Startup Stories

From Idea to Impact: How IntellChromatics is Future-Proofing Businesses

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What inspired you to start IntellChromatics?

My name is Angel Sayani, I established IntellChromatics to address the intersection of technology and security in a world rapidly transitioning to a digitally oriented mindset. My vision was to establish a company that goes beyond traditional IT services by deeply embedding technological foresight into business strategy—essentially, to future-proof organizations. I wanted to build something that wasn’t just reactionary but proactive, leading innovation and mitigating risk before it became a problem.

What problem does your startup solve, and how are you addressing it?

At IntellChromatics, we tackle the evolving complexity of securing digital ecosystems. Businesses often implement security as an afterthought, which leaves them vulnerable. We address this by embedding security into the architecture of digital transformation projects, ensuring that every touchpoint—data, processes, or users—is safeguarded as businesses scale. Our strategic consultancy drives long-term digital resilience by integrating security at the core of growth and innovation.

What strategies have helped you attract and retain customers since launching?

We focus on education and value-building, not just selling services. We help our clients understand the “why” behind each solution. By providing comprehensive insights into emerging threats and opportunities, we’ve positioned ourselves as trusted advisors. We also emphasize continuous engagement and meticulousness —building long-term relationships rather than transactional deals.

Our high client retention rate is a testament to our focus on tailored solutions and transparent partnerships.

What sets your business apart from competitors?

What sets us apart is our integrated approach to digital transformation and cybersecurity. We don’t just plug security gaps—we embed security into business strategy. Our approach combines deep technical knowledge with a strong understanding of organizational dynamics, ensuring that our client’s digital ecosystems are not only secure but also optimized for scalability and innovation. We see security as an enabler of growth, not a barrier.

How did you fund your startup in the early stages?

In the early stages, I used a hybrid approach of bootstrapping and leveraging relationships with industry mentors and advisors. Through strategic consulting and smaller-scale projects, I reinvested the revenue to scale our service offerings.

This approach kept us nimble and allowed for organic growth.

What were some of the biggest challenges you faced, and how did you overcome them?

One of the biggest challenges was gaining trust in a crowded market where established players dominate. To overcome this, we focused on building deep, long-term relationships through our results. Offering highly personalized services allowed us to demonstrate real, measurable value, which translated into trust and credibility. We also doubled down on niche expertise, ensuring we excelled in specific domains rather than being a jack of all trades.

Can you share a key achievement or milestone you’re particularly proud of?

One of our most uplifting milestones was when we were able to create a customized cybersecurity solution for a client who faced an imminent data breach. Our swift, strategic approach not only mitigated the threat but transformed their entire security posture. That project solidified our reputation for innovation under pressure, and the client has remained one of our strongest advocates since.

Where do you see your business in the next five years?

In the next five years, I envision IntellChromatics as a thought leader in secure digital transformation, helping businesses innovate while mitigating risk at the very foundation of their strategies. We plan to expand globally, offering services that blend emerging technologies like AI and data analytics with our core cybersecurity practices to help clients navigate future technological landscapes without compromising security.

What tools, software, or technology have been essential to your success?

Interestingly, it’s not just the sophisticated tools that have driven our success. Tools like Slack and Trello, for team collaboration and project management, have been crucial. But it’s also been our use of data visualization software like Power BI and Tableau, enabling us to present complex insights to clients in a digestible way, which has set us apart.

Worth Reading: From Intuition to Innovation: How Oghoghozino is Building Aggital Works for the Digital Age.

Our most essential tools include cloud-based collaboration platforms, advanced threat detection software, and data analytics solutions. These tools allow us to maintain agility in our operations while providing deep insights into client needs. We’ve also incorporated machine learning tools for advanced threat modelling, which helps us stay proactive in identifying potential vulnerabilities for our clients.

If you could give one piece of advice to your past self when you first started, what would it be?

Growth and innovation happen outside of your comfort zone, so embrace the uncertainty. I would tell my younger self to focus less on perfection and more on progress! Early on, it’s easy to get caught up in immediate concerns. I’d tell myself to stay focused on the broader vision, even when short-term decisions feel overwhelming.

Have you experienced failure in business, and if so, what did you learn from it?

Yes! I remember early in my journey, I underestimated the complexity of scaling operations hastily. I learned that growth should be intentional, not rushed. It taught me the value of sustainable scaling—making sure the infrastructure, team, and processes are all ready to support expansion. This lesson changed how I approached business growth, and it’s been crucial in avoiding future missteps.

What books, podcasts, or resources would you recommend to aspiring entrepreneurs?

  • “The Innovator’s Dilemma” by Clayton Christensen — teaches you why disruptive innovation often overtakes the biggest companies.
  • “How I Built This” podcast by Guy Raz — great for hearing authentic stories of real-world entrepreneurs.
  • “The Art of Possibility” by Rosamund and Benjamin Zander — an inspiring read on seeing possibilities where others see obstacles.

What advice would you give to someone just starting their entrepreneurial journey?

“Don’t obsess over perfection. The most successful entrepreneurs are the ones who act, refine and learn from every mistake as they go.

Treat your journey as an experiment, where every failure teaches you how to acclimatize, pivot, and grow.” – Angel Sayani

Where can we learn more about you?

You can check me out on social media using the following links:
==> LinkedIn
==> Instagram
==> Wellfound
==> Twitter (X)
==> Facebook



Startup Stories, Founder's Focus

Bridging African Talent with the World: How Yolre is Revolutionizing Art and Culture

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What inspired you to start Yolre Limited?

My name is Ade Olusola Kunmi and I’ve always been inspired by the concept of being my own boss. Since secondary school, I have always been interested in business. My first business was selling perfume shortly after graduating from secondary school in 2006. Since then, I’ve started multiple businesses. This includes food packaging and water production. In 2015, after completing my National Youth Service in Nigeria, I established my first company in Nigeria, Rocace Foods Limited.

Yolre, on the other hand, grew out of my love for arts and culture. So Yolre was inspired by my enthusiasm for business and the arts. It was, however, registered as a corporation when I moved to the United Kingdom.

What problem does your startup solve, and how are you addressing it?

our primary goal is advancing the arts, yolre was established to be a catalyst for change in the creative industry. we recognize unique challenges faced in the arts and culture sectors, we sought to create a platform that not only supports the creative industry but also drives its growth and sustainability.

My company serves as a bridge between African artists and the rest of the globe. We showcase artist works from Nigeria and Africa to the rest of the world through online exhibitions. We also assist real estate developers, homeowners, and businesses in locating the appropriate artworks for the interior decorating of their houses. We also specialize in cultural entertainment and providing cultural entertainment for occasions in Nigeria and the diaspora.

What strategies have helped you attract and retain customers since launching?

One of the techniques I’ve used to attract clients is to promote my business through advertising and content creation. As a startup, the company often rely on Google and social media advertising.

Content creation also plays an important role. Others came through recommendations. So they contacted us, and we were able to retain them as customers by demonstrating a thorough understanding of what we do and an understanding of what they want. Clients feel safer when they know the person they’re dealing with is well-knowledgeable in the industry. Confidence is also important, and these are the personal characteristics that have helped us keep clients. And when it comes to our services, we make sure that our clients are satisfied throughout the process of our dealings, which has helped us to retain them.

What sets your business apart from competitors?

I believe my interest in the arts plays a significant role. Because, aside from making a profit which is one of our goals, I love what I do and am very passionate about it. So it’s a good thing I enjoy business, so why not turn my passion into a business? So my passion for what I do drives me to go above and beyond to delight my customers. Also, my knowledge of arts and culture has been beneficial. I can readily tell and suggest what type of artwork is required for a customer after they tell me their tale or background; I know exactly what type of art piece is required, as well as what the piece should represent and say. This is one of the factors that distinguishes my company from my competition.

How did you fund your startup in the early stages?

I supported my startup with my own finances. Yolre is still in its early stages. And, as the majority of our business is providing services/consultation, our clients offer the budget for what they require, which we then use to do their tasks. As we continue to achieve new milestones, we will undoubtedly seek external money from investors, but for the time being, I feel we are good.

My belief is that as much as we want to progress, we should not rush into something we are not prepared for. I don’t care how long the journey takes; doing things right is far more important to me than doing things quickly.

What were some of the biggest challenges you faced, and how did you overcome them?

Some of the problems we faced included competing with larger organizations in the industry. I also believe that competition is beneficial, as it forces us to look inward to see how we can do something unique that will set us apart from our competitors. And as we laid out our swot analysis, we realized that our size as a smaller company is not a weakness, but rather a strength. So our strength lies in being a smaller company and a startup; we are very ambitious to the point where we want to impress our clients by ensuring that we do and exceed what the larger companies do because we need our customers to trust us.
Larger corporations may not be as specific and thorough to the ultimate customer of the product. But we can ensure that client happiness is a priority for us, from the moment our customers place an order until it is delivered. We ensure that they have a wonderful customer service experience. We have a lot to prove as a start-up, therefore we go above and above, which has also been our strength.

Can you share a key achievement or milestone you’re particularly proud of?

