41-Year-Old High School Teacher's Side Hustle Brings in $3.8 Million a Year—He Shares 'Every High and Every Low' With Students

Why It Matters

The story shows that teachers can run profitable side businesses while enriching curricula, bridging theory and practice for students and highlighting entrepreneurship as a viable career path.

Key Takeaways

• Stall Mates generated $3.8M revenue in 2025
• Started with $14k seed, sold 250k units annually
• Teacher spends 20 hrs/week on business, teaches lessons live
• Profit reinvested; founders earn $100k salaries
• Flushable wipes market valued $3.1B in 2024

Pulse Analysis

The rise of teacher‑entrepreneurs like Kevin Corey reflects a broader shift in education toward experiential learning. By running Stall Mates alongside his classroom duties, Corey provides students with a living laboratory where financial statements, supply‑chain decisions, and market dynamics are not abstract concepts but daily realities. This hands‑on approach aligns with modern pedagogical trends that prioritize real‑world application, helping learners develop critical thinking and risk‑assessment skills that traditional textbooks often miss.

Stall Mates entered a crowded flushable‑wipes segment dominated by brands such as Dude Wipes and Summer’s Eve, yet it carved a niche through gender‑neutral positioning and early adoption of Amazon’s Seller platform. The company’s rapid scaling—from an initial 100,000‑unit run stored at Corey’s home to a $3.8 million revenue stream—demonstrates the power of lean startup tactics, agile product iteration, and strategic online distribution. By reinvesting profits and maintaining modest founder salaries, the business balances growth with financial discipline, a model that resonates with small‑business owners navigating a $3.1 billion market.

Beyond profit, Corey’s dual role underscores the educational value of transparency about both triumphs and failures. Sharing tariff challenges, a stalled Indiegogo campaign, and a discontinued body‑wipe line offers students a nuanced view of entrepreneurship that includes setbacks as learning opportunities. This candid mentorship equips the next generation with realistic expectations, encouraging them to experiment, iterate, and ultimately contribute to a more innovative economy.