32:36The Man Who Makes $1M/Year Selling Christmas Trees
From My First Million · Published Jul 4, 2025 · Watch on YouTube
TL;DR
The Christmas tree business in New York is controlled by a few ruthless tycoons who carve up territories and generate ~$1M revenue per month, with one rumored to own half of Manhattan’s tree stands. Health startups Necco Health (by Spotify’s CEO) and Superpower have each accumulated tens of thousands of signups quickly by offering preventative scans and an enhanced annual physical for ~$250–$500.
Key insights
- Tree sellers (called “tree men”) like Kevin Hammer are rumored to own half the Christmas tree stands in Manhattan, earning >$1M in December, but after expenses the take-home is closer to $150K–$200K/y
- The indoor Christmas tree tradition started in 1851 when a Dutch immigrant named Mark Car obtained a $1 permit and sold trees in Washington Market.
- One speaker’s parents ran a fruit stand that made most of its Q4 profit from selling pumpkins and Christmas trees; pumpkins had to be flipped at 5 a.m. to prevent lopsidedness.
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