Welcome to Money Making Story,

Today, we’re thrilled to share the story of Karthik, who turned $500 into a thriving $10M e-commerce empire while juggling a full-time job.

In this discussion, we’ll discuss his:

• Top Advice from Karthik

• The Businesses That Built His Empire

• The Birth of a Multi-Brand Empire

• Scaling the Business: From $500 to Millions

• How Great Leaders Say “No”

• The Hustle: From College Startup to Full-Time Grind

• Marketing Strategies for Growth

• Key Skills for Building a Multi-Million Dollar Brand

• Marketing Without Ads: The Strategies That Work

• Lessons for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

• A Story Worth Reading

Top Advice from Karthik:

"Hard work and the right approach can turn a small idea into something big—even without outside funding."

In the world of entrepreneurship, few stories are as inspiring as that of Karthik, who transformed a mere $500 into a thriving $10 million e-commerce business. With no external funding and while juggling a full-time job, Karthik built four successful brands, proving that hard work, strategy, and resilience can lead to incredible success.

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The Businesses That Built His Empire

Karthik didn’t just build one business—he built four. Each brand caters to a different niche in the apparel space:

1. Greek House – Custom fraternity and sorority merchandise

2. College Thread – Licensed apparel for college organizations and departments

3. Threadly – Custom merchandise for businesses, fundraisers, and nonprofits

4. Athlete’s Thread – A game-changing platform that allows college athletes to monetize their name, image, and likeness (NIL)

These businesses have generated millions of dollars in revenue by focusing on custom and licensed merchandise—a sector with high demand but significant barriers to entry.

The Birth of a Multi-Brand Empire

Karthik’s success stemmed from identifying a niche market and expanding strategically. His journey began with Greek House, a company focused on custom fraternity and sorority merchandise. Recognizing the potential in this space, he expanded his offerings to serve college organizations and departments, securing 300 college licenses. This led to the creation of College Thread, a platform dedicated to college-branded apparel.

From there, he launched Threadly, a custom apparel service for corporate businesses, fundraisers, and nonprofits. However, his most recent and game-changing venture was Athlete’s Thread, which capitalized on the Supreme Court ruling allowing student-athletes to monetize their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL). This brand offers co-branded merchandise for athletes and colleges, cementing Karthik’s position as a leader in the licensed apparel industry.

Scaling the Business: From $500 to Millions

With just $500 in startup capital, Karthik built his first business by:

• Talking directly to student groups – Building trust and understanding their needs.

• Reaching out via emails and calls – Finding the right contacts for bulk apparel orders.

• Building relationships – Expanding through recommendations and referrals.

The results?

• Year 1: $50,000 in sales

• Year 2: $100,000 in sales

• Year 3: Scaled to nearly $1 million

But scaling wasn’t always smooth.

The $40,000 Mistake That Almost Killed the Business

Just four months after going full-time, Karthik got hit with a $40,000 bill from a licensing organization. They weren’t reporting royalties correctly and had unknowingly violated compliance rules.

Rather than giving up, he negotiated a payment plan with the licensing body, proving their long-term commitment to the industry. That decision saved the business and set them up for sustainable success.

Scaling the Business: From $500 to Millions

With just $500 in startup capital, Karthik built his first business by:

• Talking directly to student groups – Building trust and understanding their needs.

• Reaching out via emails and calls – Finding the right contacts for bulk apparel orders.

• Building relationships – Expanding through recommendations and referrals.

The results?

• Year 1: $50,000 in sales

• Year 2: $100,000 in sales

• Year 3: Scaled to nearly $1 million

But scaling wasn’t always smooth.

The $40,000 Mistake That Almost Killed the Business

Just four months after going full-time, Karthik got hit with a $40,000 bill from a licensing organization. They weren’t reporting royalties correctly and had unknowingly violated compliance rules.

Rather than giving up, he negotiated a payment plan with the licensing body, proving their long-term commitment to the industry. That decision saved the business and set them up for sustainable success.

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How Great Leaders Say “No”

Marketing Strategies for Growth

1. Direct Outreach – Connecting with organizations through email and networking.

2. Referral & Partner Programs – Encouraging customers to spread the word.

3. Smart Online Search Strategies – Using Google listings to attract potential buyers.

4. Selling on Marketplaces – Listing products on platforms like Etsy for more visibility.

Key Skills for Building a Multi-Million Dollar Brand

According to Karthik, these three skills are non-negotiable for success:

1. Communication

Since his team is remote, clear and effective communication is critical. Whether it’s written, verbal, or recorded video updates, keeping everyone aligned is key.

2. The Ability to Teach Yourself

Instead of relying on others for answers, learning how to solve problems on your own is one of the most valuable skills.

3. Surrounding Yourself with the Right People

• Find mentors who have done what you’re trying to do.

• Hire great employees who can execute.

• Work with co-founders and advisors who challenge you.

Marketing Without Ads: The Strategies That Work

While most e-commerce brands burn cash on Facebook and Google ads, Karthik took a different approach. His marketing strategies include:

1. Cold Outreach & Sales

Greek House initially scaled using cold emails and direct sales. By finding contacts online and personally reaching out to decision-makers, they were able to secure massive bulk orders without ad spend.

2. Referral & Partner Programs

By recruiting brand ambassadors and affiliates, they turned customers into sales reps and content creators—generating free marketing and social proof.

3. Smart Online Search Strategies

Instead of running ads on Instagram or Facebook, they focused on Google Search Ads. Why?

High-intent buyers. When someone searches for “Bryce Young t-shirt,” they are actively looking to buy.

4. Selling on Marketplaces

Karthik’s businesses list their products on:

• Etsy

• Google Shopping

• Other niche marketplaces

By doing this, they tap into existing traffic—allowing them to make sales without running expensive ad campaigns.

Lessons for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

If you want to start a Shopify or e-commerce business, Karthik’s advice is simple:

1. Just Start – Overthinking kills momentum. Put something out there and refine it as you go.

2. Develop a Business Plan – It doesn’t have to be 50 pages, but writing down your strategy helps clarify your approach.

3. Stay Humble & Keep Learning – You don’t know everything. Approach every challenge with curiosity and a willingness to learn.

Learn More About Karthik Shanadi

Karthik’s story is proof that you don’t need outside investors or a large budget to build something successful. All you need is grit, smart marketing, and relentless execution.

If you’re serious about launching your own e-commerce brand, take Karthik’s advice:

A Story Worth Reading

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