How a 58-Year-Old Investor Launched a $45 Blanket Hoodie Side Hustle

Background and Objective

Mark Tilbury, a 58-year-old investor from the UK, wanted to test how fast he could generate profit with a lean dropshipping model. He set aside a small budget to outsource design, build a Shopify store and run a single influencer promotion. His goal was not a seven-figure launch, but a concrete test: can a side project break even or better on day one?

Product Selection and Pricing

After browsing AliExpress, Mark spotted oversized blanket hoodies that cost $18 each. The design was unique and weather-versatile for backyard barbecues at night. He settled on a $45 retail price, aiming for roughly a $27 gross margin per unit before ad spend.

Outsourcing Store Setup

Mark spent 20–30 minutes comparing Fiverr freelancers for each task. The breakdown was:

• Shopify store design: $175
• Logo creation: $25
• Video ad production: $20

He secured a one-product Shopify theme, received mockups and went through a few rounds of edits on the logo before finalizing. The web designer also provided a free premium logo variant.

Influencer Promotion

Before pouring money into Facebook ads, Mark tested with a fashion influencer named Sophie. He negotiated a $100 deal for a feed post and story bundle on Instagram. Payment was sent via PayPal Goods & Services to secure buyer protection.

Day One Results

Twelve hours after the influencer post went live, the store recorded over 1,000 visitors. The conversion rate landed at 0.54%, delivering six orders and $550 in revenue. After subtracting all one-time costs ($310), Mark ended day one with a net profit of $5.60.

Key Learnings

A $5.60 profit may seem modest, but it validated the funnel, product appeal and influencer channel. The site and ad assets are now in place, ready for scaling. Mark’s advice: stock inventory for better margins and faster shipping if you aim for a sustainable business beyond the initial test.