How to Launch a Hot Tub Rental Business: From Nothing to Earning Thousands Monthly - Side Hustle Nation

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      You've heard of Hot Tub Time Machine, but what about Hot Tub Cash Machine? That's basically the business model of this week's guest, Steve Nadramia. Steve is a high school history and economics teacher from New York and a listener of the show. He reached out after our Thanksgiving episode, which discussed renting out attic space, camper vans, and even semi-trucks as potential ways to generate recurring income.

      His unique rental business? Portable hot tubs! Steve launched a hot tub rental service to supplement his summer job income, aiming to earn $1,000 a month. Today, he has a fleet of over 25 tubs, delivers them with his pickup truck, and generates thousands in bookings monthly. Steve noted that renting hot tubs is quite popular in Europe but lacks competition in the US thus far.

      Tune in to discover:

      - How Steve conceived his business idea

      - His marketing and growth strategies

      - The logistics behind the operation

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      25 Other Unconventional Rental Ideas

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      Inspiration to Start Renting Hot Tubs?

      Steve's primary profession is teaching history and economics at a high school. He previously held a summer job in parks and recreation, starting as a lifeguard, moving on to manager, and ultimately running the entire operation during the summers. “It felt like a dream come true,” Steve shared. However, after getting a new boss with whom he disagreed, he began searching for an alternative part-time job.

      That's when he entertained the idea of a rental business. He noticed a demand for outdoor rentals in New York, such as tents, chairs, and inflatables. Upon investigation, he discovered the outdoor rental market was saturated. Then he learned about someone renting hot tubs in Syracuse, New York, which intrigued him. He reached out, met with the individual, learned the business, and purchased three hot tubs.

      Competitive Analysis

      Steve admitted he did not conduct extensive competitive analysis. He saw that the person in upstate New York was succeeding and realized there was no one offering this service in Long Island, where he lived. With over 1 million residents in Long Island, including some wealthy areas, he felt confident about potential demand.

      When Steve purchased those first hot tubs, he aimed to replace his summer job income of $10,000 per year by making $1,000 a month through hot tub rentals.

      Initial Inventory and Startup Costs

      Of the three hot tubs he acquired from the upstate seller, two were in excellent condition, while the third would serve as a spare due to its poorer state. He spent $6,500 on the three tubs. He already owned a pickup truck and trailer, saving on additional investments. If you lack a trailer, that's a cost to consider. Hot tubs are relatively portable, but they weigh around 200 lbs.

      Though he had never created a website, Steve attempted to use Squarespace. He got the site as far as he could before hiring a freelancer for 3-4 hours. He also invested in signage for his truck. Customers can reserve a hot tub by calling him, leaving a Google Voice message, emailing, or contacting him via Facebook and Instagram.

      Marketing a Hot Tub Rental Business

      Steve stated the challenge involves making two sales:

      1. Introducing the concept, as not many people think about renting hot tubs,

      2. Selling them on the rental itself.

      These are the main channels that drive his sales:

      - Facebook: It has been crucial for orders and inquiries. “I cannot imagine growing this business without Facebook,” Steve remarked. He posts setup pictures on the LIHotTubRentals Facebook page and noted that the visual nature of hot tubs helped generate interest. Additionally, he shares images in local groups