Starter Story He Turned $500 Into $10M | Starter Story
Aug 28, 2025
In this engaging conversation, Karthik Shanadi, a serial e-commerce entrepreneur, shares his remarkable journey of transforming $500 into a $10 million clothing empire. He discusses the hustle of launching multiple apparel brands while balancing a full-time job. Karthik reveals his marketing strategies, including effective use of email and affiliate programs, and emphasizes the importance of communication and adaptability in entrepreneurship. He inspires listeners to start their business journeys immediately, highlighting practical action and continuous learning.
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Dormroom Hustle Launched The Business
- Karthik and his co-founder started Greek House from their fraternity house with $500 and hustled campus networks.
- They cold-texted classmates, attended student meetings, and refined pitches until sales scaled from $50k to $100k in year two.
Early Audit Nearly Bankrupted Them
- Four months after going full-time the team was audited and hit with a $40,000 licensing bill they hadn't planned for.
- They negotiated a payment plan to avoid collapse and learned the hard cost of licensing compliance.
Automate Processes To Win Production Partners
- Streamline vendor operations with tech and clear processes to make partners' work easier.
- Provide vendor portals and organized order data so partners print and ship quickly and reliably.