One of my key achievements is being recognized by the UK government as a leader in the field of arts and culture. This recommendation has enabled me to settle and establish my company in the United Kingdom. So the time it took me in terms of personal development when emigrating to the UK has been significantly less than most.
In just a few years, I’ve been able to launch three businesses in the UK and release music projects for two of my artists through my record label, and the songs have gone viral on social media. I have an online school and we are working for a commencement date of January 2025.

Where do you see your business in the next five years?

In the next five years, I believe we will be a significant participant in the arts, cultural, and entertainment sectors. I am particularly concerned with ensuring that the products we promote and sell are authentically African. The same goes for the artwork, music, and every other thing we do. In the next five years, we hope to have established a thriving learning community through our academy, where African history will be researched and our story shared in our own unique way.

What tools, software, or technology have been essential to your success?

I believe that having a basic understanding of design and how to use social media is important. These are basic abilities that everyone requires, and as simple as they are, they are also critical to any business. Also, my training in business communications at the Hertfordshire Business School has helped a lot.
I am also very talented in Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Premier Pro. I also have an excellent understanding of website design, which allows me to complete numerous tasks quickly at the start of my business. We also make use of Canva,  because Canva offers pre-designed templates which is faster to use and can be edited to one’s liking. These tools have been essential to our marketing.

Worth Reading: Joseph Mambwe: The Entrepreneur Who Built a $2.5 Million Fitness App All with Zero Employees

 If you could give one piece of advice to your past self when you first started, what would it be?

That will be to continue learning. I discovered that whatever I learned was crucial to my development. As a child, my father would frequently push me to read newspapers, even though I had no idea what I was reading. However, he did say one thing that I remember: pick up any book you find around you and read it, even if it was only a few lines of pages. As a result, I am constantly eager to master new skills.
Everything I’ve learned over the years has served me well in some manner. I have opinions and points of view on a wide range of things, so when I meet someone and they are talking about anything specific, I always have something to say. So, my advice is to keep learning and broadening your knowledge; don’t be closed-minded.

Have you experienced failure in business, and if so, what did you learn from it?

Yes, I have. I founded my first business directly out of secondary school. I was 16 years old at the time, and I sold perfumes on credit to my friends, who happened to be my first clients. Only one paid, and the rest never paid until today. So that was the first business disaster I documented. I was unable to continue because I had not recouped my initial funds. I’ve had other failed enterprises, but I’m constantly learning as I move forward. Those failures taught me what to do and what not to do in business.

What books, podcasts, or resources would you recommend to aspiring entrepreneurs?

The majority of the books I read were in paperback and were quite helpful to me. The books I will recommend to aspiring entrepreneurs are Think Big by Donald Trump, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey, The 50th Law by 50 Cent, and 48 Laws of Power by Robert B. Greene, The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli, and Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki.

Other novels I enjoyed were audiobooks, which are available on Spotify. The Way of the Superior Man by David Deida, and Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter by 50 Cent. I rarely listen to podcasts, with the exception of Jordan Peterson, whom I greatly adore and respect. I also listen to many motivational lectures on Spotify.

Jordan Peterson podcast.
The Way of the Superior Man (ebook)

What advice would you give to someone just starting their entrepreneurial journey?

I usually give advice based on my personal experience, and I will say this to anyone who is just starting out. Simply do it. There is no use in planning and waiting until everything is perfect; simply start and you will sort it out along the way.

As a startup, you shouldn’t focus too much on writing a business plan since you might be setting yourself up to fail. A business plan provides the business owner the appearance that it must be strictly followed for a business to be successful, and with that mindset, the business owner will be resistant to change when necessary.
However, I believe that as a startup, you must be adaptable. You must be able to adapt your strategy and apply new tricks and methods that were not initially planned. Simply know what you want to do and who you want to target, and leave room for flexibility on how you plan to achieve it. I believe that business plans are best suited for larger organizations that already have a working structure in place.
Another thing I’d like to mention is that anybody coming out of secondary school should start a business and fail. The early years of 16 to 25 are ideal for experimentation. Experiment with a variety of business ideas or skills, learn from your failures. Even if you fail, You will learn. Do not worry too much about whether it will be successful or not; instead, utilize it as a learning experience in understanding business. The experience will be useful at some point in your entrepreneurial journey.

What do you think about Olusola’s Story? Share your thoughts in the comment below.

Women In Tech, Startup Stories

How Affiong Williams Founded ReelFruit: A Story of Innovation and Persistence

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For many, the journey into entrepreneurship starts with a side project that gradually grows into something bigger. But some bold individuals dive in headfirst, committing everything from the outset. Affiong Williams is one such individual. Over the past decade, the fruit-selling business she founded has flourished and expanded internationally.

Her BackStory

Affiong Williams was born on March 9, 1986. She initially aimed to become a medical doctor, earning a degree in Physiology and Psychology. However, by the time she graduated, her interests had shifted. Eager to explore new opportunities, she pursued a postgraduate diploma in Business Administration from Wits Business School in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2006.

Williams’ first job at Endeavour South Africa, an organization supporting SMEs in developing markets, introduced her to the world of entrepreneurship. After four years of working with and admiring entrepreneurs, she was ready to leap herself.

The Start of ReelFruit

Determined to enter the agribusiness sector, Williams initially planned to produce fruit juice to reduce post-harvest losses for farmers. Realizing the high cost of setting up a juice factory, she pivoted to dried fruits—a more affordable and power-independent option that aligned with Nigeria’s infrastructure challenges.

Living in South Africa, where dried fruits were popular, she saw an untapped market in Nigeria. “I figured I could be the first to bring it to Nigeria and make it big. If I had done more research, I might have shelved the idea, but I was convinced Nigerians were open to new tastes. I believed all I needed was to create awareness and demand,” she recalled.

In 2012, she returned to Nigeria, bolstered by a ₦10 million UN grant she had been shortlisted for. However, shortly after her arrival, she learned she had not received the grant. Despite this setback, Williams persisted, determined to prove her idea’s worth.

Overcoming Challenges

Williams began by selling dried fruits she had brought from South Africa, using the feedback to refine her product. Initial sales were encouraging, leading her to produce more from her apartment. Demand soon outstripped her small-scale production capabilities.

Worth Reading: How I Started Keexs, The First Innovative And Social Footwear Brand in Africa – Babajide Ipaye

Securing her first angel investor, she invested in an office space, a small van, and additional staff. For the next five years, ReelFruit relied on third-party producers in Ghana while gradually building its own processing capacity.

Innovative Fundraising

Raising large funds for a new business in Nigeria proved challenging. Investors were sceptical about the dried fruit market’s potential. Williams adopted a strategy of raising small amounts to achieve specific milestones, gradually building investors’ trust.

“Investors found it easier to believe we could double sales, hire more people, or launch new products than achieve massive expansion,” Williams explained. This approach paid off, culminating in a successful Series A funding round nine years later.

“We spent the first five years proving our product wasn’t a flash in the pan. Given the challenges of raising funds in Nigeria, it took time, but I’m delighted with the outcome,” she said.

Today, ReelFruit offers a range of dried fruit and nut snacks through various channels, including over 700 stores, airlines, schools, hotels, and exports via Amazon. The company employs over 80 people across three regional offices in Nigeria and has trained 50 rural women to grow export-grade mangoes.

Future Plans and Recognitions

In September 2021, ReelFruit secured $3 million in Series A funding to expand its production capacity fivefold. The company aims to diversify its customer base, focusing on large manufacturers and export markets.

“For the next decade, we’re focusing on processing more inputs for large manufacturers and exporting. These segments will drive our growth,” Williams said.

Williams’ entrepreneurial journey has garnered numerous accolades. She has spoken at forums on agribusiness, investment, and trade, including the Inaugural Intra-African Trade Fair in Cairo (2018) and the AFDB Africa Investment Forum in Johannesburg (2019). She won the Village Capital Agriculture Accelerator in Kenya (2020) and the prestigious Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Award (2022).

An avid runner, Williams has completed over 15 marathons, raising funds for charity. Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs? “Seek knowledge.”

Lessons Learned from Affiong Williams’ Journey

  1. Embrace Change and Be Open to New Paths: Williams initially planned to be a doctor but was open to exploring business, leading her to find her true passion.
  2. Turn Setbacks into Opportunities: When the grant she relied on fell through, Williams didn’t give up. Instead, she found other ways to get her business off the ground.
  3. Start Small and Build Gradually: Williams’ strategy of raising small amounts of capital to meet specific milestones allowed her to prove her business concept and gain investor trust over time.
  4. Persistence Pays Off: It took Williams nine years to secure Series A funding. Her story is a testament to the power of persistence and long-term vision.
  5. Adapt to Your Environment: By choosing dried fruits over juice, Williams adapted her business model to fit Nigeria’s infrastructure challenges, ensuring sustainability from the start.
  6. Empower Others Along the Way: Williams’ commitment to training rural women and creating jobs highlights the importance of giving back and building a supportive community around your business.

Affiong Williams’ story is one of resilience, innovation, and relentless pursuit of a vision—transforming a simple idea into a thriving international brand.

