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Side Hustle Turns Full-Time Business Thanks to Pandemic Demand

  //business-finance.news-articles.net/content/202 .. ull-time-business-thanks-to-pandemic-demand.html
  Published in Business and Finance on Sunday, January 25th 2026 at 19:23 GMT by Investopedia
      Locale: UNITED STATES

From Side Hustle to Full-Time Venture: A Pandemic Spark

Huffman's story began like many aspiring entrepreneurs: with an idea and a little extra time. Working as a project manager, he started StickIt as a side project. The COVID-19 pandemic, surprisingly, acted as a significant catalyst for growth. With people spending more time at home and seeking creative outlets, demand for personalized items, including custom stickers, surged. StickIt capitalized on this trend, experiencing a substantial increase in sales that eventually necessitated a career change.

"People were at home, looking for ways to be creative and express themselves," Huffman explains. This observation underscored a deeper insight: people weren't just buying stickers; they were buying a means of self-expression and connection.

In 2022, Huffman made the leap, quitting his project management role to dedicate himself fully to StickIt. This commitment allowed for accelerated growth and the exploration of new strategies to further expand the business.

The Community-First Approach: More Than Just Stickers

While the business model itself - a print-on-demand system where customers order online and StickIt handles printing and shipping - is relatively straightforward, Huffman's true success lies in his understanding of branding and community. He has consciously fostered a sense of belonging around the StickIt brand. Huffman emphasizes that StickIt isn't merely selling stickers; it's selling a community centered around creativity and self-expression.

This community-centric approach is vividly demonstrated through StickIt's highly successful TikTok account, which boasts over 120,000 followers. The content isn't overtly promotional; instead, it focuses on authenticity and transparency. Viewers see behind-the-scenes glimpses of the production process, new sticker design reveals, and genuine interactions with customers. This fosters a sense of connection and trust, encouraging engagement and, ultimately, sales.

"The biggest thing for us was really just focusing on the community aspect of things," Huffman says. "We're not selling stickers, we're selling stickers and a community."

Key Takeaways for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Huffman's experience provides valuable insights for anyone considering launching their own online business:

• Passion is Paramount: Huffman stresses the importance of choosing a business venture you genuinely enjoy. Without passion, the inevitable challenges will be difficult to overcome.
• Consistency is Key: Building a successful business requires sustained effort. Huffman cautions against expecting overnight success and emphasizes the importance of daily commitment.
• Customer Engagement Drives Loyalty: Direct and meaningful interaction with customers builds trust and fosters a loyal customer base.
• Reinvesting in Growth: Profits should be strategically reinvested in marketing, equipment upgrades, and expanding the team to fuel further growth.
• Embrace Flexibility and Control: Owning a business provides unparalleled freedom and control over your professional life, a significant benefit highlighted by Huffman.

Navigating Challenges: The Cash Flow Conundrum

Despite the impressive success of StickIt, Huffman acknowledges the ongoing challenges of running a business. Cash flow management is consistently cited as the most difficult aspect. He emphasizes the crucial need to reinvest profits back into the business rather than solely focusing on immediate returns.

Looking Ahead: The Future of StickIt

Ryan Huffman's journey with StickIt illustrates a powerful lesson: in today's digital world, a combination of a simple business model, authentic marketing, and a strong community can lead to remarkable success, even starting from a humble side hustle. The future for StickIt appears bright, potentially expanding into new product lines and further solidifying its position within the online custom goods market.