AI tool turning text instructions into Excel formulas.

David Bressler, the founder of Excelformulabot.com, came up with the idea while on paternity leave. After discovering the power of AI and its potential in Excel formulas, he realized there was a need for an AI-based Excel formula generator. With 1 billion Excel users worldwide, Bressler saw a big enough market and quickly built a barebone application that went viral and gained traction through Reddit, TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter. Since the launch in September 2022, the website has generated over $14K in monthly recurring revenue.

Excelformulabot was developed quickly to capitalize on the growing AI industry, with a minimalistic MVP built using the no-code platform Bubble.io. The initial version had basic functionality: an input field for user instructions, a button for generating formulas, an output field displaying the results, and a copy button. This barebone MVP took just a few weeks to build, reflecting David's urgency to harness the first mover's advantage in the AI space. He faced challenges related to unexpected high API costs due to viral exposure and immediately had to create a business model to manage costs efficiently. Feedback from the Excel subreddit was crucial for iterating on the initial version, which transitioned into a subscription-based platform with paywalls and logins over several months, demonstrating the effectiveness of user feedback in refining product offerings.

Viral Marketing on Social Media

Excelformulabot experienced significant growth through viral marketing, particularly on TikTok, Twitter, Instagram, and Reddit. The platform gained traction when users began sharing it as a "website that feels illegal to know." The ripple effect from influencers and micro-influencers posting about Excelformulabot amplified the brand's reach substantially. The virality continued across different social platforms, leading to widespread recognition and traffic.

Why it worked: Viral marketing tapped into the power of social proof. When influencers shared their experiences, their followers were intrigued and inclined to check out the service themselves. The portrayal of the site as a secretive hack added a compelling element that spurred curiosity and shareability.

Influencer Collaborations

Direct engagement with influencers has been a crucial part of Excelformulabot’s marketing strategy. David Bressler reached out to influencers whose audiences aligned with the product's use case in areas like finance, data, and accounting. Collaborations were either based on free promotions or paid partnerships, typically ranging from $200 to $3K per engagement.

Why it worked: Engaging influencers allowed Excelformulabot to tap into established communities that trusted their recommendations. This strategy effectively positioned the product in front of targeted users who found immediate value in the tool, especially amidst audiences who frequently use Excel.

Organic SEO and Branding

Excelformulabot benefitted from organic search traffic, largely driven by people searching for terms like "Excel formula bot." The brand's presence as both the category creator and the main solution provider resulted in high exposure on search engines. The site also garnered backlinks from reputable sites, enhancing its organic search appeal.

Why it worked: The brand's dominance in its niche and the creation of targeted content helped capture users actively searching for AI solutions for Excel. Having a name that directly matched user intent searches significantly enhanced discoverability and credibility.

Email Marketing and User Engagement

For customer retention and reengagement, Excelformulabot deployed email marketing strategies. Personalized messaging was developed based on user interactions, such as the type of formulas searched and user engagement levels. These tailored emails helped retain paying customers as well as encourage trial users to convert.

Why it worked: Personalized email campaigns aligned closely with user behavior, increasing the relevance and impact of each communication. This approach fostered a sense of connection and ensured users saw continued value in maintaining their subscriptions.

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.

Stripo's founder, Dmytro Kudrenko, a seasoned programmer-turned-entrepreneur, identified a major gap in the email marketing industry when he realized HTML email design required coding skills that marketers usually lack. Launching in 2017, Stripo rapidly grew to one million users worldwide, generating approximately $400,000 in monthly recurring revenue by offering an intuitive, coding-free email template builder with seamless one-click exports to over 80 platforms.

The initial build of Stripo was handled by a small, resource-constrained team, consisting of at least three developers, a QA, a BA, a CEO, and a designer. For the frontend, they used the Angular framework, while the backend was based on a Java microservices architecture, both deployed on Amazon AWS, leveraging the team’s extensive experience with the Java tech stack. The team focused on building an email editor that separated design from data, enabling marketers to easily create and manage professional emails without coding. Early development involved collaborating closely through healthy debates to make user-focused decisions. Reaching a working product took several months of iterative prototyping and testing; after about nine months, the product was stable enough to introduce paid plans. A core challenge was differentiating their editor from existing email service providers by providing unique solutions like modules and seamless integrations with email marketing tools—efforts enabled by prioritizing integration capabilities and direct export functionality.

SEO & Organic Content They produced comprehensive blog articles, eBooks, and educational webinars addressing key email marketing topics and new technologies, which became the main driver of organic traffic and customer acquisition. Their blog served as a resource hub, sharing use cases, expert interviews, and in-depth industry insights. Why it worked: High-value content positioned Stripo as a trusted authority, attracting both individual users and agencies searching for reliable information and tools.

