Ajay and Vrushank were colleagues at a software firm where they identified a widespread need for reusable UI Kits and Admin Panels for apps and platforms.

Creating a UI for each project was time-consuming and repetitive, so they built a solution.

We were both working at a software company and realized that, while most products required a backend admin panel, there weren't many solutions available. — Ajay Patel.

Ajay and his team always begin with market research. They attend the latest design conferences, engage with the community, and maintain a feedback loop to stay ahead of the curve.

The development process takes an average of 6 to 12 months to build each product, ensuring that design and code quality are maintained. They do not outsource the work to ensure the highest quality standards.

Snapshot of themeselection.com landing page from 2014

ThemeSelection focuses on SEO to maximize organic traffic for our products. They use Semrush and Ubersuggest to determine the keywords and publish helpful, informative blog posts to attract traffic and establish a customer base.

In addition, they publish content on developer and designer-oriented communities and platforms to boost brand recognition.

Finally, they engage communities on Reddit, Facebook, Twitter, Discord, Dribbble, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

embed:tweet

An example of Themeselection active social media engagement

DevSignal started out of necessity. When my co-founder Sergio and I were trying to build our previous startup, we realized how expensive and difficult it was to hire top talent. We both grew up outside the US, so we reached out to our networks back home but soon discovered the challenges of finding and vetting engineers remotely, plus the complexity of managing country-specific compliance and global payroll. We were always engaged in startups communities in LA and realized most founders had the same issue. They were building fast and needed to ship even faster - but constantly struggling to hire strong engineers. Either they couldn’t afford top talent locally, or they’d waste weeks interviewing developers who looked good on paper but couldn’t keep up with startup demands.

We looked at the the other nearshore hiring platforms and realized most of them either threw resumes at you or weren’t built with startups in mind. No one was vetting for real-world problem-solving, speed, or adaptability-the stuff that actually matters in a startup. Or as we put it someone that has drive as big as the chaos of a startup. Not a single one of them had a personal touch, they all seemed transactional.

We built connections in regions we found great talent in, and got creative with our vetting process to allow us to assess technical skills, communication, cultural and startup fit. Once we had a couple of engineers we would trust for our own startup, we began manually matching a few of them with founders we already knew. To show faith in our vetting process we offered to pay for the first week as a trial period. Which is something we take pride in and do till today. That turned into our first few customers. From there, we built out our team and processes to keep the same personal touch at scale.

Compared to past ideas, this one had real pull from the market. Founders were hiring fast, and coming back for more hires. That was the validation. We built the solution we wanted so it felt like we were solving a painful problem, not convincing people to care.

DevSignal’s first product was built through manual effort and hands-on processes rather than a sophisticated digital platform from day one. The founders began by leveraging their personal and professional networks to identify talented engineers in regions where they already had trusted contacts. Instead of relying on automated vetting, they established a manual review process to assess technical skills, communication, and startup fit—focusing on thoroughly understanding each candidate.

In terms of tools, early operations were managed with simple resources like whiteboards to map out pain points and match engineers with startups. The team manually paired vetted engineers with founders they already knew, acting as a high-touch, concierge placement service. They iterated quickly, testing their matching criteria and vetting standards on a small group of candidates before expanding. The initial working version—essentially a high-touch manual process—came together in just a few weeks.

A key challenge was developing a vetting process that reliably identified engineers who could thrive in fast-paced, constantly changing startup environments; this required creativity and close attention to real-world problem-solving abilities, not just resumes. The founders also faced the common surprise that most competing platforms were overly transactional and automated, lacking the personal touch and rigorous vetting needed by startups, which influenced DevSignal’s manual, founder-driven approach.

Most of our early growth came from building real relationships and delivering when it mattered. We took PG’s “do things that don’t scale” to heart. Every founder we worked with had our number. They’d text or call anytime they needed something. We’ve since moved to shared Slack channels, but that same responsiveness still defines us

By staying close to our customers, we kept iterating on the experience until founders genuinely loved the process. That set the stage for our two biggest growth engines—referrals and word of mouth. In tight startup circles, news travels fast, especially when something works

From there, we leaned into it. We launched referral programs for founders, angel investors, and venture studios. We also continued partnering with startup communities and VCs to give their portfolios access to vetted talent.