Startup Stories

How MySignature Rakes in $700K Annually with a Killer SEO Strategy

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Volodymyr Zastavnyy the founder of MySignature embarked on his entrepreneurial journey in 2015, taking a daring leap from the comfort of his job to dive headfirst into the unpredictable waters of the startup world. Armed with determination and a bold idea, he founded Newoldstamp, a company that would eventually pave the way for the creation of MySignature.

The genesis of this venture traced back to Vol’s days at a TV manufacturing company. Faced with the tedious task of manually recreating email signatures on each computer, an idea took root. The absence of a centralized solution sparked the notion of an email signature generator. Despite skeptics doubting the viability of such an endeavor, Vol pressed on, fueled by the belief that he could turn this seemingly crazy idea into a thriving business.

email_signature_generator

With minimal SaaS experience, Vol embarked on extensive research, identifying a niche with few competitors offering paid features. The core of the email signature generator would be a design with a creative touch, breaking free from the limitations of traditional methods like using Word and tables. A friend joined the cause, developing the initial version, but a freelance designer was enlisted to bring the design to life for $300.

The journey, however, wasn’t all smooth sailing. The team encountered challenges, including the complexities of maintaining a Chrome extension, prompting a shift to a simpler copy-and-paste installation method. This version launched as an MVP, and offered free service to early users, laying the foundation for the future.

In the early stages, financial constraints limited Vol’s ability to run paid ads. Instead, he embraced SEO as a key channel, hiring an SEO freelancer and a part-time marketer for unpaid internship roles. The free version gained traction, and as traffic increased, live chat was introduced to gather real-time feedback. The turning point came when users started asking where they could pay, signaling the need to transition to a paid version.

Worth Reading: Meet the man behind 3 unicorns

The journey to monetization continued, with the paid version officially launched on New Year’s Day in 2016. Revenue gradually climbed, reaching $5K per month by the end of 2016. The startup gained organic mentions in reputable publications, instilling confidence in Vol’s vision and SEO strategy.

The story took an unexpected turn in 2019 when participating in a 500 Startups acceleration program, Vol decided to acquire a rising competitor. The strategic move allowed them to differentiate their audience and accelerate growth. Negotiations ensued, highlighting a crucial lesson—there are no strict rules for negotiating prices; it’s a sales process.

As the journey unfolded, Vol learned valuable lessons. The pivotal role of the initial hires became evident, emphasizing the need to avoid toxic team members. Reflecting on the stress of venturing into entrepreneurship without prior experience, Vol emphasized the importance of seeking advice from fellow entrepreneurs and building a supportive network.

Through it all, MySignature emerged as a profitable venture, contributing significantly to Solva’s revenue. Key metrics like monthly traffic, user count, LTV, and churn rate underscored its success. Looking ahead, the strategic decision to transform MySignature into more than just an email signature generator points toward a future of innovation and growth.

Vol’s advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is to trust their instincts, start today, and prioritize SEO for sustainable growth. The story of MySignature is not just a business narrative; it’s a testament to the resilience, adaptability, and unwavering belief that propels entrepreneurs forward in the face of challenges.

Startup Stories

How Rory Adams Created A $30K/Year Platform To Book Magicians

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Rory has spent nearly a decade crafting magic tricks for TV shows globally. This year, he unveiled his magical creation – Book A Magician, an online directory that aspires to become a comprehensive booking platform for professional magicians.

The genesis of this venture came to Rory during the pandemic while writing a newsletter for magicians called “One Ahead.” As a TV writer for comedy and entertainment shows like “Magic For Humans” on Netflix, Rory’s familiarity with magicians grew, leading him to discover a gap in the industry.

At a convention earlier this year, the poor quality of magician websites became a topic of discussion among Rory’s friends. Determined to bridge this gap, Rory impulsively bought the domain bookamagician.com at 2 AM. Armed with a $1,500 investment and a vision, he embarked on a journey to create a platform that would not only help magicians showcase their talents but also make it easier for event organizers to find and hire them.

The process of building the first version of Book A Magician was an exercise in resourcefulness. Rory started with a cheap Webflow template for real estate websites, adapting it to fit the needs of his magical venture. The result was a minimal viable product (MVP) with a simple sitemap featuring magician profiles, backlinks, and contact buttons.

Worth Reading: From Coding Enthusiast to Digital Marketing Dynamo: Damola Oyekunle’s Inspiring Journey

With an annual fee of $299 and a commitment to take zero commission on gigs, Rory’s platform attracted 103 magicians from around the world within just three months of its launch. The journey, however, wasn’t without its challenges. Rory acknowledges the importance of valuing your product, a lesson he learned when getting people to sign up for free proved challenging, but convincing them to pay for the platform was surprisingly easy.

The launch strategy involved a gradual approach, with Rory promoting the platform in his newsletter for four months while it climbed the search rankings. A soft launch with a limited-time lifetime fee of $99 for early adopters yielded 50 paying members, showcasing the perceived value of the service.

The key to attracting and retaining customers in the early stages revolves around emphasizing the value of backlinks. Magicians joining the platform receive a backlink on their profile, boosting their website’s search rankings. Rory also leverages backlinking between his various projects to organically grow the platform’s backlink profile.

As Rory navigates the challenges of growing the business, his focus remains on enhancing the website’s SEO and features. Intending to create a platform that can automate the booking process for magicians in the future, Rory dreams big and advises fellow entrepreneurs to trust their instincts, make small affordable bets, and focus on scalable business projects.

Today, Book A Magician stands as the number one result for the search term “book a magician” in the USA, marking a promising start to Rory’s magical journey. As he continues to refine and expand his platform, the future looks bright for both magicians and those seeking to add a touch of magic to their events.

Founder_Story
Startup Stories

From Zero to $4B: The BrowserStack Journey

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Many founders envision raising VC money as their first step, but not Ritesh and Nakul. They built BrowserStack to a $50 million revenue powerhouse before seeking funding.

Their journey started at IIT-Bombay, driven by a shared passion for technology. Despite early setbacks with two failed startups, they remained undeterred, learning crucial lessons:

  1. Customer-Driven Startups: Prioritize being customer-driven over idea-driven.
  2. Solve Real Problems: Focus on solving real problems rather than chasing tech trends.

Shifting gears, they launched a consultancy to sustain their entrepreneurial dream. A pivotal moment arrived when frustrated with testing a website, they conceived BrowserStack.

Validating their idea before diving in, they released a free version that quickly gained traction. Within a year, they hit $1 million in revenue with 1,000 paying customers. Their mantra: work fast, fail fast, iterate.

Worth Reading: Meet the man behind 3 unicorns

In 2018, with $50 million in revenue, they sought VC funding. Today, BrowserStack boasts $204 million in revenue and a $4 billion valuation.

Key takeaways from their journey:

  1. Keep Shipping: Perfect is the enemy of good.
  2. Tech for Problem Solving: Use technology to solve business problems, not the other way around.

Ritesh and Nakul’s story is a testament to resilience and problem-solving. It underscores that success is defined not by failures but by the lessons learned and the ability to bounce back. It’s about solving problems, not chasing trends, proving that how you finish the race matters more than how you start it.

Startup Stories

Meet the man behind 3 unicorns

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Meet Supam Maheshwari, the visionary behind FirstCry ($4 billion), XpressBees ($1.2 billion), and GlobalBees ($1.12 billion).

Starting his journey fresh out of IIM Ahmedabad, Supam launched Brainvisa Technologies in 2000. This e-learning platform catered to over 500,000 students, laying the groundwork for his future billion-dollar ventures. Which also led to long-lasting bonds with his co-founders, Nitin Agarwal and Amitava Saha.

In 2010, Supam identified a gap in the Indian baby product market, giving rise to FirstCry. The hybrid retail model, blending online shopping with 400+ physical stores, thrived with innovative strategies like hospital sampling and private labels like BabyHug.

Undeterred, Supam addressed logistics challenges in 2015, founding XpressBees. Today, it’s a logistics giant with operations in 3,000+ cities, handling 3 million deliveries daily for clients like PayTM and Xiaomi.

In 2021, GlobalBees emerged, co-founded by Supam and Nitin, swiftly achieving unicorn status by acquiring and scaling niche e-commerce brands.

Worth Reading: SurveyMonkey’s Journey: From Zero to $3 Billion

Supam’s journey unveils key insights:

  1. Identify overlooked consumer needs and gaps in the market.
  2. Adopt fiscal prudence for lean yet high-growth models.
  3. Innovate ahead of the curve.
  4. Partner with reliable co-founders for the long term.

Based in Pune, Supam defies the notion that startups must thrive in traditional hubs. His story epitomizes how innovation and strategic execution can yield extraordinary success, making disruption seem effortless.

Startup Stories

SurveyMonkey’s Journey: From Zero to $3 Billion

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Meet Ryan and Chris Finley, the brains behind SurveyMonkey, who took a unique path. Instead of chasing VC funding from the start, they bootstrapped for 11 years, reaching a remarkable $28 million in annual revenue before seeking external investment.

