This Side Hustle Spotlight Q&A features content creator and actress Alyssa McKay, 24. McKay co-founder Beyond Lossa streetwear brand that offers sweat sets with unique embroidery and diamond designs, in December 2021 and has since grown the business past $1 million in sales. Answers have been edited for length and clarity.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Beyond Lost. Alyssa McKay.
What was your day job or main occupation when you started? side hustle?
While growing up in Portland, I worked at a local yogurt shop and paid my way through college at Portland State University, where I earned my degree in communications. For the past five years, I have been a full-time creator and actress.
When you started yours side hustleand where did you find the inspiration for it?
Three years ago (almost today), we launched streetwear brand Beyond Lost together with my management team at The Network Effect. My team and I are big fans of streetwear and we knew there was a place for it NEW. We wanted to create a brand that was both quality and accessible. We also wanted to open the line of communication between my audience on social platforms and involve them in all day-to-day processes.
What were some of the first steps you took to get yours side hustle from the ground?
Even before our first exclusive “drop”, I asked my audience (specifically at Snapchat) what they liked and didn't like: colors, design, fit, etc. We needed to confirm our gut instincts before we put our first design into production. On Snapchat, I post anywhere between 150-300 pieces of content every day. Part of that narrative is bringing this specific community on a behind-the-scenes journey from inception to completion of design to delivery to release.
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced while building your side hustle and how did you navigate them?
What has been most important to our venture is what we call “ownership of the process.” Rather than outsourcing aspects or elements of our business to third parties or agencies, we own and operate ourselves. We all contribute to designs, work directly with manufacturers, provide quality control, manage relationships with our Creator Ambassadors, analyze all the latest analytics and financials and work with social platforms directly on best practices and optimizations (just to name a few). While it was challenging to build this infrastructure, it has been a blessing to understand the essence of building a modern-day “creator-led business.”
Image Credit: Courtesy of Beyond Lost
How long did it take you to see consistent monthly income? How much has he done? side hustle win?
We sold our first spot within hours. From there, we're off to the races. As we close out 2024, we're excited to report that we've now seen over $1 million in gross revenue (with high quality and low quantity in mind), all without spending a single dollar on marketing or paid social.
Related: She started a side hustle that made more than $1 million in 1 year: 'Manifest Your Best Life'
What do growth and revenue look like now?
More frequent drops will increase our income. But we've been very careful to make sure we try everything at least two to five times until the quality is right. That said, we're looking to double the number of new articles in 2025. We've been extremely tactical since the beginning in building an authentic brand with the right quality that speaks to and with the audience.
What do you love most about this side hustle?
Running a business like this is very fulfilling on so many levels. What I love most is the immediate positive feedback we get. Our monthly returning customer the rate varies from 40% to 70% from month to month. It is very satisfying that people not only buy one of our pieces, but come back to buy again. This means we are definitely doing something right.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Beyond Lost
What is your advice to others hoping to get started successfully? side hustle theirs?
I learned so much from building Beyond Lost. Here are some important ways: First, make sure you partner with the right people. I've been working with my team at The Network Effect for the past five years, and we have amazing levels COOPERATION and faith. Second, take a second to enjoy the ride and celebrate the wins (big and small). Finally, ideas are only ideas until they are executed.
This article is part of our ongoing Young Entrepreneur® series highlighting the stories, challenges and triumphs of being a new business owner.