Once we had our first few wins, we doubled down on helping our customers grow—then asked if they could introduce us to others. One founder led to five. One venture partner led to an entire portfolio. And we partnered with startup communities and VCs to give their portfolios access to vetted talent.

Twitter helped a lot too. Showing up daily, sharing the journey, being transparent—that created trust and opened a ton of doors

We also set aggressive goals. One of them was landing a “whale” every month. Took longer than we thought, but after months of conversations, we signed a deal with one of the biggest AI labs in SF to help them hire 500+ engineers across many tech stacks.

Along the way, we realized some founders needed more than just engineers. They wanted full solutions - teams that could own product delivery end to end. Instead of turning that business down, we partnered with trusted PMs and fractional CTOs to offer full-service development when it made sense. That flexibility let us grow with our customers and capture opportunities others would have passed on and unlock a new customer segment

My advice for founders would be to treat growth like an experiment. You won’t know what works until you try it. The key is to have a bias for action. Test, learn, and double down on what clicks. Your network is one of your most valuable assets. If you don’t have one, start building it now, online or in person. It compounds fast

The idea for Intch came during a time of massive change in the job market. After COVID, WFH untethered people from offices. Many moved to new places or even countries, realizing they didn’t need to live near expensive urban centers just for work. As an expat in the U.S., I felt this shift personally when I was trying to hire people for my projects. It wasn’t easy, and most of the time, I was relying on old classmates or distant connections to find the right people.

My image

At the same time, the job market was undergoing a major transformation. By December 2023, 22 million Americans were already switching to part-time work, the highest mobility levels in two decades. Big companies were making headlines with layoffs, and the old model of endless hiring and company loyalty was fading fast. At the same time, SMBs were feeling the pressure even more. They couldn’t afford to hire large full-time teams, so they started turning to part-time superprofessionals to fill the gaps efficiently.

Seeing these trends, I realized there was a huge opportunity to connect professionals and businesses in a way that fit the new reality of work. That’s how Intch was born. Our platform makes these connections simple, smart, and effective for everyone involved.

My image

We started building Intch by looking at how people network and what they need most from it. Offline networking works because it’s built on trust and fun (think about how every great event has a party!). But online platforms? They often miss the mark when it comes to creating that same vibe of trust and enjoyment. We also found that people network for three main reasons: finding clients, hiring talent, or expanding their circle. Expats stood out as the most active networkers, likely because they need extra support when adapting to new environments. To build trust, we made verification a key feature, requiring users to confirm their identity with small payments. This helped us create a high-quality, trustworthy community.

The first version of Intch was a web platform launched during the pandemic, when people wanted to connect with like-minded peers while staying at home. But as the world moved on, priorities shifted. Networking became more about solving specific problems, like finding the right talent or closing a deal. We realized a mobile app would better fit with users’ busy lives, so we focused on making the platform easy to use and goal-oriented.

Our biggest breakthrough was the matching algorithm. Instead of just helping people find who they already know, we designed it to suggest who they should meet next based on their current goals. It looks at users’ current experience and future interests to make smart, meaningful connections. This approach turned networking into a tool that drives real results, helping people and businesses achieve their goals in today’s fast-changing work environment.

Our growth has been directly tied to strategic part-time hiring and an agile approach when testing hypotheses. When funding became tight, we had to make the most of our limited resources. We shifted to hyper-focused hypothesis testing, making sure we didn’t spend more than 1-2 weeks on validation. This allowed us to quickly abandon low-performing tactics and double down on strategies that showed immediate, tangible results.

Our business stands out because of our hyper-focused approach to growth, driven by strategic part-time hiring and rapid hypothesis testing. When funding was tight, we shifted to validating ideas in 1-2 weeks, quickly abandoning underperforming tactics and doubling down on those with immediate, tangible results. This agile strategy allowed us to optimize resources and achieve 70x growth in just 10 months.

My image

What sets us apart is how we deeply listen to user needs and pivot accordingly. Initially a general networking platform, we noticed users gravitating toward specific goals like hiring and sales. By rapidly testing ad sprints on platforms like Facebook and Instagram, we validated which features users were willing to pay for and focused exclusively on delivering those. This data-driven adaptability made us highly effective at addressing real problems, not just assumptions.

