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This Side Hustle Spotlight Q&A features Sam Lukowicht, co-founder and CEO of a men’s grooming brand. land of black wolvesAt age 22, Lewkowikt founded the Black Wolf Nation with his brother Alex Lewkowikt. The business has since grown to generate more than $50 million in revenue and established a presence in major retailers such as Rite Aid, CVS, and Best Buy.
Image credit: Courtesy of Black Wolf Nation. Sam Lukowiczt.
When you started your side hustle and began building Black Wolf Nation, what were your other sources of income?
At that time, we were basically living on no income. It was a difficult situation, not financially stable. That’s when we realized we needed to get creative and find a way to make some extra money right away.
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When did you start your side hustle and where did you get the inspiration for it?
In the summer of 2017, we’re hard at work building the Black Wolf brand. One night we were cruising YouTube and checking out all the channels about car details. Then suddenly it hit me like a ton of bricks. Would you like to try car detailing yourself? Given our passion for quality work and growing interest in this field, this was a natural fit.
What was the first step you took to get your side hustle off the ground?
The first thing we did was visit every car detailing supply store in town, armed with a list of equipment longer than our arms. We wanted to make sure you had everything you needed to get the job done right, from top-of-the-line polishes to nifty brushes for detailing.
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What was the biggest challenge you faced when starting your side business? Also, how did you overcome it?
We were novices when it came to car detailing. Neither of us had ever waxed or otherwise detailed the interior. So what did we do? I dove into the world of YouTube tutorials and spent hours soaking up all the tips and tricks. Then came the real test. Practice in your parents’ car and hope you don’t mess up too badly.
We took to the streets, knocked on doors, handed out fliers and said kind words to anyone who would listen. Offering that first detail at half price was our secret weapon and it worked like a charm.
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When did you decide to quit your side hustle and pursue your other business full time?
I loved the thrill of detailing cars, but there came a time when I had to make some difficult decisions. Black Wolf continued to grow and demand more and more of our time and attention. It was bittersweet saying goodbye to my side job detailing cars, but I knew it was the right choice if I wanted to take Black Wolf to the next level.
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What do you enjoy most about running Black Wolf Nation?
There’s something truly magical about connecting with your customers on a personal level. Hearing their stories, feedback, and excitement about our products is what drives us every day. It makes me very happy to know that something we have created with our own hands exists in the world and is making a difference in people’s lives.
What advice would you give to people who want to start a side hustle or business and be successful?
When it comes to side hustles, they need to be low risk and high reward. This means it has to be something that can be done without high investment costs or burnout. That’s the beauty of a good side hustle. It’s like having your cake and eating it too, without sacrificing your day job.