This Side Hustle Spotlight Q&A features Sam Lewkowict, co-founder and CEO of the men's grooming brand Black Wolf Nation. At age 22, Lewkowict started Black Wolf Nation with his brother Alex Lewkowict; the business has since grown to achieve more than $50 million in revenue and established a major retail presence in Rite Aid, CVS, Best Buy and more.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Black Wolf Nation. Sam Lewkowicz.
What were your others? sources of income when you started one side hustle and began building the Black Wolf Nation?
At the time, we were basically living on no income. It was a difficult place to be, without any truth financial security to speak. That's when we realized we had to get creative and find a way to bring in some extra cash — and fast.
When did you start your side hustle and where did you find the inspiration for it?
So picture this: It's the summer of 2017, and we're knee-deep in building our Black Wolf brand. We are sailing to YouTube one night, checking all these car detailing channels, and suddenly, it hits us like a ton of bricks. Why not photograph the details of the car ourselves? It seemed like a natural fit, given our passion for quality work and the growing interest in this field.
What were some of the first steps you took to get yours side hustle from the ground?
The first thing we did was hit each car detailing supply store in town armed with a list of equipment longer than your arm. We wanted to make sure we had everything we needed to get the job done right, from the best polishes to those beautiful little detail brushes.
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced during that time? building your side hustleand how did you navigate them?
We were beginners when it came to detailing cars. Neither of us had ever waxed a car before, let alone handled the finer details of the interior. So what did we do? We dove headfirst into the world of YouTube tutorials, spending hours upon hours soaking up every tip and trick we could find. Then came the real test: practicing on our parents' cars and hoping we didn't mess them up too badly.
We hit the streets, knocking on doors, handing out flyers, and sweet-talking anyone who would listen. Offering that first detail at half price was our secret weapon, and man, did it work like a charm.
When did you decide to leave the hustle behind and take on your next business full-time?
As much as we loved the thrill of detailing the car, there came a point when we had to make a tough call. Black Wolf was growing, demanding more and more of our time and attention. It was bittersweet to say goodbye to our car's detailed hustle, but we knew it was the right move if we wanted to take Black Wolf to the next level.
What do you enjoy most about running Black Wolf Nation?
There is something truly magical about it connecting with customers on a personal level. Hearing their stories, feedback and excitement about our products is what keeps us going day in and day out. Knowing that something we created with our own hands is out there in the world, making a difference in people's lives, feels intoxicating.
What is your advice to others hoping to start successful side hustles or businesses of their own?
When it comes to side hustles, it should be the risk decreases, high-reward — something you can do without high investment costs or burning yourself out. That's the beauty of a good one side hustle — it's like having your cake and eating it too, without sacrificing your main hustle in the process.