In the world of digital entrepreneurship, many young people are finding innovative ways to make a living. Caelan McDonald, a 17-year-old from the UK, is one of these rising stars. By selling customised stickers online, he’s making an incredible Rs 16 lakh (around $19,000) every month. This impressive figure has turned heads, especially considering the unusual beginnings of his business venture. If you’re curious about how he did it and how you can start your own online business, keep reading.
Caelan McDonald: From Christmas Gift to Multi-Lakh Business
At the age of 17, most teenagers are focused on their schoolwork, social life, or just having fun. But Caelan McDonald is a different kind of teenager. He’s built a thriving business by selling customised stickers and other personalised products, and it all began with a Christmas gift from his mother.
Two years ago, Caelan’s mother, Karen Newsham, gifted him a Cricut Joy, a digital cutting machine used for creating custom designs. At first, Caelan used it to make transfers for glassware and acrylic products. What started as a hobby quickly turned into a full-fledged business, as he began receiving commissions for custom orders.
Customised stickers were just the beginning. Caelan expanded his offerings, using his creativity to produce a range of personalised items, from glassware to decorations, that were in high demand. He started by selling these items on Facebook, where he gained attention for his unique designs. The orders started rolling in, and the business grew steadily.
How Caelan Scaled His Sticker Business to Rs 16 Lakh a Month
The success of Caelan’s business can be traced back to his persistence and smart decision-making. Here’s how he grew from creating small transfers to running a business that now earns him over Rs 16 lakh per month:
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Starting Small but Thinking Big: Initially, Caelan worked just three hours a day after school, creating and selling about 200 personalised products a month. It wasn’t a huge sum at first, but his consistency and passion for the craft paid off.
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Investing in Better Equipment: When his small-scale business started gaining traction, Caelan realised he needed to upgrade his equipment. After dropping out of school, he used his earnings to purchase industrial-grade printers, enabling him to scale up production.
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Utilising Social Media for Sales: Caelan found great success selling his products on TikTok Shop and other e-commerce platforms. His savvy use of social media to market his customised products was a game-changer. By tapping into the power of digital marketing, Caelan reached a larger audience and began seeing his sales soar.
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Working Relentlessly: To keep up with demand, Caelan works 16-hour days, six days a week. The hard work has paid off—his monthly earnings now consistently top Rs 16 lakh, and he’s on track to reach Rs 1 crore in sales by the end of the fiscal year.
Caelan’s Best-Selling Products: Customised Stickers and More
While Caelan’s business has grown to offer a variety of products, customised stickers remain his core offering. However, his greatest seller this Christmas season is a personalised bauble with angel wings, showing just how important it is to tap into seasonal trends. Last year, it was snow globe tumblers that were the star product.
It’s not just about stickers for Caelan. His ability to create high-quality, personalised goods that tap into current trends has played a significant role in his business’s success.
Why Caelan McDonald’s Business is a Perfect Example of the Digital Entrepreneurial Spirit
Caelan’s journey is a testament to the power of digital entrepreneurship and how the internet can be used to build profitable businesses. Here’s why his success is so inspiring:
- Starting with What You Have: Caelan didn’t need to invest thousands in fancy equipment or marketing campaigns to get started. His initial investment was a $191 Cricut Joy, and he grew from there.
- Tapping Into the Power of Social Media: Like many successful entrepreneurs, Caelan understands the importance of leveraging platforms like TikTok and Facebook to connect with potential customers and sell products.
- Consistency and Hard Work: While it might seem like Caelan’s success happened overnight, it’s been the result of consistent effort over time. His dedication to working long hours has helped him stay on track even when things got tough.
- Making Smart Investments: Caelan’s decision to reinvest his profits back into his business has allowed him to scale up quickly. This is a smart strategy for any entrepreneur looking to grow their business without taking on too much risk.
What Other Young Entrepreneurs Can Learn from Caelan’s Success
Caelan McDonald’s story proves that age is no barrier to success. Here’s what aspiring young entrepreneurs can learn from his journey:
- Start with a Small Investment: You don’t need a massive budget to start a business. With just a small digital cutting machine, Caelan was able to create products that caught people’s attention.
- Leverage Free Marketing Tools: Social media platforms are powerful tools for marketing. Caelan took advantage of these platforms to promote his customised stickers and expand his customer base without spending money on advertising.
- Focus on What You Love: It’s easy to get distracted by opportunities that don’t align with your skills or passions. Caelan stuck to what he knew best—personalised items—and focused on refining his craft. This allowed him to stand out in a competitive market.
- Reinvest in Your Business: Successful entrepreneurs know that reinvesting profits is key to growing a business. Caelan put his earnings back into his venture, which allowed him to purchase better equipment and scale production.
Future Plans for Caelan McDonald’s Sticker Business
As Caelan’s business continues to grow, he has big plans for the future. He’s already on track to hit Rs 1 crore in sales by the end of the year, and he intends to keep expanding his product range.
His focus will continue to be on personalised products that cater to current trends, with plans to introduce new designs and innovative ideas to keep his customers engaged. Whether he’s selling stickers, baubles, or tumblers, Caelan understands the importance of keeping his product offerings fresh and exciting.
Conclusion: The Power of Digital Entrepreneurship
Caelan McDonald’s story is proof that digital entrepreneurship is more than just a buzzword—it’s a reality for young people today. By starting small, working hard, and using social media to his advantage, Caelan has built a successful business that earns him over Rs 16 lakh a month.
For other aspiring entrepreneurs, Caelan’s journey is an inspiring example of what can be achieved with the right mindset, a bit of creativity, and a lot of hard work. The digital world offers endless opportunities for young people to turn their passions into profitable businesses, and Caelan has shown that it’s possible to do it all from home, with just a few tools and the right approach.
Photo credit: NDTV