Partnerships & Integrations Stripo invested heavily in direct integrations with over 80 major ESPs and email platforms, making it easier for users to export emails directly to their preferred tools. They also offered a plugin version to embed the editor into other platforms like CRMs. Why it worked: Seamless integrations removed technical barriers, expanded their reach, and made Stripo attractive for large teams and agency workflows.

PR & Industry Thought Leadership Stripo's team engaged in industry interviews, case studies (e.g., FC Chelsea, Forbes), and participated as panelists at relevant events. They shared product improvements and innovations openly within the community. Why it worked: Thought leadership and association with high-profile clients bolstered trust, credibility, and word-of-mouth growth among email marketers.

Product-led Innovations They were early adopters of technologies like AMP for Email and offered interactive content generators, establishing a reputation as an innovator. Key product advancements were communicated through content and community involvement. Why it worked: Introducing new features ahead of competitors attracted forward-thinking customers and kept retention high by continuously providing value.

As an experienced engineer who grew frustrated with the repetitiveness of software development, Miriam started brainstorming ideas for her next venture after leaving her job. She noticed a significant gap in the market: despite the growing demand for software engineers, many people found coding to be a challenging and time-consuming task. This observation sparked the idea of creating a platform that could make building software accessible to everyone, regardless of their technical skills.

Miriam initiated her exploration by joining an incubator program, where she refined her business idea through collaboration and research. She saw the potential of no-code tools during this period, identifying them as a practical solution to the global shortage of software engineers. With a co-founder facing similar challenges in the tech industry, they set out to develop a platform providing ready-to-use building blocks for software creation.

Before fully pursuing the idea, Miriam conducted market research and validated the concept by engaging with potential users and exploring existing no-code tools. Her engineering background helped her analyze the limitations and strengths of such tools. Feedback and insights from early testers guided the refinement of Softr, ensuring it addressed real-world needs while remaining user-friendly and intuitive. This iterative process was essential in overcoming initial challenges and led to the successful development of Softr, a platform that democratizes software building for non-coders.

Softr was built with a focus on simplicity and functionality, using Airtable as the initial backend. Mariam Hakobyan and her team crafted Softr to enable users to build web apps without code by employing a Lego-like approach where complex functionalities are modular building blocks. The development process spanned several months, with the first basic version launched as a website builder. The team faced challenges primarily in ensuring that the platform was intuitive yet powerful enough, which involved iterative feedback from the initial user base and continuous refinement. The product development wasn't without its hurdles, such as addressing skepticism about scalability and usability, but the focus on reducing the learning curve and addressing common developer pain points led to Softr's successful creation.

Community and Word of Mouth

Softr emphasized the power of community engagement and word of mouth to drive its growth. The founders actively participated in no-code and tech communities to share their progress, gather feedback, and iterate on their product. By fostering relationships within these communities, they built trust and generated excitement around Softr. They capitalized on inbound interest from potential users and leveraged existing customer networks to spread the word about their platform.

Why it worked: The no-code community thrives on sharing and collaboration. By immersing themselves in these circles, Softr tapped into a highly engaged audience that appreciated the straightforward approach to building software. The strong word-of-mouth marketing helped expand their reach and attract a mix of individual creators and business users who were excited about the possibilities Softr offered.

Product-Led Growth and Intuitive User Experience

Softr's growth is largely attributed to a focus on product-led growth, prioritizing an intuitive user experience that enables even non-technical users to build web applications quickly. By designing a platform that minimizes the learning curve, they encouraged more users to experiment and create, thereby expanding their user base organically.

Why it worked: An easy-to-use product lowers the barrier to entry for a greater number of users, driving adoption and retention. Softr's approach to product development reflects a clear understanding of user needs, making it simpler for individuals and businesses to see immediate results. This ease of use naturally encourages users to become advocates for the product, contributing to its growth.

Product Hunt Launches

Softr leveraged Product Hunt for several significant product launches. These launches helped generate substantial initial traction by reaching tech enthusiasts and early adopters interested in no-code solutions. Winning accolades on Product Hunt, such as becoming the number one of the month and even of the year, provided further validation and exposure.

Why it worked: Product Hunt is a platform known for its active community of tech enthusiasts who are eager to discover new and innovative products. Softr's successful launches on Product Hunt tapped into this audience, providing a boost in visibility and credibility. The recognition helped Softr capture the attention of potential users who value simplicity and innovation in software development.

Built-in Virality Through Free Plan and Branding

Softr offered a free version of their product with limited functionality, which still provided substantial value to users by allowing them to connect a custom domain. This approach not only attracted a wide range of users but also integrated a "Made with Softr" badge on free builds, creating a built-in virality loop as users shared their creations online, showcasing Softr's capabilities.

Why it worked: By offering a valuable free option, Softr removed initial cost barriers, encouraging widespread usage and experimentation. The branding element of the "Made with Softr" badge served as a subtle but effective marketing tool. As users shared their projects publicly, the badge acted as a silent promoter, helping to spread Softr's reputation and attract additional users seeking similar solutions.

