Top 5 Reselling Success Stories Featuring iPhones, Jordans, and Legos

The reselling market has exploded in recent years, transforming from a niche side hustle into a multi-billion-dollar industry. Entrepreneurs and savvy individuals are capitalizing on high-demand products like iPhones, Jordans, and Legos, turning limited releases and strategic buys into substantial profits. This article dives into five inspiring reselling success stories, showcasing how dedication, market insight, and hustle have led to remarkable achievements. From tech enthusiasts flipping iPhones to sneakerheads trading rare Jordans and collectors leveraging Lego sets, these stories highlight the diverse strategies and opportunities in the reselling world. For those looking to break into this space, resources like Resell Calendar offer valuable insights and tools to navigate the reselling landscape effectively.

1. The iPhone Resale Empire: Sarah Thompson’s Million-Dollar Hustle

Sarah Thompson, a 29-year-old from Chicago, turned her knack for spotting tech trends into a thriving iPhone reselling business. Starting in 2018, Sarah noticed the frenzy surrounding new iPhone releases, particularly the iPhone XS and XS Max. She began camping out at Apple Stores and coordinating with friends to secure multiple units during launch days. By reselling these devices on platforms like eBay and Swappa, she capitalized on the initial scarcity, often earning $200–$400 profit per phone.

Her breakthrough came in 2020 with the iPhone 12 Pro. Anticipating high demand due to 5G capabilities, Sarah pre-ordered dozens of units through carrier promotions and Apple’s trade-in programs. She also tapped into international markets, where iPhones commanded premium prices due to delayed availability. By 2022, Sarah’s operation had scaled to a full-fledged business, employing a small team to handle logistics and sourcing. Her revenue? A staggering $1.2 million, with profits exceeding $400,000.

Sarah’s success stems from her meticulous research and timing. She tracks Apple’s supply chain rumors and monitors global pricing trends, ensuring she buys low and sells high. She also leverages tools from Resell Calendar to stay updated on release dates and market demand, giving her an edge in a competitive space. Her advice to aspiring resellers? “Know your market inside out, and don’t be afraid to scale when the opportunity strikes.”

2. Sneaker King: Jamal Carter’s Jordan Empire

Jamal Carter, a 24-year-old from Atlanta, is a legend in the sneaker reselling community. His journey began in 2016 when he bought a pair of Air Jordan 11 Retro “Space Jam” for $220 at retail. After flipping them for $450 on StockX, Jamal was hooked. He immersed himself in sneaker culture, studying release schedules, collaborating with local boutiques, and joining raffles to secure limited-edition Jordans.

His biggest win came in 2021 with the Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG “Dior” collaboration, a highly coveted release with only 8,500 pairs produced. Jamal won a raffle for two pairs at $2,000 each and resold them for $12,000 apiece, netting a $20,000 profit. This success fueled his ambition, and he began building a network of “plugs”—insiders who tipped him off about restocks and exclusive drops. By 2023, Jamal’s annual revenue from reselling Jordans and other sneakers surpassed $800,000, with a focus on high-value collaborations like Off-White and Travis Scott.

Jamal credits his success to persistence and community. He advises resellers to join Discord groups and follow platforms like Resell Calendar for real-time updates on sneaker drops. “It’s not just about getting the shoes; it’s about knowing where the demand is and building trust with buyers,” he says. Today, Jamal runs a sneaker consignment shop and mentors young resellers, proving that passion can turn into profit.

3. Lego Mastermind: Emily Nguyen’s Brick-by-Brick Fortune

Emily Nguyen, a 32-year-old from Seattle, transformed her childhood love for Legos into a lucrative reselling venture. In 2017, she noticed that retired Lego sets, like the Star Wars Millennium Falcon (10179), were fetching thousands on secondary markets. Emily began scouring garage sales, thrift stores, and online marketplaces for discontinued sets, buying them at a fraction of their resale value.

Her biggest coup was in 2019 when she acquired a sealed Lego Taj Mahal (10189) for $300 at an estate sale. The set, discontinued in 2010, sold for $2,800 on eBay, netting her a $2,500 profit. Emily’s strategy evolved to focus on limited-edition and licensed sets, such as Harry Potter and Marvel themes, which consistently appreciate in value. By partnering with collectors and leveraging platforms like BrickLink, she built a inventory worth over $200,000 by 2024.

Emily’s success lies in her patience and knowledge of Lego’s market dynamics. She monitors retirement schedules and fan forums to predict which sets will skyrocket in value. Resources like Resell Calendar help her stay ahead of trends and plan her purchases. “Lego reselling is a long game,” she says. “Buy what you know will age well, and don’t rush to sell.” Emily now runs a YouTube channel sharing tips for Lego investors, inspiring a new generation of brick enthusiasts.

