The Side Hustle Show 702: I Turned My Disney-Inspired Running Skirts into a Profitable Side Hustle and a $120,000 Exit
Oct 16, 2025
Samantha Hamilton, founder of Dottie for Running, turned a homemade Disney-inspired tutu into a thriving running skirt business, ultimately selling it for $120,000. She shares how she navigated production challenges, built a loyal community through social media and ambassadorship, and effectively managed demand spikes. Samantha discusses the transition from Etsy to Shopify for scalability and her crucial decision to sell for family reasons. Her advice? Start small and believe in your vision!
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Mom-Made Tutu Sparked A Business
- Samantha started Dottie for Running after her mom sewed tutus for her to wear at races and strangers asked where she got them.
- That early positive feedback sparked the idea to test a small handmade business before investing heavily.
Source Production Locally First
- Look locally for skilled seamstresses, especially near university towns with textile programs.
- Working with local makers avoids huge minimums and preserves quality while keeping production lean.
Use Marketplace First To Get Traction
- Start selling on platforms that match your product, like Etsy for handmade items, to tap existing traffic.
- Pair the platform with social media and event appearances to drive early sales and discovery.