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Berkowitz, 43, is the CEO and co-founder of Insomnia Cookies, a chain of late-night bakeries he started in 2002 as a college side hustle while attending the University of Pennsylvania. "2009 and 2010 [were] some of the hardest years ever at Insomnia Cookies," says Berkowitz. His wife Rebecca — who's also responsible for the name "Insomnia Cookies," Berkowitz says — responded with some perspective and optimism. "When I talk about the brand and our journey, [I often say] that Insomnia Cookies is a perseverance story," says Berkowitz. Sign up for CNBC's new online course How to Earn Passive Income Online to learn about common passive income streams, tips to get started and real-life success stories.

Persons: Seth Berkowitz, Berkowitz, Krispy Kreme, DON'T, Rebecca — who's, —, You've, he'd Organizations: University of Pennsylvania, CNBC, SEC Locations: —, Syracuse , New York, Champaign , Illinois

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailHow this 32-year-old sold $400,000 worth of cheese in 2023Caroline Hesse, 32, is the founder and CEO of C. Hesse Cheese, a wholesale cheese distribution company in New York City. She sells cheese to restaurants, cheese shops, catering companies and direct to consumers. In 2023, her business brought in $400,000.

Persons: Caroline Hesse, Hesse Locations: New York City

☆ 43-year-old started a side hustle in college with $150—now it brings in $200 million a year: It took 'everything that I had'
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( Tom Huddleston Jr. Lauren Shamo | Tom Huddleston Jr. | Lauren Shamo | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

By the time he graduated in 2004, Berkowitz signed a lease to open Insomnia's first brick-and-mortar location, near another college campus in Syracuse, New York. Now, with Krispy Kreme looking to sell Insomnia, Berkowitz says he's "grateful for the journey." Seth Berkowitz estimates he spent roughly $150 on baking ingredients to start Insomnia Cookies. "2009 and 2010 [were] some of the hardest years ever at Insomnia Cookies," says Berkowitz, adding: "There wasn't anyone else to do it. 'Insomnia Cookies is a perseverance story'

Persons: Seth Berkowitz, Krispy, " Berkowitz, Berkowitz, he's, Grubhub, Uber, —, Jared Barnett —, Barnett Organizations: CNBC, University of Pennsylvania, Syracuse , New York ., College Park , Locations: Syracuse , New York, Champaign , Illinois, College Park , Maryland, Syracuse, New York, Philadelphia

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailI was fired from Facebook in my 20s—now I make $3.3 million running my own tech companyNoah Kagan, 41, CEO and Co-founder of Appsumo.com, earns approximately $3.3 million a year. Before starting Appsumo.com, he held positions at tech companies such as Intel, Mint.com and Facebook. Currently, Noah divides his time between his homes in Austin, Texas, and Barcelona, Spain. 08:07 43 minutes ago

Persons: Noah Kagan, Appsumo.com, Noah Organizations: Facebook, Intel Locations: Austin , Texas, Barcelona, Spain

Facebook fired Kagan in 2006 after he leaked company information to the press at Coachella. "I didn't work too hard at Intel and I didn't spend a lot of money," Kagan says. Following his firing from Facebook, Kagan ran conferences for aspiring entrepreneurs (a hustle he had started while at Intel), taught English in South Korea and picked up consulting work for Silicon Valley tech firms. In addition to working on AppSumo, Kagan manages rental properties and creates content for his YouTube and social media channels. In addition to his AppSumo business and his book, Kagan operates a YouTube channel and manages five rental properties.

Persons: Noah Kagan, Kagan, Bill Gates, Kagan's, Facebook, Camila Ortega, He'd, Maria, didn't, hadn't, AppSumo, They'll, We've, everyone's, we've, Kagan didn't, wasn't, Rolexes, —, he's Organizations: CNBC, Microsoft, Facebook, University of California, Intel, Mint, Apple, PC, PayPal, Rolex, Entertainment, Insurance, Spotify, YouTube, AppSumo, Mazda Locations: Silicon Valley, Redmond , Washington, Barcelona, Austin , Texas, Berkeley, Israel, South Korea, Philippines, Argentina, Austin, Pakistan, AppSumo

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailMaking $58K living in an RV in Austin, TXCarly DeFelice, 38, lives in Austin, Texas, in her stationary RV. She earns $58,000 a year as a community manager at a co-working space. At 26, Carly achieved "Coast FIRE." Here's how she spends her money.

