In today’s fast-paced world, the idea of launching a successful side hustle while maintaining a demanding full-time career may seem unrealistic — but for Mike O’Dell, a 50-year-old nurse anesthetist from Oklahoma City, it’s a thriving reality. Working four days a week in high-pressure, 10-hour shifts at the hospital, O’Dell found solace and freedom in an unexpected creative outlet: quilting. What began as a personal project making Star Wars-themed blankets for his children evolved into Legit Kits, a multimillion-dollar quilting business that now generates over $1.25 million in annual sales.
With just one workday a week dedicated to his side hustle, O’Dell has built a scalable, sustainable business that runs largely without his daily involvement. This article dives into the journey of Legit Kits — from its humble beginnings in a home studio to becoming a recognized name in the $5 billion quilting industry. You’ll learn how O’Dell balances entrepreneurship with a full-time medical career, the strategies he used to scale quickly, and the challenges he faces amid economic shifts and international trade tariffs. Whether you’re an aspiring business owner or just curious about modern success stories, this deep dive into Legit Kits offers inspiration, insights, and actionable lessons.
Summary Table: Side Hustle With Just One Workday a Week
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Mike O’Dell |
| Age | 50 |
| Full-Time Job | Nurse Anesthetist |
| Side Hustle | Founder & CEO, Legit Kits |
| Side Hustle Revenue (2024) | $1.4 million |
| Time Spent on Side Hustle | 1 day per week |
| Website | https://www.legitkits.com |
| Team Size | 7 full-time employees, 4 freelance designers |
| Main Product | Foundation paper piecing quilting kits |
| Headquarters | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma |
The Demands of a Full-Time Career
Mike O’Dell spends the majority of his workweek immersed in the high-stakes environment of a hospital operating room. As a nurse anesthetist, his 10-hour shifts are often non-stop. Bathroom breaks, meals, and hydration are luxuries that require coordination with a substitute. The profession pays well—$240,000 per year—but it comes with intense mental and physical fatigue.
Despite these challenges, O’Dell discovered a passion project that has transformed his financial landscape and lifestyle: quilting.
The Birth of a Business Idea
O’Dell’s foray into quilting began in 2020 when he sewed Star Wars-themed blankets for his two sons using a method known as “foundation paper piecing.” Inspired by its simplicity and visual appeal, he turned the project into a business idea: a quilting kit company that makes the craft easier and more accessible.
That idea became Legit Kits, a company built around providing art-quality quilting kits that allow even beginners to create intricate, stunning designs. It was a classic example of turning a hobby into a scalable business.
Building a Business to Run Itself
From the beginning, O’Dell knew he wanted to keep his full-time hospital job. So he built Legit Kits in a way that would allow it to function with minimal daily input from him. He hired two graphic designers to create the patterns, an operations manager to handle logistics, and later expanded the team to include shipping, fulfillment, and marketing staff.
Today, the company employs seven full-time staff and four freelance designers. O’Dell focuses on creative direction, testing color combinations, approving designs, and guiding marketing strategies—all in just one day a week.
Financial Growth and Market Position
Legit Kits has proven remarkably successful. In 2024, the company generated $1.25 million in online sales, plus an additional $150,000 through wholesale deals with major retailers like Joann Fabrics before its bankruptcy-related closures.
The company is already profitable, even after moving into a new 4,500-square-foot warehouse. O’Dell plans to pay himself a $50,000 salary this year from the business while continuing to earn a significant income from his nursing career.
Personal Freedom and Flexibility
Running Legit Kits has given O’Dell a lifestyle most people only dream of. On his one day a week devoted to the business, he enjoys coffee on his patio, drives his children to school, eats breakfast, and even squeezes in a workout—all before beginning his creative tasks.
“I can eat breakfast. I can go to the gym. I set my own schedule,” he says.
Challenges and Future Outlook
Despite its success, Legit Kits faces looming uncertainties—particularly related to U.S. tariff policies. The fabrics used in the kits are sourced from Southeast Asian countries like Indonesia and Vietnam. Recently proposed tariffs could raise import duties to 32% and 46% respectively. While these are temporarily paused, the situation has introduced operational uncertainty.
“The uncertainty is stressful,” says O’Dell. He notes that these developments affect decisions such as hiring and pricing. Nevertheless, he remains cautiously optimistic.
Expanding the Customer Base
The U.S. quilting industry is valued at nearly $5 billion, and while Legit Kits represents only a small fraction of that, the company is aiming to grow by attracting casual and beginner crafters. Recent efforts include:
- Facebook ads targeting hobbyists
- Launch of smaller, more affordable kits (15-by-20 inches for $99)
O’Dell is sensitive to the impact of economic changes on consumer spending and aims to make quilting an accessible hobby for everyone.
The Emotional Payoff
While Legit Kits is financially successful, O’Dell values it just as much for the emotional reprieve it provides.
“The burnout I feel at the hospital fuels my energy to do the other thing for myself,” he explains. “It turns the volume down when everybody’s mad at work.”
This mental escape has provided a renewed sense of purpose and control—something often missing in high-pressure medical environments.
Long-Term Vision
Even with annual revenue well into seven figures, O’Dell isn’t ready to quit his hospital job. He believes it will take eight-figure annual sales before he even considers making Legit Kits his full-time career. The primary reason? Family stability and long-term goals like funding his children’s college education.
Until then, he plans to continue balancing both roles, using each to energize the other.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is foundation paper piecing?
A: It’s a quilting method that uses paper templates to create precise patterns. It simplifies the process, making it accessible for beginners.
Q: Where can I buy Legit Kits?
A: Visit the official website at https://www.legitkits.com.
Q: How much time does O’Dell spend on Legit Kits?
A: Just one day per week, while the rest of the business operates under a full-time team.
Q: Is Legit Kits a profitable business?
A: Yes. The company broke even in 2023 and became profitable in 2024.
Q: How has O’Dell managed to grow Legit Kits while working full-time?
A: By hiring a capable team and focusing on automation and delegation.
Q: What’s next for Legit Kits?
A: O’Dell plans to expand into the casual crafting market and develop more accessible, lower-priced kits.
Click here to know more