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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 start a refurbishment business.

Before We Get Started Here’s Your News Recap:

U.S. business activity slows again in September
The S&P Global flash Composite PMI dropped to 53.6 from 54.6 in August — still growing, but losing steam. Firms cited rising input costs (tariffs especially) and weaker demand; many are unable to pass on costs to customers.

Current account deficit shrinks by record amount
The U.S. saw its current account deficit narrow by 42.9% in Q2 2025, the biggest drop ever recorded, down to $251.3B (≈ 3.3% of GDP). Largely driven by a collapse in goods imports.

Gold tops new records ahead of Powell’s remarks
Spot gold surged past $3,790/oz, buoyed by expectation of further Fed rate cuts and safe-haven demand; dollar slipping adds fuel to the move.

Fed’s Bowman urges faster support for job market
Vice-Chair Michelle Bowman warned the Fed might be lagging in addressing emerging weak spots in labor, and suggested quicker rate cuts may be necessary if softening persists.

OECD upgrades U.S. growth slightly — but warns of tariff drag
U.S. GDP growth forecast for 2025 was nudged up to 1.8% (from 1.6%), but the OECD cautions that high effective tariff rates (~19.5%, highest since 1933) and reduced immigration will weigh on economic momentum.

Wall Street mixed; tech gives way, financials & energy buoyed
Markets paused after recent tech-led gains. The Dow rose modestly, S&P roughly flat, Nasdaq down slightly. Financials and energy stocks led the upside, while tech names (e.g. Nvidia, Amazon) under pressure. Eyes on Powell’s upcoming speech.

Vintage Money

Nostalgia for Profit: How to Start a Vintage Toy Refurbishment Business

Turn Old Treasures into $5K–$10K a Month and Build a Business Around Childhood Memories

Vintage toys aren’t just dusty attic finds — they’re valuable collectibles that spark nostalgia, joy, and serious demand from collectors worldwide. From 80s action figures to tin robots and antique dolls, the market for refurbished toys is booming. With a little patience, skill, and creativity, you can turn toy restoration into a profitable side hustle or even a six-figure business.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to start and grow a vintage toy refurbishment business.

Step 1: Learn the Market

Before touching your first toy, study what’s in demand. Popular categories include:

• Action figures (Star Wars, G.I. Joe, Transformers)

• Dolls (Barbie, American Girl, antique porcelain)

• Die-cast cars (Hot Wheels, Matchbox)

• Board games and puzzles

• Mechanical and wind-up toys

Check eBay sold listings, Facebook Marketplace, and collector forums to see average prices. Some toys in mint condition can sell for hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

Step 2: Source Your Inventory

The thrill of this business starts with the hunt. Look for toys to refurbish at:

• Thrift stores and flea markets

• Garage and estate sales

• Auctions and collector shows

• Online lots from eBay or Craigslist

Pro tip: Buy in bulk when you can. Even if some toys are damaged beyond repair, you can salvage parts to refurbish others.

Step 3: Learn Refurbishment Techniques

Every toy is different, but most refurbishing falls into these categories:

• Cleaning – Remove dirt, dust, and grime safely without damaging paint.

• Paint touch-ups – Use acrylic paints or specialty markers.

• Repairing parts – Replace springs, wheels, or missing limbs.

• Re-stuffing or re-stringing dolls – Make them look brand new.

• Packaging restoration – Fix or replace boxes for higher resale value.

You can find free tutorials on YouTube or invest in online classes focused on toy repair and restoration.

Step 4: Set Up Your Workspace

You don’t need a big shop — a dedicated table or small home studio works. Equip it with:

• Cleaning supplies (soft brushes, cotton swabs, gentle soaps)

• Acrylic paints and paintbrushes

• Super glue and epoxy

• Replacement parts (springs, screws, doll hair, etc.)

• Proper lighting and magnifying tools

A clean, organized workspace helps you work efficiently and keeps delicate toys safe.

Step 5: Build Your Online Presence

Once you’ve refurbished your first few toys, it’s time to showcase them.

• Create accounts on eBay, Etsy, and Facebook Marketplace.

• Build an Instagram or TikTok page to show before-and-after transformations.

• Start a simple website or Shopify store to look more professional.

Sharing your refurbishments builds trust with buyers and draws in collectors who will pay premium prices.

Step 6: Price Your Work

Pricing depends on rarity, condition, and demand. General guidelines:

• Small refurbished toys: $25–$75

• Mid-range collectibles: $100–$500

• Rare or limited-edition pieces: $1,000+

Factor in your refurbishing time, materials, and sourcing costs. Remember, collectors value authenticity and presentation — if your toy looks brand new, you can charge more.

Step 7: Market and Sell

To grow your income, focus on both direct sales and building a following:

• List toys consistently on eBay and Etsy.

• Use short-form videos (TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts) to showcase transformations — these often go viral.

• Offer bundles or themed sets for collectors.

• Reach out to local antique shops to consign your toys.

As your reputation grows, buyers will start coming to you for custom refurbishments or bulk purchases.

Step 8: Scale and Automate

To push your business into the $10K+/month range, consider:

• Hiring assistants to handle cleaning, packing, or social media.

• Building a sales team to reach out to collectors, toy shops, or museums.

• Creating courses or workshops teaching others how to refurbish toys.

• Sourcing internationally to access rare finds.

Eventually, you can build a brand where most of the growth and outreach is fully automated.

Requirements to Get Started

• Basic knowledge of toys and collectibles

• Refurbishing tools and materials

• Computer or phone for listings and marketing

• A budget of $500–$1,500 for initial inventory

Websites and Tools You’ll Need

• eBay, Etsy, and Facebook Marketplace – Selling platforms

• Shopify or WordPress – Build your own store

• Canva – Create branded images and marketing content

• YouTube tutorials – Free refurbishing guidance

• Google Trends – See which toys are hot right now

Products to Buy for Best Results

• Blue Yeti Mic & Ring Light – For creating promo videos

• Magnifying glass or headband magnifier – For detail work

• Acrylic paint sets – For touch-ups

• Specialized cleaning brushes – For delicate surfaces

• Storage bins & shelving – To organize inventory

Earning Potential

Here’s a realistic estimate for monthly earnings:

• Beginner (10–15 toys/month): $1,000–$3,000

• Intermediate (20–40 toys/month + online following): $5,000–$10,000

• Advanced (scaling with a team + bulk sourcing): $15,000–$25,000+

The more rare and high-quality toys you refurbish, the higher your profit margins.

Pros

• Low startup costs – You can begin with a small investment.

• High demand – Nostalgia-driven market with serious collectors.

• Creative and fun – Turn old, broken items into treasures.

• Scalable – Expand into workshops, online sales, or full automation.

Cons

• Time-intensive – Restoring toys requires patience and attention to detail.

• Market fluctuations – Some toys may not hold long-term value.

• Fragile inventory – Old toys can be delicate to handle and ship.

• Competition – Popular niches may have many sellers.

Summary: How to Grow a Vintage Toy Refurbishment Business

1. Research the market to find profitable toy categories.

2. Source inventory from thrift stores, sales, and auctions.

3. Refurbish carefully using proper tools and techniques.

4. Sell online through eBay, Etsy, and your own site.

5. Market creatively with social media and video content.

6. Scale with help — hire assistants, sales reps, and automate outreach.

With nostalgia fueling demand, refurbishing vintage toys is more than just a fun side hustle — it’s a unique business opportunity that can bring in serious profits while letting you preserve pieces of history.

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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