AJ got the idea for Carrd out of a desire to branch out from his routine work of designing and coding website templates. This routine work had become too easy and almost monotonous, prompting him to seek a new challenge that would leverage his extensive skills in a fresh way.

He realized that while he was looking for something different to do, he still wanted to stay close to his core expertise in web design and development. He wanted to build for a simple idea that could serve a broad audience.

This drive to innovate within his domain, coupled with his recognition of users' desires for simplicity and efficiency in web building tools, spurred him to develop Carrd.

Here's how AJ likely approached building Carrd:

Static Site Generation: Carrd operates fundamentally as a static site generator, meaning that it creates websites by assembling static content files without server-side processing at the time of page loading.

Front-End Development: For the front-end, AJ used a mix of vanilla JavaScript and jQuery, which is indicative of his preference for a more hands-on approach to coding and a desire to avoid heavy frameworks that may introduce unnecessary complexity. Vanilla JavaScript and jQuery provide a solid foundation for creating interactive web elements and handling AJAX requests without the overhead of larger frameworks.

Responsive Design: Given AJ's history with HTML5 UP and responsive templates, he used responsive design principles to ensure Carrd sites would work across various devices and screen sizes. This would involve CSS media queries and potentially a framework like Bootstrap, or his own custom responsive design code.

Back-End and Infrastructure: he used a combination of server-side scripting (like Node.js, which complements his JavaScript expertise) and a lightweight database system (like MongoDB or even a relational database such as PostgreSQL or MySQL) for handling user accounts and site data.

AJ's approach to building Carrd underscores his ability to balance technical expertise with a practical, product-focused mindset, building iteratively, and responding to user feedback.

Twitter Launch

AJ began by announcing Carrd to his existing followers on Twitter, where he had built a substantial audience through his previous projects, HTML5 UP and Pixelarity. His followers were already familiar with his work and trusted his expertise in web design, making them a primed audience for Carrd.

This initial announcement helped generate immediate interest and sign-ups from his existing network, showcasing the importance of building and engaging with a dedicated follower base over time.

Product Hunt Launch

The real breakthrough in customer acquisition came from Carrd's launch on Product Hunt. Despite an early, unintended posting by a follower when Carrd was still in a "coming soon" state, AJ managed to officially launch it on the platform shortly after its public release.

This launch was meticulously planned to capitalize on Product Hunt's vast community of tech enthusiasts, early adopters, and influencers. The visibility from being featured on Product Hunt led to a significant surge in user sign-ups, site creations, and even Pro plan upgrades, far exceeding the traction generated from the Twitter announcement alone.

Even now, AJ’s recipe for awareness and distribution is very organic and very product-led. He hasn’t really done any marketing, relying instead on word of mouth and low-key viral elements within the experience like the branded URL and a “Made with Carrd” link that appears in each free website footer.

Before starting AutoMemes.ai, I was freelancing on Fiverr, creating custom video memes for brands and creators. While the work was fun, it was also repetitive and time-consuming—every meme meant searching for content, writing clever captions, and manually editing everything in CapCut. Around early 2025, AI tools were exploding in popularity. I saw people using AI to write articles, code apps, and even compose music. That’s when it hit me: "If AI can do all that, why not memes too?" That question turned into an obsession—and eventually, a product.

At first, I quietly automated part of the process and kept selling memes on Fiverr. Clients loved the results and kept coming back. That gave me the confidence to go all in.

I didn’t know how to code, so I used ChatGPT to learn and build the first version. The early users were actually my old Fiverr clients—and they’re still using the product today. That’s how I knew this wasn’t just a fun idea, it was a real business.

Unlike other projects I had started, this one solved a real pain I had personally experienced. That made all the difference.

Fiverr Order Confirmation

Max Ibarra created the first version of AutoMemes.ai without prior coding experience by learning as he went, using ChatGPT as his primary guide and support. He built the product as a web app and leveraged no-code/low-code tools and AI APIs, likely with platforms such as Vercel for hosting and Next.js or a similar modern JavaScript framework for development (as is common among indie developers in 2025, though exact tech stack details were not specified in the sources). Early on, he partially automated the meme-making process while still delivering orders manually on Fiverr—iterating on the workflow based on direct client feedback. The first prototype focused on automating the slowest parts of meme creation: sourcing video clips, generating captions, and editing them together into viral meme formats. Max reached a working version within weeks, thanks to rapid prototyping and testing real-world output with his existing Fiverr clients. The main challenges included learning to code from scratch, troubleshooting integration issues with various APIs, and refining the AI’s ability to create genuinely funny and engaging video memes.

Growing AutoMemes.ai has been all about experimentation. Besides building in public on Twitter, I’ve tried multiple strategies across content, SEO, and creator partnerships.

