How To Make $100k This October 🎃

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Pumpkin carving… yeah, I know what you’re thinking. How could something as simple as carving pumpkins turn into a six-figure money-making machine? Well, welcome to 2024, where literally anything can be monetized. And yes, I’m here to tell you how to start with $100 and carve out a $100,000 pumpkin empire—because spooky season isn’t just for skeletons; it’s for stacking cash too.

Here’s the plan: You’re not just some run-of-the-mill pumpkin carver. You’re an artiste. We’re going to turn your average Jack-o'-lantern into a high-demand service that homeowners, businesses, and even Instagram influencers can’t resist. You’ll be charging premium prices for custom designs, pumpkin installations, and Halloween-themed décor packages, and soon you’ll be drowning in money like a Scrooge McDuck of spooky decorations.

Or you can just make diabolical pumpkins with teeth like this guy

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The MVP (Getting your first customer)

Starting small is the key here, and for just $100, you can get all the essentials:

1. Pumpkins: You’ll want to buy 3-5 high-quality pumpkins. Go for a mix of sizes and unique shapes to show off your range.

2. Carving Tools: Invest in some solid carving tools—nothing fancy, just what’ll give you clean cuts and sharp details. Maybe throw in a Dremel for more detailed work.

3. Marketing: A little social media and some flyers. That’s all it takes. Snap some high-quality pics of your best work and plaster them on Instagram, Facebook, and in local community groups.

Now, how do you get that first customer? Start by offering custom pumpkin carvings to neighbors, friends, and family. Don’t just do the classic triangle eyes and toothy grin. Think detailed haunted houses, creepy landscapes, or custom designs based on someone’s interests (their pet, favorite movie character, or even their own face).

Once you’ve got a few killer pumpkins in your portfolio, start advertising. Offer custom designs for $50-$100 per pumpkin. Yes, you read that right. People will pay for this, especially if you sell it as a premium service that’ll make their house or storefront stand out. Post your services on local Facebook groups, Nextdoor, or even by setting up a simple website.

Numbers Breakdown (First Customer):

• Expenses: $100 for pumpkins, tools, and marketing.

• Income: $50-$100 per custom pumpkin.

Start with just one or two customers in your neighborhood or local businesses—restaurants, boutiques, or coffee shops that want to add a little spooky charm to their storefronts. Once they see what you can do, they’ll be telling all their friends. Boom, you’ve got yourself a business.

Getting Your Next 100 Customers

So, your first pumpkin was a success, and now you’re ready to take this pumpkin carving hustle to the next level. The good news is, Halloween has a built-in sense of urgency. People love going all out for spooky season, and custom pumpkins are the perfect way for them to stand out.

Here’s how you go from a couple of customers to 100:

1. Offer Premium Packages

Why stop at just one pumpkin? Create pumpkin bundles or themed packages. Offer something like:

• The Haunted Yard Package: 3-5 custom-carved pumpkins for $300-$500, with detailed designs that’ll make their house the talk of the neighborhood.

• Corporate/Business Displays: Get businesses on board by offering full Halloween décor packages featuring custom pumpkins, fake cobwebs, spooky lighting, and even pumpkin installations. Charge $500-$1,000 for large displays.

2. Local Events & Markets

Consider setting up a booth at local farmers’ markets, fall festivals, or even Halloween-themed events. People love watching live pumpkin carving, and you can sell custom-carved pumpkins right on the spot. It’s also a great way to show off your skills and take orders for future carvings.

3. Target Corporate Clients

Corporate offices, hotels, restaurants, and malls LOVE to go all out for Halloween. Reach out to these businesses and offer your services to create an impressive display at their entrance. They’ll pay top dollar to have something unique that draws attention.

4. Last-Minute Rush Fees

Procrastinators are everywhere, and come late October, they’ll be scrambling to get their pumpkins carved. Offer rush services for double the price if they need it done ASAP. People will pay a premium for speed and convenience, especially if you offer a delivery option.

Numbers Breakdown (Next 100 Customers):

• Average Price per Pumpkin: $100

• Goal: 100 customers = $10,000

• Add-On Services (like installations, bundles, or rush fees) could easily push that to $20,000 or more.

Scaling to $100,000 in a Month

Now it’s time to go big. You’ve got your base clients, you’re making solid money, but $100,000 is the goal, right? Here’s how you turn your pumpkin side hustle into a full-blown pumpkin empire:

1. Hire a Team

To reach $100,000, you’ll need more hands (and carving skills) than just your own. Train a small team to handle basic pumpkin carvings while you focus on the premium, high-ticket orders. You can pay them hourly or per pumpkin, but you’ll be able to pump out 10x the volume with a crew.

2. Mass Production

If custom carving starts to bottleneck, consider offering simpler, mass-produced designs. You can crank out dozens of easy-to-carve, high-demand designs (like spooky faces, skeletons, or ghosts) for a slightly lower price, but still charge $50-$75 each. It’s all about efficiency.

3. Expand Your Reach

By mid-October, your local market might be maxed out, so it’s time to look online. Offer shipping for custom pumpkin designs (using foam pumpkins that last longer), and target a nationwide audience. Set up a simple website or use platforms like Etsy to sell pre-carved pumpkins or take custom orders.

4. Social Media Blitz

Harness the power of social media by sharing your best work, tagging local influencers, and running ads targeting your local area. People love unique, Instagram-worthy Halloween content, and you could go viral with the right post. Make sure your posts are shareable and easy to find, and keep the spooky vibes rolling all month.

5. Corporate Bulk Orders

Seal the deal with some high-paying corporate clients. Large corporations are willing to pay big bucks for holiday décor that makes an impression. If you can land 10 corporate clients paying $5,000-$10,000 each for a full-scale pumpkin display, you’re already halfway to your $100,000 goal.

Final Numbers Breakdown (October Madness):

• 50 Corporate Clients: 50 clients paying $2,000 each for custom displays = $100,000.

• Add-On Services: Rush fees, premium pumpkins, installations, and bulk orders could easily push you over the $100k mark.

With the right mix of hustle, marketing, and creativity, turning $100 into $100,000 with a pumpkin carving service is not only possible—it’s totally within reach.

Viability:

1 [building spaceships] 🚀 to 5 [easy peasy] 😊 

I really wanted to push the pumpkin on this one so this hustle’s about a 3 —it’s going to take some serious carving chops, a strong marketing plan, and a lot of hustle in a short period of time. But once the orders start coming in, you’ll be drowning in pumpkin-flavored profits faster than you can say "trick or treat." 🎃

(As usual each business will have it’s own setbacks, and it’s all about the execution and consistency rather than just having the idea)

It’s a great day to be great!

Love, Mike 👋