This Side Hustle Spotlight Q&A features Justin Soleimani, 34, and Zach Dannett, 35. The duo met as classmates at Emory University and then went on to co-found Tumble. Their Los Angeles-based company sells machine-washable, spill-proof rugs and scaled from zero to $20 million in revenue within 2.5 years. Today, Tumble boasts a team of 10 and mid-eight-figure sales. Responses have been edited for length and clarity.

Image Credit: Courtesy of Tumble. Justin Soleimani, left, and Zach Dannett, right.

What was your day job or primary occupation when you started Tumble as a side hustle?
JS: I was a consultant at Bain & Co., a global management consulting firm that provides strategic advice to Fortune 500 companies. I advised companies across multiple industries, including biotech, consumer goods, entertainment and private equity.

ZD: I worked at Noble House as head of merchandising. While I was there, Noble House grew to become one of the largest ecommerce home furnishing companies.

Related: They Met By Chance and Learned Their Grandparents Had Been Business Partners. It Led to a Side Hustle Surpassing $1 Million in Year 1 and 2 Multimillion-Dollar Brands.

When did you start Tumble, and where did you find the inspiration for it?
JS ZD: We started developing Tumble in the fall of 2019, about 18 months before our official launch in April 2021. The idea grew from our frustrations with traditional rugs, which we found difficult to maintain, and the washable alternatives, which had their shortcomings. After speaking with dozens of customers and analyzing thousands of reviews, we identified common pain points like insufficient cushioning, curling corners and challenges in keeping the rugs flat. Although many washable rugs were marketed as convenient, the reality often involved heavy furniture rearrangement, turning a simple task into a hassle. To address this, we not only focused on making our rugs stain-resistant but also prioritized developing safer, non-toxic materials and earning environmental certifications that ensure they're safe for children and........

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