Rodney Melton’s journey to building a six-figure side hustle is a testament to the power of passion, hard work, and creativity. In just over a year, Melton was able to turn his hobby of working with concrete and stone into a lucrative business selling pet memorial headstones on Etsy. His story is part of CNBC Make It’s Six-Figure Side Hustle series, where individuals share their routines and habits for making money on top of their full-time jobs.
Melton, who worked 60 hours per week as a maintenance lead at Mars Pet Care, decided to start his side hustle in March 2021. With a $15,000 engraver and a self-built workshop behind his home in Alma, Arkansas, Melton began molding, engraving, and selling pet memorial headstones on Etsy. Initially, it took him two to three days to set the headstones in molds and another five hours to engrave them before his wife added epoxy filling.
As his side hustle gained traction, Melton reinvested his earnings and savings into additional tools like a sandblaster, granite saw, chisel, and laser engraver, totaling $51,500. These new pieces of equipment significantly reduced his production time, allowing him to increase his sales. By May 2022, Melton’s Etsy shop brought in nearly $20,000, prompting him to leave his full-time job. He now works fewer hours and has hired his daughter and daughter-in-law to help with the business.
In the past year, Melton’s four-person operation generated over $207,000 in revenue on Etsy, with an estimated two-thirds of that amount being profit. He is on track to make a similar amount this year, showcasing the scalability and success of his side hustle.
When asked if his side hustle is replicable, Melton believes that anyone can do it with an initial investment of $10,000 or less for cement molds and sandblast equipment. He emphasizes the importance of passion and personal connection to the work, citing his own experience of finding solace in creating memorial pieces after the passing of his mother and a friend’s dog.
Working with family members, including his daughter Kristen and daughter-in-law, has been a positive experience for Melton. He highlights the importance of collaboration and allowing each family member to have a role in the business, which has contributed to its success. Kristen, in particular, has taken on a significant role in the operation, helping to streamline processes and boost sales.
The impact of creating pet memorials full-time has greatly improved Melton’s work-life balance. Working from his backyard workshop has allowed him to spend more time with his family and have the flexibility to manage his own schedule. The business has also provided opportunities for his daughter and daughter-in-law to earn income while staying at home with their children.
Looking ahead, Melton is considering expanding his business to include updating shared headstones in cemeteries, potentially partnering with a local monument company. His entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to his craft continue to drive the success of his side hustle.
In conclusion, Rodney Melton’s story of building a six-figure side hustle is a testament to the power of passion, hard work, and family collaboration. His journey serves as inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to turn their hobbies into profitable businesses.
