Natalia's business idea for Sustainably Chic stemmed from her passion for sustainable fashion, which she developed after becoming fatigued with the industry’s wastefulness and unethical practices.

At the time, sustainable fashion was not a popular topic and she felt like no one talked about it.

Motivated by a desire to create an impactful platform and realizing the lack of resources in sustainable fashion, she started her online community to showcase ethical brands, which quickly gained a significant following.

Natalia purchased a domain name and selected Squarespace as her blogging platform, incurring a monthly cost of around $30.

She emphasized the importance of securing her brand by trademarking "Sustainably Chic" and acquiring a business license through legalzoom.com, which together cost about $1,200.

Recognizing the need for high-quality visuals, Natalia invested in a DSLR camera, several lenses, and a tripod, spending under $2,000 on photography equipment.

She leveraged her proficiency in Adobe for content creation. Her focus shifted to branding and achieving a consistent posting schedule, aiming to make sustainable fashion appealing and accessible.

The initial customer acquisition channel was Instagram. Natalia's posts on Instagram attracted tens of thousands of interactions in the first year.

In addition, she focused on organic reach by constantly posting listicle content on her website to improve ranking through SEO. As a result of this effort, Google drove hundreds of people to her lists daily.

Some top keywords her articles rank for include:

• Capsule wardrobe
  
• Worst fast fashion brands
• Production tights which materials

"Expert HR software review platform for informed choices."

Phil Strazzulla, founder of SelectSoftware, came up with the idea for his business after building a personal brand in the HR space through a weekly whiteboard video series. He realized that HR professionals were struggling to choose the right software for their needs, and saw the opportunity to create an online review site, similar to NerdWallet or WireCutter, for HR software. With organic search traffic growing at 30% per month and revenues hitting $1k per month, SelectSoftware has gained traction in the market.

In terms of technology, Phil chose Squarespace for website hosting due to its simplicity, despite its limited flexibility. For business operations, they utilized MixMax for email scheduling, MailChimp for newsletters, and Google Tag Manager for analytics.

Phil's primary channel for acquiring customers is through his weekly short-form videos that he posts, covering topics he finds compelling.

These videos not only captivate his audience but have also opened doors to speaking engagements. These engagements, in turn, have led to opportunities in guest blogging and podcast interviews.

Essentially, his strategy revolves around effectively leveraging one content format, which then naturally expands into multiple platforms due to the high demand for quality content across various publishers.

After handling loads of stress as an SVP of sales, Justin decided to step down from his job and start a consulting business. He started creating digital content from there on, and have been moving forward ever since, releasing courses, building a massive following, and double down on his solopreneurship efforts.

Justin Welsh developed his first flagship course, The LinkedIn Operating System, by focusing on three main hypotheses: pricing, course length, and production value. He set the price at $150, aiming for it to be an impulse buy, and kept the course under two hours to ensure higher completion rates, significantly surpassing the average course completion rate with his at above 45%. Welsh opted for a straightforward, low-production method, recording his content in a single take using Google Slides and Zoom, which allowed him to focus on delivering value rather than aesthetics. This approach reflected a bias toward action and simplicity, making the content accessible and engaging without unnecessary embellishments.

Justin posts 600 times a year on Linkedin, over 500 days in a row on Twitter, and recently shifted to a multi-page website to attract search engine traffic. He takes help of a friend to improve the site's SEO.

The idea for Savvy Nomad started when my co-founder, Jameson, was traveling in Morocco and met a group of Californian surfers who had been living abroad for years but were struggling with the complexities of the U.S. tax system. Jameson, with his background in accounting and experience in tax-free Nevada, saw an opportunity to help expats and digital nomads legally reduce their tax burden.

While I didn’t come up with the original idea, my journey to Savvy Nomad was shaped by my experience founding Taxarity, a startup focused on making taxation transparent and client-friendly through digitalization. My vision was to build a global marketplace where people could compare and seamlessly move between tax regimes with automated paperwork.

Because of my previous experience, I immediately saw the clarity of its value proposition—a service that directly helps nomads establish a legal tax residency in no-income-tax states without unnecessary complexity.

