Lessons from Selling AI Christmas Ornaments: A 30-Day Challenge Breakdown

In a recent video titled “I Tried The Easiest Christmas Side Hustle For 30 Days,” Jensen Tung embarked on a festive entrepreneurial journey. He aimed to sell AI-generated Christmas ornaments, sharing the entire process, from creating art to battling profit margin woes.

Jensen began with Leonardo AI, a free tool for high-quality image generation, crafting unique wooden ornaments featuring festive designs and personalized text. By integrating Printful, a print-on-demand service, with Etsy, he streamlined production, packaging, and shipping without upfront costs.

Although the concept showed promise, Jensen faced multiple challenges:

 

• Slow Early Sales: Listings gained traction only in December, emphasizing the importance of starting holiday product sales months in advance.

 

• Hidden Costs: Off-site ad fees (15%) and UK VAT (20%) significantly reduced his profit margins. Awareness of these charges could have helped him adjust pricing strategies.

 

• Product Quality Issues: Damaged items required quick resolutions. Fortunately, Printful’s customer support expedited replacements, preventing negative reviews.

After 30 days, Jensen sold three ornaments, earning $66.80 in revenue. However, fees and taxes led to a net loss of $32.10. His key takeaway? Start early, carefully manage costs, and price products to account for unforeseen fees.

For aspiring Etsy sellers, this video offers valuable insights into managing print-on-demand businesses, especially for time-sensitive holiday products.