My image

The game-changer was our strategic use of part-time hiring through our own platform. We brought in experts for niche tasks, like B2C Instagram acquisition, instead of relying on generalists, allowing us to scale smarter and faster. By combining the right talent with precise problem-solving, we created a business that’s both lean and impactful, delivering real value where it matters most.

Starting as teenage online marketplace sellers, Pavlos Deloore and Tijl Steeman faced logistical chaos when expanding beyond Belgium and the Netherlands. Realizing the absence of all-in-one solutions, they created Meezy, now earning over $150,000 monthly and helping other sellers conquer European markets.

The founders started by validating the need for their service with outreach to sellers in their network, confirming that many were interested in centralized marketplace management for Europe. After confirming demand, they invested about $20,000 into professional branding with a Belgian agency, establishing the Meezy name, slogan, and all visual assets. To prepare for the build, they mapped out the business structure, necessary roles (sales, account management, digital creatives, integrators), and selected specific partners and software for cross-marketplace data synchronization, initially costing $1,500/month for up to five sales channels and 15,000 SKUs. The upfront build costs totaled around $70,000, funded by the founders' savings, previous e-commerce profits, and a private investor loan. The process from concept to first working version spanned several months leading up to autumn 2022, with key challenges including identifying scalable software solutions for unlimited channels/SKUs and assembling a multidisciplinary team able to handle the complexity of multiple European marketplaces.

Email Outreach
They scraped Amazon seller information and ran targeted cold email campaigns in Belgium and the Netherlands, resulting in a high response rate and their first customer deals within two weeks of launch.
Why it worked: Personalization and targeting of marketplace sellers generated qualified B2B leads efficiently and at scale.

LinkedIn Direct Outreach
Targeted LinkedIn messages were sent to marketing managers and decision-makers at relevant brands, complementing their email strategy.
Why it worked: Direct engagement on a professional platform reached key stakeholders, making outreach feel more personal and relevant to recipients.

SEO
The marketing team optimized the website with keyword research and SEO-friendly content focused on both short and long-tail terms, ensuring Meezy ranked for high-intent queries from European DTC brands.
Why it worked: Ranking for targeted search terms brought in steady organic leads from brands actively seeking marketplace expansion help.

Meta Ads & Social Content
They leveraged Meta Ads (Instagram and Facebook) to build funnels and retarget visitors, alongside regular posting of original content and success stories to foster brand presence.
Why it worked: Paid and organic social media built awareness rapidly, while retargeting converted interested prospects previously exposed to Meezy’s brand.

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.

While working in strategy and finance for major e-commerce companies, Elena Volkova realized her outfit choices impacted her confidence and success. Frustrated by the lack of effective personal styling solutions, she launched Style DNA, now boasting 300K active users and $3 million in annual revenue.

The founders began Style DNA by conducting hundreds of hours of user research and in-depth interviews to define the core problems and needs for their target audience. For the MVP, they teamed up with an image consultant to label several million datasets, which were used to train the AI Styling Assistant—a proprietary digital product that powers selfie-based color analysis and personalized outfit recommendations. The initial product focused on features not widely available in other styling apps, such as automated appearance analysis and an internal shopping marketplace. Key tech components included custom AI development, large-scale data annotation, and integration of mobile app features, though the precise tech stack is not specified. Iterative testing and feedback loops were crucial, as the team frequently revised the design and user experience based on user results; building the dataset and AI model required substantial effort and was a notable challenge during this phase.

Paid Social Media The team invested heavily in visually rich paid ads on platforms like Instagram, focusing on content that demonstrated their unique color analysis feature. Short-form video content, like Instagram reels analyzing celebrity outfits, generated viral traction (e.g., one Zendaya reel reached 3.5 million views and 166k likes). Why it worked: Sharing visually compelling, timely content resonated with fashion-interested audiences and motivated them to try the app’s styling analysis for themselves.

Organic Social Media (Instagram/TikTok) Style DNA rapidly grew its audience through viral posts capitalizing on trending events, such as their Met Gala outfit analyses, which attracted broad attention and sparked large waves of sign-ups. Their approach emphasized fast, relevant responses to cultural moments paired with educational or interactive style content. Why it worked: Leveraging real-time moments and relatable visuals established Style DNA as a credible, authoritative voice in fashion and encouraged organic, word-of-mouth growth.

