly.

Print on Demand to $15/month

Print-on-demand (POD) is one of the most accessible and profitable online business models—when done right. But most people stop at the $2K–$5K/month level because they don’t understand how to scale, systemize, and delegate effectively. The truth is: if you treat your POD venture like a brand, not a side hustle, $10K/month is just the beginning.

In this guide, we’ll break down how to grow your POD business into a true income-generating machine by leveraging systems, people, and strategy.

Step 1: Turn Your Store Into a Brand

Generic designs won’t cut it anymore. If you want recurring customers and viral marketing, you need a brand with a story.

• Dial in your niche: Instead of targeting "dog lovers," go deeper — like “rescue pitbull owners.”

• Consistent brand voice: Every post, ad, and design should speak to your audience's lifestyle and values.

• Design quality over quantity: Instead of cranking out 500 random tees, test 10 powerful designs and scale the top 3.

🛠 Tip: Use customer reviews and UGC (user-generated content) to reinforce your branding. This builds trust and boosts conversion rates.

Step 2: Automate the Machine with Tools and Systems

To reach $10K+ per month, you can’t be doing everything yourself. Here’s what to automate first:

Use Software to Streamline Operations:

• Shopify: Core platform to host your store.

• Printify / Printful: Handles printing and shipping.

• Klaviyo: Automate email flows like cart abandonment, post-purchase upsells, and win-backs.

• ReConvert: Add upsells and cross-sells on the checkout page.

• Loox / Judge.me: Auto-collect customer reviews and photos for social proof.

Automate Content & Ads:

• Batch-create TikTok/Instagram reels and schedule with tools like Later or Metricool.

• Use AdCreative.ai or Canva to build scroll-stopping ads quickly.

Step 3: Outsource Growth & Operations

This is where true passive scale begins. Here’s who to hire and when:

1. Virtual Assistant (VA)

Cost: $4–$8/hr (Philippines or Latin America)
Tasks: Customer service, order tracking, uploading designs, basic marketing outreach

2. Creative Designers

Cost: $10–$50/design
Find them on Fiverr, Upwork, or Behance. Give them detailed design briefs so they understand your audience.

3. Ad Specialist / Media Buyer

Cost: $500/month + % of ad spend
They’ll run your Facebook/TikTok ads, monitor ROI, and scale winners while you focus on product and branding.

4. Sales/Outreach Team

Train reps to:

• Reach out to influencers for UGC deals

• Pitch local stores for wholesale/retail distribution

• Collaborate with niche brands on co-branded campaigns

Step 4: Expand Product Offerings & Platforms

Add High-Ticket POD Items:

• Premium hoodies, embroidered gear, home decor, posters, canvas prints

• Personalized items (dog names, anniversaries, etc.)

Go Omnichannel:

• Open a Etsy or Amazon Merch storefront

• Sell through TikTok Shop

• List products on Wanelo, Redbubble, or Zazzle

This expands reach and makes your brand harder to ignore.

Step 5: Build an Audience That Prints You Money

The most profitable POD brands don’t rely only on ads — they own an audience.

How to Do It:

• Start a niche meme page on TikTok or Instagram

• Grow an email list with freebies (e.g., “Top 10 designs for dog moms”)

• Create community-focused Facebook Groups or Discords

• Host giveaways that require tagging and sharing for viral growth

Estimating the Earnings (Scalable Model)

With a tight system, a hot niche, and proper reinvestment, crossing $20K–$50K+/mo profit is achievable within 12 months.

Summary: How to Grow and Maximize Income of a POD Business

✅ Focus on branding over product count
✅ Automate operations with software and smart tools
✅ Outsource creatively — don’t do everything yourself
✅ Run profitable ads and optimize them regularly
✅ Build a content machine (in-house or outsourced)
✅ Expand to multiple platforms and offer higher-ticket items
✅ Own your audience with emails, communities, and loyalty

Final Thought:
The road to a $10K+/mo print-on-demand business isn’t about working harder — it’s about building a system that works while you sleep. Start small, reinvest smart, and scale like a real CEO. Your next best-selling hoodie or viral mug might just be a few clicks away.

That’s A Wrap

I hope you enjoyed today’s post and if you have any questions about the post, upcoming posts, how to advertise, or anything else, feel free to reply. See you next time with another money-making post, helping you boost your income!

Disclaimer: This newsletter is for informational and educational purposes only and reflects the opinions of its editors and contributors. The content provided, including but not limited to real estate tips, stock market insights, business marketing strategies, and startup advice, is shared for general guidance and does not constitute financial, investment, real estate, legal, or business advice. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information provided. Past performance is not indicative of future results. All investment, real estate, and business decisions involve inherent risks, and readers are encouraged to perform their own due diligence and consult with qualified professionals before taking any action. This newsletter does not establish a fiduciary, advisory, or professional relationship between the publishers and readers.