Starting in a Wisconsin music production company, they had a simple idea — reinventing online surveys. Without venture capital, they focused on organic growth, pouring every earned dollar back into the business. Their strategy included a straightforward product, free and premium options, strong branding, and customer-focused efforts.

SurveyMonkey thrived for a decade without external funds, proving that bootstrapping a tech company works. In 2009, they decided to accelerate growth by securing investment from Spectrum Equity and Bain Capital. This move skyrocketed their valuation to over $1 billion within a few years, now standing at an impressive $3 billion.

Worth Reading: Joseph Mambwe: The Entrepreneur Who Built a $2.5 Million Fitness App All with Zero Employees

Takeaways from SurveyMonkey’s journey:

  1. Bootstrapping Success: SurveyMonkey shows that starting profitable and staying lean can sustain a tech venture without external funding.
  2. Quality Over Hype: SurveyMonkey thrived quietly, emphasizing great service over flashy ads or big spending.

Their story teaches us that success isn’t just about how you fund your journey; it’s about how well you navigate it

Startup Stories

How Ivan Built Photopea Into $1M+ per Year Revenue with Zero Employees.

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Ivan is the genius behind Photopea, a FREE Photoshop-like image editor. His project gets.

  • 13M monthly visits
  • 1.5M monthly user hours
  • $100K monthly ad revenue
  • He’s solo handled 500K daily users and scaled to $1M+ revenue
Ivan_Photopea

Here is the Full Story

Born in a small village in Western Ukraine, Ivan‘s journey began with a move to the Czech Republic in 2001. An ordinary 11-year-old boy, he discovered his passion when his eager fingers first touched a computer keyboard, unveiling the captivating world of computer graphics. By 14, he had already crafted his first website, and an insatiable hunger for coding was ignited.

But it was in 2009, during his tenure as a computer science undergrad, that the seeds of Photopea were sown. A fascination with online games led to countless creative endeavors, marking the beginning of his passionate journey into programming. At 20, Ivan delved into the realm of JavaScript and began crafting Flash games that not only fulfilled his passion but also netted him a modest income. Those early banner ads brought in a monthly pocket change of $100 to $400.

However, Ivan’s relentless ambition was anything but ordinary. At one point, he juggled a staggering 20 different ideas, all simmering simultaneously on his entrepreneurial stovetop. Yet, it was his intimate relationship with Adobe Photoshop that illuminated his path to success.

As he traversed the complex landscapes of Photoshop, two significant roadblocks emerged.

Firstly, Photoshop’s costly subscription model rendered it inaccessible to many, locking it behind a hefty $20/month paywall. Secondly, its substantial computing demands made it unwieldy for users with less powerful machines, and its features weren’t readily available on web browsers.

Ivan, ever the visionary, recognized these shortcomings as golden opportunities. In 2012, his brainchild, Photopea, was born. Initially, he offered a simple tool allowing users to open Photoshop files directly in a web browser, providing them with the ability to download individual layers. It was an impressive start, but it was just the beginning.

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Year by year, Ivan continued to pour his heart and soul into Photopea, adding features like layer creation, deletion, and saving. His mission was clear: he wanted his creation to be immediately useful to others, while he nurtured it into a full-fledged image editor. The metamorphosis was slow but undeniably cool.

Photopea

From 2012 to 2016, there was no grand plan for monetization. Graduating brought him a meager $29K, but Ivan’s commitment to Photopea never wavered. He pressed on through post-graduation studies, keeping the flickering flame of his creation alive.

In 2017, as his friends pursued high-paying jobs, Ivan made an unconventional choice. Instead of joining the rat race, he dived headfirst into Photopea, turning it into his full-time endeavor. His pursuit was not money; it was the sheer enjoyment of the craft. There were no business plans, no market validation, just the raw passion to follow his heart.

Marketing Photopea became a hurdle, especially for a one-person operation. Ivan tried reaching out to YouTubers, Reddit, and Hacker News, but self-promotion flags and financial demands thwarted his efforts.

Despite these obstacles, Ivan was a one-man army who solved over 400 user issues, created open-source libraries, and meticulously crafted Photopea into a fully-fledged image editor.

Ivan’s commitment extended to customer support, a labor of love that drove 80% of his users to join GitHub solely to request new features. Lacking a marketing degree and financial backing, he innovated by publishing blog posts with every new feature addition, nurturing a passionate user base.

Gradually, Photopea’s reputation soared. The same YouTubers who had once turned a blind eye now churned out tutorials, attracting thousands of viewers. In October 2018, Photopea hit an all-time high with 1.5 million visits, and Ivan seized the moment to embark on his first Reddit Ask Me Anything (AMA). The post went viral, accumulating over 50K upvotes and 2.2K comments.

Photopea_Growth

Over the next nine months, Photopea’s traffic doubled to 3 million visits, leading to yet another successful AMA. And in 2021, Ivan made his mark on Hacker News with another viral AMA.

Photopea, a web-based marvel entirely built using Javascript, operated on a shoestring budget of $50 for hosting and $16 for the domain, amounting to just around $700 a year to maintain a multi-million-dollar venture. With zero paid marketing, Ivan and Photopea found their success through the community-driven word-of-mouth phenomenon, exemplifying a timeless principle: craft a better and free alternative to an expensive product, and users will inevitably flock to your doorstep.

Ivan Kutskir, the quiet maverick from a Ukrainian village, redefined the power of passion and perseverance, emerging as the world’s most underrated indie-hacker, with Photopea as his magnum opus, lighting up the lives of millions of creative souls around the globe. A true no-brainer offer, and a revelation to all who dare to dream. 🤯

Startup Stories

From Intuition to Innovation: How Oghoghozino is Building Aggital Works for the Digital Age.

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Tell us a bit about you

My name is Oghoghozino Otefia, I’m the founder of Aggital Works, a leading digital agency based in Lagos, Nigeria.

What motivated you to get started with Aggital Works?

 Oh well, starting Aggital was a clear leading from God, as it all started with an intuition which was basically the need to transform businesses, organizations, and humanity in general to thrive in the digital age. As we know, the digital age is coming and businesses, organizations, or even individuals who do not stay abreast with the move of the digital age will eventually become redundant.

I remember sometime in 2008, I had an Oceanic bank account now Eco bank, and whilst I go there to make a deposit or withdrawal, I see about 15 “teller guys” who take the withdrawal/deposit slip to process them. But now, on average, we have 5 “teller guys” in our banks. What exactly happened? The digital age did happen, and software replaced 5 persons. The digital age has come and anyone; businesses, organizations, and individuals who do not embrace the digital age either gets replaced or becomes redundant.

Hence the need to help humanity thrive in the digital age. Now, what motivated me to get started after this intuition came was the bigger picture, I saw which also forms part of my call in life.

Oghoghozino Otefia

What specific problem are you solving with your startup and how are you solving it?

Aggital Works is solving problems related to digital presence, marketing, technology adaptation, branding, and business growth. All our products and services are designed to help businesses thrive and gain a competitive advantage in the digital age.

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Since launch, what has worked to attract and retain customers?

Honestly, the rich quality of our delivery. We never compromise on our standard of delivery, regardless of the kind of project. These have made our clients return thereby enabling great referrals.

Describe what makes your business unique.

Our uniqueness is attributed to our core values which are; Creative Innovation, Intelligent Design, and Timely Project Delivery. Every single project must answer to our core. Have we creatively innovated this client’s idea? Is the project design intelligent enough to compete globally? Is the delivery timely? We make sure all our projects fulfill these cores and that’s what has made us unique.

Oghoghozino Otefia

How did you fund your startup?
I say all the time that money is fuel. Funding can bootstrap your business a great deal. While starting Aggital, I clearly followed God’s leading and He made provisions when due. I applied for a CBN YEDP loan, which I was approved for 7 million Naira, but I eventually didn’t take the loan after the whole loan process because God told me He never instructed me to take the loan, so basically it has been savings and God’s provision that funds the business.


What have been the most influential books, podcasts, or other resources for you?

For books, nah, I don’t read books like everyone else does. What I do is research thoroughly. When I discover I need enlightenment in a particular area, be it personal growth, business, or leadership, I research the subject or topic thoroughly and read various resources by great industry masters or key players in that subject. I have not read a book completely ever.

But I probably have read the concept or idea talked about in that book during my research.

What were the biggest challenges you faced and the obstacles you overcame?

Biggest challenge? I cannot think of one, as every single day, challenges come and my duty is to overcome those challenges, I practically see challenges as a growth path, so I have built ferocity and grit for challenges, so I’m halfway solving a challenge before I realize that was actually a challenge.

What is your greatest business achievement to date?

One I’d like to share is the acquisition of our own office space which has taken out the rent challenge for now, till we look to expand. More so, the fact that I can travel and the business will operate optimally is a great achievement as well.

Where would you like your startup to be in five years?

In the next 5 years, one of our goals is to have a physical presence in the western part of the world. Also, to have served a minimum of 100,000 businesses with our new digital product “Ushoppen – A digital storefront that equips you with the necessary tools to flawlessly grow and manage your business. Simplifying store creation, management, and expansion. With Ushoppen, you have the luxury of selling your products not only online but offline as well.

