Company case study
Tote Rentals
Tote Rentals is a service that rents out plastic moving boxes instead of traditional cardboard boxes, providing an eco-friendly solution for moving. It came up on My First Million, hosted by Sam Parr and Shaan Puri, in the episode "The Side Hustle King: "Make $20K+/month without money, luck, or experience" (aired April 1, 2026).
At a glance
| Podcast | My First Million |
|---|---|
| Hosted by | Sam Parr and Shaan Puri |
| Episode | The Side Hustle King: "Make $20K+/month without money, luck, or experience" |
| Aired | April 1, 2026 |
| Category | E-commerce |
Figures and claims are as told on the episode, summarized from the transcript. Check the date: they describe the company at the time it aired.
What the episode said
The Side Hustle King: "Make $20K+/month without money, luck, or experience" · aired April 1, 2026 · hosted by Sam Parr and Shaan Puri
Why it works
The business appeals to consumers who prefer a more sustainable and convenient option over traditional cardboard boxes, which often are cumbersome and require assembly.
Founding story
Founded by David Stilson in Fort Wayne, Indiana, who identified the opportunity through interactions with real estate agents.
The playbook
Partner with real estate agents for customer referrals and create packages based on the number of totes rented.
Also mentioned
The business model is scalable and can adapt to various rental needs.
Why this works now (our analysis)
Most movers overlook the hassle of assembling cardboard boxes. Tote Rentals capitalizes on a shift toward eco-conscious consumerism by offering reusable plastic boxes that simplify the moving process. To generate initial revenue, David Stilson could partner with local real estate agents to offer discounted rentals to their clients, creating a direct channel for customer acquisition. A significant constraint is the upfront capital required to maintain a sufficient inventory of boxes, which can limit scalability in the early stages.