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September 10.2025
2 Minutes Read

How a Mom’s Garage Side Hustle for Kids Achieved $1 Billion Revenue

Creative garage side hustle for kids with tools and crafts

From Side Hustle to $1 Billion Business

In 2011, Sandra Oh Lin embarked on a journey that would transform a simple idea into KiwiCo, a company now boasting a remarkable $1 billion in lifetime revenue. As a former eBay executive, she leveraged her knowledge to create engaging, educational activities for children, aiming to enhance their creativity and problem-solving skills. But what inspired her to make this leap?

Creative Play: The Spark of Inspiration

Lin's motivation sprang from a desire to provide her own kids with tools to explore their creativity. Drawing from her positive childhood memories of hands-on activities with her mother, she crafted projects that encouraged children to build, create, and discover. Lin highlighted the importance of teaching children to envision and better their world—a theme that resonates deeply in today's ambition-driven society.

Turning Passion into Profit: The Steps She Took

Starting her venture involved creating physical projects and sharing them with her children’s friends. Their enthusiasm reinforced her belief that there was a market for her idea. Lin shadowed her interests with practical steps, leveraging her professional network to raise more than $10 million in venture funding, ensuring that KiwiCo became not just a passion project but a profitable business.

The Role of Mentorship and Learning

Even with a robust background in product design and e-commerce, Lin recognized the value of mentorship. Collaborating with industry experts, such as former Walmart COO Mike Smith, she gained crucial insights into supply chain management—an area outside her expertise. This illustrates a key lesson for budding entrepreneurs: surround yourself with individuals who can complement your skills and strengthen your business foundation.

What’s Next for KiwiCo?

As Lin continues to expand her company, she remains committed to enhancing the learning experiences of children everywhere. In a landscape where digital distractions abound, the push for hands-on learning is not only timely but vital. KiwiCo’s journey embodies the potential for small businesses to ignite significant change through creativity and innovation.

Empowering Other Entrepreneurs

Lin’s story serves as an inspiration for aspiring business owners, particularly parents looking to make a difference. With the right vision, dedication, and support network, launching a successful business from home is indeed possible. Her experiences underscore the message that sometimes the simplest ideas can lead to remarkable success.

Take Action: Start Your Entrepreneurial Journey Today!

Are you contemplating a side hustle that could transform into the next big thing? Reflect on what inspires you, reach out to mentors, and begin small. Every great business starts with a single idea; it just requires perseverance, passion, and the willingness to learn.

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