581: Bootstrapping a $1M Direct to Consumer E-Commerce Brand as a Side Hustle
Sep 28, 2023
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Ben Feys and Kevin Niehoff, entrepreneurs who struggled with skincare issues, created a brand for active males. They discuss market validation, product formulation, branding, customer acquisition, and operational challenges in building a $1M men's skincare side hustle.
Understanding the target market's needs and developing a product to address those needs is crucial for competing with established brands.
Market research and involving experts like dermatologists and cosmetic chemists can provide valuable insights for creating a credible and effective product.
Deep dives
Building a Brand and Online Income Stream
Kevin Nihoff and Ben FaZe share their journey of building a men's skincare brand called Pretty Boy while working day jobs. They focused on market research and identified gaps in the skincare market for men. By understanding their desired customer base and creating a product that addressed their needs, they gained confidence to compete with established skincare brands. They emphasized the importance of understanding their unique consumer and creating a brand that reflected their values. Their website played a crucial role in conversion rates and they highlighted the significance of first impressions.
Collecting Customer Data and Involving Dermatologists
To understand their desired customer's preferences, the founders conducted extensive pre-surveys and collected data on skincare needs and concerns. They also sought feedback from dermatologists and cosmetic chemists to develop a product that met the desired claims and was suitable for customers with skin conditions. By involving the clinical community and gaining credibility, they received valuable input for their ingredient list and formulation choices.
Inventory Management and Manufacturing Challenges
One of the challenges they faced was managing inventory and choosing the right manufacturing partner. With a 10,000 unit minimum order quantity, they made strategic decisions to balance cost savings and inventory needs. The process of finding the right contract manufacturer was time-consuming and required reaching out to several potential suppliers to ensure quality and suitability. They also experienced the importance of forecasting inventory accurately to avoid stockouts and delays.
Marketing and Sales Strategies
The founders utilized various marketing strategies including Facebook ads and blogging to drive sales. They emphasized the effectiveness of Facebook advertising, despite it not being as lucrative as in the past, and highlighted the value of organic site visits through blog content. Additionally, they discussed the benefits of focusing on customer experience, offering subscription models, and meeting customers on platforms like Amazon to enhance convenience and reach a wider audience.
Ben Feys and Kevin Niehoff had a problem. As young professionals working busy day jobs, they struggled with skincare issues like acne and eczema but couldn’t find products that worked for them.
Rather than accept their fate, these best friends decided to take matters into their own hands. They dreamed of creating the “Nike of skincare” — a brand built specifically for active males like themselves.
In 2019, Ben and Kevin finally decided to scratch their entrepreneurial itch and turn this passion project into a side hustle reality. Little did they know their bootstrapped men’s skincare line YoPrettyBoy.com would generate over $1 million in annual revenue just a few years later.
Tune into Episode 581 of The Side Hustle Show to learn:
How Kevin and Ben validated the market opportunity for PrettyBoy
The extensive research and preparations that went into formulating and launching their products
Clever branding and positioning strategies to stand out in a crowded market
Traction tactics to efficiently acquire customers and drive repeat sales
Key operational areas like manufacturing, fulfillment, and inventory management