|
Sexual wellness blog offering tech-savvy toy re...
Sexual wellness blog offering tech-savvy toy reviews.
|
Turning awkward Google searches into a profitab...
Turning awkward Google searches into a profitable blog.
|
$5K
monthly
|
60
days
|
$0.09
per visitor
|
$20
to start
|
95
out of 100
|
Martin Moore, the founder of TechySex, stumbled...
Martin Moore, the founder of TechySex, stumbled upon the idea for his business when he realized there was a lack of information and quality content on sex toys and sexual wellness. After working as a freelance writer in the industry, he decided to create his own blog to provide valuable resources and recommendations. With a focus on SEO and organic traffic, TechySex has become profitable, generating around $5K per month and attracting readers from both the USA and Europe. The future looks promising as Martin plans to expand his team and explore new ways to increase income.
|
Martin opted for WordPress as the Content Manag...
Martin opted for WordPress as the Content Management System (CMS) and Yoast for Search Engine Optimization (SEO) optimization. Since there weren't any appropriate plugins available, most of the website was built from scratch. To gather new topics and ideas for their blog, they relied on Semrush, Google Trends, and Ahrefs. topics and ideas for their blog, they relied on Semrush, Google Trends, and Ahrefs.
|
The majority of Martin's website visitors find ...
The majority of Martin's website visitors find him through organic search engine results. He places great importance on search engine optimization, which is a crucial aspect of his strategy. He ensures that his website contains high-quality content that is written with an in-depth understanding of his subject matter, while still being easy to understand. As a result of his efforts, his website ranks highly for several keywords. Additionally, Martin also uses ads and social media to direct traffic to his website.
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|
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Anonymous chocolate prank gifts for light-heart...
Anonymous chocolate prank gifts for light-hearted fun.
|
Chocolate anatomy for when words fail to convey...
Chocolate anatomy for when words fail to convey your tasteful insults.
|
$125K
monthly
|
—
days
|
—
per visitor
|
—
to start
|
76
out of 100
|
Adam Elliot, founder of Dick At Your Door, came...
Adam Elliot, founder of Dick At Your Door, came up with the idea for his business after a friend found a silicone penis mold at a sex shop. They thought it would be hilarious to send the molds in the mail as pranks to their friends. After putting up a website as a joke, they started receiving inquiries from people who weren't their friends, which led them to realize the potential for a business. Since then, they have grown their e-commerce shop and become professional chocolatiers, experiencing significant success in sales and viral marketing through social media.
|
The founders created the first Dick At Your Doo...
The founders created the first Dick At Your Door product by hand in a garage, melting Hershey’s chocolate and pouring it into a low-cost silicone penis mold found at a sex shop. The early manufacturing process was basic: they used custom stamps for branding, improvised packaging with black boxes and paper mache for protection, and sealed each order using a handheld plastic heat sealer. The initial prototype was rough but functional; quality and appearance were secondary to getting the joke across. It took considerable trial and error to improve the mold quality, chocolate casting, and packaging until the product was both sturdy and presentable. The biggest early challenges included time-consuming manual fulfillment (their first batch of 10 orders took four hours) and difficulty finding reliable, cost-effective packaging suppliers.
|
**Social Media/Memes**
The team relied heavily ...
Social Media/Memes
The team relied heavily on social platforms like Facebook and Instagram, creating shareable meme content and humorous posts that played up the prank aspect of their product. Viral posts and word-of-mouth sharing organically increased engagement and drove much of their early sales volume.
Why it worked: The nature of the product made it highly shareable, and comedy-focused social media content quickly captured attention from those looking for unique gag gifts. Content Marketing
They used a content strategy based on the 80/20 rule: 80% entertaining non-product posts and 20% direct product promotion, which kept their audience engaged without fatigue. Compelling, humorous content fostered a loyal following and ongoing organic reach.
Why it worked: By prioritizing entertainment and not overselling, they built genuine community interest and encouraged repeat organic shares among their niche audience. Email Marketing
The founders emphasized building an email list and used platforms like SendInBlue to inform subscribers of product updates and promotions. This channel provided direct communication and better retention for customers interested in future gags.