Marketplace Partnerships By building a database of over 150 retail partners, Style DNA integrated an internal marketplace, allowing users to directly purchase recommended outfits. This partnership network both increased the perceived value of the app and enabled collaborative promotional efforts. Why it worked: Seamless shopping within the app removed friction and incentivized user action, while co-marketing with retailers boosted reach across different customer bases.

Evgeny Unegovsky, leveraging his extensive background in MarTech and IT, co-founded Subscrible with Igor Diev after noticing his child's frustration with ads in mobile games, leading to their ad-free gaming catalog app that already boasts over 15,000 users.

The development of Subscrible began with creating a landing page that described the concept and offered a subscription option, followed by running Facebook Ads to gauge interest. The high CTR of over 5% and more than 50 user subscriptions indicated a strong market demand. The initial prototype was primarily focused on verifying the possibility of disabling ads in games using a two-step app process: capturing user info and verifying user transfer. The development involved using Flutter and Dart for building natively compiled applications from a single codebase, enabling faster development and cost savings. The process was challenging, especially in convincing stakeholders of the feasibility of the SDK and integrating it with existing systems without the need for game developers to make significant changes.

Networking at Gaming Conferences

Subscrible actively participated in gaming conferences like the Israel Mobile Summit, the Nordic Game Conference, and the WN Conference in Belgrade and Abu Dhabi. These events allowed them to network directly with game developers and explain the benefits of their platform in person. This approach helped establish valuable relationships and increased visibility among potential partners and clients.

Why it worked: Direct interactions at conferences foster trust and provide immediate feedback from industry professionals. By engaging with developers face-to-face, Subscrible could effectively communicate its unique selling proposition and build rapport, which is often more impactful than digital communication alone.

LinkedIn and Webinars

Subscrible utilized LinkedIn for connecting with developers and hosted regular webinars that attracted over 50 participants. These webinars shared insights into monetization and retention strategies without intrusive ads, adding value for developers and building a community around Subscrible.

Why it worked: LinkedIn and webinars are effective for B2B communication, allowing businesses to reach a professional audience with targeted content. Hosting webinars provided an interactive platform to engage developers, showcase expertise, and position Subscrible as thought leaders in the gaming industry.

Partnerships with Game Developers

By creating a mutually beneficial platform, Subscrible spread user acquisition costs across multiple game developers. Developers gained access to an audience that valued their time without intrusive ads, enhancing player engagement and reducing costs.

Why it worked: Partnerships with developers leveraged the shared interests of both parties to create a seamless gaming experience. This collaborative approach not only lowered advertising costs but also increased game engagement, benefiting both developers and gamers financially and experientially.

After moving to the U.S., Taha's father started sewing leather items to make ends meet. In 2017, they opened an Etsy shop selling personalized leather keychains, which quickly grew to a $100k/mo business.

The founders started making personalized leather keychains in a small apartment using basic manual methods—Taha's father hand-cut and sewed leather sourced from Turkey. For increased volume, they partnered with overseas manufacturers to supply finished leather goods, focusing in-house only on personalization (like engraving). Essential equipment for customizing included laser engravers and similar machinery, which Taha, with an engineering background, set up and maintained. The initial prototypes were produced in their home, using the garage for inventory and the living room for order fulfillment; multiple manufacturer samples and customer feedback informed product iterations. They reached a reliable, quality version after a few rounds of sampling and adjustments, with the process from basement startup to market-ready product taking several months, primarily challenged by the difficulty and trial/error of overseas manufacturing.

Marketplaces (Etsy, Amazon) They listed their personalized keychains and gifts on Etsy and Amazon, with nearly 95% of business coming from these platforms (e.g., $446,744 in Amazon sales in one year). Why it worked: Marketplaces provided instant access to a large, gift-seeking customer base, driving high sales with minimal upfront marketing spend.

Pricing Promotions After launching with higher prices and low order volume, they tested a 30% discount, resulting in daily order volume jumping from 2–3 to around 20. Why it worked: Competitive pricing lowered barriers for first-time buyers, increasing both sales and repeat purchases.

Digital Ads (Instagram, YouTube, Google) They spent heavily (e.g., $69,000 on ads in one year) but found customer acquisition cost too high for profitability and eventually stopped all ad spending. Why it worked/failed: Ads could drive short-term traffic, but high costs erased profit—proving less effective than organic and marketplace-driven sales.

