How to Identify Viral Consumer Products and Build a Lucrative Side Hustle Around Them

⚒️ Niche: Cashing in on Viral Trends
💰 Opportunity size: $20,000+/month
💵 Initial cost: $1,500+
🧩 Difficulty: Medium
🏆 Competition: Low

GM, SideNerds! 💼💰

Welcome back! In this edition, we’re diving into the fascinating world of side hustles that thrive on viral consumer products. Ever wonder how some entrepreneurs turn trending items into successful businesses? We're here to spill the secrets.

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The Power of Viral Trends

Identifying a viral product can feel like catching lightning in a bottle. But with a keen eye and a bit of research, you can spot these trends before they skyrocket. Here’s how you can start:

Stay Informed: Keep an eye on social media platforms, especially TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook groups. These platforms often serve as breeding grounds for viral products.

Trend Analysis: Use tools like Google Trends to track the popularity of various items over time. If you see a significant upward trend, you might be onto something. Here is the search volume for the last few months for our example today: “Razor Dirt Bikes”.

Community Engagement: Join online forums and communities related to your interests. Being an active member can provide insights into what’s gaining traction.

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Building a Business Around a Trend

Once you've identified a viral product, the next step is to think about what sub-products or accessories you can offer. Here are some strategies to get you started:

Identify Pain Points: Look for gaps or issues people face with the viral product. For instance, if a popular gadget has a short battery life, consider selling high-quality replacement batteries or portable chargers.

Enhance the Experience: Think about how you can enhance the user experience. Customization options, like unique cases or decals, can add a personal touch.

Bundling Products: Offering bundles that complement the viral product can be an attractive option for consumers.

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Spotlight: Jacob Youngblood’s Success with Razor Dirt Bikes

To bring these ideas to life, let's look at Jacob Youngblood from Ride or Die Research & Development. Jacob has built a thriving business by selling custom parts for Razor dirt bikes. Here’s a glimpse into his journey:

Background: Jacob’s interest in Razor dirt bikes started as a fun activity with his kids, which quickly turned into a neighborhood hobby. What began with a few used bikes bought on Facebook Marketplace has evolved into a $20,000/month business.

Transition to Business: Initially, Jacob’s goal was to justify spending more on his and his kids' bikes. As demand grew, he and his partner decided to formalize their efforts, turning a passion project into a legitimate business.

Inspiration: The inspiration stemmed from a desire to provide cool experiences for his kids. With his business partner's engineering skills, they created custom parts that filled a market gap.

Market Research: Active participation in Facebook groups helped Jacob identify a demand for modified Razor dirt bikes. Seeing the consistent interest, he realized there was a bigger market waiting to be tapped.

Growth: By leveraging social media and online communities, Jacob grew his customer base organically. The company now struggles to keep up with inventory due to high demand, a testament to their successful approach.

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Key Takeaways

From Jacob’s story and our own insights, here are some key takeaways for aspiring entrepreneurs:

• Passion First: Ensure you have a genuine interest in the product and community.

• Solve Problems: Look for ways to enhance the original product or solve user problems.

• Leverage Social Media: Use social platforms to build and engage with your customer base.

• Start Small: Test your ideas with a small inventory before scaling up.

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Final Thoughts

Turning a viral product into a profitable side hustle is both an art and a science. It requires a mix of keen observation, community engagement, and a willingness to solve problems creatively. Whether you’re inspired by Jacob Youngblood’s journey or ready to find your own niche, remember that the key is to stay informed, be adaptable, and most importantly, enjoy the ride.

Check out the full interview with Jacob below 👇👇👇

Founder Interview: Jacob Youngblood from Ride or Die Research & Development

In this edition of our newsletter, we’re excited to feature Jacob Youngblood from Ride or Die Research & Development. Jacob has turned a hobby into a flourishing business, generating $20,000 a month by selling custom parts for Razor dirt bikes. His journey offers valuable insights into how entrepreneurs can identify popular products and build successful businesses around them.

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Personal Background

Can you tell us a bit about your personal background and how you first became interested in Razor dirt bikes?

Jacob: It really started as just being a Dad. My kids had PowerWheels and were starting to outgrow them. My neighbor came home with a Razor quad one day, and I quickly went and grabbed a used one from Marketplace. Then he and I would get into some adult beverages and go riding around the neighborhood at night. After that, my neighbor was like, “you know they make a dirt bike?” The next thing we know, we had 6 of them.

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Hobby to Business

How did your interest in Razor dirt bikes start as a hobby?

Jacob: It started as an excuse to get my kids some cool stuff. I had a dirt bike growing up and wanted to get them one. You can’t just have one, so we should probably have some extras sitting around. You know... for the kids.

What motivated you to turn this hobby into a legitimate business?

Jacob: I really just wanted an excuse to be able to spend more money on my own and my kids' bikes. I started building bikes for other people and demand was good. Another buddy and I got together and ordered some parts one day, and it has grown from there!

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Inspiration

What was the inspiration behind creating custom parts for Razor dirt bikes?

Jacob: My kids mostly. I grew up pretty poor, so I wanted to be able to provide them with some cool stuff. Now they are spoiled. :)

Were there any particular moments or experiences that sparked the idea?

