How a 50-year-old nurse's laid-back Friday mornings turned into a six-figure-a-month business?

Time of India

23-05-2025

Oklahoma-based nurse Mike O'Dell transformed his hobby into a high-earning side hustle, raking in over $1.25 million in 2024 from his quilting kit business, Legit Kits. Despite working only one day a week on it, the venture thrives, offering him flexibility and fulfillment. With a full-time job for security, O'Dell continues growing his creative venture while navigating tariff threats.
Mike O'Dell, a 50-year-old nurse anesthetist, earns $117,000 a month from his side hustle, Legit Kits, by working just one day a week. What began as a Star Wars quilt project for his kids became a million-dollar quilting business.
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From Star Wars Quilts to Startup Success
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Tariff Threats and Market Expansion
Stitching a Path Forward
Every Friday morning in Oklahoma City, Mike O'Dell sips coffee on his patio, drives his kids to school, and heads to his warehouse—not to clock into another job, but to enjoy the day he built for himself. That single day of work each week now earns him an eye-popping $117,000 a month. By contrast, the rest of O'Dell's week is spent in the high-pressure environment of a hospital operating room. As a nurse anesthetist, he works 10-hour shifts with little time for meals or breaks. But his side hustle, Legit Kits, offers a creative escape—and a profitable one.According to a report from CNBC Make It , O'Dell launched Legit Kits in 2020 after sewing Star Wars-themed quilts for his sons using a method known as foundation paper piecing. Impressed by how approachable and artistic the process was, he realized there was a business opportunity in selling pre-designed quilting kits.He hired two graphic designers to create artwork and patterns, and brought on staff to handle production and shipping. The company now has seven full-time employees and four freelance designers. In 2024 alone, it brought in $1.25 million through online sales, with an additional $150,000 generated through in-store sales at Joann Fabrics before the chain closed all its outlets earlier this year.Despite his booming business, O'Dell has no plans to leave his job at the hospital, which pays him $240,000 annually. That stability gives him freedom to reinvest in Legit Kits without worrying about personal income.He describes his role at the company as creative director and CEO, overseeing product design and marketing during his weekly workday. For his efforts, he plans to pay himself a modest $50,000 salary this year, focusing instead on growing the business and managing costs.As Legit Kits grows, O'Dell faces new challenges—most notably, proposed tariff hikes under U.S. President Donald Trump's trade policies. The company's fabrics are sourced from Indonesia and Vietnam, where tariffs could rise to as much as 46%. For now, a temporary 10% rate is in effect until July 9.'The uncertainty is stressful,' O'Dell admits. He says the company is delaying hiring decisions until there's clarity on pricing. At the same time, he's introducing more affordable 'mini kits' at $99 each to attract casual crafters and protect his customer base from economic pressure.'I don't want to price people out of a hobby,' he says.O'Dell's quilting venture operates in a $5 billion industry, and while it still holds a small market share, he's optimistic about scaling. His advertising efforts now focus on hobbyists beyond the traditional quilting community, hoping to bring fresh interest to the art form.Despite its success, O'Dell doesn't plan to make Legit Kits his full-time job unless the company reaches eight-figure annual revenues.'I'd have to get it up to $10 million a year … and I want my kids to go to college,' he says.O'Dell's story is a striking reminder that with creativity, planning, and purpose, even a side hustle can become a six-figure success—without quitting your day job.