We started our side hustle with just £150… now we’ve quit our jobs and make £120k a year
TWO sisters who started their side hustle with just £150 have since quit their jobs as they make £120k a year.
Giselle Martinez, 31, and Liz launched Etsy business Maison Bohiti after seven years of travelling the world.
Born in the Dominican Republic but raised in London, the twins explored a range of cultures as they visited over 50 countries.
These new experiences inspired Giselle and Liz to start up their side hustle selling luxury candles.
The sisters originally operated out of their kitchen at home but the business soon took over their house.
Giselle told LatestDeals.co.uk: “In the beginning we spent £150 on materials to try out.
“The second month we spent £200. We had good traction from there with revenue to reinvest in materials and it was upwards growth from that point.
“We posted on Etsy to see if people would like the candles and within 3 days we had about 10 orders.
“It then snowballed so that one day we had 54 orders in a day!
But the duo’s business grew so much that they both quit their full-time careers to focus on it.
Giselle said: “My sister was an accountant and I was a teacher. We had no time to develop our skills and business.
“We saw the business was growing fast and it was generating enough revenue for us to focus on it full time, so we both quit our jobs.”
It wasn’t before long that the twins made the decision to rent a workspace and hire people to help them out with orders.
And with the brand booming, the sisters currently sell 500 candles a week and make a whopping £120k a year.
Giselle and Liz also have a wholesale website on Faire that they say is growing fast.
The sisters said: “We never had any difficult financial periods because we left our jobs once we were sure the business was thriving – so we always had income.
“In our first year we made £120k and we have maintained this revenue bracket for the three years we have been in business.
“This year so far we have made about £80,000.
“Our advice to those looking to start their own business is to do your research, keep going and not be afraid of failing. Most of all, trust yourself.”
The pair chose the name Maison Bohiti to “honour the traditions of their ancestors” with the origin in the Caribbean where they com from.
Giselle added: “We chose candles as our main product because we wanted to find a way to create scents that evoke powerful memories.
“The goal is that by lighting up a candle, we transport people to a specific place or a memory they have.”
The successful sisters describe their candle brand as one which “Helps you reconnect with the natural world” and “find peace” in a busy life.
It comes after a dad who dropped out of uni was able to quit his job after his side hustle took off – he now makes six figures.
While another savvy entrepreneur shared how she made over £3,000 in just one week thanks to her side hustles.
Meanwhile, one student says that his side hustle means he can pay for his pints at the pub with the cash he makes every week.
The 21-year-old was previously struggling to pay his rent and go out and have a good time with his pals.
But now, he earns more than enough on the side to fund his social life and contribute towards his living expenses.