During Spring Quarter 2024, the UC Irvine ANTrepreneur Center hosted a new program called the Side Hustle Challenge. The Side Hustle Challenge offered students the training, resources, and networking opportunities they needed to turn their passions into bona fide ventures. Throughout the quarter, the students learned about branding, finances, legal considerations, e-commerce, and other key aspects of building a business. The program culminated in a Finals Marketplace where the UC Irvine and wider Orange County communities were invited to explore the various student-developed side hustles and shop their products and services.
To highlight some of the incredible student side hustlers who participated in the challenge, Ryan Foland, ANTrepreneur Center Director, invited these ANTrepreneurs for a series of informative interviews. Welcome to Side Hustler Stories!
In this interview, Ryan sits down with UC Irvine student Aaditya Gulati (Business Economics, minor in Accounting) to learn more about his car comfort accessory side hustle, Rest Wing.
Ryan: Ahoy, Aaditya; thanks for meeting with me to talk about your side hustle. Before we talk about Rest Wing, could you tell me a little about yourself and how you got involved in entrepreneurship?
Aaditya: Thanks for having me, Ryan. My name is Aaditya Gulati, and I’m a Business Economics student with a minor in Accounting set to graduate in 2026. I’ve worked three tax internships, my most recent one at Deloitte, and plan on pursuing a career in accounting and financial planning.
My life has always been shaped by entrepreneurship. Ever since I was a kid watching Shark Tank, I’ve looked at everything around me as a potential idea waiting to be built. Now that curiosity has turned into action. For the past year, I’ve been working on Rest Wing, an idea I believe in and want to bring to life.
Now that I’m entering my fourth year of college, I’ve realized this is the time to take risks. I’ve always believed in “high risk, high reward,” and even though I’m still a student, I’m giving this my full effort. For me, entrepreneurship is about betting on yourself, pushing past comfort zones, and building something that can make a difference.
Initial prototypes of the Rest Wing device.
Ryan: Tell me more about Rest Wing.
Aaditya: Rest Wing is a startup I created to make backseat car travel truly comfortable. Rest Wing is a patented headrest attachment that clips onto the metal poles of a car seat and features bendable wings that support your head while you rest in the backseat. We have been in the prototyping phase for the past few months and are finally wrapping up and moving into user feedback and production with a manufacturer in Orange County.
Ryan: How did you identify the need for Rest Wing, and what inspired you to develop this product?
Aaditya: Two years ago, on a long ride back from Vegas to LA, I could not get comfortable in the backseat. I tried the window, the armrest, even my backpack, and nothing worked. I also noticed that whenever I drove, my friends in the backseat looked so uncomfortable trying to sleep, and it was tough to watch.
That ride sparked the idea for Rest Wing. After a lot of trial and error and plenty of broken prototypes, I finally created a design that makes backseat car travel comfortable.
Ryan: What design features of Rest Wing differentiate it from other travel comfort accessories on the market?
Aaditya: What makes Rest Wing different is that it’s totally bendable, so you can shape it exactly how you want instead of being stuck with one position. And, unlike a neck pillow that just sits on you, Rest Wing actually clips onto the headrest poles, so it stays in place and keeps your head from sliding around when the car moves.
Ryan: Can you describe the materials and engineering considerations that went into making Rest Wing both durable and flexible?
Aaditya: Honestly, figuring out the materials was one of the most exciting challenges. We started with a 3D-printed clamp that attached to the poles of the car and ran an aluminum wire through it into two wings wrapped in memory foam for comfort. We tested so many options, searching for that perfect balance where the device was flexible enough to bend into any position yet strong enough to hold its shape every time. After a lot of experimenting, we finally found the right formula. I have been lucky to work with two incredibly talented UC Irvine engineers, Anthony Colitti and Andrew Le, who helped turn those ideas into something durable, reliable, and near-ready for real-world use.
Ryan: How have testers responded to Rest Wing, and has feedback influenced any product updates or improvements?
Aaditya: We are kicking off user testing next month, and I am really excited to see how people respond. So far, most of our updates have come from internal testing and feedback from mentors and engineers. Getting real users involved is the next big step to make Rest Wing even better.
Ryan: Are there any lessons you’ve learned in the design and manufacturing processes?
Aaditya: One of the biggest lessons has been realizing you cannot do everything yourself. I made the first prototype with a pool noodle and a bendable rod, and that showed me my strengths are not in mechanical engineering. So I brought in two brilliant engineers who specialize in this work, and that has made all the difference. Since then, it has been all about refining the design, and now we are working with a manufacturer to figure out affordable options while keeping the right materials.
Ryan: What strategies have you used to market Rest Wing and reach your target audience?
Aaditya: So far, I have been sharing Rest Wing on LinkedIn and social media to get early reactions, and the feedback has been really positive. Once we get a first round from manufacturers, I plan to take it to TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and more to reach a wider audience.
Ryan: How do you see Rest Wing evolving in the future?
Aaditya: Sleeping in the backseat has always been uncomfortable. Ever since I was a kid, long drives meant stacking pillows, jackets, and blankets, and still waking up with neck pain. I see a future where every car has Rest Wings, and I would love to partner with rideshare companies to make comfortable backseat travel standard for everyone.
Ryan: It’s been great sitting down with you and learning more about Rest Wing. Thank you again for your time! To close out this interview, can you share any advice you have for entrepreneurs developing a physical product for the first time?
Aaditya: My biggest advice is to just build it, no matter how rough it is at first. Use whatever you have around the house to get your vision out of your head and into something you can hold. When I started Rest Wing, my first prototype was awful but that was where all the learning began.
I have learned to welcome failure with open arms because every setback teaches you something important. Now, whenever we hit a challenge in business or in life, I see it as an opportunity to grow and figure out how to solve it.
Check out Aaditya Gulati on LinkedIn for news and updates. Inspired by Aaditya’s journey and interested in other student side hustles? Then stay tuned for the next installment of the Side Hustler Stories series.
Want help developing and launching your side hustle or business venture? Then visit the ANTrepreneur Center website to learn more about programming, speaker series, Micro-Internships, funding, and more. You can also learn more about the Center’s collaborations with Blackstone LaunchPad, Tech Coast Angels, Tech Coast Venture Network, OC Startup Council, and SoCal Celebrates Entrepreneurship. Keep up with the Center’s latest news by following them on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.