Every day, I publish new meme templates on TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and on my website, both to attract organic traffic and showcase what the tool can do. I also run niche TikTok meme accounts where every meme includes a visible watermark from AutoMemes.ai—this drives curiosity and clicks from people who want to know how the memes were made.

I offer all green screen templates for free as a lead magnet. These are especially useful for content creators looking for easy hooks. I also engage in Reddit communities where creators share meme ideas and resources. Giving value in those spaces has helped build trust.

100+ free green screen meme templates

I experimented with cold outreach on WhatsApp to indie hackers and creators from groups I’m part of—but I learned the hard way that this can backfire. I even got kicked out of a group for coming off too spammy. My advice: don’t cold DM strangers on WhatsApp. Instead, focus on giving value and building relationships.

I also run a newsletter where I share strategies and real-life case studies on how different businesses are growing on social media using meme marketing. It's another way to give value, stay connected with my audience, and keep learning together. It’s early, but the results are promising.

TikTok Growth Analysis @inflow

Right now, I’m testing sponsorships with green screen creators to drive traffic directly from viral content.

In the end, what’s worked best is creating useful, shareable content consistently—and making sure people know where it came from.

Kubernetes made easy - save time, money, and resources using the Syself platform

The idea for Syself came from firsthand experience with the challenges of managing Kubernetes at scale. Before starting Syself, I worked extensively in cloud infrastructure and DevOps, helping companies deploy and maintain Kubernetes clusters. I repeatedly saw teams struggling with complexity, high costs, and the steep learning curve of Kubernetes. Many businesses wanted the power of Kubernetes but lacked the expertise or resources to operate it efficiently. That’s when I realized there was an opportunity: What if Kubernetes could manage itself?

The "aha" moment came when I was helping a company migrate from a managed Kubernetes service to a self-hosted setup on a more cost-effective cloud provider. The migration was technically possible but incredibly tedious—provisioning nodes, configuring networking, ensuring updates wouldn’t break anything. It became clear that automation and simplicity were missing from Kubernetes management, especially for companies that wanted to optimize costs and avoid vendor lock-in.

My image

How We Built the First Version of Syself: Identifying the Core Problem & Market Need: Before writing a single line of code, I spent months talking to DevOps engineers, CTOs, and Kubernetes users to understand their biggest challenges. The common pain points were clear—Kubernetes was too complex, managed services like AWS EKS and GKE were expensive, and self-hosting Kubernetes required too much manual effort. Companies wanted automation, flexibility, and cost savings without vendor lock-in.

That’s when the idea for Syself Autopilot took shape. Our goal was simple: one command to create a production-ready Kubernetes cluster without the hassle of manual setup and management. Instead of competing with managed cloud services, we wanted to provide an open, cost-efficient alternative that worked on any infrastructure—especially on affordable providers like Hetzner.

Building an MVP (Minimum Viable Product): To move quickly, we focused on a single core feature: automated Kubernetes provisioning on Hetzner Cloud. We used Cluster API, an open-source Kubernetes lifecycle management tool, and built a custom controller to handle node provisioning and scaling. Instead of overwhelming users with too many options, we created a simple CLI tool that allowed them to deploy clusters with just one command.

Once we had the prototype, we tested it with real users—DevOps teams, startup founders, and Kubernetes enthusiasts. We collected feedback on usability, performance, and security, and then refined the product with bi-weekly updates. The key was iterating fast—we kept improving the tool based on real-world use cases and fixing pain points that surfaced during testing.

Developer Communities & Forums Syself shared its automation-focused Kubernetes solution in forums like Reddit, relevant Slack groups, and developer communities. These discussions targeted DevOps engineers and startups experiencing similar infrastructure challenges. Why it worked: Direct engagement allowed Syself to build credibility quickly and reach early adopters already interested in cloud automation.

Open-Source Contributions The team contributed improvements to projects like Cluster API and openly shared their own tools, which drew interest from the Kubernetes ecosystem. This approach fostered trust and demonstrated technical capability to the target audience. Why it worked: Open-source participation established Syself as a knowledgeable resource and generated organic word-of-mouth within the infrastructure community.

Technical Content & Case Studies Syself published technical blog posts and case studies that highlighted specific cost savings and simplified operations using their tool, appealing to decision-makers and technical leads. Why it worked: Detailed, educational content helped articulate Syself’s value proposition and provided tangible proof to technical buyers evaluating Kubernetes solutions.

Free Trials & Direct Outreach They offered free trials to DevOps teams and engaged in one-on-one conversations, guiding prospects through evaluating the platform. Why it worked: Personalized support and a hands-on experience addressed concerns directly and converted engaged users into the first paying customers.