Hence, bridging the gap between the digital and physical retail worlds”

What software or technology has made the biggest difference to your business?

I’d say Microsoft and Google, as these giants have played and constantly play significant roles in our business.

What one thing do you wish someone had told you when you started on your business journey?

Very tricky question, but if I were told the “business world” isn’t a family affair, no friends, no family, no one has your interest at heart, all are competing to become industry leaders and are ready to kill some other businesses to achieve that goal, I’d probably have taken more grounds and moved way farther than where we currently at.

If you had the chance to do things differently, what would you do?

Get funding at every level, and hire the best of the best from inception as opposed to hiring friends and family due to poor financing.


Have you had any failed business?

Yes, a number of businesses have failed; Gospofy, Uwoeki, Instahandler, etc. These are some of my businesses that barely survived a year.

What are some sources for learning you would recommend for entrepreneurs who are just starting?

A great source of learning is finding a mentor in your industry who has walked the path you’re trying to thread. I tell you, in business, it is better to learn from other people’s experience than to learn from your own experience. It saves you time and money.


Advice for other entrepreneurs who want to get started or are just starting out?

Very candid advice from me to you:
One, serve in the same industry you look to have your business first before you launch out as that will help you understand the nitty-gritty of that industry as well as learn the possible ways to mitigate any supposed risks you might face.

Two, money is fuel, yeah, it’s what it is, get money as much as you can, you will need it.

Three; Never forget a quote from Oghoghozino Otefia – Work is not a curse; work has been instituted before the fall of man. God didn’t curse us to work because our first parent sinned against Him, No. Work has been done even before the fall.

Therefore, I beseech you, to please make “work” a lifestyle. When you have to get something done, get it done! You need to understand a concept or an idea or whatever and do the work required to understand that concept or idea. Never forget that Work is not a curse, work has been instituted before the fall of man.

One business app and one personal app you can’t do without?

Google!!!!


Are you looking to hire for certain positions right now?

Not at the moment. When we have openings, we share on our social media pages which is @aggital on all social media platforms, while I’m @oghoghozino_ on  Instagram.

Startup Stories

From Coding Enthusiast to Digital Marketing Dynamo: Damola Oyekunle’s Inspiring Journey

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Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I am Damola Oyekunle, a digital marketing consultant and the Founder of Dptrax, a Digital Marketing agency.

Fantastic. What motivated you to go into digital marketing?

It’s an interesting story. I studied computer engineering because I love computers and games, and I ended up falling in love with coding. I started learning how to build applications, websites, and the like. After building my first website, I realized that was just the first part of the equation. The second part was learning how to promote this newly acquired skill. In my research, I found that there are various ways to acquire clients. I opted for inbound marketing, which includes social media marketing, search engine optimization, and the like.

I started with SEO and grew curious about other marketing avenues. I learned about conversion rate optimization, paid ads, etc., and just kept going. My first job was search engine optimization-related, and my next role was at Jobberman, where I was also involved in search engine optimization before being promoted to Head of Digital Marketing. That’s how I landed in digital marketing.

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This is absolutely incredible.

Yes 😄. Not everyone can excel in tech, and not everyone can excel in digital marketing. Pick something, focus on it, and give it your best. If it doesn’t work, choose something else.

What challenges did you face while learning new skills, and how did you navigate them?

To be honest, I personally did not face any challenges when it came to learning, largely due to my mindset. I approach things from a logical perspective.

I started this journey in university. The closest thing to a challenge was limited internet access, as I wasn’t born with a silver spoon. In school at Unilag, there was a place called the Botanical Garden where they sold internet access very cheaply. Most people didn’t use up their time, so my friends and I would collect unused time from the ground and use it. This was fueled by a hunger for knowledge (and we also needed the data to download games 😄).

Another challenge was optimizing my learning process while balancing school commitments, especially since digital marketing is a broad field. I took a course called “Learning How to Learn” on Coursera, which helped me understand how to learn more effectively. I invested every spare change I had in courses and tools, often borrowing money from my sister to pay for them.

In terms of entrepreneurship, hiring and managing burnout or mental strain are challenges. Building systems and processes can help with hiring, while a strong social circle can help manage the emotional toll.

This is incredible. Do you have any advice for aspiring or existing entrepreneurs?

The first important thing is to have money in your bank account 😄. Financial stress can lead to poor decision-making. Keep a 9-5 job and start small. Prepare for failures and understand that marketing is crucial for your business.

I usually recommend having at least six months’ salary in your bank account before quitting your job to focus on entrepreneurship. While there are outliers who can succeed quickly, it’s generally a good idea to have a safety net.

This is absolutely incredible. Thank you for sharing your story with Founder Story

Startup Stories

How Cory Is Making $3.5 Million Per Year With Woodies Sunglasses With One Employee

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Cory Stout, the founder of Woodies, shared an insightful journey of starting and growing his wood sunglasses brand. Here’s a breakdown of his story and key takeaways:

Background and Idea Generation: Cory’s entrepreneurial journey started with scalping football tickets while studying Economics at the University of Florida. He learned important lessons about dealing with people and persistence during this time.

He then had the opportunity to visit China, where he observed how products were made and got the idea for an interchangeable watch brand called TIKKR.

Prototyping and Manufacturing: Cory found suppliers on Alibaba in China for his wood sunglasses. He emphasized the importance of choosing suppliers based on trust and their overall presentation, not just price. He also recommended checking the condition of the factory’s facilities as an indicator of their professionalism.

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Launching the Business: Cory initially launched his wood sunglasses on Groupon and later transitioned to selling on Amazon. He adapted his product by switching to wood temple glasses with a plastic frame to reduce returns. This decision also allowed his customer service to provide better support.

Marketing and Growth: Cory focused on Amazon as his primary sales platform and emphasized its effectiveness in bringing in new customers. He mentioned that while he had basic knowledge of various marketing methods like Facebook ads, email marketing, and SEO, Amazon’s built-in customer base was highly valuable.

Challenges and Future Plans: Cory revealed that despite the impressive revenue figures, the profit margins in his business were lower than expected. He mentioned getting sued by Luxottica for trademark infringement, which posed a significant threat to his business.

He also started a new venture involving classic cars. Cory emphasized the importance of believing in oneself and staying committed to the business, as many of his peers who started businesses around the same time also succeeded.

Tools and Resources: Cory shared a Reddit post detailing the tools and platforms he used in his business. He mentioned listening to the EcomCrew podcast for valuable insights into running an Amazon-based business.

Advice for Entrepreneurs: Cory’s key advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is to choose a product or business that they are passionate about and willing to talk about nonstop. He emphasized the importance of personal branding and being the face of your company, especially in the early stages.

Cory Stout’s journey with Woodies demonstrates the importance of persistence, adaptability, and focusing on platforms that work best for your business. It also underscores the significance of believing in your vision and being prepared to overcome challenges along the way.

Startup Stories

How Colin Started A Bed Sheet Business Making $600K In The First 8 Months

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Meet Colin McIntosh, the brains behind Sheets & Giggles, a bedding brand that’s more than just a clever pun. Launched in May 2018, Sheets & Giggles made a splash on Indiegogo with its unique product: lyocell bed sheets made from eucalyptus trees. These eco-friendly sheets offer a softer, more breathable, and moisture-wicking alternative to cotton, while also using significantly less water in production.

Within just six months of its inception, Sheets & Giggles raked in over 6,000 orders and nearly half a million dollars in revenue. The brand’s journey was marked by success, including winning first place at Denver Startup Week 2018. Targeting a predominantly female audience, mostly in their 20s and 30s, Sheets & Giggles has become a notable contender in the bedding industry.

Origins and Vision:

Colin’s entrepreneurial journey began after a stint at a tech startup that ended abruptly in 2017. This experience served as a catalyst, inspiring him to start his own venture. Armed with a strong network, insights from Techstars, and a passion for marketing and distributing physical products, he decided to embark on the entrepreneurial path. Crowdfunding seemed like the perfect launchpad, given his limited initial capital.

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Colin established specific criteria for his new business, including a focus on a large, fragmented market with minimal brand loyalty. He ultimately chose to venture into bedding, with the domain name “SheetsGiggles.com” sealing the deal. The business model was designed first, with the product tailored to fit seamlessly.

Validating the Idea:

To validate the concept, Colin ran Facebook ads to a landing page, targeting crowdfunding lookalike audiences. This campaign resulted in an impressive 46% conversion rate, accumulating over 11,000 emails from potential buyers in just eight weeks. With this validation in hand, Sheets & Giggles launched on Indiegogo, attracting nearly 500 customers and $45,000 in day-one funding.

Designing, Prototyping, and Manufacturing:

Despite lacking textile experience, Colin hired consultants to help design, develop, and test the lyocell sheets. The criteria included sustainability, softness, durability, and social consciousness. The manufacturer was sourced in India, and multiple production runs were undertaken to ensure product perfection. The brand also placed great emphasis on a premium unboxing experience, making it stand out in the direct-to-consumer market.

