7-Figure Side Hustle: From Startup to Branson’s Island
Discover how Josh Turner built a seven-figure business from a side hustle with Stand4Socks, proving that purpose-driven ventures can achieve remarkable success. Turner turned his passion for giving back into a thriving enterprise, distributing over 750,000 pairs of socks and generating over $1 million in revenue.His journey, overcoming challenges like dyslexia and navigating the pandemic, offers crucial insights into financial planning, risk-taking, and resilience for aspiring entrepreneurs. Learn about his time with Richard Branson and valuable business acumen. News Directory 3 highlights this story. Discover what’s next …
Stand4Socks’ Success: From Side Hustle to $1M+ Revenue
Updated June 24, 2025
Josh Turner, a New York City-based entrepreneur, founded Stand4Socks with a mission: for every pair of socks sold, another is donated to someone in need. This B Corporation has distributed over 750,000 pairs across the UK, Europe, and Ukraine, achieving more than $1 million in annual revenue.
Turner’s entrepreneurial journey began at age 8, selling on eBay and organizing club nights. He credits Richard Branson,who also has dyslexia,as a major inspiration.
After being fired from a corporate job, Turner launched Stand4Socks as a side project. He emphasized the importance of tools like Xero for real-time financial insights, which enabled better decision-making and calculated risks.
One important challenge was presenting financial numbers on the UK’s version of Shark Tank, “Dragon’s Den.” Turner, who is dyslexic, found handling numbers under pressure difficult. this experience underscored the need for year-round financial awareness.
The pandemic presented another hurdle. When their factory shut down and the supply chain was disrupted, Stand4Socks launched a ”Help for Health Heroes” sock, donating to frontline workers. A pre-sale of these socks generated over 30,000 orders, keeping the business afloat.
It took about five years for Stand4Socks to achieve consistent monthly revenue. During that time,Turner sustained himself and the business through freelance digital marketing consulting,working from his mother’s shed to minimize costs.
Now a seven-figure business, Stand4Socks remains bootstrapped, prioritizing enduring growth and profitability. With expansion into the U.S. market, Turner anticipates significant revenue growth in the coming years.
What I enjoy most about my business is also what makes it the hardest: No one tells you what to do. On one hand, you have to figure out everything yourself. There isn’t a playbook; no one is handing you a to-do list. But on the other hand, that’s exactly what makes it so rewarding.
Turner values the freedom to set the company’s direction and take risks, learning from both successes and failures.
Also, the answer is always “no” if you don’t ask the question. So many people stop themselves from reaching out because of the fear of being rejected. But if the answer is already “no” in your head, and you reach out and get a “no,” then nothing’s changed.Don’t be afraid to reach out to people because you might just get a yes.
This mindset led to Turner spending a week with Richard Branson on Necker Island. Branson’s advice,”Hire people smarter than you,and then get out of their way,” resonated with Turner. He focuses on learning the basics and delegating effectively.
What’s next
Turner advises aspiring entrepreneurs to enjoy the journey, appreciate the process, and not fear rejection. By embracing calculated risks and maintaining financial acumen,Stand4Socks aims for continued sustainable growth and expansion.