Business idea · Marketplace
Live Selling on Whatnot
Live Selling on Whatnot is a platform where sellers can engage in live selling of various products, ranging from beauty items to collectibles. This interactive selling format allows sellers to connect with buyers in real-time, leading to increased sales. It was pitched on The Side Hustle Show in the episode "734: From Zero to 35M Downloads" (aired April 20, 2026).
At a glance
| Podcast | The Side Hustle Show |
|---|---|
| Hosted by | Nick Loper |
| Episode | 734: From Zero to 35M Downloads |
| Aired | April 20, 2026 |
| Category | Marketplace |
| Real companies on the episode | Kuo, Patreon, I Know Dino Podcast, Shopify, Side Hustle Show, Whatnot |
The problem it solves
Addresses the challenge of product visibility by allowing sellers to showcase their items live, creating a more engaging shopping experience compared to traditional e-commerce methods.
How it makes money
Commission-based model where Whatnot takes a percentage of each sale made through the platform.
Skills you need
Salesmanship, product presentation, customer engagement, and basic technical skills to operate the live selling interface.
The market, and why this works now
Whatnot's recent partnership with Shopify allows sellers to integrate their inventory seamlessly, enhancing the live selling experience. Sellers can generate initial revenue by promoting their live streams through r/ecommerce, targeting users interested in unique shopping experiences. A key constraint for founders will be the capital required for marketing efforts, as building an audience and driving traffic to live events can be costly in the early stages.
Our analysis, written after the episode. Not a quote from the show.
Real companies discussed on this episode
- Kuo
Kuo is a business phone system designed for modern teams, offering features like AI-based call management and automatic call logging.
- Patreon
Patreon is a membership platform that allows creators to earn a recurring income by offering exclusive content to subscribers.
- I Know Dino Podcast
I Know Dino is a dinosaur news podcast that covers the latest discoveries and news related to dinosaurs.
- Shopify
Shopify is a commerce platform that allows businesses to create online stores, manage inventory, and handle customer returns.
- Side Hustle Show
The Side Hustle Show is a podcast that shares stories and strategies related to side hustles, helping listeners learn about various ways to earn income outside of their main job.
- Whatnot
Whatnot is the largest dedicated live shopping platform where users can sell a variety of products including beauty products, collectibles, electronics, thrift store finds, luxury fashion, and food products.
Where this idea came from
Podcast: The Side Hustle Show, hosted by Nick Loper
Episode: 734: From Zero to 35M Downloads
Aired:
Summarized from the episode transcript. The show does not say which speaker raised each idea, so we credit the show, not a person.