Instead of overcomplicating things, I focused on scaling, refining the offer, and optimizing pricing to create a profitable, sustainable business.

Now, Savvy Nomad generates $30K/month, helping hundreds of expats legally optimize their taxes while embracing location independence.

Failing at Taxarity was one of the best lessons I could have had—because it led me to build something that truly works.

The first step was researching existing solutions, and quickly realized that while there were options for full-time RVers and retirees, there was nothing built specifically for digital nomads and expats. That was our green light—we saw a clear gap in the market.

SavvyNomad started with around $15,000 in initial costs, and honestly, $13,000 of that went straight into legal fees and research. Since we’re dealing with tax residency and compliance, we had to make sure everything was airtight.

From day one, the business model was subscription-based, and it’s still the same today. It just makes sense—tax residency isn’t a one-time thing, so offering an ongoing service was the best way to provide real value while keeping revenue predictable.

We bootstrapped everything using our savings, which gave us full control over decisions without outside pressure. For building the product, we used Bubble for the application and Framer.com for the website, which helped us move fast without needing a full development team.

It took us three months to launch the first version, not because of technical challenges, but because of the crazy amount of legal details we had to sort out. We started with South Dakota, since it was already popular for tax residency, and later expanded to Florida, which offered even more benefits for nomads.

Honestly, it was harder than we expected—not because of the tech, but because of all the little nuances about residency and domicile laws in different states. But looking back, all that work paid off.

Our main growth channels have been SEO and Google Search Ads. These two bring in the majority of our customers, and over time, we’ve refined them to be highly efficient and scalable. We’ve also experimented with other strategies like influencer marketing, video content, and affiliate partnerships, but so far, these only make up a small percentage of new customers compared to search traffic.

One of our most successful strategies has been tapping into an unmet demand. Initially, our core focus was helping nomads establish domicile for tax savings, but we discovered that many Americans abroad needed a reliable U.S. residential address. We created a new landing page, ran targeted Google Search Ads, and it immediately took off. Now, it’s one of our main growth drivers, and we’re spending around $8,000 per month on Google Ads. This worked because we found a high-intent search market where no one else was running ads, allowing us to dominate the space with little competition.

Another major driver of growth has been content. I’ve personally written over 110 articles covering state residency, tax strategies, and U.S. expat taxation. I focused on deeply researching each topic and used LLMs to speed up the process while ensuring the content remained clear, practical, and easy to read. Most tax-related content is full of legal jargon, making it difficult for the average person to understand. Our articles stand out because they are written in a straightforward way, are well-structured with visuals to explain concepts, and go deep into specifics that people actually need.

The biggest lessons from growing the business have been the importance of building scalable acquisition channels early, listening to demand and adjusting accordingly, and understanding that high-quality content can drive long-term growth if done right. Initially, we didn’t plan to offer U.S. residential addresses, but when we saw the demand, we launched fast, and it became a major success. Writing detailed, well-researched content took time, but it has now become a consistent driver of traffic and leads.

Now, with SEO and paid search as our foundation, we’re continuing to scale and grow.

Corporate communication and marketing consultancy for large businesses.

Inspired by a childhood discovery of a second-hand computer and a profound encounter with a community hero in South Africa, Elizabeth Joss-Bethlehem launched WordWorx. Initially earning just R500 per project, she now generates €100k annually by crafting impactful corporate communication and marketing content.

Building the WordWorx product, Elizabeth Joss-Bethlehem focused on strategic content creation combined with an authentic narrative approach. The initial setup required minimal investment—primarily a domain with Weebly and later web hosting and design tools totaling around €100/month. Utilizing AI tools like Otter AI for productivity and transcription, she transcribed meetings and notes efficiently, which was critical to keeping up with client demands. Additionally, tools like Canva and Zoom supported her design and communication needs, enhancing client interactions and stakeholder interviews. The development of her offerings was a hard-won evolution from basic content and SEO services to comprehensive corporate communication solutions. Adapting to new market needs, especially around sustainability and DEI, she pivoted her service focus, which involved embracing challenges of working across different cultures while in Europe. Her journey from initial setup to a robust, €100k annual revenue business showcases a mix of leveraging technology, constant learning, and strategic adaptation.

