When Ravi Kumar listed his DSLR camera on Arentzo in March 2025, he expected a few bookings a month — pocket money to offset the cost of a hobby purchase. Nine months later, he earns ₹1.4 lakh per month from his camera equipment rental business, has quit his IT job, and manages a portfolio of 15 cameras and lenses.

Ravi's story isn't unique. Across the Arentzo marketplace, hundreds of sellers have transformed casual side hustles into serious income. We interviewed five of them to understand their journeys.

Monthly Revenue: ₹1.4 lakh Listings: 15 items (cameras, lenses, tripods, lighting) Strategy: Ravi started with one Canon R6 Mark II that he used for weekend photography. After seeing consistent demand, he reinvested earnings into additional equipment.

"The key was understanding that wedding season is gold. From October to February, every item I own is booked every weekend. I've invested ₹8 lakhs total and earn that back every 6 months."

His top tip: "Offer packages. A camera + two lenses + a tripod as a bundle rents for 30% more than individual items and is easier for customers."

Monthly Revenue: ₹2.1 lakh Listings: 50+ items (tables, chairs, decor, tents) Strategy: Meera started with 20 folding chairs she bought for a family event. She now runs a full event furniture rental operation.

"I realized that event organizers want a one-stop shop. If they rent chairs from me, they want tables, linens, and lighting too. So I kept expanding my inventory based on what customers asked for."

Her top tip: "Delivery and setup are where you differentiate. I deliver, set up, and pick up everything myself. Customers pay a premium for that convenience, and my reviews reflect it."

Monthly Revenue: ₹3.5 lakh Listings: 6 cars (2 Swifts, 1 Creta, 1 Innova, 2 Activas) Strategy: The Shahs noticed that weekend car rental demand in Mumbai was consistently high. They started with one personal car and gradually built a small fleet.

"We treat it like a business. Each car has its own P&L. We track mileage, maintenance costs, and utilization rates. The Innova has the highest revenue per day, but the Activas have the highest ROI because of low maintenance costs."

Their top tip: "Insurance is non-negotiable. We add comprehensive rental insurance to every booking. It costs us ₹500/month per vehicle but gives us — and our renters — complete peace of mind."

Across all five sellers we spoke with, common patterns emerged:

1. Start with what you have — Every successful seller began with one item they already owned. 2. Reinvest profits — Top sellers reinvest 40–60% of rental income into expanding their inventory. 3. Focus on reviews — A high rating is the most important driver of future bookings. 4. Treat it like a business — Track expenses, optimize pricing, and respond quickly to enquiries. 5. Specialize in a category — The most profitable sellers go deep in one category rather than spreading thin.

Whether it's cameras, furniture, vehicles, or tools — the rental economy has room for anyone willing to put in the effort.