Independent research on how Americans make money online
Data refreshed Nov 3, 202633 methods · 98 sourcesModel v0.2
Independent research on how Americans make money online
Data refreshed Nov 3, 202633 methods · 98 sourcesModel v0.2
Commerce · Rank 15 of 33
Build a small brand of your own products and sell direct to consumers on Shopify.
One person in the US, about 10 hours a week, after 12 monthsData updated Nov 3, 20262 sourcesModel v0.2
Suits
People with some capital and time for sourcing, logistics and ads.
Not for
Anyone with no budget to buy stock or ads.
What would change our view: A new distribution channel or a policy change that removes low-quality sellers could reopen it.
Low data confidence: this verdict leans on the US side-hustle distribution and may change as method-specific data comes in.
One person in the US, about 10 hours a week, after 12 months
Recalculated daily from the latest data; the history chart appears after the second daily update.
0% the method's unit economics ($302 a month for an active practitioner), 100% the US side-hustle distribution.
| Revenue per orderBRI assumption: no primary average-order benchmark found for small brands. | $50–$90 | BRI assumption |
| Costs as share of revenue (goods, ads, shipping, fees)From AMP's 35% contribution margin at $1–5M brands, plus ~20 points for a sub-scale solo brand. | 85% | BRI assumption |
| Orders a month after 12 monthsBRI assumption for a solo founder at 10 h/week with a small budget. | 30 | BRI assumption |
Q2 2026 revenue up 34% year on year, GMV growth over 30%
ShopifyAcross $10.1B+ in Shopify DTC sales: median contribution margin 48%, median CAC $54; $1–5M brands 35.1% margin, 12.9% 90-day repurchase
Lifetimely/AMP 2025 DTC reportShopify's GMV grew over 30% in Q2 2026, but growth is concentrated in large merchants while small brands face rising acquisition costs.