The Launch Process:

The business was founded in October 2017, with the first few months dedicated to building a brand identity, website, and product designs. A marketing agency was onboarded to assist with the crowdfunding campaign, which was successfully launched on May 1, 2018, with a surge of $45,000 in funding on the first day.

Customer Attraction and Retention:

Sheets & Giggles’ success has been fueled by proactive social media engagement, strong SEO strategies, and humorous email marketing. Purple Friday, a clever marketing ploy, drove significant sales. Exceptional customer service, a 100% satisfaction guarantee, and a robust review system have also contributed to the brand’s growth.

Current Status and Future Prospects:

Sheets & Giggles operates profitably, with a projected $600,000 in revenue for 2018. The brand aims to expand its product line, including new sizes, colors, and non-bedding items. International expansion into the UK, Australia, Canada, and the EU is on the horizon.

Colin envisions rapid growth in the coming years, with plans to enter new sales channels while maintaining a strong online presence. He remains committed to building a well-known brand before delving into physical retail, following a strategic approach to market penetration.

Lessons for Aspiring Entrepreneurs:

Colin emphasizes the importance of validating your business model before building a product. He advocates running initial marketing campaigns to gather leads and investor interest, rather than rushing into product development. He also stresses the significance of an action-oriented approach and the value of responding to customer inquiries promptly.

In conclusion, Colin McIntosh’s journey with Sheets & Giggles exemplifies the power of creativity, sustainable practices, and humor in building a thriving brand. With a strong focus on customer engagement and a strategic approach to growth, Sheets & Giggles continues to make waves in the world of bedding.

Startup Stories

Bootstrapping to 2m+ Users With Zero Employees – The story of Rootd

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In a world perpetually on the move, where stress lurks around every corner, Ania Wysocka‘s story began with a panic attack that shattered the illusion of invincibility. As a final-year university student, she had believed that anxiety and panic were battles fought by others in quieter corners of existence. But that illusion was violently dismantled by her own panic attack – a jolt of terror that left her shaken and disoriented. It was at that moment, far from home and unable to afford professional help, that Ania’s world shifted irrevocably.

As she fumbled through the darkness of her experience, her instinct was to reach for her smartphone – the modern beacon of solutions – to find an app that could guide her through the storm within. But to her surprise, there was none. The void of digital support deepened her feelings of isolation, making her realize the chasm between the prevalence of mental health struggles and the dearth of accessible resources.

Undeterred by her own ordeal, Ania embarked on a journey that would eventually lead her to craft a transformative solution for millions. Rootd, the app she envisioned, was to become a lifeline for those facing the overwhelming grip of anxiety and panic attacks.

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From Darkness to Design: Ania’s journey wasn’t just about solving a problem; it was about combining her creative talents with the power of technology to deliver hope. She immersed herself in the world of graphic design, pouring her emotions onto paper and translating them into illustrations that would eventually become Rootd’s beloved mascot, Ron. Ron, the embodiment of empathy, would accompany users on their quest for healing, providing solace during their darkest moments.

Challenges: The Crucible of Transformation: Building Rootd was no smooth ride. Ania faced challenges that tested her resolve, questioned her decisions, and often left her questioning her path. Yet, she turned each challenge into a stepping stone, unearthing her indomitable spirit. With minimal resources and a bootstrapped approach, she navigated the complexities of app development and user engagement, making every penny and hour count.

Lessons Forged in Struggle: Ania’s journey was marked by lessons as vivid as the illustrations in her app. The power of solving personal pain points reverberated in every feature of Rootd. The courage to embrace her strengths and leverage her artistic acumen proved that passion could be translated into technology. Her knack for turning every challenge into an opportunity taught her that resilience and determination could overcome the most formidable obstacles.

A Beacon of Light for 2 Million: Rootd’s launch marked the beginning of a movement, an affirmation that Ania’s journey mirrored the struggles of millions worldwide. Rootd became more than an app; it became a sanctuary, a safe space for those wrestling with their inner demons. Ania’s relentless commitment to the Rootd community, her hands-on approach to user reviews, and her unyielding dedication created a network of warriors united against anxiety’s grip.

A Vision for Tomorrow: As Rootd continues to reach more corners of the globe, Ania’s vision grows even grander. With a future focused on inclusivity, accessibility, and global impact, she aims to reach the hands and hearts of 10 million users. Ania’s journey has evolved from a personal struggle into an inspiring saga of empathy, triumph, and healing – a journey that has illuminated the path for countless others seeking solace.

Ania’s story is a testament to the power of one individual’s resilience, compassion, and innovation. Rootd isn’t just an app; it’s a beacon of hope, a reminder that from the depths of personal pain can emerge the seeds of transformative change. Ania Wysocka’s legacy will forever be etched in the hearts of those whose lives she touched, and in the annals of entrepreneurship, as a visionary who turned her own pain into a lifeline for millions.

Startup Stories

She Ditched Law School And Built A Multimillion Dollar SaaS Business

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Once embarrassed by her unconventional name, Jasmine Star‘s journey has blossomed into a remarkable tale of entrepreneurial resilience and empowerment. Born to a free-spirited mother, she embraced her name’s uniqueness, embodying the same spirit in her ventures. As the CEO and co-founder of Social Curator, Jasmine thrives as a speaker, podcaster, and visionary leader.

Her story unfolds against the backdrop of a diverse heritage, as the daughter of Mexican and Puerto Rican immigrants who fell in love on the streets of East Los Angeles. Jasmine’s path led her from homeschooling to an academic scholarship at Whittier College and UCLA Law School. Yet, her life took a transformative turn when her mother’s brain cancer relapsed during Jasmine’s first year of law school, triggering her own battle with depression.

Amidst personal challenges, Jasmine’s determination ignited a chain of transformative decisions. Fueled by her mother’s regrets and inspired by love, she left law school, pursued photography, and launched a successful career. Her journey was not linear—she shifted from photography to teaching, consulting, and creating content, all while navigating uncharted territories with resilience.

Social Curator‘s genesis emerged as a membership platform, offering resources, courses, and a vibrant community for overwhelmed entrepreneurs. Jasmine’s willingness to ask “dumb questions” led her to delve into tech, co-founding the company with her husband JD. The platform’s evolution culminated in its transition to a SaaS subscription, seamlessly integrating with social platforms and aiding business owners in navigating the complex world of digital marketing.

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Central to Social Curator’s growth strategy is the power of content. It’s not just about tools but about education and community. Jasmine’s philosophy is clear: provide resources, tutorials, and a safe space for entrepreneurs to discuss trends, algorithms, and successes.

Through a blend of tutorials, daily challenges, and user-friendly scheduling tools, Social Curator empowers users to take action.

While Jasmine’s journey has seen ups and downs, she remains committed to growth. Her recent upgrade of the Social Curator platform reflects her dedication to product excellence and user feedback. Despite challenges, Jasmine’s focus on content, consistency, and learning has driven her success. She shares her wisdom through podcasts, interviews, and social media, underlining the importance of consistency and personal branding in entrepreneurship.

As Jasmine’s story continues to unfold, she not only uplifts her business but also inspires a community of entrepreneurs to embrace their passions, confront challenges, and create their own unique paths to success.

Startup Stories

Bad Water Made His Family Sick, So He Built A $3m+ Business To Fix It

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Meet Seyi Fabode, the visionary CEO and co-founder of Varuna, a groundbreaking company transforming the water management industry. Varuna is like a watchful guardian for utilities, cities, and water-dependent businesses, preventing water system failures by tracking risks such as contamination, asset failure, and water availability.

Seyi’s journey began after running operations for a major power station in London, giving him unique insights into complex utility systems. Inspired by the potential of entrepreneurship, he co-founded Power2Switch, a successful venture in the renewable energy space. However, it was the water crises across the US, notably the Flint, Michigan incident, that ignited Seyi’s passion for water system resilience.

Varuna’s origin story involves a DIY approach, developing a simple yet ingenious water quality sensor that mimicked a dishwasher’s turbidity sensor. This concept evolved into a sophisticated tool that tracked water quality, providing real-time alerts and actionable recommendations for operators. Seyi’s determination led him to rugged terrain and far-flung locations, laying the foundation for Varuna’s success.

The business model’s core strength lies in its profound understanding of the industry’s challenges. The water management sector boasts extensive sales cycles, demanding patience and strategic foresight. However, with over 150,000 water systems in the US and substantial contracts, Varuna leverages high-margin software solutions that sit atop data-generating assets. A masterstroke is a partnership with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), opening doors to lucrative after-market services.

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Seyi’s leadership philosophy revolves around human connection and adaptability. He champions the notion of being “human” in business interactions, fostering meaningful relationships rather than mere transactions. This approach, along with maintaining an open aperture for ideas, keeps Varuna innovative and responsive. Seyi’s hiring criteria—expertise, execution, and alignment with values—ensure the right individuals drive the company’s growth.

Varuna’s future is promising, with expansion into consumer services. Their “Resilio” offering brings water issue monitoring to households, offering emergency water delivery subscriptions during crises. Seyi’s vision extends beyond profits, seeking a net-zero solution for water purification and eliminating single-use plastics.