Persons: Austin , TX Carly DeFelice, Carly Locations: Austin , TX, Austin , Texas

'Wherever you go, there you are'For DeFelice, covering those living expenses became a grind. Corentin Soibinet for CNBC Make ItAs for living expenses, DeFelice still takes out $120 a week to cover her basic costs and finds ways to limbo under that number. 'I'm here to say you can turn things around'After her return to Austin, DeFelice had been coasting. The part-time work was enough to cover her living expenses, but she's recently bumped up her salary by going full-time. In the meantime, she'll continue to educate others about good money habits through her online course, Best Money Class Ever.

Persons: Carly DeFelice, —, DeFelice, Mercedes, Corentin Soibinet, didn't, they'll, Warren Buffett, hasn't, Soibinet, she's, She's, I've, she'll Organizations: CNBC, University of Texas, Benz, FIRE, Carolinas, West Coast, FinCon Entertainment, Mint Mobile Locations: Austin , Texas, Austin, Hawaii, Omaha , Nebraska, Charlotte, Raleigh, West, Texas, Pacific Northwest, New Orleans, East Austin

This is an installment of CNBC Make It's Millennial Money series, which profiles people across the globe and details how they earn, spend and save their money.

Organizations: CNBC

Jae Byun, 31, earns around $115,000 teaching math and coaching basketball at a high school in Orange County, California. Now seven years in, the 31-year-old earned $114,099 for the 2021-2022 academic year between teaching and coaching during the school year, teaching summer school and coaching over the summer in California's Fullerton school district. My parents taught me the value of money and that money doesn't grow on trees. Jae Byun"My parents taught me the value of money and that money doesn't grow on trees," Byun says. For the two summer months, he taught summer school and coached summer programs.

Persons: Jae Byun, didn't, Byun, Tristan Pelletier, Orange County Byun, I've, they've, weren't, Byun didn't, he's, Roth Organizations: CNBC, University of California, UC Irvine, California State University, Fullerton, Concordia University, U.S, National Education Association, Roth IRA Locations: Irvine, Orange County , California, California's Fullerton, Orange County, South Korea, Fullerton , California, U.S, California, Mississippi

Goodwin is the CEO and formulator of Olipop, a "healthier" prebiotic soda on track to surpass $200 million in sales by the end of the year. Here's how Goodwin and Lester turned a $100,000 investment into a multimillion-dollar business capable of selling $20 million worth of soda a month. They agreed to meet at a coffee shop in Palo Alto in early 2013 to discuss a potential partnership in Ben's probiotic soda company – Obi. However, Obi didn't see the success and traction they'd hoped for, and in 2016, Goodwin and Lester sold Obi. Ben Goodwin and David Lester became partners in Goodwin's probiotic soda company, Obi, in 2013.

Persons: Ben Goodwin, Goodwin, David Lester, Olipop, Lester, Gen Z, gravitate, I'd, Gary Erickson, Jes Gallegos, Jim Ilehder, São Paulo, Ben, – Obi, David, Van Leeuwen, Obi, Obi didn't, hadn't, would've, Gwyneth Paltrow, Mindy Kaling, Jonas, Joe, Nick, Kevin, they've Organizations: CNBC, University of California, Clif, Hardware, Diageo, U.S . Midwest, Target, Walmart Locations: Northern California, Santa Cruz, TikTok, University of California Santa Cruz, San Francisco, Palo Alto, Ben's, Santa, probiotics, Jerusalem, U.S, Washington

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailWe built Olipop: A $20 million a month soda company in 5 yearsOlipop has skyrocketed to prominence in the mulitbillion-dollar soda market with its healthy prebiotic soda. Leading the way to this success are Olipop founders, Ben Goodwin and David Lester. Learn how they turned a $100,000 investment into a multimillion-dollar soda company.

