Author: Lema Mwangi

If you have ever seen a unique ring on TikTok or Instagram and thought, “What is that made of?”, you might have just encountered the work of Tristen Ikaika, the “Ring King”. What started as a hobby of crafting rings from old kitchen spoons has thrived into a blossoming business, and he even secured a spot on the popular show Shark Tank. Tristen pitched his idea on the show on Season 13, which aired in January 2022. With zero background in Jewelry design, Tristen turned the unconventional idea into a viral drop-based brand, which has since expanded into multiple themed…

If you love eco-friendly products, you likely remember Better Life, the natural cleaning product that appeared on Shark Tank Season 5. While many cleaning products have appeared on the show, not many products have made a big splash like Better Life did. Tim Barklage and Kevin Tibbs, two lifelong friends and dads, co-founded Better Life in 2008 due to frustrations with toxic chemicals commonly found in conventional cleaning products. In response to these concerns, they aimed to create a cleaning product that replaces toxic ingredients with plant-based, biodegradable ingredients, and with no artificial fragrances, dyes, sulfates, or bleach. A lot…

Key Highlights Maneesh Sethi is the founder of Pavlok, a buzzer watch designed to help users break bad habits, such as nail biting, unhealthy eating, sleeping, and procrastination. The product uses electric shocks to help users drop unwanted habits. Sethi appeared on Shark Tank Season 7, Episode 29, which aired in 2015, seeking $500,000 for 3.14% equity. While the Sharks were intrigued by the product, they were skeptical about the valuation, effectiveness, and the lack of scientific research backing the product. So, did Pavlok get a deal on Shark Tank, and is it still in business? Let’s find out. What…

Not every startup founder is lucky enough to get an angel investor to fund their venture. If you want to earn extra income as you run your startup, consider pursuing a side hustle. A side hustle allows you to explore your hobbies and passions by dedicating a few hours every week to the project. A well-thought-out side hustle can provide extra income to help you fund your startup. Here are some side hustles that can help you bootstrap your startup. Sell digital products Digital products are items that can be downloaded or streamed online, without the need for a physical…

Shuffling between work, bills, and trying to take some rest can feel like there is barely any room for the fun things in life, like pursuing your hobbies. But what if your hobby could do more than just help your mind relax? What if you could bring extra income by setting aside a few hours every week to pursue your hobby? The good news is that hobbies are not just fun, but some of today’s most successful businesses started as hobbies. Whether you love creating memories through photography, baking, writing, or art, there is likely a way to make money…

Being a startup founder is an interesting experience- one day you are nibbling down your dream, and the next day you are pitching to venture capitalists, scaling fast, and getting close to becoming a millionaire. But, one harsh truth that startup founders have to deal with is their money habits. Getting to the millionaires club isn’t just about “luck” but making smart, intentional financial moves that set them apart from broke founders. If you look at the wealthy startup founders around you, you might notice a consistent pattern in how they manage their money. Besides their flashy lifestyle, they also…