Side Hustle School Ep. 3310 - Failure Friday: “We were incredibly disappointed…”
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Jan 23, 2026 In this engaging discussion, Jay Perkins, the founder of Kettlebell Kings and a lifestyle fitness blogger, shares his rollercoaster journey in e-commerce. He reveals the challenges of launching his import business while balancing rideshare work and software gigs. When a significant shipment went awry, resulting in a $25,000 loss, Jay had to navigate customer refunds and re-establish trust. He emphasizes vital lessons on quality control, supplier relations, and the importance of resilience in overcoming entrepreneurial setbacks.
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Wrong Kettlebell Shipment Nearly Sank Them
- Jay Perkins recounted receiving a container of kettlebells that were completely different from what they ordered and advertised.
- The mistake threatened ~$25,000 of inventory and forced them to manage refunds, re-shoot images, and face brand damage.
Bootstrapping Included Grueling Warehouse Labor
- Jay described unloading shipping containers by hand in a hot Austin warehouse without forklifts or air conditioning.
- The work was backbreaking, taking four to five hours to move 15,000–20,000 pounds per unload.
Require QC And Safer Supplier Terms
- Do implement quality-control checks like on-the-ground inspectors or requiring photos/videos before shipping new supplier orders.
- Do renegotiate supplier payment terms to avoid paying large sums before verifying deliveries.