Side Hustle School Ep. 3250 - First $1,000: Digital Window Menu Boards for Food Trucks
Nov 24, 2025
Discover how a designer transformed traditional chalkboard menus into sleek digital solutions for food trucks. Inspired by travel, she repurposed unused tablets and created an easy-to-use menu kit. With minimal costs and smart sales strategies, she sold her product directly during busy lunch hours, earning impressive profits. Learn how technology and design can turn spare resources into a reliable side income, all while covering rent! This episode dives into innovation, creativity, and the hustle behind turning ideas into cash.
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Turning Old Tablets Into A Live Demo Sale
- Paula found retired Amazon Fire HD tablets in her commissary and turned them into digital menu demos for trucks.
- She sold demo units on the spot and reached over $1,000 net within weeks by selling multiple kits to neighboring vendors.
Small Fixes Yield Reliable Recurring Income
- Small, visible fixes for local businesses can become consistent income streams when priced and demonstrated well.
- Paula now covers her studio rent with two sales a month and uses proximity to customers to sell repeatedly.
In-Place Demos Convert Quickly
- Demonstrating a product in-context creates immediate demand because customers can see the benefit in real time.
- Paula sold the demo unit on the spot after propping it in a neighbor's window during lunch rush.