4. The iPhone-Sneaker Hybrid: Marcus Lee’s Dual Hustle

Marcus Lee, a 27-year-old from Los Angeles, carved out a unique niche by reselling both iPhones and Jordans. His journey began in 2019 when he noticed the overlap in demand for tech and streetwear. Marcus started by flipping iPhone 11 Pro units during launch season, using profits to fund his sneaker purchases. He then resold hyped Jordans, like the Air Jordan 4 Retro “Bred,” to reinvest in more iPhones, creating a self-sustaining cycle.

His defining moment came in 2022 with the iPhone 14 Pro and Air Jordan 1 “Lost and Found” releases. Marcus secured 50 iPhones through carrier deals and 10 pairs of Jordans via sneaker bots and raffles. By selling the iPhones at a $250 markup and the Jordans at $400 above retail, he earned $22,000 in profit over three months. Marcus’s dual approach allowed him to diversify his income, mitigating risks from market fluctuations. In 2023, his combined revenue from both categories hit $600,000.

Marcus attributes his success to automation and data analysis. He uses bots to monitor restocks and relies on Resell Calendar for pricing trends and release schedules. “You have to move fast and stay informed,” he says. “The reselling game rewards those who can adapt.” Marcus now trains others in his hybrid model, emphasizing the power of cross-market strategies.

5. Lego and iPhone Flipper: Rachel Patel’s Family Business

Rachel Patel, a 35-year-old mother of two from Houston, turned reselling into a family affair. In 2018, she began reselling iPhones to supplement her income, starting with the iPhone XR. Rachel partnered with her husband to secure units during Black Friday sales, reselling them for $150–$300 profit each. Inspired by her son’s love for Legos, she expanded into reselling retired sets like the Lego Creator Expert Roller Coaster (10261), which she bought for $250 and sold for $600.

Her biggest win was in 2021 when she stumbled upon a bulk lot of 20 sealed Lego Star Wars UCS X-Wing Starfighter (7191) sets at a liquidation sale for $50 each. Rachel sold them for $400 apiece, earning a $7,000 profit. By 2024, her family’s reselling business—covering iPhones and Legos—generated $450,000 in revenue, with a focus on holiday season spikes. Rachel’s teenage kids now help with inventory and social media marketing, making it a true family operation.

Rachel’s strategy emphasizes low-risk, high-reward buys. She uses Resell Calendar to track seasonal trends and avoid oversaturated markets. “Start small, learn the ropes, and involve your family—it’s a great way to bond and build wealth,” she says. Rachel’s story shows that reselling can be both profitable and personal, even for busy parents.

Key Lessons from These Success Stories

These five resellers—Sarah, Jamal, Emily, Marcus, and Rachel—demonstrate the diverse paths to success in the reselling industry. Whether flipping iPhones, Jordans, or Legos, their stories share common themes:

Market Research is Critical: Understanding supply, demand, and pricing trends is non-negotiable. Tools like Resell Calendar provide real-time insights to stay ahead.
Timing is Everything: From launch-day iPhone flips to limited-edition Jordan drops, capitalizing on scarcity drives profits.
Diversification Reduces Risk: Marcus and Rachel’s multi-product approaches show how spreading bets across categories can stabilize income.
Community Matters: Building networks, whether through sneaker raffles or Lego collector forums, opens doors to exclusive opportunities.
Scale Smartly: Sarah and Jamal’s transitions from solo hustles to full-fledged businesses highlight the importance of reinvesting profits strategically.

Getting Started in Reselling

Inspired by these stories? The reselling market is accessible to anyone with hustle and a willingness to learn. Here’s how to begin:

Choose Your Niche: Start with products you’re passionate about, whether it’s iPhones, Jordans, or Legos. Passion fuels persistence.
Learn the Platforms: Familiarize yourself with eBay, StockX, BrickLink, and others. Each has unique fees and audiences.
Track Trends: Use resources like Resell Calendar to monitor releases, restocks, and pricing data.
Start Small: Test the waters with one or two items before scaling. Sarah began with a single iPhone, and Jamal started with one pair of Jordans.
Stay Legal and Ethical: Ensure compliance with tax laws and platform policies. Transparency builds trust with buyers.

The Future of Reselling

The reselling industry shows no signs of slowing down. With new iPhone models, Jordan collaborations, and Lego sets released annually, opportunities abound for those willing to put in the work. Emerging trends, like sustainable reselling and digital collectibles, are also reshaping the market, offering fresh avenues for innovation.

For aspiring resellers, the stories of Sarah, Jamal, Emily, Marcus, and Rachel serve as both inspiration and a roadmap. Their journeys prove that with research, timing, and a bit of grit, anyone can turn high-demand products into a profitable venture. Ready to start your reselling journey? Visit Resell Calendar for the insights and tools you need to succeed.