Word of Mouth and Reviews Rapid accumulation of positive customer reviews (over 10,000, averaging 4.9 stars) helped them stand out in the crowded personalized gift market. Why it worked: High ratings and organic referrals built trust with new customers, fueling ongoing organic growth via social proof.

Ronen Lee Wolf, Founder of Senditures, discovered his entrepreneurial path after quitting his job and dropping out of college. Unfulfilled in traditional roles, he mastered eCommerce during his tenure at a beauty company, implementing a multi-channel selling strategy that doubled revenue and ultimately inspired him to launch Senditures, now on track to hit $2 million in 2024.

The founders of Vysn (via Senditures) initially sourced new and used books from garage sales, estate sales, OfferUp, and store closures, manually listing them for sale on Amazon and eBay. Early on, operations were very hands-on, with inventory tracked by spreadsheet—primarily Google Sheets—with no inventory management software or automated backend systems. As they explored scaling, they used specialized software like ZenArbitrage to speed up sourcing for profitable textbook arbitrage. The first working process relied on manual labor: collecting, sorting, and selling physical inventory, iterating their approach as they attempted new revenue models and categories beyond books. It took months of trial and error before discovering the more scalable strategy of multi-channel selling for partner brands, with the biggest challenges being the time expense, organizational chaos, and the unscalable nature of the initial book-focused business.

PR (Press Coverage and TV Appearances) Vysn’s branded products were featured on major TV shows like The Talk and The Kelly Clarkson Show, as well as in high-traffic publications such as the New York Post, Mashable, TMZ, and Boing Boing. These placements resulted in millions of viewers and readers seeing their products, e.g., New York Post (148M/month), Mashable (18M/month), and TMZ (54M/month). Why it worked: Large media spotlights created instant credibility and massive exposure, powering direct customer acquisition with no advertising spend.

Product Sourcing for Marketplace Partnerships They consistently added new, eye-catching products to their catalog, securing placements and deals on exclusive marketplaces and TV shopping platforms like MorningSave. One EMS neck massager rapidly became the top seller, moving 5,000 units in three weeks without promotion by simply getting in front of a gift-shopping audience at the right time. Why it worked: Keeping the product selection fresh and relevant ensured ongoing marketplace demand and repeated impulse sales, maximizing revenue per channel.

Multi-Channel eCommerce Distribution Vysn/Senditures used a distribution model spanning 50+ online sales channels, including less competitive, high-activity marketplaces. This diversified their risk beyond Amazon and attracted ongoing sales with little dependence on ads. Why it worked: Multi-channel selling broadened visibility, captured distinct customer bases, and kept acquisition costs minimal, contributing to rapid, sustainable growth.

While experimenting with "semi-legal" music production software during his business studies, Adrian Wood posted his beats online just for fun. When artists started buying his beats, he revolutionized the beat-selling industry by introducing non-exclusive licenses and PayPal "buy now" buttons, pioneering digital music licensing; in 2024, his company grossed $2.1 million.

Initially, Anno Domini Nation was built with just a $20 SoundClick subscription, where Adrian Wood used HTML to transform his profile into a store with purchase buttons and upgrade options. This DIY approach allowed him to quickly set up a beat licensing business by customizing his artist page. To create the beats, he used digital audio workstations (DAWs) like Magix Music Maker, Reason, and later, FL Studio. The first version of his product required a few hours for basic setup, followed by a week of HTML learning and adjustments, reflecting a rapid and resourceful development process. While the initial website was quick to build, the challenge lay in mastering these tools and platforms to create an effective and appealing business model that stood out in the emerging online beat market.

Email Marketing

Anno Domini Nation has found significant success through building a robust email list. They use various strategies to attract new subscribers, such as offering free tagged mp3 demos and free artist marketing training in exchange for joining their email list. These leads are nurtured through a long-term email sequence that builds trust and ultimately leads to high conversion rates.

Why it worked: The strategy works because it provides real value upfront, attracting pre-qualified leads genuinely interested in the products. A well-maintained email list allows for direct communication with potential customers and supports ongoing engagement, making it easier to pitch new offers and products.