Seyi’s insights are invaluable, shaped by books like “Thinking in Systems” by Donella Meadows and “7 Powers” by Hamilton Helmer. His personal leadership touchstone—”How human are you choosing to be in this moment?”—guides Varuna’s journey, fostering a culture of compassion and innovation.

For a deeper dive, visit Varuna’s website, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

Connect with Seyi on his personal LinkedIn and Twitter accounts. Holdco also offers a glimpse into his multifaceted journey.

The tale of Seyi Fabode and Varuna is one of innovation, resilience, and commitment to securing the world’s most precious resource: water.

Startup Stories

How We Are Making Over $4 Million Per Year From College Essay Coaching – Brad Schiller

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Brad Schiller, the Founder and CEO of Prompt, has spearheaded a remarkable journey in the education sector. Prompt, the largest college admissions essay coaching company globally, offers a sophisticated software platform that simplifies the college application process for over 15,000 students.

Additionally, Prompt’s network of around 100 part-time writing coaches assists over 5,000 students with over 30,000 hours of writing coaching. The company’s revenue is projected to hit $4 million in 2023, showcasing an impressive 20-60% growth rate over the past seven years.

Interestingly, about two-thirds of Prompt’s revenue comes from selling to businesses. The company white-labels its software platform and essay coaching for over 500 private college counselors and high schools worldwide. The remaining third of the revenue is generated by directly serving families under the Prompt brand.

In a recent expansion, Prompt launched “Pen,” a literacy curriculum that empowers English learners across India and Latin America to confidently use English in academic and workplace settings, aiming to surpass 20,000 learners by the end of 2023.

Schiller’s journey began with a personal passion for enhancing written communication and critical thinking skills. Having recognized the need for effective communication during his tenure at McKinsey, Schiller’s mission evolved into enabling widespread proficiency in structured and impactful communication.

Prompt’s path to success was characterized by iterative development. Starting as a marketplace for obtaining feedback on writing content and structure, the company eventually focused on college admissions essays, where initial customer traction was found. This niche specialization paved the way for Prompt’s growth, and the company released a software and coaching services product tailored for private college counselors in 2017, generating $200,000 in annual recurring revenue.

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The journey, however, wasn’t without challenges. Schiller’s persistent drive to enhance literacy and critical thinking skills led to various product diversifications. While some ventures incurred significant investment and time, Prompt’s recent literacy curriculum, “Pen,” seems to have struck the right chord.

Schiller’s grit is evident in his personal journey as well. Despite starting Prompt in 2014 with minimal resources and while facing financial challenges, Schiller’s dedication led to steady growth. With four children and his wife pursuing a PhD, Schiller even resorted to independent consulting to support his family while building Prompt.

An “oh shit” moment in 2021 posed an existential threat to Prompt. Operational inefficiencies caused delays in essay reviews, jeopardizing the upcoming college admissions season. Schiller took decisive action, revamping operations and streamlining costs, saving the business from a dire situation.

Key to Prompt’s success is exceptional operational efficiency and a keen focus on customer satisfaction. The company’s business model thrives on selling to businesses and leveraging referrals for consumer sales. The ability to understand customer needs, offer exceptional service, and automate operations has been pivotal.

Schiller’s leadership philosophy emphasizes hiring independent thinkers who excel in navigating ambiguity. His belief in minimizing managerial layers allows him to remain close to the core challenges and prioritize high-value problem-solving.

Schiller’s journey with Prompt is an inspiring tale of perseverance, iterative development, and a relentless commitment to enhancing literacy and communication skills on a global scale. Through Prompt and its ventures like “Pen,” Schiller is making a profound impact on education and communication.

Startup Stories

Joseph Mambwe: The Entrepreneur Who Built a $2.5 Million Fitness App All with Zero Employees

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GymStreak

Joseph Mambwe is the sole founder of GymStreak, a fitness app that uses high-end animation and augmented reality to enhance exercise understanding and track user progress. Born in Zambia, raised in Botswana, and later moving to the UK, Joseph’s diverse experiences and passion for learning from a young age contributed to his unique perspective and determination as an entrepreneur.

While studying Engineering at the University of Cambridge, Joseph’s passion for fitness and UI design led him to envision the GymStreak app. He identified the importance of consistency in fitness journeys and aimed to create a user-friendly platform that encouraged sustained commitment.

Building GymStreak required implementing a 3D engine to animate exercises, which demanded significant effort. Despite the challenges, Joseph’s determination to be future-ready with augmented reality technology and 3D animation showcased his foresight and commitment to innovation.

Despite having no employees, Joseph achieved remarkable success, generating $2.5 million in revenue last year. He relied on a team of skilled freelancers for marketing and customer support, allowing him to maintain control over the company’s growth. The app’s bootstrapped nature grants Joseph the flexibility to control the pace of growth, allowing him to balance business expansion with personal life goals.

GymStreak’s growth primarily stems from highly effective paid marketing campaigns on Facebook and TikTok, boasting an impressive return on ad spend. The app’s unique features and compelling creative content contributed to its success. Although faced with challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and plateaued growth, Joseph’s determination and ability to adapt drove continuous improvement and eventual success.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit and gyms closed worldwide, GymStreak faced a significant challenge. However, Joseph quickly adapted the app to include home workout options, demonstrating his agility and ability to respond to changing circumstances.

Despite impressive growth, Joseph recognized the importance of product optimization to enhance user experience. He spent six months rebuilding the app to improve key conversion points and increase revenue tenfold.

Joseph’s leadership style prioritizes empowering his team of contractors with autonomy. By allowing them to make independent decisions, he fosters a culture of trust, creativity, and individual ownership within the company.

The strength of GymStreak’s business model lies in its ability to recoup ad spend almost immediately, enabling rapid and profitable scaling. However, like many consumer SaaS products, GymStreak encounters retention challenges, emphasizing the importance of enhancing customer retention and renewals.

Worth Reading: How Onyeka Akumah Built a Successful Tech Startup: The Story of Treepz

Looking to the future, Joseph foresees untapped potential in the market, particularly through an affiliate system for mobile apps that facilitates partnerships and revenue-sharing, potentially bolstering user acquisition and retention strategies. With a focus on maximizing customer retention and renewals, Joseph aims to grow GymStreak to an impressive $15-$20 million in annual recurring revenue in the coming years.

Joseph Mambwe’s entrepreneurial journey with GymStreak exemplifies the power of dedication, creativity, and resourcefulness in building a successful app business with a strong emphasis on user experience and growth.

Here are some of the key takeaways from Joseph’s story:

  • Joseph Mambwe is a visionary entrepreneur who saw the potential of using high-end animation and augmented reality to create a more engaging and effective fitness app.
  • GymStreak’s success is due in part to Joseph’s determination and ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
  • The app’s bootstrapped nature has allowed Joseph to maintain control over the company’s growth and focus on user experience.
  • Joseph is focused on future growth and is looking to expand into new markets.

What do you think about Joseph’s Story? Share your thought in the comment below.

Startup Stories, Women In Tech

The start of LadiesInFlutter by Grace Youpele

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Can you tell us about yourself?

My name is Grace Youpele, I’m a mobile developer and I’ve been in tech for the past three years. I started with a couple of things but I landed in mobile development and I decided to stick with it. I am also a community lead, public speaker, technical writer, and the founder of the LadiesInFlutter community.

This is awesome. When we were going through your page we realized that you have a community about women learning Flutter. What is it about?

It’s a community of women that are interested in mobile development. Our aim is to help the ladies grow and become more confident in their tech craft. We usually do have classes every Friday to boost their knowledge of mobile development and also we have monthly meet up where we get to bring ladies that are already doing well in their tech careers to come to speak to the ladies. We have also had training sessions on confidence to help build their confidence in public speaking as well as the confidence to strive in the tech space.

This is great. You guys are doing awesomely well. The question now is Why women?

I’ll try not to be biased here but you’ll agree with me that the male is dominated in the tech space. For every company I’ve worked in, I literarily was the only female developer with lots of guys. Lately, I’m happy to say that women are showing up and breaking through the space. When I started, I thought I was the only lady in Flutter Nigeria but I later figured out that there were few ladies out there but probably they were just too shy to come out. So I thought having our safe space to relate, know each other, and help ourselves grow would be great.

This is great. Since you started your NGO, how many women have you trained?

We started early this year and right now we have over a hundred registered in the community.

What motivated you to be a mobile developer?

I actually studied computer science in school but the educational system in Nigeria doesn’t qualify you based on what you studied. There used to be those tech guys in school I admire a lot but I was more interested in fashion, that was my dream. My dream was literary to have a shoe line. I didn’t take anything tech seriously till after school. After my NYSC I was working for this company and there was a digital marketer I was impressed by how much he loved what he was doing. I randomly asked him on what to do if I want to come into tech and he explained some things to me. I tried a couple of things like web development, and UI/UX till I got to know about mobile development and when I transitioned, it felt like home. That was how I got to where I am.

