Easy Money: “I Make $5,000 a Month Selling Special Hoodies!”
Susan Seager makes hoodies that give hope to teens.
According to recent CDC data, over than a third of high school students reported they experienced poor mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, and 44 percent said they persistently felt sad or hopeless. Susan Seager saw this mental health crisis and reacted with creativity and kindness; she launched her own business to empower teenagers — and it ended up boosting her bank account at the same time. Who knew selling hoodies could be so lucrative? Find out how she did it.
The Origin of Susan’s Business
‘‘With two teenagers, I’ve seen firsthand how many teens struggle with mental health, especially during the pandemic,” Seager shares with Woman’s World. “My wheels started turning on what I could do to empower them, and it dawned on me that teens wear hoodies as a safe haven year-round. I thought, Why not add a hidden affirmation under the bottom hem that only the wearer can see?
“I began brainstorming different hoodie designs and asking other people about the affirmations that help them the most. I came up with seven different designs with messages like ‘I am enough’ and ‘I am worthy of all the love’ to help wearers change negative thought patterns. Then I contacted two manufacturers, AlphaBroder and Clothing Shop Online, to order the apparel from, and in December 2021, I officially launched Hidden Power Apparel!
“I devote about two to three hours a day on the brand, mostly on marketing and posting on our Instagram account. I also connect with lots of customers through a Parent Teacher Student Organization group that I belong to. The hoodies sell for $32.99, which brings in about $5,000 per month. These funds help support my mom to live a more comfortable retirement, after a life spent helping others. I also donate some to schools around the country. I’m proud that my small passion project has a big impact. It’s very rewarding to help teens and young adults begin to see hope for their future!”
A version of this article originally appeared in our print magazine, Woman’s World.