I actually did not start with MrScraper at first. I bought it from an Indiehacker named Kai. It happened in 2024 when I had plenty of cash sitting around from my profit from running my technical writing agency, penateam.com, and realized that scaling an agency is a pain in the butt.

I was googling on the internet and got hooked on the idea of flipping businesses instead of starting from scratch. Then, after interviewing many sellers from acquire.com. I decided to acquire MrScraper because it serves a big chunk of the market compared to other businesses I talked to and it was listed only for five figures back then, so I had nothing to lose.

After I acquired it, I realized that it had so much SEO traffic and people signed up, so I knew that people wanted this but could not figure out how to use it. So that is an "aha" moment that demand is there. I just need to make a better product.

Since I already have the first version of the product and an existing customer base, I already have some users to perform A/B test. I used a profit that I got from my agency, penateam.com, to hire a bunch of engineers from Asia to improve the product even more by looking at data from customers daily.

It took about 3 weeks to rebuild and launch our first improved product, and it was more painful than I thought. I need to step away a lot more from my agency and focus more building MrScraper.

At this moment, I realized that building SaaS is harder than building an agency. With an agency, you get guaranteed revenue every time you deliver a service. For SaaS, there is a high chance that no one would use your product even if you put in 100+ hours into it! And you also need to spend a lot of $$ for server, hiring a good team, convincing them to join and stay working with you, and many other headaches. It's completely different than the agency business model, where you can just simply run a business by yourself and stay profitable for as long as you want.

My image

We tried almost every channel possible, including SEO, X, Reddit, Facebook, etc. I even posted a desperate post on Reddit that went viral but was embarrassing, lol. I truly wanted to give up back then due to the high cost of employees and almost minimal revenue. This post made me an additional $500/month.

Then I checked all the data again, and the main revenue drivers were actually SEO and outbound to our ICPs; I understood that I could not serve all customers, so I doubled down on that and neglected all channels.

Andd thenn suddenly an enterprise client submitted an inbound ticket inquiring about a SEVEN FIGURES contract, and my MRR goes BRRRR!

This is also why I wrote this post: to get a high-quality backlink while sharing my journey. Thanks to Pat for this!

We're still pretty small compared to other players, though, and I am still trying to figure out the best and scalable strategy to grow the business, but so far, SEO and outbound are the best revenue drivers for MrScraper.

Digital hub offering software deals and resources for entrepreneurs.

Frustrated by traditional deal platforms taking up to 50% cut without contributing much, 22-year-old Jasper Cyan launched Deal Quokka, a streamlined marketplace offering over 20 million digital resources for entrepreneurs, making $15,000 in sales within the first 36 hours.

The development of Deal Quokka began with Jasper Cyan building a foundational version while managing setbacks with developers at Plasfy. The site was created on WordPress using the Elementor Page Builder, which Jasper favored for its simplicity and visual design capabilities. Over two to three weeks, he dedicated 14-hour workdays to develop a comprehensive platform that initially featured hundreds of digital products and resources he had previously created. To expand the offering, he licensed additional content from other vendors through lump-sum agreements, enabling the platform to provide a wide range of resources without incurring ongoing usage fees. This rigorous self-involved process allowed Jasper to maintain control over the creation and ensure the platform aligned precisely with his vision, although it required intense labor and learning to bring it to life.

Existing Customer Base and Upsell Strategy

Deal Quokka leveraged Jasper Cyan’s existing customer base from his design software company, Plasfy, to grow its audience. By integrating banners in Plasfy, the business was able to guide existing users naturally towards Deal Quokka. This strategy worked because it targeted an audience already familiar with the concept of deals and digital resources, creating a seamless user transition between the two platforms. The approach effectively capitalized on the trust and familiarity that users had developed with Jasper's previous products, thus reducing the acquisition cost and effort.

Why it worked: This strategy resonated due to the synergy between Plasfy and Deal Quokka's offerings and audience. Users who benefited from Plasfy's design tools were likely to find value in the diverse resources Deal Quokka offered, enhancing cross-platform appeal. Additionally, the non-intrusive nature of the upsell banners ensured a customer-friendly experience, thereby maintaining user engagement and interest without being pushy.

Word-of-Mouth and Community Engagement

Deal Quokka cultivated growth through fostering a strong community around its products. Jasper focused on building personal connections with users by infusing his presence throughout the platform, from personalized thank-you notes to direct interaction via Facebook groups. Moreover, the company launched a customer video testimonial campaign, offering cash prizes to participants who shared their experiences.

Why it worked: The personal connection and community-driven approach built a sense of loyalty and trust among users. When customers feel a brand is approachable and genuinely invested in their satisfaction, they're more likely to become repeat buyers and even advocates for the brand. The video testimonials added authenticity and relatability to the marketing, showcasing real user satisfaction that potential customers could trust.

