Mom’s $12,000-a-month side hustle inspired by a Whole Foods journey

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What was your predominant job or occupation while you began your side business?
When I founded Sausly, I used to be a full-time project manager engineer at an engineering firm. My sideline got here about within the in-between moments. I worked on the business after long days within the office, between calculations and strategy sessions, changing diapers, preparing meals, and more sleepless nights than I can count.

Find inspiration for part-time jobs at Whole Foods

When did you begin your side business and where did you discover the inspiration for it?
I began fascinated with the concept of ​​a side hustle in late 2024 while standing within the pasta aisle at Whole Foods. As a busy working mom, I didn’t at all times have the time to make gravy from scratch, but the choices I used to be presented with either felt overpriced, overly processed, or outdated. Even the packaging leaned on cliched, old-fashioned depictions of Italy. Nothing felt modern or inspiring.

As I stood there, I used to be suddenly transported back to Italy: the smell of tomatoes simmering within the kitchen, the heat of the sun, the rhythm of every day life revolving around easy, beautiful ingredients. Pasta wasn’t complicated. It was pure, intentional and stuffed with flavor. I spotted that what was missing on this area was not only quality, but in addition that feeling.

Why wasn’t there a superbly portioned pasta and sauce set that wasn’t pre-cooked?

I also knew that if I purchased a jar of sauce, I might use it once and the remaining would sit in my fridge until it was eventually thrown away. Then it clicked: Why wasn’t there a superbly portioned pasta and sauce set that wasn’t pre-cooked? It gave the impression of there was an actual need for something that reduced waste while providing high-quality ingredients in only the proper portions.

I desired to create something Made in Italy, with easy, authentic ingredients and higher taste – and at last shake up the standard pasta and sauce aisle with Sausly.

Validation of the business idea and investment of about $40,000

What were among the first steps you took to get your side business off the bottom? How much money/investment was required to start?
The very first step was research. I did market research to grasp the demographic I desired to serve and closely examined competitors to determine where the gaps were. I even have also began interviewing manufacturers in Italy to find out whether the product can realistically be produced to the standard I envision. Before investing, I needed to ensure the concept was actually viable, so I began taste testing lots and numerous pasta.

Once I gained clarity, I invested about $40,000 to get it began. This investment included packaging development, initial manufacturing, shipping and early marketing efforts.

Start a part-time job with YouTube and TikTok

Are there any free or paid resources which have particularly helped you in starting and running this business?
I used free resources like YouTube how-to videos and TikTok tutorials. These helped me create our website and begin marketing myself. I coordinated all the pieces – from sourcing pasta and sauce makers in Italy to working with packaging designers and manufacturers – and handled the logistics as they got here. Before launching, I brought in freelancers to assist with packaging design and marketing at an inexpensive cost. The process was practical, lean and really targeted.

If you may return on your corporation journey and alter one process or approach, what wouldn’t it be and the way would you’ve preferred to do it otherwise?
I wish I had contacted retailers and wholesalers sooner. Early self-doubt and striving for perfection held me back—but they shouldn’t stop you from taking motion.

What was particularly difficult and/or surprising to you about this particular business that individuals entering any such work ought to be prepared for but probably aren’t?
The real challenge was managing the economy while constructing the business without investors. Find out how much it’s best to spend money on marketing versus sales and the best way to goal retailers without overspending. Balancing growth with limited resources forced me to prioritize, experiment and get creative with every dollar.

Stay hands-on and solve problems in real time

Can you think that of a selected instance where something went very incorrect – how did you fix it?
One of essentially the most stressful moments was shipping our products from Italy. The agency didn’t submit our documents on time, which delayed shipping. We already had pre-orders, two local grocers were waiting, and appointments were lined up. There was a sense that individuals were wondering if we could actually deliver.

I had to speak with partners, adjust delivery and launch timelines, and keep everyone informed. It was chaotic, but through hands-on work and real-time problem solving we were in a position to meet expectations and move forward despite the delay.

How long did it take for you to attain consistent monthly sales? How much did the side hustle make?
Sales began slowly – some days nothing in any respect. Then orders arrived almost as if by magic. Friends and family jumped in to assist pack and fill. Everyone who has tried the product has loved it and left rave reviews on our website. Most became regular customers. We officially launched in November and it took just a few months before we were on the road to success. In January 2026, we’ve a mean revenue of $12,000 monthly.

What do growth and sales appear to be now?
Our revenue is stable and is especially driven by online sales. Now we’re expanding into larger distribution, a move we expect will fuel our next wave of growth. Sausly is now represented in three branches and is planning large distribution. Due to those aspects and our online sales, our projected revenue for 2026 is roughly $400,000.

Stay focused and ignore the naysayers

What do you enjoy most about running this company?
What I enjoy most is the creative energy behind it – the brainstorming sessions, collaborating with talented, passionate people to bring the vision to life. Of course there are stressful and unsure moments. But the general energy of the brand is daring, positive and exciting. Seeing people light up when they struggle Sausly products and sharing that excitement with the team makes all of the labor worthwhile.

What is your best concrete, actionable business advice?
The best advice I can provide to an individual starting a business is to remain focused, do not get discouraged by critics, and do not get overwhelmed by the method – you’re larger and may handle greater than you think that. Focus on small every day tasks, tackle them consistently, and over time you can find that you’ve created something much larger than you ever imagined. And this sense is incredible.

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