Side Hustle School Ep. 3317 - STORY: Jiu-Jitsu Instructor Pins Down Mobile Workout Tool
Jan 30, 2026
A DIY training tool idea grows from backyard tinkering into a production-ready fitness product. The creator uses Kickstarter to validate demand and secures major funding. He navigates factory sourcing, travel to inspect samples, and scales to steady monthly sales. Lessons focus on prototyping, manufacturing vigilance, and fulfillment challenges.
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From Backyard Prototype To Global Product
- Jason Gulati started with a DIY handstand-cane prototype and iterated it into a clean product using YouTube and backyard tinkering.
- He launched on Kickstarter, flew to China twice to fix manufacturing issues, and built a routine supply chain that now generates $20,000/month.
Get Real Blueprints And Verify Factories
- Turn napkin sketches into production-ready blueprints by hiring an industrial designer before contacting factories.
- Verify manufacturers (not brokers) with facility videos, headcount, and on-platform reviews to avoid surprises.
Validate Demand With A Crowdfund Campaign
- Use crowdfunding to validate demand and raise funds, setting a goal that covers initial production costs.
- Build landing pages and email sequences and test buyer personas with ads before committing to large orders.