Networking and Personal Relationships

Elizabeth attributes much of WordWorx's growth to the strong personal relationships she builds with clients. Meeting clients in person, whenever feasible, is a cornerstone of her strategy. This personal connection allows her to understand her clients better and tailor her services specifically to their needs, which in turn leads to long-term business relationships and referrals. The focus on relationship-building over mere sales has proven effective in retaining clients, as it makes Elizabeth a trusted consultant rather than just a service provider.

Why it worked: Clients appreciate the personal touch and the genuine interest Elizabeth shows in their stories and challenges. This approach not only builds trust but also creates loyalty, which is essential for repeat business. For some clients, this may not be as effective, but knowing when to adapt is key.

Digital Presence and Content

Elizabeth maintains a strong digital presence through various platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, TikTok, and especially her business website. She frequently updates the news section with stories appealing to her audience and keeps a portfolio of work that highlights her accomplishments and capabilities. By showcasing her work visually, she gives potential clients concrete evidence of her expertise and success stories.

Why it worked: A well-maintained online presence establishes credibility and keeps WordWorx visible in the eyes of potential clients. Quality content and proof of work build trust and demonstrate capability, which are crucial for attracting new business. Regular updates ensure that her brand remains relevant and top-of-mind for her audience.

Referral and Repeat Business

One of the effective strategies employed by Elizabeth is developing additional products for existing clients, which often results in referrals and repeat business. By creating tailored solutions, she not only expands her offerings but also establishes herself as an innovative, go-to resource for her clients. This approach has led other clients to want similar innovative offerings when they see the value provided to their peers.

Why it worked: Providing tailored solutions demonstrates a deep understanding of the client's business needs and shows willingness to innovate and adapt. It adds value beyond the initial offering, which encourages clients to return for additional services and recommend WordWorx to others.

"Webflow websites for SaaS and mission-driven businesses."

At 30, after a life-changing breakup, Rhami embraced the freedom of travel and self-employment, pivoting from an unfulfilling corporate UX design role to founding Arch Web Design, which grew to build over 200 high-converting SaaS websites and aims for seven-figure revenue by 2025.

Arch Web Design was built with a focus on developing high-quality, conversion-focused websites, specifically using Webflow as the primary development platform. Initially, the founder took on a broad range of projects, but after four years, honed in on crafting Webflow websites for SaaS companies, leveraging his strengths and passion for this niche area. The initial team was expanded by making two strategic hires—a UX designer and a Webflow developer—sourced from personal networks and platforms like Upwork, enabling the transition from freelancer to agency. The process of building the first version of their product was an evolution of discipline and specialization, focusing on what they excelled in and enjoyed, which was crucial for delivering top-notch results. Although not specified, the learning curve and focus shift indicate that the early stages involved overcoming the typical freelancer challenges of sustaining diverse project types and achieving consistent quality.

SEO

Arch Web Design has significantly utilized SEO as a primary channel to bring in clients. By targeting specific keywords relevant to their niche, they create valuable content that ranks well in search engine results. They used tools like SEMRush to identify less competitive keywords with decent search volume, allowing them to craft content that not only attracts visitors but also provides real value.

Why it worked: The SEO strategy has been effective because clients searching for web design services are often high-intent leads. When potential clients find Arch Web Design through organic search, they are more likely to be interested in their services, making it easier to convert them into paying customers. Additionally, the long-term nature of SEO helps in providing a steady flow of leads, acting as a snowball that grows over time.

Upwork (initially)

In the early days, Upwork played a crucial role in getting Arch Web Design its initial batch of clients. The platform allowed them to showcase their skills and connect with businesses in need of web design services.

Why it worked: Upwork was effective at first because it is a marketplace filled with businesses actively looking for freelancers. It provided Arch Web Design with an immediate audience, helping them establish credibility and gather initial reviews and testimonials to use outside the platform. Despite its early success, eventually, Upwork was stopped to avoid being perceived as a commodity.

Paid Advertising

Arch Web Design experimented with paid ads to generate leads, focusing on creating a compelling Video Sales Letter (VSL) that features a solid and authentic offer. Their approach emphasizes genuine messaging rather than aggressive promotional tactics.

