A WOMAN has revealed the life changing moment she became a millionaire overnight after starting an Etsy company with just £80 to her name.
Amanda, a mum-of-two in her mid thirties, said she was “completely broken inside” having lost her job and was struggling financially, but a fortune cookie completely turned her life around.
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In a video shared on TikTok, the business owner revealed that she was 30-years-old when she hit a low point and considered filing for bankruptcy.
Chris, her husband, treated her to Chinese take-out. The fortune cookie inside was what saved her life.
“You will be unusually successful in business,” It read, and Amanda took the plunge.
FABULOUS BINGO: GET A £5 FREE BONUS WITH NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED
She explained: “No business experience but nothing else to lose. It takes four months to save, but I scrounge up $160 (£116) from my unemployment cheques, but a cricut machine and open an etsy shop.”
But the unexpected happened when two of her products – customisable party banners – went viral, resulting in Amanda becoming a millionaire overnight.
“My husband quits his job and we invest everything back into the company over the next five years,” she explained, now valuing her business, 1801 & Co at a whopping $12 million (£8.7 million).
Amanda started selling small party decor, such as cake toppers, banners and confetti when she launched Etsy in 2016.
Now, after changing the company name from Paper Supply Station to 1801 & Co in 2019, Amanda makes custom acrylic signage for home, corporate office and events.
Amanda attributes her early success to a lifestyle blogger who bought a banner for her bachelorette celebration.
After sharing professional photos online, which showcased the “uniquely risqué” banner, it supposedly became an internet meme – and as it racked up the likes, her business racked up sales.
I have no business experience and nothing to lose. It takes four months to save, but I scrounge up $160 (£116) from my unemployment cheques, but a cricut machine and open an etsy shop.
Amanda
While she designs all the signage, describing it has her “passion”, her husband John, along with some employees, look after production and shipping.
According to the company website, the business is completely “family owned and operated” – and they continue to sell product both on Etsy and through their website.
Many people saw Amanda’s TikTok video and were inspired by her story. Hundreds of comments flooded in with encouragement, with some even asking for her advice.
“I really needed to see this today… I’m so happy for you for succeeding,” One wrote.
“There is not a heart big enough for how much I love this story! Congratulations!” One person said it.
Offering advice for people who might want to do the same, Amanda shared in the comments: “You’ll never find something that no one else is doing. Find something you love doing and your soul will give it something unique that draws people in.”
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