Facebook Ads

The business has effectively utilized Facebook Ads to attract new leads and drive sales, noting a strong return on investment in their campaigns. Despite challenges such as changes in Apple's privacy settings, the introduction of new Campaign+ settings has reinvigorated their advertising success on the platform.

Why it worked: Facebook Ads work well for Anno Domini Nation due to the precise targeting options available, allowing them to reach their specific audience effectively. The platform enables them to showcase their offerings directly to musicians and artists, generating interest and sales.

YouTube and Social Media Channels

Anno Domini Nation also leverages YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram for traffic and lead generation. They share music content with embedded purchase links that direct users to their platform. Their public Facebook Group further helps in capturing new leads by collecting email addresses upon joining.

Why it worked: Social media platforms provide a massive pool of potential customers. By sharing engaging content, Anno Domini Nation capitalizes on the inherent virality of social media, which helps them reach wider audiences at no extra cost. Interactive posts and videos not only entertain but also draw organic traffic to their site.

SMS and WhatsApp Marketing

The company capitalizes on the high open rates of SMS and WhatsApp messages by collecting phone numbers in exchange for additional incentives like free beats. This method enhances their communication channels beyond email and maintains high engagement with customers.

Why it worked: Text messaging boasts impressive open and response rates, making it an effective tool for direct and immediate communication. By using SMS and WhatsApp, Anno Domini Nation can provide timely updates, promotions, and offers, ensuring that their messages are seen and acted upon promptly by users.

Dima Okhrimchuk, a passionate gamer, saw an opportunity after an MBA at UC Berkeley and co-founding a CS:GO organization in 2020. Pivoting from managing pro gamers, he launched Drope.me, an AI-enabled influencer marketing platform, which has since facilitated over 170 campaigns and paid out $50K to micro-influencers.

The founding team started by building Organization.GG, an MVP that let viewers pay or donate for a chance to play with pro gamers or influencers during live streams on Twitch. They developed the initial product with a small team before securing their first funding, focusing on rapid prototyping and fast validation. After a year, based on user feedback and industry insights, they pivoted to Drope.me—a platform for gaming-focused giveaways and 'Drops' where participants completed tasks for prizes. The first working version was live within roughly six months, evolving from a basic giveaway tool to an automated marketing marketplace. Key challenges included developing reliable automated tracking for Steam wishlists/purchases and in-game actions, integrating unique CTAs, and responding quickly to feedback cycles to improve and adapt the platform for both brands and micro-influencers.

Direct Outreach
The team proactively contacted both gaming companies and micro-influencers using direct messages and email campaigns, often leveraging tools like Reply.io for scale.
Why it worked: This hands-on approach kickstarted both supply and demand, allowing Drope.me to quickly build up use cases and credibility with case studies.

PR and Event Marketing
Drope.me gained visibility by launching on Product Hunt—achieving a Top 3 Product of the Day—and participating in major industry conferences like Gamescom, where they hosted their own mixer event with over 50 attendees.
Why it worked: These efforts tapped into targeted, enthusiast communities with high brand and developer concentration, generating qualified leads and building trust quickly.

Community Initiatives & Giveaways
Initiatives like the Indie Roadshow, which granted $12K+ in free campaign credits to indie developers, and the Drope.me Indie Game Awards brought in hundreds of companies and nearly 900 streamers through low-barrier engagement and rewards.
Why it worked: Allowing developers and streamers to trial the platform directly created product adoption, built word-of-mouth, and converted trial users into paying customers.

Email Marketing & Content
Regular newsletters, platform updates, and targeted onboarding emails kept both brands and creators informed and engaged.
Why it worked: Consistent communication nurtured retention and re-engagement, especially in a two-sided marketplace where ongoing participation is key.

Inspired by a childhood fascination with CMYK printing, Mark ventured into the print-on-demand industry in China after discovering Printful in 2015. Leveraging his software development background, he launched JetPrint, now generating $700,000 monthly and prominently featured on Shopify.

The founders assembled an independent IT team of six members from their existing software development company to create JetPrint’s initial product. They focused on building a Shopify app that would allow e-commerce sellers to customize products, integrate with Shopify stores, and process payments. The most critical technical challenge was developing a mockup generator for users to visualize customized items, which became the core feature. In the early version, many extra functions were achieved through third-party licenses, leading to a basic but functioning platform. It took about 45 days for the team to develop a working app and pass Shopify's app review, with emphasis on compliance, user privacy, and integration stability. Key challenges involved ensuring compatibility across browsers and creating a smooth integration with Shopify's backend, particularly under resource constraints typical for a small, focused tech team.

