In an exclusive Side Hustle Spotlight feature reported by Entrepreneur and shared by CNBC, Sandra Oh Lin, 50, from Los Altos, California, reveals how her passion project turned into a billion-dollar global business. As the founder and CEO of KiwiCo, Lin has built a company that delivers creative, hands-on educational activities for kids, sparking innovation and problem-solving through play.
From PayPal and eBay to a Garage Startup
Before launching KiwiCo in 2011, Sandra worked at eBay Inc., where she led PayPal Mobile and the eBay Fashion business. Inspired by her children, she started crafting creative projects to fuel their imagination and problem-solving skills. Sharing these activities with friends and family gave her the confidence to explore the idea of a business.
Sandra leveraged her professional network to secure over $10 million in venture funding, which helped KiwiCo achieve profitability and self-funded growth. Since then, KiwiCo has shipped more than 50 million crates to families in over 40 countries and launched products in major retailers like Target and Barnes & Noble.
Overcoming Challenges and Building Strong Partnerships
Lin admitted to facing operational hurdles, especially during KiwiCo’s early days and the pandemic-related supply chain disruptions. Building strong supplier relationships and surrounding herself with expert advisors, like Walmart’s former COO Mike Smith, played a key role in overcoming these challenges.
She also emphasized the importance of company culture. Early hiring missteps taught her that defining and cultivating a strong organizational culture from the start is crucial for long-term success.
A Billion-Dollar Achievement with a Personal Touch
To date, KiwiCo has generated over $1 billion in lifetime revenue, representing millions of creative moments for kids worldwide. Sandra’s own children continue to test KiwiCo’s products, ensuring they remain engaging and educational.
Key Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Lin advises budding entrepreneurs to build a community of like-minded founders for support, ideas, and problem-solving. She highlights that sharing experiences can provide actionable insights and emotional encouragement, especially during challenging phases of building a business.
For more inspiring stories like Sandra Oh Lin’s journey, check out the full feature on Entrepreneur and related coverage on CNBC.
