Husband lost his job right before having their first child; wife took the opportunity to level up their side hustle
A difficult stretch for income
Calaj worked as a school psychologist, usually on contract through an agency. The couple learned they were expecting a baby in December, and her contract ended in May, prompting them to consider how they would manage the following year.
Calaj hoped to stay home with their child, but Rochi’s two jobs were part of the financial plan. He was terminated the day before their baby shower. Both lost income around the same time, and Rochi began applying for jobs while considering temporary work with his father’s cleaning business.
Starting Pass the Cam
Before telling Calaj, Rochi created a website and TikTok account for Pass the Cam and posted videos to test the idea. He had tried other side projects, including a remote-jobs newsletter and DooBagz, a clip-on bag for used dog waste bags, but those ventures had not worked out.
He bought a Sony 4K camcorder and memory card for about $1,100, including a warranty, and sent the equipment to a customer in a box. With no budget for an editor, Rochi edited the returned footage himself, drawing on some previous editing experience. Calaj liked the result.
Early business results
Rochi said the first clients gave him something to fall back on after his termination in June, though he continued applying for jobs because he viewed another job as more secure than relying on a side hustle. The couple said Pass the Cam has made more than $50,000 in net volume since beginning in May, with about half earned in September.
The company offers packages priced at $429, $699 and $899. They vary by camcorder type and quantity, edited-video length, and add-ons such as microphones and lights. The couple lowered the prices of their two most expensive packages to remain competitive.
Roles and room to grow
Rochi handles marketing, communicates with couples, checks and prepares the camcorders, and works with editors to review their work. He said the business sometimes gets overbooked or runs short on inventory, which he considers part of learning a new venture.
The couple married about four years ago with an elopement-style celebration and used disposable cameras. Calaj said they still keep those pictures at home and that camcorder rentals would have been appealing to them. Rochi said his goal had been for Calaj to stay home with their children.
Key points
- Calaj’s school contract ended in May, and Rochi was terminated just before their baby shower.
- Rochi began building Pass the Cam before telling Calaj and continued applying for jobs.
- The wedding camcorder rental business has made more than $50,000 in net volume since May.
- Packages cost $429, $699 and $899, with differences in equipment and included services.