In 2018, Josh White walked into a Home Depot with a simple goal: find a kid-sized hammer for his 12-year-old daughter. When he couldn’t, he didn’t just leave with frustration. He spotted a lucrative gap in the market that sparked a six-figure side hustle that now earns $455,000 per year. Fast forward to 2024, his side hustle, Handy Famm, earns $455,000 a year by selling whimsical yet functional child-friendly tools, such as bird-shaped tape measures and giraffe hammers, proving that Amazon FBA success is possible with the right idea.
This isn’t just an inspiring story – it’s a blueprint for passive income in 2025 and turning everyday problems into profitable businesses. Below, we’ll break down exactly how Josh turned frustration into fortune, and how you can start a side hustle that scales.
The Aha Moment: Spotting a $455K Kid-Friendly Tools Business Opportunity, From Idea to Income
1. The Problem He Solved (Spotting a Six-Figure Side Hustle Opportunity)
While teaching his daughter DIY skills, Josh realized functional tools for kids didn’t exist. Stores offered toy tools (plastic, non-functional) or adult tools (too heavy or dangerous). His insight? Parents and educators needed fundamental tools scaled for small hands with fun designs to motivate kids.
2. From Prototype to Profit (Validating the Amazon FBA Business Model)
Josh used his design skills and 3D printer to create a bird-shaped tape measure with a googly eye as a level.
He tested demand by listing the product on Amazon in 2019. Sales took off organically as parents shared photos of their kids using the tools.
He scaled strategically by expanding to giraffe hammers, hippo wrenches, and partnerships with retailers like Home Depot.
Key Takeaway:
The best side hustles solve specific problems for passionate niches – like parents wanting to bond with kids through DIY.
3 Steps to Start a Side Hustle That Scales in 2025
1. Find Your Home Depot Moment
Look for:
- Every day, annoyances like the lack of kid-friendly tools or poorly designed products.
- Niche audiences like parents, pet owners, or hobbyists with unmet needs.
- Low competition keywords on Amazon or Etsy.
2. Validate Before Investing
- Make a prototype. Josh 3D printed his first designs. You could use Canva for digital products or local makers for physical goods.
- Test on marketplaces by listing on Amazon, Etsy, or eBay with minimal inventory.
- Let sales prove demand (Don’t guess – know). Josh’s early Amazon sales proved the demand.
3. Scale With Systems
- Outsource production once sales grow. Josh partnered with manufacturers to handle bulk orders.
- Diversify revenue by introducing new products and expanding into additional retail channels.
- Expand product lines (Added giraffe hammers, hippo wrenches)
Why This Six-Figure Side Hustle Works in 2025 (And Beyond)
E-commerce is booming. Platforms like Amazon and Etsy handle logistics, letting you focus on product innovation.
Parents spend willingly. The U.S. kids market is worth $1.1 trillion, with emotional purchases driving sales.
Low upfront costs make it accessible. Josh started with a 3D printer. Today, print-on-demand and dropshipping further mitigate risk.
Anyone Can Do This, But Will You?
Josh’s final advice:
“If you have the motivation, you can build a side hustle. It’s not about age or experience. It’s about seeing a need and acting on it.”
Your Turn: Start Your Six-Figure Side Hustle
- Brainstorm problems you’ve faced recently.
- Research gaps on Amazon or Etsy.
- Start small by creating a minimum viable product this week.
Need inspiration? Check out CNBC’s Six Figure Side Hustle series for more success stories.
TL;DR: Josh White turned a frustrating Home Depot trip into a $455K/year business by solving a simple problem. His Amazon FBA success proves that six-figure side hustles in 2025 require:
- Finding niche frustrations
- Testing cheaply
- Scaling smartly
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Now, find your gap in the market! What problem will YOU solve?
