Why Small Ecom Works for 50+ Solopreneurs (and How to Get Started Today)
Simple, flexible ways to start a side hustle selling physical products from anywhere
In 2015 my husband and I built a 7-figure e-commerce business selling digital cooking thermometers.
It started as an experiment to show my community at the time how to sell on Amazon.
It grew fast, completely took us by surprise and within a year it became a life-changing business.
In year 1 we sold 85,000+ units at an average of $15. Within 3 years we’d expanded to over 30 different product lines, were knee-deep in inventory, and our so-called freedom lifestyle had turned into long days, high stress, and massive burnout.
And while I love ecommerce as a business model (and am about to throw myself back into the Amazon fire), the good news is you don’t have to do it that way.
You can build an e-commerce business without investing thousands in stock, without thinking like the next Walmart, and without working all the hours God sends.
In reality, you can build an e-commerce hustle as small or as big as you like. From zero-inventory models like print-on-demand products, Etsy printables, or self-published journals on Amazon, to online arbitrage or reselling on FB Marketplace.
The options for selling physical products online have exploded in recent years with no need for stock or upfront investment. Just an idea and a platform.
Colorful Chaos Puzzles
Right now I’m helping a friend launch a jigsaw puzzle business on Etsy.
She loves jigsaw puzzles herself so this seemed like a great niche to have a go at.
She’s been designing puzzle images on Midjourney, has created her Etsy store & will be using Printify to produce & print the puzzles.
Her only investment is time, as she’s non techy, & is learning everything on the go, plus minimal outlays for a Midjourney account, Printify premium (cheaper products) & Etsy listing fees.
It’s small, manageable, and she can run the whole thing from her kitchen table.
That’s the beauty of small e-commerce. It can be creative, fun, and flexible enough to fit around your life, not consume it.
You can listen to my podcast episode of how we’re building the business here;
Why Small Ecom Works
You don’t need to become the next Bezos to build a fantastic physical products business.
Today’s tools allow you to create light, flexible businesses that can be run from wherever you are in the world! Whether traveling about in an RV, or in your PJ’s around your kitchen table.
Here’s why it’s such a good fit, especially for us over 50’s who want more freedom, not more stress:
Low barrier to entry — You don’t need a factory, a warehouse, or thousands in stock. With print-on-demand, dropshipping, or small-batch production, you can test an idea with almost no upfront cost.
Portable by design — Most of the work can be done with a laptop and Wi-Fi. (My friend only has an iPad!) You can design from a café, manage orders while travelling, and outsource fulfilment so you never touch a box.
Scalable in steps — Start tiny with one product. If it works, add another. If it takes off, you can grow into something bigger. You decide the pace.
Creative freedom — Whether it’s a quirky mug design, a niche product for pet lovers, or a card deck (like my This Big World project - more on that below), you get to create something tangible that people actually use and enjoy.
Extra income that compounds — A single product might bring in coffee money (or change your life like our cooking thermometer). A small line might cover bills. Over time, an easy portfolio of products can become a serious income stream.
The best part is that you don’t need to commit to one style of ecom forever. You can start with a light-touch model, learn the ropes, and then decide if you want to scale into something bigger, or keep it small and simple.
Examples of Small Ecom Hustles
Here are a few ways to get started today:
Print-on-Demand (POD)
Create designs once and let a third-party printer handle production and shipping.
Examples: quirky pet mugs, travel quote t-shirts, yoga tote bags, colourful jigsaw puzzles.
Why it works: You never touch stock. You design, the POD company delivers.Digital-Physical Hybrids
Products people can use offline but you never physically handle.
Examples: planners and journals printed through Amazon KDP, wall art as downloadable PDFs, printable templates or sticker sheets.
Why it works: Customers get something tangible, but your work is all digital.Online Arbitrage Buy low, sell high, all from your laptop. Examples: finding discounted products on one platform and reselling them on Amazon, eBay or Facebook Marketplace. Why it works: You can test ideas fast with minimal investment and build a simple cashflow business from home.
Dropshipping
Partner with a supplier who ships directly to your customers.
Examples: niche travel accessories, pet grooming tools, camper van gear.
Why it works: No need to pre-buy inventory, and you can test multiple products quickly.Pre-Loved or Upcycled Products Turn second-hand or vintage items into an income stream using resale platforms. Examples: clothing on Depop or Vinted, collectables on eBay, or small furniture pieces you’ve refreshed and resold locally. Why it works:Sustainable, creative, and often profitable — especially when you have an eye for quality or a knack for presentation.
Each of these is simple enough to start from home and flexible enough to fit around your lifestyle.
You can experiment, learn, and build momentum, one small win at a time.
How to Start Small with Ecom
If you’re curious about dipping a toe into e-commerce, start with clarity, not products.
A little upfront thinking saves you a lot of time later.
Know Your Niche & Audience
Who are you selling to? Dog lovers, travellers, home cooks, craft enthusiasts? The clearer you are, the easier it is to create something they’ll actually buy.Shape Your Idea
What’s one product this audience would love? A quirky mug, a travel planner, a set of spice jar labels, or a printable wall art bundle. Keep it simple and specific.Choose Your Business Model
Decide how you’ll deliver it:Print-on-demand for mugs, shirts, and tote bags.
Etsy for handmade or digital printables.
Amazon KDP for journals and low-content books.
Shopify Lite or Gumroad for selling directly.
Mock It Up
Create a quick prototype. Use Canva, Placeit, Midjourney or even simple photos to bring your idea to life. Don’t be a perfectionist! Think MVP (minimal viable product). You’re going to be testing & iterating.Pick a Platform & Publish
Choose one marketplace, upload your product, and hit publish. Don’t spread yourself thin. The goal is to learn, not launch an empire.Run a 30-Day Experiment
Share it with friends, post it online, or try a tiny ad (say $2 a day). Track what happens. Did it sell? Great, expand. If not, tweak and test again.
👉 Small ecom gives you the freedom to start light, test the market, potentially collect small wins, and then let those wins grow into something that supports the lifestyle you want today.
Why Small Ecom Works for Freedom Seekers
E-commerce doesn’t have to mean warehouses, staff, or massive upfront costs.
The models available today, from KDP to print-on-demand to small Etsy shops, let you dip a toe in, learn the ropes, and start building income without locking yourself into something overwhelming.
Your first product might just cover a weekend away. Your next few could fund a bigger trip. Stack them over time, and you’ve built yourself a portable business that travels as lightly as you do.
Start with one idea, mock it up, get it live, and let the market teach you. Every product is proof that you can do this, and proof adds up fast.
Go make it happen my friend!
Would you like to look over my shoulder as I build a brand-new e-commerce venture from scratch? 🛒
It’s called This Big World, and I’m sharing the entire journey inside The 50+ Nomad Club 🗺️
Alongside my weekly side hustle guides & monthly mini freedom challenges, you’ll see the whole process in real time: lessons learned, wins and fails, income reports, and how I’m growing it into a 7 (maybe 8)-figure side hustle while keeping my sanity and freedom intact.
If you’d love an honest look at what it takes to build something big after 50, join today for just $47 a year.
Can you share few examples of POD print on demand vendors you have used in the US?
This is such a good reminder that business doesn’t have to mean overwhelm. The best growth I’ve seen often starts from something small, scrappy, and aligned with your actual life.