Okay, this has to be the strangest side hustle I've ever heard of.
I was offered $10,000 to start a dentist side hustle this weekend ๐งต
I was offered $10,000 to start a dentist side hustle this weekend ๐งต
It all started when I was watching a webinar with @bentossell ,@shl and @agazdecki.
Sahil shared an insight that being remote gives us more freedom to explore our other passions.
Sahil predicts that in the future we will see part-time lawyers, doctors, and even dentists.
Sahil shared an insight that being remote gives us more freedom to explore our other passions.
Sahil predicts that in the future we will see part-time lawyers, doctors, and even dentists.
So I made this joke:
"Going to start a dentist side hustle this weekend."
I am not a dentist.
Andrew found this funny and said he would give me $10,000 if I did it.
What would you do in this situation?
I said deal.
"Going to start a dentist side hustle this weekend."
I am not a dentist.
Andrew found this funny and said he would give me $10,000 if I did it.
What would you do in this situation?
I said deal.
First things first, let's test the market.
Where would you find someone who would get their teeth cleaned by someone with zero experience or credentials...?
Craigslist.
Where would you find someone who would get their teeth cleaned by someone with zero experience or credentials...?
Craigslist.
So I put this bad boy out into the world.
Now while that's floating around, what sort of startup costs are we looking at?
$11.99...
At this point, I'm considering raising VC funding to cover the costs, but in Andrew's honor I decided to bootstrap instead.
$11.99...
At this point, I'm considering raising VC funding to cover the costs, but in Andrew's honor I decided to bootstrap instead.
I then watched 2 YouTube videos on how to clean teeth and am feeling pretty good.
Not actually, it takes 2+ years to become a certified dental hygienist but hey, fake it till you make it right??
Not actually, it takes 2+ years to become a certified dental hygienist but hey, fake it till you make it right??
I was very surprised when I looked at my inbox and saw this response to my Craigslist post.
"73 y/o retired professional in San Francisco. Teeth are in pretty good shape, but can always use a cleaning. Like to know more."
What a beautiful world we live in.
"73 y/o retired professional in San Francisco. Teeth are in pretty good shape, but can always use a cleaning. Like to know more."
What a beautiful world we live in.
The next day, my teeth scraper came in the mail.
In my mind everything went from theoretical, to woah this is real now.
In my mind everything went from theoretical, to woah this is real now.
So at this point you're probably thinking, "Isn't this illegal?"
Yes, yes it is.
Practicing without a license could result in a fine between $500 to $2,000.
Not a good ROI on the $20 teeth cleaning.
Yes, yes it is.
Practicing without a license could result in a fine between $500 to $2,000.
Not a good ROI on the $20 teeth cleaning.
You're also thinking, "Adam, surely you don't think you can learn 2 years of dental school from 2 YouTube videos..."
No, no I don't.
I respect dentists and understand that what I'm doing is absurd.
No, no I don't.
I respect dentists and understand that what I'm doing is absurd.
So in order to decrease my chances of getting sued, I figure the best thing I can do is start on a friend.
We agree $20 is fair.
Meaning with my $11.99 startup costs, we're profitable baby!
We agree $20 is fair.
Meaning with my $11.99 startup costs, we're profitable baby!
The front teeth were manageable (I was kinda good).
The molars and behind the teeth, meh.
I didn't have the fancy headlamp or those sweet water guns.
But after 20 minutes we emerged better people, worse friends, and one of us had slightly cleaner teeth.
The molars and behind the teeth, meh.
I didn't have the fancy headlamp or those sweet water guns.
But after 20 minutes we emerged better people, worse friends, and one of us had slightly cleaner teeth.
Was it fun?
Kinda.
Do I want to do it again?
Not really.
But, it did make me research the economics of dentistry and I found something interesting.
Kinda.
Do I want to do it again?
Not really.
But, it did make me research the economics of dentistry and I found something interesting.
The online business of selling dental equipment is lucrative.
$5,000+ purchases of equipment on websites that look like they're from the 90s.
If I set up a nice website that brought in just 1-2 sales a month it could be an actual dental side hustle.
So I pivoted...
$5,000+ purchases of equipment on websites that look like they're from the 90s.
If I set up a nice website that brought in just 1-2 sales a month it could be an actual dental side hustle.
So I pivoted...
Instead of cleaning my 73 year old craigslist friend next, I'm going to build an eComm store that drop ships high-end dental equipment.
Now THAT is my type of side hustle.
Now THAT is my type of side hustle.
I didn't ask Andrew for the $10,000 but I did ask him if he wanted to be my next client.
Follow @Adam_Ha_Yes for part 2 to watch me build the store and try to get my first sales (and maybe the story of cleaning Andrew's teeth).
Also, I will give out one free cleaning to the next 100 people who follow me (just kidding) ๐
Also, I will give out one free cleaning to the next 100 people who follow me (just kidding) ๐
Going from 0 to 1 is the scariest, but most exhilarating part.
I hope this inspires you to stop over thinking, and instead just do the dang thing.
I hope this inspires you to stop over thinking, and instead just do the dang thing.
P.S. If you're curious how to become a dental hygienist.
1. Graduate from a dental hygiene program (2 years).
2. Complete the written National Board Dental Hygiene Examination.
3. Pass a regional/state clinical board examination.
They bring in $100k+ so it's not a bad gig ๐ค
1. Graduate from a dental hygiene program (2 years).
2. Complete the written National Board Dental Hygiene Examination.
3. Pass a regional/state clinical board examination.
They bring in $100k+ so it's not a bad gig ๐ค
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