Early Backer Exclusivity

During its launch, Deal Quokka offered a limited-time “Founders Platinum VIP” membership to its existing customer base. This exclusive early access not only provided a sense of urgency and scarcity but also turned early adopters into brand advocates. The cap on available spots, driven by practical limitations associated with licensing agreements, further enhanced the perceived exclusivity.

Why it worked: Exclusivity creates a compelling offer that leverages the psychological triggers of scarcity and urgency. It persuades potential customers to act quickly rather than procrastinate. The success of this initiative was evident in the swift selling out of the initial spots, validating the platform's value proposition and creating a core group of enthusiastic supporters who contributed to ongoing word-of-mouth promotion.

Component library streamlining web developers' landing page creation.

Manu, the founder of Aceternity UI, transformed a hobby of crafting beautiful web components into a booming business after noticing that people preferred ready-to-use code over explanatory blogs. With rapid launches and feedback-driven improvements, his Aceternity UI Pro reached $80k in revenue just two months post-launch, heavily leveraging platforms like Twitter and Product Hunt to build momentum.

The founder created the first version of Aceternity UI by leveraging tools and frameworks he was already familiar with: Next.js for the web app, Tailwind CSS for styling, framer motion for animations, and Vercel for hosting. The initial build focused on a simple website that allowed rapid addition of reusable, visually appealing components, and prioritized offering real, useful examples for free to eliminate friction for developers. Development began with components the founder had previously created for personal and blog projects, which accelerated the prototyping process. The first full working version took just a weekend to build. The most notable challenge was resisting the urge to over-optimize or perfect the code before launch, recognizing that quick iteration with user feedback would be more valuable than internal standards at this stage.

Twitter / X The founder directly promoted Aceternity UI on Twitter, sharing component demos, development updates, and learnings. His authentic and consistent posting quickly grew his Twitter following to 20,000 in four months. Why it worked: Engaging directly with the developer community on Twitter led to personal, viral sharing and built word-of-mouth buzz.

Product Hunt A launch on Product Hunt brought the initial user base and drove early traffic to the site. This exposure helped Aceternity UI quickly find its first customers and sparked valuable product feedback. Why it worked: Product Hunt’s audience is primed for new developer tools and early adopters, providing an immediate credibility boost.

Word of Mouth & Referrals Satisfied customers shared Aceternity UI with colleagues and within tech networks, which led to organic growth and high-trust referrals. Some high-profile mentions included coverage by YouTubers like Fireship. Why it worked: Developers trust peer recommendations for tools they depend on, leading to strong conversion and loyalty.

Kyle Bigley started TxtCart after realizing the untapped potential in SMS marketing during his dropshipping days in college. He launched the AI-powered SMS marketing company in 2019, generating $1M ARR while still bootstrapped, and is on track for $3M ARR by 2026.

The founders started building TxtCart by first assembling a technical team: the non-technical founder connected with a CTO and then a third developer via personal networking. They focused on building an MVP for SMS cart recovery, completing it in approximately four months, including development and Shopify app submission (which itself took 4–6 weeks). Development was lean and budget-conscious, with some creative and UI/UX work handled by freelancers found on platforms like Fiverr (for which they spent around $1,260). The very first version was functional, focusing solely on the core task (SMS cart recovery) and prioritizing working software over polished design. A key challenge was balancing speed of delivery and minimal resources, but being “good enough” proved sufficient for the early stage; the app grew significantly before any major UI update.

Facebook (Meta) Ads TxtCart initially relied on Facebook (Meta) Ads to reach Shopify merchants and ecommerce entrepreneurs, targeting SMBs and dropshippers. This generated awareness and drove installs, leveraging Meta’s targeting and retargeting capabilities. Why it worked: Meta's broad reach and granular targeting enabled cost-effective acquisition of early users, especially newer ecommerce operators.

Shopify App Store Ads They capitalized on the then-new Shopify App Store Ads soon after launch, bidding on high-intent keywords like “SMS.” Early adoption before the channel became crowded made ads very effective, with early clicks costing under $10 (now as high as $75 per click). Why it worked: Being early let them attract users actively seeking SMS solutions, leading to high app listing visibility and strong installs at sustainable costs.

Influencer Marketing & YouTube As ad costs rose, TxtCart increasingly invested in influencer marketing and YouTube sponsorships to reach ecommerce operators through trusted content creators. This shift supplemented direct paid ads and enhanced word of mouth. Why it worked: Social proof and community endorsements carried extra weight for their SMB audience, fueling credibility and organic reach.

PLG, Word of Mouth & Affiliates TxtCart benefited from product-led growth, strong word of mouth within the Shopify ecosystem, and affiliate partnerships. Satisfied clients—especially those seeing measurable ROI—shared results and referred others, while affiliate commissions incentivized promotion. Why it worked: Refer-a-friend and affiliate strategies scale with happy users, compounding growth without proportional marketing spend.