Shopify App Store Feature Within two months of launch, Shopify approved and prominently featured JetPrint’s app in the Shopify App Store. This visibility quickly led to 1,000 installations within six months, driving initial traction directly from Shopify’s ecosystem. Why it worked: Featuring in the App Store gave JetPrint immediate credibility and access to highly relevant e-commerce store owners looking for print-on-demand solutions.

Forum & Facebook Group Marketing They promoted JetPrint in e-commerce-focused forums and Facebook groups, using posts and videos to showcase their product capabilities and drive traffic to their dashboard. This targeted outreach resulted in consistent, linear user growth and a 30% month-on-month increase in users shortly after launch. Why it worked: Direct engagement in communities where e-commerce sellers gather enabled JetPrint to reach its target users at low cost and build early trust.

Google Ads JetPrint prioritized Google Ads with a focus on high-intent search keywords related to print-on-demand services. They carefully researched and selected keywords, allowing them to attract precisely the right audience of e-commerce sellers. Why it worked: Paid search captured users actively looking for specific solutions, resulting in more qualified leads and increased customer acquisition efficiency.

Former psychologist Bob Cole founded World Wide Stereo in 1979 to simplify home electronics, evolving it into a $56-62M e-commerce and custom installation powerhouse by addressing customers' needs for stress-free, high-quality entertainment environments.

To create the first World Wide Stereo store in 1979, founder Bob Cole did most of the physical work himself, building out a 1,500 sqft retail space from scratch with help from his wife and friends. The process involved hands-on construction, store layout design, and sourcing hi-fi audio products for the initial inventory. At the time, technology was largely analog with a focus on hi-fi audio equipment and installation. The first prototype, essentially the physical store experience and service model, was shaped directly by customer needs and feedback in the early months, requiring quick adaptation but few formal iterations.

Undercapitalization was a significant hurdle, so resources for build-out and product acquisition were stretched. There is no mention of specialized tools, technology stacks, or digital products in the initial phase—success relied on practical construction skills and relationship-building with product suppliers. The store was up and running within a year, which included hiring their first key team member for sales and technical leadership.

Word of Mouth & Customer Referrals Word rapidly spread about World Wide Stereo through satisfied customers, leading to repeat business and referrals in the local community and beyond. They prioritized exceptional service and knowledgeable staff, which led customers to recommend them to others. Why it worked: High-touch, quality service created loyal customers who became brand advocates at minimal marketing cost.

Radio Advertising Early growth was also fueled by humorous, memorable radio ads scheduled during drive time to reach the same audience repeatedly over months. These created a cult following and are still recalled by local customers decades later. Why it worked: Consistency and unique, entertaining ads built strong brand awareness on a limited budget by making advertising stand out from competitors.

Manufacturer and Partner Networks They developed a referral and support network with audio/video manufacturers and media partners, expanding their reach and credibility within the niche. These relationships helped attract enthusiasts and gain industry endorsements. Why it worked: Third-party validation and referral traffic from trusted partners helped build authority and trust with new and returning customers.

E-commerce & Multi-Channel Online Sales In 2008 they launched a transactional website built in-house, which doubled revenue in its first year and led to an average 20% annual growth over the next five years. Later, they sold on Amazon and other third-party sites, increasing sales in those channels and cross-promoting in-store and online options. Why it worked: A strong e-commerce presence allowed them to reach customers far beyond their physical location and adapt quickly to shifting shopping behaviors.

Shelby realized her knack for reselling when she sold a bridesmaid dress on Poshmark and saw its potential. Now, with $4,000/month in revenue, she and her husband manage multi-platform sales and coach others, proving that persistence pays off.

