How My Son Turned His Passion for Watches Into a Thriving E-commerce Business

March 19, 2025

Passion to Profit

Riley has always had an entrepreneurial streak. Even at 13, he was constantly looking for business ideas, trying to spot opportunities where others didn’t. But the idea that would change everything came from an unexpected place—his dad’s love of watches.

For years, Riley had been dragged from one watch shop to another, listening to his dad talk endlessly about movements, craftsmanship, and iconic brands like Rolex. At the time, it felt like just another weekend routine. But as he got older, something clicked. He developed a deep appreciation for the precision and mechanics behind luxury watches.

There was just one problem—luxury watches come with luxury price tags.

At 16, dropping thousands on a Rolex wasn’t an option. But instead of letting that be the end of the story, Riley saw an opportunity. What if there was a way for watch enthusiasts like him to own high-quality, beautifully made timepieces—without the hefty price tag?

The Birth of Seiko Modded Watches

That’s when he discovered Seiko modding. Riley was hooked. He dove headfirst into the world of modding, sourcing the best Seiko movements, experimenting with custom designs, and learning everything he could about the process. But he didn’t stop there.

Turning a Passion Into a Business

Instead of just building watches for himself, Riley saw a much bigger opportunity. He knew there were thousands of people just like him—watch lovers who admired Rolex and Omega but couldn’t justify the price. So, he built a business around giving them the best of both worlds: luxury aesthetics with Seiko reliability and affordability.

From Idea to Six Figures in 12 Months

What started as a passion project quickly turned into something much bigger. Within a year, Riley’s store had generated over $250,000 in sales.

It wasn’t luck. It was a mix of passion, smart strategy, and relentless execution. He found a gap in the market, created a solution, and built a thriving business from the ground up.

And to think—it all started with a kid tagging along to watch stores.

Have a Passion? Turn It Into a Business.

The best business ideas come from things you already love. If you’re passionate about something, chances are there’s an opportunity waiting to be explored. The question is—are you ready to take the first step?