Why it worked: Paid advertising can quickly drive targeted traffic if done effectively. Their success with paid ads stems from understanding their audience and delivering a message that resonates, making their offers stand out in a crowded market. The authenticity of the ads likely contributed to higher conversion rates and more qualified leads.

Cold Email Campaigns

The agency also used cold email campaigns to reach potential clients directly. They emphasize the importance of building a list of the right people, using tools like Clay and Apollo for this purpose.

Why it worked: Cold emailing works when you have a clear understanding of your target audience and message. By focusing on reaching out to mission-driven businesses and SaaS companies, Arch Web Design ensures their emails are relevant, increasing the likelihood of engagement and conversion. The directness of email allows for personalized communication, making it an effective tool for initiating relationships with potential clients.

When looking for an idea, I focused on choosing a product that could naturally go viral—something interesting, surprising, or that gets people talking.

The plan was to market it using organic short-form content like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and similar platforms.

My last project, WrumerSound, was an e-commerce brand selling car gadgets. It followed this same idea and was very successful, gaining nearly 200 million views across TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and Facebook Reels over the past year.

Since I’ve worked in e-commerce before, I know how challenging logistics can be. That’s why I’m now more interested in SaaS ideas than in starting another e-commerce business.

A photo of our small team

The first step was to analyze the competition and determine exactly what they offer, what I could replicate, and what I could improve.

I then spent three days creating a proof-of-concept product that could transcribe a call, feed the transcription into ChatGPT, and, of course, handle payment collection. The product is built using NextJS, with Stripe for payments, Speechmatics for transcription, and ChatGPT for generating responses.

During development, I focused on keeping the product minimal, so we could launch as quickly as possible to gather feedback before investing significant time in building complex features.

The next step was to create a landing page. I hired an agency for approximately €1,000 to design and develop a landing page using Webflow.

Once the product was live and ready to accept payments, we created social media accounts and started posting videos. For the most part, we studied our competition and replicated strategies that proved successful for them.

Earlier version of the Webpage:

My image

We focus on what works, primarily by producing more short-form videos across multiple channels. Currently, we consistently produce two videos per day, but we plan to increase this to ten videos per day in the coming months.

I want to emphasize the power of an "intrinsically viral" product paired with organic short-form content. Over time, paid ads have become increasingly expensive, making them extremely challenging to run profitably.

In contrast, organic short-form content can offers similar reach to paid ads while being free. It often converts better, as customers perceive it as more "authentic."

ParakeetAI TikTok Account

Regarding other marketing channels, I’ve posted extensively on Reddit. While it has driven some sales, the overall impact has been limited.

We’ve also experimented with Google Ads, which have shown promising results. This success suggests that SEO could be a valuable long-term strategy. However, since SEO takes time to gain traction and generate significant revenue, we haven’t prioritized it yet.

Additionally, we are exploring various AI tools in the "job-seeking" space to broaden our offerings and increase revenue.

Flight disruption compensation service for non-English speakers.

Olga, a Slovakian first-time entrepreneur, founded Flywize after realizing during her first flight that most travelers are unaware of their compensation rights, costing them €8 billion annually. Leveraging her background in Airport and Aviation Management, she helps secure €20,000 to €30,000 monthly for passengers affected by flight disruptions.

Brian, the founder of PokeNE, parlayed his childhood hustle of flipping collectibles and his passion for Pokémon into a thriving 7-figure TCG business. The pandemic-driven surge in nostalgia led him to identify the market gap for affordable Japanese Pokémon cards, propelling PokeNE to over $3M in revenue by 2023. Brian's strategy combined content-driven marketing and community building, allowing his business to flourish amidst fluctuating demand.

Jake Rowzee, co-founder of Arsenal Health and Fitness, was inspired by his personal health struggles and a revelatory Joe Rogan podcast episode on hormone testing. Today, his company generates around $130k/month, providing a comprehensive health optimization service.

"German conversation classes for building speaking confidence."

Fired from his last job, Rónán moved to Berlin intending never to work a corporate job again. Frustrated by his progress learning German, he launched Deutsch Gym—an online German conversation class—which now generates $5k per month.