Persons: Olipop, Ben Goodwin, David Lester

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailHow I built Van Leeuwen into a multi-million dollar ice cream empireOver the past 15 years, Van Leeuwen Ice Cream has grown from a single ice cream truck to a nationwide chain of scoop shops. Leading this mission was none other than the co-founder and CEO, Ben Van Leeuwen, armed with a vision to completely shake up the ice cream industry with freshness and top-notch quality.

Persons: Van, Van Leeuwen, Ben Van Leeuwen Locations: Van Leeuwen

☆ How Van Leeuwen turned a $60,000 investment into a $300,000-a-day ice cream empire
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Nicolas Vega | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

An introduction to ice creamBen Van Leeuwen earned money in college by driving a Good Humor ice cream truck. From left: Ben Van Leeuwen, Pete Van Leeuwen and Laura O'Neill. Van Leeuwen Ice CreamDespite their best efforts, they were only able to raise a total of $60,000 from 15 friends and family members. Van Leeuwen Ice CreamVan Leeuwen Ice Cream was a hit from day one. Van Leeuwen Ice Cream CEO and co-founder Ben Van Leeuwen at a Williamsburg, Brooklyn scoop shop.

Persons: Ben Van Leeuwen, Ben, Van, Van Leeuwen, Leeuwen, SpongeBob, hadn't, I'm, Pete, Laura O'Neill, Thomas Keller's, Laura, Pete Van Leeuwen, Van Leewen, There's, it's, Van Leeuwen's, Lauren Shamo, Tasia Jensen Organizations: CNBC, Walmart, Foods, Mister, eBay, Subaru Impreza, Prince, Kraft, Cream Locations: Washington ,, Van Leeuwen, Greenpoint , Brooklyn, New York, SoHo, Southeast Asia, Europe, Spain, Italy, France, American, New York City, York, Bronx, Greene, Van, Greenpoint, Brooklyn, Williamsburg , Brooklyn

This is an episode of CNBC Make It's Millennial Money series, which profiles people across the globe and details how they earn, spend and save their money. What's your budget breakdown? Share your story with us for a chance to be featured in a future installment.

Organizations: CNBC

Walk into Cesar Villavicencio's three-bedroom apartment in Washington Heights, New York City, and you might think he had two roommates. Villavicencio graduated in 2009, and, like many aspiring Broadway stars, packed his bags for New York City. But in drag, Villavicencio found empowerment that had eluded him. Zachary Green and Lauren Shamo | CNBC Make ItWhen it comes to getting in drag, Villavicencio's costs, just like his income, can be variable. In addition to five weekly shows, Villavicencio performs as Pixie at a residency in Fire Island and at corporate engagements.

Persons: Cesar Villavicencio's, Pixie Aventura, Villavicencio, I'm, Cesar Villavicencio, Zachary Green, Lauren Shamo, John Leguizamo, Vegas Dion, Payless, Cesar Villavicencio Villavicencio, Aventura, let's, I've, he's, Elham, Max, isn't, It's, She's, Pixie Organizations: CNBC, Miami, YouTube, Otterbein University, Salvation Army, Broadway, West, Cornell Medicine, Nursing, New, Fire, Apple, Max Locations: Washington Heights , New York City, Villavicencio, New York, Fire, South Florida, Westerville , Ohio, Columbus, New York City, Aventura, Villavicencio's New York, homebuying

☆ How a 23-year-old freelancer makes $48,000 in NYC without a college degree
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-03 | by ( Cheyenne Devon | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

This story is part of CNBC Make It's Millennial Money series, which details how people around the world earn, spend and save their money. While growing up in a suburb of Washington, D.C., Brunotts always expected to go to college. But after reviewing the potential costs of attending music school in NYC, she ultimately decided against pursuing higher education. She brought in around $48,000 last year and says she's on track to make more this year. When she has earned more than her weekly goal doing work for clients, Kate spends time working on personal music projects.

