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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 your refurbishment business and get more clients.

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Old but Valuable

Restoring Nostalgia: How to Grow and Maximize Income in a Vintage Toy Refurbishment Business

Turn Broken Playthings Into Profitable Collectibles and a Fully Automated Business

Vintage toy refurbishment is more than just cleaning up old action figures or repainting dolls. It’s about bringing childhood memories back to life — and collectors will pay handsomely for it. With demand on the rise, a side hustle in toy restoration can grow into a $5,000 to $10,000+ per month business if you scale it the right way.

Here’s exactly how you can grow and maximize your vintage toy refurbishment business, while also creating content that attracts buyers and builds your brand.

1. Use Refurbishments as Social Media Gold

One of the biggest growth hacks for this business is that every toy you restore is a story worth sharing. Before-and-after transformations make for powerful content:

• Post time-lapse videos of you repairing a toy on TikTok, Instagram Reels, or YouTube Shorts.

• Share satisfying “cleaning” clips that show dirt, scratches, or broken parts being fixed.

• Highlight rare finds to spark nostalgia and conversation in collector groups.

These videos not only attract collectors but can also go viral, leading to free marketing and a bigger customer base. Many refurbishers find that social media doubles as both their portfolio and lead generation tool.

2. Diversify Your Sales Channels

To maximize income, don’t rely on just one marketplace. Instead, spread across multiple platforms:

• eBay & Etsy – Great for international collectors and hobbyists.

• Facebook Marketplace & Collector Groups – Local buyers and niche communities.

• Your Own Website (Shopify/WordPress) – Build a brand and keep more profit.

• Instagram/TikTok Shops – Sell directly where your content goes viral.

The more places your refurbished toys are visible, the higher your sales volume.

3. Raise Your Value with Presentation

Collectors value authenticity and aesthetics. To command higher prices:

• Invest in professional photography or simple lightbox setups.

• Create custom packaging or display cases for rare toys.

• Write detailed descriptions, including toy history and restoration notes.

When your refurbished toys look like museum-quality collectibles, you can price them at the top of the market.

4. Build a Team to Scale

As demand grows, you won’t be able to do everything yourself. Hiring the right people helps you scale:

• Restoration Assistants – Handle cleaning, painting, or small fixes.

• Content Creators – Film and edit your refurbishing videos for social media.

• Customer Service Reps – Manage questions, orders, and returns.

• Inventory Managers – Organize stock, parts, and shipping.

By delegating tasks, you free up your time to focus on strategy and high-value projects.

5. Automate Growth with a Sales Team

To push beyond $10K/month, you need consistent buyers — not just random one-offs. That’s where a sales and outreach team comes in:

• Hire commission-based reps to reach out to collectors, toy shops, antique stores, and even museums.

• Pitch to businesses (like toy-themed cafes or retro shops) that might want bulk orders.

• Offer partnerships with influencers or nostalgia-based YouTubers who could showcase your toys.

This turns your business into a predictable revenue machine, where new buyers and contracts come in regularly.

6. Create Multiple Revenue Streams

Growing isn’t just about selling toys — it’s about building an ecosystem. Here’s how to diversify:

• Custom Refurbishments – Offer services where clients send in their old toys for restoration.

• Workshops & Online Courses – Teach others how to refurbish vintage toys.

• Content Monetization – Earn from YouTube AdSense or TikTok Creator Fund with your videos.

• Merchandise – Sell toy-themed posters, shirts, or collectibles alongside your refurbished products.

This creates stability and ensures your income isn’t tied to just one source.

7. Reinvest in Tools and Branding

To scale effectively, put money back into your business:

• Upgrade to professional refurbishing tools like airbrush kits and specialized adhesives.

• Improve your studio lighting and cameras for content creation.

• Build a strong brand identity with a logo, packaging, and consistent social media presence.

Reinvestment not only improves quality but also builds trust with serious collectors.

Potential Monthly Earnings

Here’s what scaling can look like:

• Beginner (10–15 sales/month): $1,500–$3,000.

• Growing (25–40 sales/month + viral content): $5,000–$10,000.

• Advanced (team + automation + outreach): $15,000–$25,000+.

The combination of collectible demand, viral marketing, and automation makes these numbers very achievable.

Requirements to Get Started

• Basic refurbishing skills (painting, cleaning, small repairs).

• A workspace (garage, workshop, or small home studio).

• Initial tools & supplies (cleaners, brushes, paints, adhesives).

• Access to selling platforms (eBay, Etsy, Shopify).

• Marketing mindset to leverage social media.

Websites and Tools to Use

• eBay, Etsy, Shopify – Selling platforms.

• Canva – Create branded visuals and marketing posts.

• Final Cut Pro / Adobe Premiere / CapCut – For editing refurbishing videos.

• Trello / Asana – Organize projects and team tasks.

• Hootsuite / Buffer – Automate your social media posting.

Products to Buy to Maximize Results

• Airbrush kit – Smooth, professional paint finishes.

• Ring light and tripod – High-quality content recording.

• Magnifying visor – For detailed repairs.

• Specialty cleaning kits – Gentle yet effective for old plastics and fabrics.

• Storage bins & shelving – Organize inventory efficiently.

Pros

• High demand – Nostalgia and collectibles markets keep growing.

• Creative and rewarding – Every toy is a unique project.

• Content-friendly – Refurbishment makes for viral social media content.

• Scalable – Easy to expand with a team and outreach.

Cons

• Time-intensive – Detailed restorations can’t be rushed.

• Fragile inventory – Vintage toys are delicate and need careful handling.

• Upfront investment – Tools, materials, and inventory require capital.

• Market fluctuation – Some toy trends may cool off over time.

Summary: Keys to Growing a Vintage Toy Refurbishment Business

1. Leverage social media content to attract buyers and build your brand.

2. Expand sales channels beyond one platform to reach global collectors.

3. Hire and delegate refurbishing, content creation, and customer service.

4. Automate with a sales team for consistent outreach and bulk deals.

5. Diversify income streams with custom refurbishments, courses, and monetized content.

6. Reinvest profits into better tools, branding, and marketing for long-term growth.

By combining the artistry of restoration with the reach of social media and the systems of automation, you can transform toy refurbishment into a six-figure business that runs like a well-oiled machine.

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!

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