What do you get when you mix a love for vintage design, a little trial and error, and the courage to share your journey online? You get Cody Wessels, also known as “the fridge guy,” a creator who restores and customizes vintage refrigerators from the 1930s–60s—and has gained over 340,000 TikTok followers doing it.What started as a hobby during COVID turned into a viral side hustle. Cody Wessels—known online as “the fridge guy”—has restored and customized over 100 vintage refrigerators from the 1930s–60s, turning forgotten appliances into one-of-a-kind works of art.
In this episode, Cody shares how he stumbled into refrigerator restoration, the challenges of working without manuals or replacement parts, and the creative twists that make his projects stand out. From estate sale finds to TikTok fame with more than 345,000 followers, Cody proves that no side hustle is too unusual to succeed if you lean into your passion.
We talk about:
How Cody’s first vintage GE fridge sparked a new career path
The trial-and-error lessons of paint, wiring, and custom design
Stories behind some of his most memorable flips, including a fridge buried for 40 years
Why he believes embracing failure is key to success
Practical advice for anyone ready to start their own side hustle
Whether you’re a flipper, creator, or dreamer, this story will inspire you to look at everyday opportunities differently—and maybe even find your own next big flip.
If you love flipping, DIY projects, or simply hearing how unusual passions can turn into income streams, this episode will inspire you to find your own Next Big Flip.
🔗 Connect with Cody: https://wesselscustompaint.com
📲 Follow him on TikTok: @wessels4u