Worth Reading: My Journey Into Entrepreneurship and How I’m Building Beezop – Charles Dairo

Would you say it’s been a rollercoaster ever since you joined?

Yeah, it’s been a rollercoaster. At times I rant that I’m not doing this tech thing again. But there’s nothing without a downside. There are the good days and there are the bad days but then there’s the passion too for problem solving so it keeps me going regardless.

Awesome. Why do you choose to train people and not just make money?

I will say what inspired me was an event where I happened to be a speaker. After the whole event, I figured out that we were just two ladies that were there as a speaker. I thought about it after that and thought if we ladies don’t know what we were doing or were shy to come out and display our craft. So I randomly tweeted if the ladies would be interested in a ladies-exclusive community and the response was inspiring and that was it, LadiesInFlutter was born. It’s a safe space where we can be free to express ourselves and help each other grow and the responses so far have been impressive I must say.

What are some of the challenges you faced while running the NGO?

One thing about humans is that in as much as we love free things we sometimes don’t commit to these free things. I am a community lead of CodeClan Nigeria with over 3,000 participants and last year we had several bootcamps which I spearheaded all were successful but one thing I noticed was that a lot of people started and then fall off because there isn’t any money commitment and with so much number of people and fewer volunteers to keep track of the mentees. And currently, I’m a mentor to one bootcamp that’s ongoing, so I have mentees, luckily these mentees are few so it’s easy to have them in check and to make sure that everybody is on their feet and they are doing what they are supposed to be doing. But with large numbers in ladiesInFlutter, it’s difficult to get everyone together at the same time. So usually we have our classes on Fridays, and even with the reminder it’s still difficult to get people together at that particular time. However, the turnout is mostly good and the fact is that people are really gaining a lot from it.

How do you finance your NGO and what are the financial challenges?

In March we had a program that we needed to sort out gifts like airtime, a router for people that won a few games and I financed it and yeah there was someone that also supported us with cash. But mostly I do the financing from my pocket right now. 

Are you looking to get others to finance your NGO?

Yes, sure.

Fantastic. Aside from this, what other things do you do?

I am a full-time developer so I have a full-time job. 

That’s quite interesting. I’m sure there are a lot of women who want to move into tech as well, how can they be part of your community?

Okay, the name of my community is LadiesInFlutter and it’s basically for ladies that want to go into tech and learn mobile development. We have our Twitter handle as well as our LinkedIn page but our Twitter handle is more active because it all started from Twitter. The Twitter handle is LadiesinFlutter and there is a form that you get to fill and we mail you the community link to join.

Perfect. Do you have any advice for people that are looking to get into tech?

Some people believe tech is a get-rich-quick scheme and that’s the impression they come into tech with. But I think if you don’t have some level of resilience and patience, you will be quick to fall off the grid. There are a lot of people in the tech space doing what you intend to come in and do and even doing it better so there has to be some level of willingness to go the extra mile to stand out from the crowd and to be seen. You must be ready to put in the best of your time, attention, and some extra spice to what you are doing. There’s enough room to shine so don’t be afraid to start, spread your wings and fly as high as you can dream of.

This is amazing. We want to appreciate your time and we don’t take it for granted.  We love what you are doing. Thank you very much, we appreciate it.

Startup Stories

How Ogbonna Is Building SellPass To Empower Nigerians and Africans to Earn Income Online

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Ogbonna_Ohakwe
Tell us about yourself

My name is Ogbonna Ohakwe,I schooled in Nigeria. I had to do everything myself. I came from family of four. I am passionate about technology, building startups, businesses. I love creativity and I love people who try to help the community around them. I like people who try to fight unemployment in Nigeria. They help people earn money either through salary or commission.

Ogbonna_Ohakwe
What are you currently working on?

As it is now, I have couple of things I’m working on and what I intend to do is to use my little startup to empower Nigerians and Africans so that they can earn extra income online and also help their daily activities when it comes to online payments. The name of my company is Bigtink Digital Creation which has other subsidiaries. The one I started before helps Nigerians to buy data online, which is InstantTopUp, I just launched mobile app on playstore and the one I started this year is called SellPass which was launched in January with my team members (Kelvin and Chioma). SellPass is a digital course hosting and an affiliate marketing platform where people in any field can post/host their digital courses to reach more people across the world and we have affiliates who sign up and start selling those products. The next thing I’m working on is a payment system unlike Payday, Opay…. That will help people get a US bank account and help people get a virtual card so that they can be able to pay online anywhere they are in the world. SellPass is progressing, a lot of people earn from it daily by selling products and we pay our affiliates and vendors twice a week.

Fantastic. What motivated you to start SellPass?

The first thing that motivated me is hunger for success. Growing up in a middle class family is not an easy thing. I was already doing something online and I saw that there was a huge problem that people are facing in Nigeria like lack of Jobs and low salary payment. So, I thought of what I could do to help people and for them to earn extra income online. SellPass is not only for Nigerians. The whole world can earn from there and people can bring their products and sell and make money.

Worth reading: How Tobi Is Building CDcare: A Startup That Helps Africans Easily Pay in Bits For Their Needs in a Way That Suits Their Lifestyle.

Another reason for building SellPass is to help people around me and in my community because the government can’t do anything for us. We need to help ourselves and be profitable. I have two teams in SellPass, we discuss about growth and how we can help people.

We have about 7,000 people who has subscribed to SellPass and we’ve been able to help Nigerians and Africans to make money using the digital world.

Ogbonna_Ohakwe
This is incredible. What has worked for you to attract customers and retain customers? What have you done specially to attract people?

The market space is very brutal. If you sleep you will not get a share in the market space. We have lots of competitors both in Nigeria and outside Nigeria. One thing that makes us unique is that we allow Non Nigerians to access our platform. We have two unique selling points, the first thing is accessibility worldwide. SellPass is accessible anywhere you are. We have four payment systems. The second thing is that we pay twice a week. Most of the affiliates in the market system pay once in a week. Most of our affiliates are making close to $600 to $5,000 monthly and it’s still growing. In marketing you need to strategize and be brutal. The market is not stable and what we try to do is to help people make money wherever they are.

Since you launched, what is your revenue like the revenue that you’ve transacted so far?

We started making sales even before launch. Our income kept on growing and we have close to $10,000 to over $50,000 on revenue, product sales and affiliate commission. The revenue kept on growing. We have two platforms one is the digital marketing platform the second one is the course hosting platform. The revenue comes from different angles.

I want you to explain how your platform SellPass works.

How SellPass work is extremely very easy. So far as you can read and understand English language. Very soon SellPass will be translated into many languages because we want to help people around the world to make money.

There are different ways in which SellPass can be used. For example, we have people who have skills, who are experts in their fields, people who have different products that people also need, but they have problem selling it online or getting it in front of people online, that is when SellPass comes in. We have a simple system where such people can follow and get they products listed on SellPass marketplace and our high performing affiliates can help them sell it and they start to make money. While at the other hand, people make money by selling products we have inside our marketplace as affiliate.

SellPass is not totally free; it is a premium platform where you pay an amount of #10,000 yearly to register on the platform to become an affiliate. There is also a course on our platform that helps a beginner that doesn’t know anything about internet marketing or how internet business works. It’s a beginner to pro course that helps those that wants to go into affiliate marketing, internet marketing, Facebook advertising, Instagram advertising. Also, whenyou register on SellPass there is a community on Telegram where you can ask various questions.

SellPass is not a get rich quick scheme, is not a crypto currency investment platform or a trading platform, which means, you can’t register on SellPass and money will start coming to you. You have to sell something (a product) to be able to make money using SellPass.

This is amazing. I want to ask Ogbonna, how do you fund SellPass?

Its personal funding. We are three founders at SellPass, we raised some funds within ourselves to build the platform to this stage and what we are trying to do next to build a platform that will help people make even more money online from the next update and the things we are building on the platform.

Awesome. Where do you see SellPass in the next 5yeas?

Okay, Firstly, i want to raise millionaires in Nigeria and Africa. In the next five years I believe there will be a lot of competition in the market space what I think will help us scale through. We will be able to raise close to 100,000 millionaires across the world. Another new technology will come up that will challenge the market and I believe that SellPass will be able to withstand the challenges.

What is your greatest business achievement that you’ve had till date?

My biggest business achievement so far is my first e-commerce startup. When I launched, I didn’t expect many users to come up. We had about 500-600 users in the first two weeks. I see great potential in the aspect of eCommerce and FinTech. I have spoken to lots of people, organized seminars, gone for seminars to teach people about internet business and how to use it to make money.

Incredible. What are some of the most influential book that you’ve read or podcasts that you’ve listened to?

In my library I have close to 100 books and my favorite is Brian Tracy, everything I’ve learnt about marketing is by Brian Tracy. He is my mentor. I’ve read some books by Brian Tracy like The art of selling, Focus, Vocal Points, Goals, Excuses. I listen to a Podcast daily called Seven Good Minute where I learn about finance, how to make money and a lot of things. I have watched several videos but there is particular one called Impossible is nothing by Obong King, that video is everything.