Let’s tweak that idea a little

Dear Dave,

I am on Baby Step 2, and I started a YouTube channel earlier this year that led to a new opportunity to make additional income. I try on and review clothing, and I’m paid $30 for each clip that’s anywhere from 30 seconds to two minutes long. Right now, I have about 1,000 viewers. This requires me to buy items from several brands. I usually return the items when I’m through filming, but I’m currently funding this with a credit card I only use for this project. I only pay the minimum each month until I get the refund, so at any given time there can be up to $4,000 on the card in rotation. I make about $86,000 at my normal job, so is this an okay way to fund my project and chalk it up as a business expense?

Amber

Dear Amber,

You’re taking a risk here, from a business perspective, by playing around with $4,000 in debt to make $30 a pop. That’s inordinate. And you shouldn’t be paying for the clothes in the first place. These brands should be giving you clothes to review—that you keep—for the marketing exposure, but I’m not sure you’ve got enough eyeballs on you yet to justify them giving you the clothes for free.

Basically, it sounds like you’re trying to put yourself in a position to be an influencer. And the way influencers get paid is by monetizing eyeballs. Obviously, YouTube and other platforms will pay you if you can get the eyeballs. But 1,000 viewers really aren’t a lot these days. You’re getting there, though, and I’m glad you’re working at it and trying to make things happen.

You make good money, Amber. I want you to set aside $2,000 or $3,000 for this business, maybe out of the business income, and prime the pump one time. By that, I mean open a separate checking account that’s for your clothing exchange process only. Here’s the thing, let’s say you bought $1,000 worth of stuff from one of these companies, and they suddenly decide they’re not taking it back. You just ate that $1,000. And guess what else? Now, you really have credit card debt.

There are three things you can always be sure of in business. One, it’s going to cost twice as much as you think it will. Two, it’s going to take twice as long as you think it will. And three, you are not the exception to these things. While we’re at it, add this to the list of stuff you can always be sure of—you’ll never find me advising or endorsing credit card debt!

—Dave