Joshua White, a 50-year-old father of six and grandfather of two based in Boca Raton, Florida, is the creative mind behind Handy Famm, a multifunctional STEM learning tool for kids that allows them to help with DIY projects around the house. In this Side Hustle Spotlight Q&A, we delve into White’s journey of starting and growing his side hustle, exploring the inspiration behind Handy Famm, the challenges he faced, and the joy he finds in building a business that empowers families.
White’s primary occupation is as the principal and creative director of OffWhite Co., a multidisciplinary design firm where he has honed his skills in branding and design. His background in traditional design and 3D animation led him to collaborate with industry legends and work on projects that required developing products and promotional items. This experience laid the foundation for his venture into creating Handy Famm, a brand that aims to provide kids with safe, functional, and educational tools for hands-on DIY projects.
The inspiration for Handy Famm struck White during a trip to Home Depot with his daughter, where he realized the lack of tools designed specifically for kids. This moment sparked the idea for a better solution, leading him to create a multifunctional tape measure with a playful bird character as the centerpiece. White’s approach to product development was rooted in solving real, relatable problems faced by parents while fostering family connection through hands-on learning experiences.
The initial steps to get Handy Famm off the ground involved extensive brainstorming, prototyping, and refining the design of the tape measure. White and his team focused on creating a versatile tool that could evolve into a range of DIY products, incorporating a strong, iconic element to tie everything together. The soft launch on Kickstarter and subsequent full launch on Amazon during the COVID-19 lockdown allowed White to refine the product and reach a wider audience with his mission to empower the next generation of doers.
Building a side hustle from scratch presented challenges in sales, logistics, and scaling the business. White navigated these hurdles by staying flexible, embracing failures as learning opportunities, and pivoting quickly to adapt to changing circumstances. Securing consistent monthly revenue took about a year, with Handy Famm generating $185,000 in sales in its first year primarily through Amazon and the brand’s website.
As Handy Famm continued to grow, White recognized the need to raise pre-seed capital to fuel expansion and develop additional character-themed tools. The brand closed in on $500,000 in sales in 2024, setting the stage for further growth and innovation in 2025. White finds fulfillment in seeing his side hustle evolve into a thriving business that resonates with customers and advocates for hands-on learning and creativity.
The most rewarding aspect of Handy Famm for White is witnessing the impact it has on families and the pride his children and grandchildren take in using the tools he created. Building a legacy that inspires the next generation of creators and doers drives White to continue dreaming up new products and expanding the Handy Famm experience. His advice for aspiring side hustlers is to start with a genuine problem they are passionate about solving, embrace imperfection, and surround themselves with positivity and support on their entrepreneurial journey.