Despite a 2.2 GPA, Jacob Jacquet's resume landed him interviews with top-tier companies like Google and Goldman Sachs. In 2015, he transformed this success into Rezi, an AI-powered resume builder now generating $215K in MRR.

The first iteration of Rezi began as a straightforward Microsoft Word document, accompanied by a user guide for best practices. This MVP was sold at around $9.69, effectively validating the concept with a non-technical approach that could transition into a SaaS model. Between 2015 and 2018, Jacob Jacquet focused on securing financing to hire an agency for developing the inaugural software version. By September 2019, Rezi was launched as a B2C SaaS product. The initial website saved all information locally, lacked authentication, and reflected the simplicity of early-stage software development. This journey was not without challenges, especially in obtaining the necessary resources and finding the right timing for a comprehensive software launch.

SEO

Rezi placed a significant emphasis on SEO to attract new users. They focused on ranking for keywords related to "AI Resume Builder" to drive organic growth and sustained user acquisition. By creating relevant and optimized content, they ensured that potential users searching for resume solutions could easily find them. This strategy effectively increased their visibility online and helped establish them as leaders in the AI resume space.

Why it worked: SEO allows businesses to attract potential customers actively searching for solutions. For Rezi, dominating specific keywords ensured that they reached job seekers looking for effective resume-building tools. The combination of relevant content and keyword optimization resulted in increased traffic and conversions.

Virality and Social Media

Rezi successfully utilized viral marketing strategies through social media platforms. A notable approach was giving away their most expensive subscription for free to force viral reactions. This tactic not only amplified their reach but also led to significant spikes in user sign-ups, as evidenced by their success in October 2023, where they amassed nearly 70,000 new sign-ups in a single day.

Why it worked: Viral marketing leverages social networks to encourage users to share content, creating exponential growth potential. By offering significant value for free, Rezi incentivized users to spread the word, tapping into social media's vast networks for rapid user acquisition.

Strategic Partnerships

Partnerships with platforms like AppSumo and StackCommerce played a crucial role in Rezi's growth. AppSumo facilitated user acquisition during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic, while StackCommerce contributed to revenue-focused growth. These partnerships allowed Rezi to expand their user base and drive revenue through targeted deals and promotions.

Why it worked: Strategic partnerships with platforms that align with a company's target audience can open new channels for growth and user acquisition. For Rezi, these collaborations provided access to a wider audience and created additional revenue streams, complementing their organic growth strategies.

Content and Community Engagement

From the outset, Rezi focused on creating high-quality software while actively engaging with communities and sharing their journey on platforms like Reddit. By posting case studies and engaging with user feedback, they garnered attention and attracted early adopters who resonated with their narrative.

Why it worked: Engaging directly with potential users and communities helps build trust and credibility. By openly sharing their story and iterating based on feedback, Rezi fostered a loyal user base that was instrumental in their organic growth and early traction.

Philipp, a product manager in Switzerland, created SEO Kickstarter as he struggled to get traffic for his shared flat site without using ads. Frustrated by the manual effort of backlink outreach, he automated the process and launched a guide, now boasting $5K MRR.

The initial version of SEO Kickstarter was created through extensive manual SEO research and streamlining of the findings into a digital, user-friendly format. The founder started by analyzing the backlink profiles of startups using Python scripts with Playwright automation — leading to 4000+ lines of code that accelerated domain research to under three minutes per site. After expanding the database to 200 domains, he curated a list of effective, easy-to-get backlinks, verifying each for submission requirements and value, which involved several weeks of manual work (including taking a week off from his main job for uninterrupted focus).

All research was consolidated into a Notion guide, allowing for simple delivery and customer usage, while fulfillment was handled via Notion’s templates. Payment and email workflows were integrated using Stripe and Postmark respectively, and the landing page was built with TailwindUI. The first prototype (the Notion guide) reached working form roughly one month after the start of focused research and iteration. Major challenges included initial discouragement from low beta feedback and overcoming inexperience in copywriting, requiring numerous landing page iterations before reaching final form.

Twitter (now X) The founder consistently posted daily for 1.5 years about his progress, research, and product development, growing his following to 3,000+ prior to launch. The launch tweet alone received over 100,000 views and drove the first 87 sales within one day. Why it worked: Building in public and engaging transparently established trust and a direct audience eager for his solution, resulting in high early conversion.

Affiliate Program He set up a generous 40% revenue-share affiliate program, attracting 3 skilled affiliates—one of whom created a TikTok video (not from the founder) that reached 730,000 views and drove substantial sales. Affiliates now account for about 50% of all sales. Why it worked: Affiliates essentially became an extension of the marketing team, leveraging their own audiences and creativity for product promotion.

