Side Hustle Spotlight: Jaime Holm and Matt Hannula of Tinker Tin

In the world of entrepreneurship, stories of success often begin as side hustles, and the journey of siblings Jaime Holm and Matt Hannula is a testament to that. As the founder and VP of design, Jaime, alongside her brother Matt, the CEO, has transformed Tinker Tin into a thriving business that specializes in experiential marketing and advertising. Their impressive clientele includes major brands like Lexus and even Hollywood productions, such as Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

The Genesis of Tinker Tin

Jaime’s entrepreneurial journey began over a decade ago while she was working at Trader Joe’s. It was during this time that she reminisced about her adventurous days living in a camper and surfing in Australia. Inspired by those memories, she proposed to her husband the idea of renting out vintage trailers, similar to what she had experienced abroad. With a modest investment of $800, they acquired their first camper and became pioneers in the vintage trailer rental market in the U.S.

Initially focused on camping rentals, Tinker Tin quickly pivoted to cater to Hollywood studios, renting out vintage trailers for movies and commercials. As demand grew, so did their offerings. They began creating retail displays for brands like LUSH and Pepsi, eventually evolving into a full-fledged design and manufacturing company.

Learning from Experience

Reflecting on their journey, Jaime and Matt acknowledge the challenges they faced. Jaime wishes she had hired key positions sooner, which could have alleviated some of the burnout they experienced during their early years. The turning point came when Matt joined the company as an owner and CEO, allowing Jaime to focus on her strengths in design while Matt implemented lean manufacturing principles to streamline operations.

Matt echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of talent in scaling a business. He learned the hard way that hiring the right people is crucial, and he wishes he had been more diligent in the hiring process early on. He also stresses the importance of making tough decisions, such as letting go of underperforming employees, to foster a healthier work environment.

Navigating Challenges

One of the most significant challenges they faced was the complexity of manufacturing. Matt highlights that the details matter immensely in this field. A single mistake can lead to substantial financial losses, making it imperative to focus on precision and quality. Jaime recalls a time when they designed beautiful retail displays for free, only to find out that clients were using their designs without compensating them. This experience taught them the value of recognizing their worth and restructuring their approach to client relationships.

Matt shares a harrowing story about a logistics failure in Mexico that resulted in the loss of a semitruck of product worth over $250,000. This incident prompted them to reevaluate their supply chain and ultimately led to a complete overhaul, ensuring they partnered with trustworthy logistics providers moving forward.

Rapid Growth and Success

Despite the challenges, Tinker Tin saw rapid growth. Within the first year, they generated a couple of hundred thousand dollars in revenue, a surprising success for a business in an emerging industry. Today, Tinker Tin has grown into a $20 million company, with Jaime, Matt, and other family members working full-time. Their commitment to domestic manufacturing has also positioned them as leaders in the industry, especially as tensions with overseas suppliers have increased.

The Joy of Entrepreneurship

For Jaime, the most rewarding aspect of running Tinker Tin is the ability to create "beauty at scale." She takes pride in designing retail displays that not only look good on paper but also translate into stunning physical products. Matt finds fulfillment in the daily challenges of entrepreneurship, viewing pressure as a privilege that comes with the territory. He believes that the journey is just as important as the destination, echoing Jaime’s sentiment that the process of building something meaningful is what truly matters.

Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Jaime and Matt offer valuable advice for those looking to embark on their entrepreneurial journeys. Jaime emphasizes the importance of maintaining hobbies outside of work, as they can provide inspiration and help regulate stress. She warns against letting a business consume one’s identity, advocating for a balanced approach to life and work.

Matt’s advice is straightforward yet powerful: hard work is essential. He believes that success requires commitment and perseverance, urging aspiring entrepreneurs to fully dedicate themselves to their ideas. He reminds them that building a successful business takes time and effort, and there are no shortcuts to achieving lasting success.

Conclusion

Jaime Holm and Matt Hannula’s journey with Tinker Tin is a remarkable example of how a side hustle can evolve into a thriving business. Their story is filled with lessons on resilience, the importance of talent, and the value of recognizing one’s worth. As they continue to innovate and grow, their commitment to quality and creativity remains at the forefront of their mission, inspiring future entrepreneurs to pursue their passions with determination and heart.