At 16, She Started a Side Hustle While 'Stuck at Home.' Now It's on Track to Earn Over $3.1 Million This Year. Evangelina Petrakis, 21, was in high school when she posted on social media for fun — then realized a business opportunity.
By Amanda Breen Edited by Jessica Thomas
Key Takeaways
- Petrakis currently has 1.75 million followers across YouTube, Instagram and TikTok.
- Her jewelry brand EP Jewels is on track to surpass $3.1 million for its year-end business fiscal year.
This Side Hustle Spotlight Q&A features Evangelina Petrakis, 21, a New York-based influencer and founder of jewelry brand EP Jewels. Read on to see how she built her multimillion-dollar business.
Image Credit: Courtesy of EP Jewels. Evangelina Petrakis.
When did you start your side hustle, and what inspired it?
I was 16 and a junior in high school when I started using social media to share all the things I loved. Since May 2021 and the launch of EP Jewels, I have used Instagram, YouTube and TikTok as tools to market my brand to my followers. I currently have 1.75 million followers across all platforms.
I found social media — and YouTube in particular — very influential throughout my childhood and teen years. I trusted those I followed and watched and when they liked or didn't like something. I found it fascinating and loved watching it day after day.
Stuck at home during quarantine, 16-year-old me thought, Why not start a YouTube channel of my own? I posted the first video out of pure boredom: "Get ready with me FOR NOTHING!" The second video I posted was "My Jewelry Collection." It went viral. From that day on, those who began to follow me seemed very interested and inspired by me, whether it was what I had to say, what I was doing or what I was wearing. This is when I realized that I, too, can be a positive influence and wanted to continue growing my online presence and community.
What were some of the first steps you took to get your side hustle off the ground?
My followers gave me the inspiration to share my style with them. Their comments asking for more and more sparked the idea that, perhaps, if I designed something or created something cool like tie-dyed clothing, which was trending at that time, I could promote it and advertise a "drop" on my YouTube and Instagram channels and see what would happen.
With a small loan from my mom, I opened up a wholesale account with an online clothing manufacturer of plain white hoodies, T-shirts, biker shorts and tank tops. I purchased 500 pieces in assorted styles and sizes. Once the delivery arrived, I already had plans for the custom designs and color combos. For three weeks, day and night, it was a family affair in the garage to tie-dye and custom-design 500 pieces. After promoting the upcoming "drop" on my social media platforms, I sold out less than 24 hours after the launch.
Image Credit: Courtesy of EP Jewels
That same week, I paid back the entire loan to my mother and still had a great profit to invest in the next drop.
My followers continued to grow and loved my style. Their comments about my personal jewelry collection and my own love for jewelry inspired me to switch gears to jewelry.
I haven't ever used paid social advertising to promote EP Jewels' sales. In fact, 100% of sales have been attributed to my ability to market EP via authentic posts across my social platforms, including Instagram and TikTok.
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced while building your side hustle, and how did you navigate them?
Balancing the time and attention to maintain the continued growth and success of both my social media platforms and scaling, building and leading our team at EP Jewels remain some of the biggest everyday challenges.
It is through list-making, time management, patience and organization that I remain on track to accomplish my day-to-day goals. Doing this helps me get things done and balance my time to benefit the growth and success of my social media platforms and my company's and team's needs.
How long did it take you to see consistent monthly revenue? What does growth and revenue look like now?
EP Jewels saw immediate and consistent monthly revenue since its launch in May 2021. Currently, my company is seeing a 115% year-over-year growth rate and is expected to exceed $3.1 million for its year-end business fiscal year.
What do you enjoy most about running this business?
I enjoy being creative and sharing my designs with the community that is following me.
I also enjoy growing the EP team of leaders and being the visionary and strength behind building a great company from the ground up. I have learned to appreciate that in order for my company to truly scale to great potential, I need to not only take the time to learn all about systems and operations that support both the front-end and back-end of the business but also implement them so that my team can grow and remain successful.
Image Credit: Courtesy of EP Jewels
My goal is to continue to create a positive culture of team leaders. In a few short years, I have learned that true success depends on having a keen eye to curate and build a team of leaders within the company. Although I may be the founder and CEO, I am not afraid to say I know I am not the best at everything. There is absolutely an art to finding the right fit for the right roles within your company. Choosing leaders who have the expertise in their role and giving them the creative freedom to excel and bring new ideas to the table make for the secret sauce of a great and successful company.
The No. 1 rule and culture of being a part of our EP team is to always be considerate and support one another.
What's your advice for others hoping to start successful side hustles or full-time businesses of their own?
Being a business owner is hard work and takes serious commitment, dedication and determination. You may work 20 hours a week or 80 hours a week. It will take whatever it takes to get things done. Stay focused, patient and organized. There's no room for procrastinating or complaining. Build a mood board and keep your mind on the goals ahead. Take the time to properly build your systems and operations to grow and scale your company to its full potential. Stay grinding and hustling, and you, too, can do great things. Today's a great day to start.
This article is part of our ongoing Young Entrepreneur® series highlighting the stories, challenges and triumphs of being a young business owner. Responses have been edited for length and clarity.