Jacob: My business partner is a marine engineer. We had some handmade parts that allowed the use of dirt bike parts on the Razor frame, but he was able to design the first part that really allowed us to get going.

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Market Research

How did you identify the gap in the market for Razor dirt bike modifications for adults?

Jacob: There are a bunch of very active Facebook groups for Razors. Just being a member of those allowed me to see what other people are doing and what is available in the market.

What kind of research or observations helped you realize there was a demand for these custom parts?

Jacob: When we started, we thought we would be sitting on a huge amount of inventory for a long time. Demand has been high enough now that we struggle sometimes to keep inventory on the shelf. It is a good problem to have.

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Recognizing Trends

How did you recognize the potential for growth in this niche market?

Jacob: We knew we liked the one-off product that we built for ourselves. We also recognized that anyone who rode with us would buy a bike within a couple of weeks. This was just a small sample size of South Austin, Texas. If we could spread that same concept nationwide, then it could be big.

Did you notice any specific trends or customer behaviors that indicated a strong interest in modified Razor dirt bikes?

Jacob: The barrier of entry to a Razor dirt bike is low. Brand new, they are $500. If you hit some garage sales on Saturday, you can find them for $50. There is also a pretty hard ceiling of around $4k where you are competing against bikes like the Surron. Almost anyone can get into a bike and upgrade it pretty well for around $1,500. As long as we can dance within that, we are gold.

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Starting the Business

Can you walk us through the process of starting Ride or Die Research and Development?

Jacob: My business partner and I agreed to put up some money under an existing LLC of my own and import a large number of raw parts. We would then assemble them ourselves and package them. Once we had some cash flow, we were able to make it its own separate LLC.

What were some of the initial challenges you faced and how did you overcome them?

Jacob: Keeping the flow of parts coming in while balancing available cash. We didn’t want to take on debt, so keeping that balance was the challenge. Putting the profits back into it each time has allowed our orders to get bigger and costs less. That then allowed us to hire some employees to free up our time to keep developing.

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Product Development

How do you develop your custom parts for Razor dirt bikes?

Jacob: Most of it comes from building bikes. Most recently, I needed to install some headlights, so I had the idea to design a bracket that would allow any configuration of headlights. I started with some cardboard, then drew it out in CAD and 3D printed a prototype. Went back, made some changes, thought through some more uses, adjusted the CAD, and printed again.

What steps do you take to ensure the quality and performance of your products?

Jacob: That is a serious issue when ordering things from overseas. You should count on around 10% of wastage. It sucks, and you have to eat it, but it gets you down the road so you can improve quality. The more you order, the more you can demand, and quality starts to improve.

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Marketing and Growth

What strategies have you used to market your business and attract customers?

Jacob: We started very organically in Facebook Groups, mostly under my own name as the face of the company. We have since branched out into our own social pages to spread the word of Ride or Die.

How important has social media and online communities been in your business growth?

Jacob: 100% crucial. We are able to reach people all over the world with similar interests for almost no cost.

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Achievements and Insights

What are some of the significant achievements and milestones you have reached with Ride or Die Research and Development?

Jacob: Our most significant achievement has been growth. We beat the previous year's sales in May, and we thought we would never sell what we sold last year.

We, as the neighborhood group of Dads, have also started the 501.3c Non-profit, Ride or Die ATX. We fundraise for causes in the neighborhood, help out in the community, and teach kids how to ride dirt bikes. We have an awesome group of dudes.

Can you share any memorable success stories or customer feedback?

Jacob: I love all of the stories with Moms and Dads riding with their kids and teaching dirt bikes and maintenance to their kids. Those are life skills and memories that those kids will cherish forever.

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Lessons Learned

What are some key lessons you’ve learned throughout your journey?

Jacob: You can’t help everyone. It does not matter how easy you make something, there will be someone who just can’t figure it out. Also, when it comes to social media, some people will just not like you for the sake of not liking you. It isn’t personal.

Are there any mistakes or setbacks that you’ve encountered, and how did you learn from them?

Jacob: We probably should have taken on debt and ordered larger quantities earlier. We agreed as partners not to, and I am okay with that, but if I had an MBA, I would probably be on Series C funding. :)

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Vision for the Future

What are your future plans for Ride or Die Research and Development?

Jacob: Long term is to have an entire bike. We have the front end, will have the back soon. Next would be the frame in the middle. That isn’t far from making our own bike.

Do you have any plans to expand your product line or enter new markets?

Jacob: We currently sell to the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico. If I could figure out the logistics to be able to hit Europe or South America, that is how you go from Deep Eddy to Titos.

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Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs looking to start a business related to a viral or popular product?

Jacob: Love it first. We have a love for dirt bikes, so making dirt bikes better was going to happen anyway. Then we figured out a way to monetize it.

Are there any specific tips for those interested in the niche market of Razor dirt bikes or similar hobbies?

Jacob: Be careful, it is hugely addicting. After you buy your fourth bike, your significant other will start to look at you sideways. It’s always for the kids.

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Conclusion

Where can our readers find more information about Ride or Die Research and Development and your products?

• Website: https://rodrandd.com

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rideordiernd

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RideorDieRD

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Stay tuned for more inspiring stories in our next edition, where we dive into the journeys of entrepreneurs turning popular trends into thriving businesses.