A San Diego woman turned a simple beauty product discovery into a thriving online brand — earning $7,000 in her first weekend.
Challenge
When Colleen R. wandered through her local farmers market one sunny afternoon, she wasn’t looking for a new business idea. A veteran marketer and lifelong side hustler, she’d already tried ventures from food delivery to custom merchandise — but nothing had stuck. At the time, she was between projects, unsure what to try next. Then she spotted a small booth selling something she’d never seen before: glass nail files.
Curious, she picked one up — and immediately recognized potential. The product was elegant, reusable, and gentle on nails — unlike disposable cardboard files or harsh metal ones. She just knew there was a market for it. The only problem? The vendor’s prices were too high for resale.
Action
Colleen went home and started researching manufacturers. After rejecting one supplier that used leaded glass, she found a Czech company that produced high-quality, lead-free versions. The catch? A minimum order of fifty units per color. Determined to test her idea, she invested $1,800 in an initial batch across five colors and three sizes.
To sell them, she booked a booth at a Southern California craft fair. She built her display from scratch — painting terra cotta pots gold and arranging the nail files like flowers “growing” from them. Her first day went well, but managing change for single sales proved tricky. The next day, she introduced a simple offer: a three-piece bundle for $20. The new deal was a hit — easy for her to manage and irresistible to shoppers.
Result
By the end of that two-day event, Colleen had earned $7,000 — nearly four times her investment. She knew she was onto something. Over the following months, she began selling at more craft fairs and trade shows, keeping costs low by negotiating booth deposits and reinvesting profits into inventory.
Eventually, her husband — a web developer — built her an online store, Top Notch Nail Files. When her product was featured in Real Simple magazine, online orders skyrocketed. Within a year, she had transformed her part-time hustle into a six-figure business.
Lesson
Colleen’s story shows how powerful a simple idea can be when paired with persistence and creativity. She didn’t reinvent the beauty industry — she spotted a better version of an everyday item and ran with it. By keeping costs lean, testing her product directly with customers, and using early profits to grow, she built a sustainable business that now runs largely on autopilot.
Takeaway: You don’t need a groundbreaking invention to build a successful side hustle — sometimes all it takes is curiosity, action, and a willingness to follow your instincts.
Inspired by a true story originally featured on Side Hustle School by Chris Guillebeau. This rewritten version is independently produced and fully original.