The Side Hustle King: 11 Easy Businesses Anyone Can Start - My First Million Recap

Podcast: My First Million

Published: 2025-09-22

Duration: 1 hr 14 min

Guests: Chris Koerner

Summary

This episode dives into practical side hustle ideas, ranging from seasonal porch pumpkin decorating to in-ground trampolines and RV parks, with a focus on actionable, scalable opportunities for small business entrepreneurs.

What Happened

Chris Koerner, dubbed the 'Side Hustle King,' shared a variety of profitable and approachable business ideas. Starting with 'Porch Pumpkins,' he described a seasonal service where homeowners pay $500-$1,500 for festive porch decorations, generating up to $2 million in annual revenue for one entrepreneur. The business also includes upsells like removal services and coaching for aspiring decorators.

He then introduced the concept of installing backyard sport courts, which have become a status symbol among suburban families. With quotes from subcontractors, Chris revealed how he built his own court for $30,000, nearly half the price of professional quotes. He sees this as a scalable business opportunity, especially with the rising popularity of pickleball.

Next, Chris discussed the niche of in-ground trampolines, where the digging process alone can cost $5,000. Partnering with trampoline retailers like Trampolines.com, subcontractors can secure a steady stream of high-margin jobs. This business taps into a growing demand for backyard entertainment solutions.

The conversation expanded to RV parks as a lucrative investment. Chris explained how he and his partners acquire parks near national parks, extend operational seasons, and increase rents to boost revenue. One park purchased for $8 million now generates significantly higher returns after these improvements.

Chris also outlined the potential of GovDeals.com, a platform for buying government liquidation items like TSA-confiscated goods. By reselling these items on platforms like Facebook Marketplace, entrepreneurs can turn a profit with minimal upfront investment.

In a creative twist, Chris described 'dollhouses for men,' suggesting high-quality miniature building kits for adults. This untapped hobby market could appeal to men who enjoy hands-on creative activities.

He touched on trends from Dubai, such as robot manicure machines and mobile fuel delivery services, which he believes will gain traction in the U.S. These ideas highlight opportunities in automation and convenience-focused businesses.

Finally, Chris shared his broader entrepreneurial philosophy: identifying trends, testing demand through viral content, and partnering with operators to scale. His advice emphasized starting small, iterating quickly, and focusing on high-margin niches.

Key Insights

• A seasonal business called 'Porch Pumpkins' generates up to $2 million a year by decorating porches with festive themes. Homeowners pay $500-$1,500 per setup, and the business makes additional money offering teardown services and coaching aspiring decorators.
• Backyard sport courts, especially for pickleball, are becoming suburban status symbols. Chris Koerner built his own court for $30,000 using subcontractors, nearly half the price of professional quotes, hinting at a lucrative niche for entrepreneurs who can undercut big installers.
• Installing in-ground trampolines taps into a backyard luxury market where digging alone costs $5,000. By partnering with retailers like Trampolines.com, contractors can secure steady, high-margin jobs catering to families prioritizing outdoor entertainment.
• Government liquidation site GovDeals.com sells TSA-confiscated items that can be resold for profit. Entrepreneurs can flip these goods on Facebook Marketplace with minimal upfront investment, turning bureaucratic waste into consistent cash flow.

Key Questions Answered

What is the Porch Pumpkins business model discussed on My First Million?

Porch Pumpkins involves decorating porches for seasonal events like Halloween, charging $500-$1,500 per client. One entrepreneur generated up to $2 million annually by focusing solely on fall decorations, with upsells for removal and coaching services.

What are Chris Koerner's insights on backyard sport courts?

Chris built his own backyard sport court for $30,000 by hiring subcontractors, undercutting professional quotes of $50,000-$60,000. He sees sport courts as a scalable business targeting families who want pickleball, basketball, or multi-sport setups in their yards.

How does Chris Koerner use GovDeals.com for reselling items?

Chris recommends buying government liquidation items like TSA-confiscated goods on GovDeals.com and reselling them on platforms like Facebook Marketplace. He suggests targeting bulky items that are hard to ship for higher margins.