The Side Hustle Show 707: $70k on the Side in 6 Months with Aura Photography
Nov 13, 2025
Summer Rae, the founder of Soma Lumen and aura photography entrepreneur, shares her journey of generating $70,000 in just six months while juggling a full-time job. She discusses how strategic partnerships and event participation, like festivals, drove customer flow, enabling her to sell sessions at $44 each. Summer also reveals her innovative aura-capture technology and emphasizes creating emotional connections through her work. She highlights the importance of starting imperfectly and iterating for success in any side hustle.
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Cross-Offer Pairings Multiply Value
- Complementary vendors amplify sales by creating multi-step customer journeys at markets.
- Pairings like aura photos plus color analysis or painting boost conversion and basket value.
Pricing Evolved With Demand
- Early on Summer underpriced group bookings and later raised minimums after demand grew.
- She now requires prepayment and charges a show-up fee for small groups under 15 people.
Split Booths To Reduce Risk
- Split expensive booth costs with complementary vendors to lower entry cost and test the market.
- Share space with aligned sellers to expand reach without doubling overhead.