Val Zapata sells sneakers on a live selling platform called Whatnot.Courtesy of Val ZapataBusiness Insider has spoken with entrepreneurs who buy and resell apparel and sneakers for a living.The key to sourcing profitable products is niching down and understanding your customer.As for home run items, don't expect to find them daily but, 'they are out there.'Buying and reselling items can be an effective way to bring in extra cash — and can even be your ticket to financial independence.Val Zapata, 27, turned her sneaker-collecting hobby into a side hustle during Covid and, eventually, a full-time gig.