Bear Grips Pro ShopsRunning Coach and Run Club Apparel Side Hustle Income Guide
- A run club director with 100 members where 65% buy at $12 margin earns $780/year from club apparel.
- Running coaches with online followings or email lists can add a second income channel on top.
- The no-minimum model means even a 20-person run crew can have custom branded shirts.
- Cross-link: see the full running club merch shop guide for product selection and setup.
Running coaches and run club directors have two income channels from a branded apparel side hustle: member shirt sales and referral commissions. The member channel is passive after setup: members order through a shop link and the margin accrues automatically. The referral channel earns recurring commission when you refer other running clubs or fitness businesses to Bear Grips Pro Shops. This guide covers both channels with realistic income math.
Run Club Apparel Side Hustle Income by Club Size
Income from a running club apparel side hustle:
| Club Size | Buy Rate | Avg Margin | Annual Income |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20-person run crew | 65% | $10 | $130 |
| 50-member club | 65% | $10 | $325 |
| 100-member club | 65% | $12 | $780 |
| 200-member club | 70% | $12 | $1,680 |
| 350-member club | 70% | $13 | $3,185 |
These estimates assume one item purchased per buying member per year. Run clubs that offer hats and sweatshirts alongside shirts, or run seasonal drops, generate 1.5-2x these figures from the same member base. See the running club merch shop guide for full setup and pricing strategy.
Running Coach Online Audience: The Second Income Channel
Running coaches with an online presence (Instagram, YouTube, coaching programs) can stack a second revenue channel on top of the club member channel:
- Email list (500+ subscribers): A merch announcement to an engaged email list of 500 converts at 5-10%. That is 25-50 additional orders per campaign at $10-12 margin.
- Social following (2K+ Instagram): Organic story posts and link-in-bio convert at 1-3% of engaged followers. Consistent posting of members wearing the gear raises this over time.
- Coaching program clients: Online coaching clients convert at 5-10% similar to email subscribers. If your coaching program has 40 clients, expect 2-4 merch sales per announcement.
The online channel compounds the club member channel without additional setup work. The same shop serves both audiences through the same link.
Bear Grips Pro Shops: Custom Apparel for Your Team. No Minimums. Free Shipping.Referral Income: Earning When You Refer Other Run Clubs
Run club directors who are active in the running community have a natural referral advantage. Bear Grips Pro Shops pays 10% of referred vendor subscriptions indefinitely, plus $1/unit sold by every vendor referred:
- Referring one running club director to the VIP Self-Service plan ($59/month) earns $84.60/year in commission, indefinitely
- Referring three club directors generates $253.80/year in referral commission
- If those clubs each sell 60 items/year, the $1/unit commission adds another $180/year
For a run club director who knows 5-10 other club organizers locally, referral income can match or exceed the direct club apparel income within 6-12 months. Your affiliate dashboard and referral link are at shops.beargrips.com/affiliate/.
Best Products for Running Coach and Club Apparel Side Hustles
The highest-converting product lineup for running club and coaching merch shops:
- Core shirt: Performance tee for training clubs, cotton tee for social run clubs. See the running club shirts guide for style selection by club type.
- Running hat: The mesh snapback or rope hat. Worn during runs, carries the club logo visibly. See the custom running hats guide.
- Sweatshirt: Post-run and lifestyle wear. The Bear Grips Crewneck or Comfort Soft Hoodie. See the running club sweatshirts guide.
For a running coach building a personal brand on social media, add a lifestyle-focused design alongside the club logo: a text-based design with your coaching motto or a training philosophy callout converts well to online audiences who connect with the brand message.
Start Your Run Club Apparel Side Hustle
No inventory. No minimum order. Every member orders their size, you earn the margin. Start free today.
Start FreeFrequently Asked Questions
How much does a running club director earn from branded apparel?
A 100-member club where 65% buy one item per year at $12 margin earns $780/year in passive merch income. Clubs that run seasonal drops, add hats and sweatshirts to the lineup, and actively promote the shop to new members often generate $1,200-2,000/year from the same member base.
Can a running coach with no business sell branded apparel?
Yes. You do not need a formal business entity to open a Bear Grips Pro Shops vendor account. Operate as an individual to start. If income becomes significant, consult a tax professional about whether a business entity is appropriate for your situation.
What is the easiest way to get my running club members to buy merch?
Post a photo of the actual shirt with the club logo in your group chat or email. A physical product photo converts much better than a shop link alone. Share the link at high-enthusiasm moments: after a great group run, before a race, or when welcoming a new batch of members. Wearing the shirt yourself during group runs creates the most organic buy motivation.
