Aubrey Janik was stuck with a Jeep she didn’t like. When a friend mentioned renting his car on Turo, she listed it that same night. That impulse decision grew into a massive car-sharing business with a 34-vehicle, self-funded fleet that now generates up to $40,000 a month in revenue.
What started as a side hustle became a lesson in smart asset acquisition. Aubrey mastered sourcing cars from Facebook Marketplace with a simple but brilliant strategy: buying reliable, depreciated vehicles below market value. This approach minimized risk and maximized profit on each rental, allowing her to rapidly expand her portfolio from one car to dozens.
In this interview, Aubrey joins Ryan Atkinson to break down her entire business model. She reveals her checklist for buying profitable used cars, the specific models that generate the highest returns, and her system for managing a large fleet. This episode provides a clear roadmap to generating serious passive income through car sharing.
Takeaways:
- Act quickly to avoid "analysis paralysis." The guest listed her first car the same night she heard the idea, emphasizing that taking immediate action is crucial.
- The most important strategy is to buy cars below market value that have already hit their depreciation floor. This minimizes financial risk and can even lead to a profit if the car is totaled.
- You can source an entire fleet of vehicles from Facebook Marketplace. This allows you to find deals and scale without relying on traditional dealerships.
- Don't rent out a personal vehicle you're emotionally attached to. Treat the cars purely as business assets and be prepared for wear, tear, and damage.
- Reliable, low-maintenance brands like Toyota and specific Hyundai models offer the best value. Certain Hyundais, like the Elantra GT, have a lifetime engine warranty, making them a particularly smart buy.
- A single car can generate significant revenue, with good cash cars earning $900-$1300 a month and higher-end models earning up to $2,100 a month.
- The business is highly scalable. The guest grew her fleet from one car to 34, turning a side hustle into a full-time business generating up to $40,000 a month.
- The barrier to entry is low. The guest's second car was purchased for under $3,000 in cash, funded by profits from the first car and personal savings.
- Strictly follow the platform's Terms of Service. This is your primary protection against liability and financial loss in case of an accident.
- Total losses are a predictable part of the business. By purchasing cars correctly (below market value), you can be financially covered or even profit from an insurance payout
Tags: Side Hustle, Entrepreneurship, Passive Income, Flipping Cars, Car Sharing, Turo, Facebook Marketplace
Resources:
Grow your business today: https://links.upflip.com/the-business-startup-and-growth-blueprint-podcast
Connect with Aubrey: https://www.youtube.com/c/AubreyJanik
The UpFlip Podcast