Word of Mouth & Testimonials Positive customer results and ongoing support led to organic recommendations, including SEO agencies advising clients to buy the guide. Collecting and prominently displaying testimonials further helped boost conversions. Why it worked: These endorsements increased trust and leveraged satisfied customers to drive new purchases with minimal additional spend.

After leaving his nearly decade-long finance career and spending years contracting at tech companies, the co-founder of My AskAI saw his breakthrough when experimenting with GPT-3 technology. Teaming up with a colleague, they initially created tools like a university personal statement generator and No Code AI Model Builder before pivoting to My AskAI, which now makes $25k/month and handles AI customer support for SaaS businesses.

The initial version of My AskAI was developed using the no-code platform Bubble, which allowed the founders to rapidly prototype and iterate based on user feedback. This approach enabled them to create a functional product within just two weeks, even while one of the co-founders was on vacation in Thailand. Their initial product concept allowed users to upload a file and interact with it using natural language, a feature they tested with 5-10 potential users to ensure usability. Challenges included managing scope and iterating features swiftly, but the no-code setup allowed quick adjustments without heavy resource investment. The v1 development cost was approximately $50 in software fees, showcasing a lean and efficient build process that prioritized user feedback and testing.

SEO

My AskAI has been focusing on search engine optimization (SEO) to drive traffic to their site. They work with an agency to create blog content and build tools that can attract visitors from search engines. This strategic approach aims to capture people who are actively searching for solutions or insights related to AI and customer support.

Why it worked: By positioning themselves as a source of valuable content related to their niche, they can attract their target audience. SEO helps build a sustainable flow of organic traffic that grows over time, leading to consistent customer acquisition.

Social Media (LinkedIn)

The team noticed their best clients often came from LinkedIn. They plan to spend more time there, using social selling tools like Breakcold to build deeper connections and leverage networking opportunities.

Why it worked: LinkedIn is a platform designed for B2B networking and is effective for reaching potential business clients. By engaging thoughtfully and authentically, they can attract high-quality leads who are interested in SaaS solutions.

Product Marketing

My AskAI actively promotes their product through email flows, newsletters, and updates about new features. They ensure their communication channels highlight recent developments and benefits to keep existing and potential customers engaged.

Why it worked: Constant updates and clear communication keep the brand top of mind for their audience. Highlighting the product's evolving features can help convert prospects to paying customers and maintain interest from current users.

Customer Engagement and Feedback

The team places a high priority on engaging with customers and capturing feedback. This approach includes qualifying users, focusing on a specific user subset, and tailoring the product to meet their needs effectively.

Why it worked: By understanding their customers deeply and adapting their product accordingly, they can increase loyalty and reduce churn. This targeted strategy also helps attract long-term users who are more aligned with their product’s offerings.

Andrew and his co-founder James started Artificial Workflow after noticing consultants, like James at EY, were drowning in manual data processing. Initially offering bespoke AI consulting, they pivoted to a SaaS model, now generating $10,000 in monthly recurring revenue, largely from $299/month enterprise clients.

The founders began building EchoBase AI by first identifying the core value: automating the analysis of consultant interview transcripts to produce actionable insights. Initial designs and user journeys were crafted in Figma, leveraging early feedback from ongoing LinkedIn sales calls with consulting firms. For development, they hired a low-cost developer from Fiverr to create the MVP; while functional, this version lacked essential asynchronous processing—meaning only one client could use the platform at a time, leading to significant user friction. The MVP had only email login and basic UI for uploading and analyzing data, but despite technical issues, they managed to onboard 4 to 5 enterprise clients. The entire initial build cycle—from design wireframes to a working MVP—took only a few months, but compromised code quality forced a future rebuild and highlighted the risk of cutting corners on early technical hires.

LinkedIn Cold Outreach
James, the co-founder, led targeted outreach to relevant consultants and firms on LinkedIn, securing weekly sales demos and directly converting enterprise clients, which now account for about 90% of their revenue.
Why it worked: James' industry credibility enabled personalized outreach, fast relationship-building, and quick access to decision-makers.

SEO
They focused on ranking for high-intent keywords with niche tools and informational blog content, attracting nearly 10,000 organic clicks per month. Examples include launching tool pages for "AI Paragraph Generator" and related keywords, alongside instructional and comparison blog posts.
Why it worked: Targeting exact match, solution-focused queries brought in highly qualified, search-driven leads at scale.

Email Marketing
Weekly update emails and targeted re-engagement offers (such as “first month free” to inactive leads) achieved about a 30% conversion rate among reactivated contacts. Email also helped maintain engagement and upsell training or additional seats.
Why it worked: Regular, direct communication kept users informed and provided timely calls-to-action for both new feature adoption and re-engagement.

Referral Program & Networking
They implemented a referral system offering a 40% commission to clients who referred new business, and also attended local industry events to expand reach.
Why it worked: Incentivizing referrals and networking leveraged existing clients and in-person contacts for efficient, trust-based growth.