As inflation started to climb, Tim Riegel saw an opportunity to earn some extra money. So, back in September 2021, he decided to buy seven propane tank ends for $90 each from Facebook Marketplace.
Tim, who is 59 years old, had a clever plan in mind. He wanted to turn these tank ends into fire pits, which are those standalone metal containers used for fires in backyards or patios. His idea was to sell these fire pits for $400 each in his hometown, Lamar, Missouri. And guess what? People loved his idea! Within just 10 days, all his fire pits were sold out, and he received numerous requests for more.
Seeing the potential, he took his side project to the online world in March. He set up a shop on Etsy and he managed to earn around $50,000 in the following five months. June turned out to be his most successful month, bringing in a whopping $16,000 from fire pit sales. These fire pits were usually priced between $600 and $1,700.
Tim says, “Times are challenging for everyone these days, and I thought, ‘Why not make some extra money and enjoy the process?’ What makes it truly special is the enjoyment I get from it. From September to December, I basically filled up my hometown with these awesome fire pits.”
By profession, a welder with a strong dedication to perfectionism.
Riegel manages relationships with local suppliers for a furniture company during the day. This job has taught him how to effectively use online shopping platforms. In the past, he had used Etsy to find new designers and get inspired.
He initially had a misconception about Etsy, thinking it was mainly used by older women making quilts. But he soon realized that he could utilize it to explore creative offerings and discover emerging businesses. Many small companies that are on the verge of making it big often start their journey on such platforms.
Aside from his main job, Riegel is also a skilled welder. He used to restore cars on the side and had taken welding classes in 2006. Engaging in creative work holds a therapeutic value for him, even though his additional work as a welder adds an extra 40 hours to his weekly schedule.
The idea for creating unique fire pits came from a friend who had crafted a similar one using the end of a propane tank. Riegel had to go through a process of trial and error to refine the bronze finish and personalized designs that he now sells. His intention was to make fire pits that outlast those found in big retail stores. He believes that the ones from these stores are not very durable and are designed to last only about two years.
To bring his idea to life, he purchased scrap metal from a local seller and started experimenting with various styles of legs and feet for the fire pits. He acknowledges that the initial attempts were not great, but one advantage of working with metal is that if something doesn’t turn out well, you can simply cut it off and start over.
A substantial expense for transporting heavyweight items.
Riegel explains that he spends around seven hours each month finding the metal he needs, but this has become more expensive lately. While he usually makes a profit of about 35% to 40%, he reinvests most of the money back into his side gig, keeping only half of it.
Right now, Riegel has just one person working with him, his 79-year-old father Terry. He pays his father $15 an hour to help recycle the tank ends and organize shipping schedules. Since the fire pits are quite heavy at 250 pounds, they can’t be sent easily through regular shipping services like FedEx or UPS. Terry keeps in touch with the trucking companies that transport the products across the U.S. and Canada.
Because of the size of the products, Riegel can’t ship many of them. He managed to send out only 60 fire pits on the road between March and July. Shipping costs get higher the farther the customer is located. On average, it costs about $375 per order to ship. Consequently, he only ships a couple of fire pits at a time on freight trucks.
According to Riegel, using Etsy’s shipping partners is expensive for small businesses that don’t have a high product volume. He relies on advice from fellow sellers who guide him about the most suitable carriers for businesses like his. His main choices are private carriers like Estes and Unishippers.
Nevertheless, Etsy does assist Riegel considerably by aiding in advertising and optimizing search engine results. He pays an extra $200 each month to advertise on Etsy, which he believes is more affordable than the rates on Wayfair and Amazon Seller Central.
He doesn’t mind putting a lot of his profits back into the side business for now. The money he’s making is currently being used to work out improvements such as adding gas lines, reducing production times, and trying out new products like chimineas, a type of free-standing fireplace.
As for the money he has managed to keep, he’s allocated some of it for a significant cause: his daughters’ weddings. He comments, “Having the additional funds is certainly advantageous. However, what matters most is driving the business ahead and exploring its full potential.”