The initial product for Rooted Drawers was selected, prepared, and listed by hand, beginning with items already available at home—such as a bridesmaid dress. Shelby inspected each product in person to ensure suitability for online resale, applying personal standards for quality. As experience grew, sourcing expanded to thrift stores and yard sales to supplement inventory, with some attempts at wholesale that were eventually deprioritized in favor of curated individual selection or bulk purchases through local cleanouts. Tools for the backend included basic digital organization via Google Workspace and Slack, with shipping handled through integrated platform features and tools like Pirate Ship for cost-effective shipment options. The first working version took shape almost immediately, as platforms like Poshmark allowed fast onboarding—listing the first item took only minutes, but growing inventory and refining packaging was a process of continuous iteration. Early challenges included learning the backend business organization, managing physical storage space, and keeping upfront expenses low by reusing packing materials.

Marketplace Cross-Listing
Rooted Drawers leveraged popular platforms like eBay, Poshmark, and Mercari as main sales channels, and regularly cross-listed items to Depop, Etsy, and Kidizen to maximize visibility and tap into different buyer audiences.
Why it worked: Using multiple established marketplaces allowed them to reach large, active pools of buyers without heavy upfront investment in their own website traffic.

Content Marketing (Blogging & SEO)
They created and maintained a blog that shares reselling tips, business advice, and authentic personal stories, helping to organically boost store and site visibility and attract interest from the reselling community.
Why it worked: Valuable, targeted content drew organic traffic from Google and built trust among potential customers seeking genuine guidance and stories.

Customer Experience & Retention
Shelby focused on delivering standout packaging—thank you cards, ribbons, and stickers—and highly responsive customer service to create a memorable buying experience. This effort is reflected in over 99% 5-star ratings and significant repeat business.
Why it worked: Personal touches and consistent communication fostered loyalty, making buyers more likely to return and recommend the store.

Social Media (TikTok & Pinterest)
After initially operating without social media to focus on internal growth, Rooted Drawers began posting regularly on TikTok and Pinterest, sharing behind-the-scenes insights, product features, and tips for fellow resellers.
Why it worked: These visual platforms grow awareness, drive qualified traffic, and allow connection with a broader, engaged audience.

Jeffery M. Goldman, founder of Big Jeff Audio, turned his side hustle of selling eBay items like home security cameras into a $1 million-per-month car audio business after responding to an opportunity email and starting his own e-commerce journey.

The first iteration of Big Jeff Audio started as an eBay and Amazon storefront, with products sourced through close-out purchases and relationships established during the founder's time at Best Connections, an automotive wire distributor. Jeff leveraged eBay and Amazon for sales, using trial and error to list and bundle items; his earliest inventory included car audio components as well as other product categories like home security cameras and adult products. The initial tech stack was basic—plain, templated websites and direct marketplace use—with all website building done solo by the founder, before moving to Shopify once it was available. First product listings were often single items, but he soon innovated by creating bundled listings (e.g., amps with matching speakers), which involved negotiating discounts with brands and solving for compatibility.

The timeline from side hustling to a functioning, profit-generating storefront was about one to two years (roughly 2015–2017). Initial challenges included a limited number of allowed listings on eBay, difficulty building a website before platforms like Shopify matured, skepticism about web store returns, and needing to handle logistics like storage and pallet pickups personally, especially after separating from his day job.

Marketplace Presence (eBay & Amazon) Big Jeff Audio grew initially by selling on eBay and Amazon, capitalizing on in-demand categories and bundling complementary products into combo listings. These channels drove the bulk of retail sales in the early years. Why it worked: Established marketplaces provided ready customer bases, credibility, and the ability to experiment with listings for quick feedback and sales.

Product Bundling & Combo Listings The founder distinguished the business by listing bundles—multiple speakers, subs, or amp/speaker combos matched for compatibility and value—unlike competitors who offered only single-item listings. Why it worked: Bundling made it easier for customers to get complete solutions at a better price, improving conversion rates and differentiating the brand.

Social Media & YouTube Posting frequently across platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and a rapidly growing YouTube channel (growing from 2k to over 18k subscribers in six months) through educational and behind-the-scenes content, giveaways, and live engagement. Why it worked: High posting volume and authentic storytelling increased visibility and loyalty, while giveaways incentivized engagement and subscriptions.

Email & Text Marketing Regular campaigns via Klaviyo targeted existing customers with sales, product releases, and updates, while customer service was centralized through Gorgias for fast responses. Why it worked: These channels kept Big Jeff Audio top-of-mind and encouraged repeat purchases with personalized offers and reliable support.