Ruta Drungilaite, a former VP senior product manager in payments innovations, has turned her passion for creative date nights into a successful side hustle turned full-time business. Her venture, A Twist of Date, offers digital products like cold case files, conversation starter cards, and romantic board games to help couples plan unique and memorable date nights at home.
The idea for A Twist of Date was born during the Covid lockdowns in 2021 when Ruta and her fiancé found themselves struggling to come up with fun and creative date ideas at home. This led her to create date night boxes with everything needed for a romantic evening, but she soon realized the physical boxes were not financially viable. She pivoted to digital products, and her business started to take off.
Despite facing challenges like the initial product not being viable and balancing a demanding day job with her side hustle, Ruta persevered. Within seven months of launching her business, she saw significant growth, with one of her products going viral on TikTok and bringing in over £700 in just three days.
Now, with over 5,000 orders from 80 different countries and £60,000 in sales, Ruta has decided to turn her side hustle into a full-time business. She aims to drive enough revenue to sustain herself and continue growing her business while prioritizing her health and well-being.
Ruta’s advice for aspiring entrepreneurs includes finding a real pain point to solve, validating your idea before quitting your day job, prioritizing action over perfection, and staying true to your values. With a growth mindset and a passion for what you do, Ruta proves that with dedication and perseverance, anyone can turn their side hustle into a successful business.