Nashville residents earn cash by renting out closets and baby gear

Two Davidson County residents have turned personal possessions into a reliable source of supplemental income. Instead of working traditional part-time jobs, they list items such as clothing and infant equipment on digital platforms. These apps connect owners with renters who need the goods for specific periods.

Reese Grau began using the Pickle app five years ago to rent out her closet. The platform allows users to list accessories, shoes, and clothing. Grau noted that higher-end items generate more revenue. She reported earning approximately $1,300 over the past year after renting out 85 individual items.

"Basically, if I rent it out four times, I make my money back," Grau said. "So, it’s kind of like girl math…return on my investment." She added that weeks with larger rentals, such as formal dresses, can yield $200 in a single week.

In Franklin, Kierstyn Stewart operates a BabyQuip provider account. She joined the service after her children outgrew their strollers, cribs, and toys. Stewart has completed roughly 150 rentals over the last two years. She experiences higher demand during peak travel seasons, including spring break, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

"There are different parts of the year where you’re going to be busier: spring break, Thanksgiving, Christmas," Stewart said. "You’re going to find that you’re just busier those times of the year, and throughout the year, it’s sprinkled in." BabyQuip states that providers retain 78 percent of rental and delivery fees, along with 100 percent of all tips.

Other platforms serve similar markets. Swimply allows homeowners to rent out pools, hot tubs, and sports courts, while Neighbor focuses on space rentals such as driveways. Pickle reported that top lenders on its platform earned around $5,000 per month in 2025. Industry analysts project the global peer-to-peer rental app market will reach $49.3 billion by 2034.

Both Grau and Stewart described the side income as helpful. Grau said she has encouraged many friends to join the platform. The work allows them to manage their schedules without the fixed hours associated with employment.