Persons: Kate Brunotts, Brunotts, I've, Kate, Matt, hadn't, Lauren Shamo, Maherzad Todiwala, she's, she'll, Roth, It's Organizations: CNBC, New York City, Washington , D.C, Center, Citi, Google Fi Locations: New York, Washington ,, NYC, Upwork, Venmo, Brunotts

☆ Living on $48K a year freelancing in NYC
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-30 | by ( Lauren Shamo | Cheyenne Devon | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

This is a Gen Z episode of CNBC Make It's Millennial Money series, which profiles people across the globe and details how they earn, spend and save their money.What's your budget breakdown? We're looking for stories from all ages, not just millennials! Share your story with us for a chance to be featured in a future installment of Millennial Money: https://cnb.cx/3OxbJ71

Organizations: CNBC

In 2016, Mark Lemoine came home from work and told his wife Karla Lemoine he wanted to quit his job and buy a campground. The Lemoines put their house on the market, withdrew all their savings and "sold everything we owned to buy the campground" for $1.6 million, Mark says. Mark and Karla Lemoine sold their house, car and more to buy a campground in Benton Harbor, Michigan. It brought in $1.2 million in revenue last year, enough for the Lemoines to pay themselves a combined $150,000 in salary. The Lemoines had to get creative to pay for their dream $1.6 million campground.

Persons: Mark Lemoine, Karla Lemoine, Mark, Karla, they'd, Devin Lieberman, they've, Joseph KOA, Roth IRAs Organizations: CNBC, America Locations: Michigan, Benton Harbor , Michigan, Grand Rapids, Chicago, Coloma, St, Rockford , Michigan

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailWe bought a campground in 2016 for $1.6 million—today it's worth $6 millionMark Lemoine, 53, took a leap of faith in 2016 when he resigned from his state government job to pursue his lifelong dream of owning a campground. He and his wife, Karla, also 53, acquired the Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Campground in southwest Michigan for $1.6 million. After numerous renovations, new additions and dedicated care, their campground's value has skyrocketed to $6 million.

Persons: Mark Lemoine, Karla, Joseph KOA Locations: Coloma, St, Michigan

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailHow I turned my love for baking into a $1 million businessJanie Deegan, 35, was homeless and battling addiction a decade ago. Now, she's 10 years sober and the owner of Janie's Life-Changing Baked Goods, a bakery that brought in over $1 million in 2022. The bakery is famous for its pie crust cookies, which ships across the U.S. and are available at retail locations in New York City.

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailTurning My Home Zero Energy For $48K In Portland, ORWhen Ryan Shanahan bought his home in Portland, OR in 2014, he dreamed of turning it into a net-zero house--one that would produce at least as much energy as it consumed in the course of a year. But retrofitting an over one-hundred-year-old structure into a eco-friendly building seemed like too much to hope for. But by 2020, he and his wife, Megan Milligan, had fully converted their home to net-zero, producing so much solar energy that their yearly electricity bill dropped from $1,100 to $285.

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailHow I turned this cash-only savings hack into an $850,000 businessAt 30 years old, Jasmine Taylor found herself with $60,000 worth of student loan debt and $9,000 in credit card and medial debt. Determined to get her finances back on track, she researched budgeting methods and found cash stuffing online. Two years later, cash stuffing has not only gotten Jasmine out of debt but also made her a very successful business owner. Baddies And Budgets brought in $850,000 in 2022 and is on track to hit $1 million in 2023.

"I found cash budgeting and I literally stuck to it," Taylor says. Posts of her managing her finances by stuffing cash into envelopes soon went viral. When Taylor began cash stuffing, she operated on a zero-based budget, which is the most common option among cash stuffers, she says. Jasmine Taylor uses cash stuffing to budget her income. Second, she realized there was a market for people like her who found cash stuffing attractive but found plain, old envelopes drab.

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailHow Casetify turned custom phone cases into $300 million a year in salesCasetify's personalized phone cases are endorsed by celebrities like Kylie Jenner, and the Hong Kong-based company partners with global brands like Disney and NASA, but success wasn't always easy. Here's how millennials Wesley Ng and Ronald Yeung turned Instagram photos into a company bringing in $300 million a year.

People were sharing photos online from their phones. Since then, Casetify has sold more than 15 million phone cases, topping $300 million in annual revenue last year, according to the company. Early on, Ng sent messages to anyone he saw with lots of Instagram followers, asking if they wanted to turn their photos into customized phone cases. Casetify has also expanded its product offerings — which now include a variety of accessories beyond phone cases — and shifted away from only selling online. In 2018, Nordstrom started selling Casetify products before the startup opened its own retail store in Hong Kong in 2020.

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