Free for 14 days. After your trial, $39/month. Cancel anytime – no charge.

At AliDropship, we believe everyone should have a shot at building something of their own.

Meet Emily! Working at a hotel front desk, she wanted to bring in extra income for her family. So she and her husband decided to try starting an online store with AliDropship.

In this interview, Emily shares how she and her husband realized they needed a side hustle, how they launched it, and how things are going now. She’ll also talk about the changes it brought to their life. Let’s get started!

Disclaimer: this interview reflects Emily’s personal experience. The editors may make minor changes to grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Individual results vary and depend on the work you put in.

– Hi! Could you tell us a bit about yourself?

Hey! Thanks for inviting me! I’m Emily, 32, and I live in California. My job is at a hotel reception desk. It’s decent work, but I really want to boost my income because my husband and I have big dreams.

– So, you mentioned your husband. Can you tell us more about your family situation? What drives you to seek other income streams?

My husband started out training for an IT role, but finding a position proved tricky. There’s a lot of competition, and they want experience before you can land a job.

He decided to pursue a childhood dream of becoming a pilot. That’s fantastic, but it also takes time and money. So, we looked for a side hustle because right now, it’s tough to get by on just my receptionist salary.

– Makes sense. So how did you come across AliDropship and decide on an online venture?

We realized we needed something flexible. Our schedules shift a lot, and we didn’t have a big stash of cash to invest.

We started researching and learned about dropshipping. We liked the idea of not buying inventory or putting much money in. Eventually, we ran into AliDropship, which offered a completely set-up online store with a free trial. So, we jumped on board!

– What was required to start?

All we did was fill out a form, click a few buttons, and soon we had our very own online store. Everything was handled for us: web design, product listings, and shipping. It is super convenient.

– Glad to hear it went smoothly! What kind of store do you have now?

It’s a general store, carrying a variety of items. Tech gadgets, home products, beauty stuff, pretty much anything. We began with a set of top-selling products.

Then I made some social media accounts and started posting about my products, sharing videos, and responding to comments. It was very smooth. I’d do it on my days off, or in the evenings before going to sleep.

– When did you notice real progress?

We got a few sales in the first couple of weeks, which was really exciting. But around three months in, we started making a decent amount of money.

It was like, “Wow, this is actually working, and we’re only spending a little time here and there!”

– Do you ever struggle to handle your side hustle while working full-time?

There are definitely days when I’m worn out from the hotel. My husband can fill in if I’m tired, and vice versa.

On workdays, I spend about an hour in the morning checking orders and messages. After my shift, I’ll put in another hour or so. On my days off, I’ll give it more attention, adding products or reviewing the stats. AliDropship manages fulfillment, so orders go out quickly.

– Which product became your biggest hit?

We have a general store, so it varies. Right now, lightweight, travel-friendly goods are our top-sellers. The exact winners shift, but practical, everyday products consistently do well.

– Great to hear! You had a goal, and you found a route to achieve it. Any pointers or inspiration for our readers?

Honestly, just go for it. We’re not rolling in millions, but this has definitely cut down our money worries.

We didn’t have to buy inventory or learn super technical skills, and it’s amazing. I’m grateful we discovered AliDropship and weren’t scared to try something new. In the end, we decide how we live our lives.

– Good advice, Emily. We’re glad AliDropship could help. Any plans or hopes for your store’s future?

We’re happy with what we have. It gives my husband breathing room while he pursues flight school and lets us save up more money.

Once he’s a pilot, maybe we’ll expand. Or maybe we’ll just keep it small. Or even sell it! No matter what, we’re in a way better spot than before. With this online store, we have real freedom.

– Thanks so much, Emily. It was great chatting with you. We’re sure your story will inspire our audience!

Thanks for having me! I hope my story shows people that if you set your mind to something, it can happen.

How to get a turnkey store

AliDropship offers a turnkey ecommerce store AND a $100 bonus to help you get started.

A ready-made store takes care of the technical setup, so you can focus on promoting your products. The platform is free for 14 days, then $39/month.

Here’s what you get:

• Straightforward. We handle the tech side. Zero coding or design required – the store is built for you.
• Speedy. Get a live, fully functional store quickly. We’ve streamlined the setup so you can focus on selling.
• Stylish. We’ve crafted a clean, user-friendly layout, so shopping with you feels great. We also create fresh designs for different occasions to keep your store looking sharp all year.
• Always there for you. Our support team is here to help. Ask us anything, and we’ll help you with it.

Thinking about that first step?

We’re excited for Emily. She wanted extra income alongside her day job and decided to try an online store with AliDropship.

If you’re ready to explore new opportunities, you can take the first step today.

With AliDropship’s turnkey online store + $100 gift, you can start with a free trial and see if it’s right for you.

Start For Free

Free for 14 days. After your trial, $39/month. Cancel anytime – no charge. *Individual results vary and depend on the work you put in.