Why it worked: Email offered a reliable way to reach core fans outside volatile social platforms, helping to drive return sales and reduce dependence on algorithm-driven reach.
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|
|
Miniature construction supplies for creative mo...
Miniature construction supplies for creative model builders.
|
For when playing God with LEGO wasn't satisfyin...
For when playing God with LEGO wasn't satisfying enough.
|
$20K
monthly
|
—
days
|
—
per visitor
|
—
to start
|
77
out of 100
|
Mat Hofma, a graphic designer, wanted to start ...
Mat Hofma, a graphic designer, wanted to start his own e-commerce shop but didn't know what to sell until he saw a guy making mini cinder blocks on Reddit. He taught himself 3D design and made molds from 3D prints, eventually creating Mini Materials. The business took off with features on Uncrate, The Awesomer, and Laughing Squid, and has since grown to have 45k Instagram followers.
|
To create the initial product, Mat Hofma learne...
To create the initial product, Mat Hofma learned 3D design using SketchUp and designed miniature cinder blocks and pallets. He used 3Dhubs.com to connect with a local 3D printer who produced the first block prototype. The 3D printed block was glued to wood to make a master copy, and from this, a silicon mold was created for casting multiple blocks. Through experimentation, Mat tried various filler materials for the cinder blocks, discovering that pure cement was too fragile; he ultimately developed a proprietary cement blend that closely mimicked the strength and feel of real concrete. The first working batch required hand-sanding to refine the finish. However, after several months, he found the original formulation degraded over time, prompting a significant process overhaul to improve durability. The entire process from idea to the first working mini block prototype took several months, with major learning curves in material science and mold-making along the way.
|
**Social Media (Instagram & Facebook)**
Mini Ma...
Social Media (Instagram & Facebook)
Mini Materials posted daily content on Instagram, showcasing builds, customer creations, and creative short videos styled after fast-cut “tasty” recipes. This consistent posting, plus engaging customers and occasional shoutouts, grew their account to 45,000 followers in two years.
Why it worked: Visually appealing, shareable content and customer builds drove organic reach and community engagement for a highly visual, niche product. Press & Viral Coverage
Shortly after launch, Mini Materials was featured on sites like Uncrate, The Awesomer, and Laughing Squid. Viral videos and unique products led to organic mentions and coverage, spiking visits and interest.
Why it worked: Novelty and visual uniqueness inspired gadget and design blogs to share their story, providing free exposure to highly relevant audiences. Email Capture & Email Marketing
By installing the Spin-a-Sale popup app on Shopify, they increased daily email captures from 3–4 to approximately 50. Newsletters became their largest revenue driver as their list grew.
Why it worked: Building an email list allowed for direct, repeated contact with customers, leading to higher conversion rates and return purchases. Paid Advertising (Google Ads & Sponsored Content)
Mini Materials experimented with Google Ads and editorial ads (e.g., on Uncrate), notably doubling returns within days following a sponsored post before Thanksgiving.
Why it worked: Targeted ads and editorial placements reached large, interested audiences at the peak of holiday shopping season, generating immediate and residual sales.
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|
|
Online store for global Pokemon and TCG cards.
|
Turning your childhood nostalgia into adult-siz...
Turning your childhood nostalgia into adult-size profits.
|
$280K
monthly
|
7
days
|
$14.00
per visitor
|
$499
to start
|
90
out of 100
|
Brian, the founder of PokeNE, parlayed his chil...
Brian, the founder of PokeNE, parlayed his childhood hustle of flipping collectibles and his passion for Pokémon into a thriving 7-figure TCG business. The pandemic-driven surge in nostalgia led him to identify the market gap for affordable Japanese Pokémon cards, propelling PokeNE to over $3M in revenue by 2023. Brian's strategy combined content-driven marketing and community building, allowing his business to flourish amidst fluctuating demand.
|
The first product was sourced by identifying a ...
The first product was sourced by identifying a gap: affordable Japanese Pokémon cards for US customers. The founder began by buying Japanese Charizard promo cards in bulk directly from Japanese eBay sellers—100 cards for $1,200, roughly $12 each including shipping, when US market prices were $25 per card. Testing started on eBay, where the cards sold out rapidly, proving demand and margins (after factoring in eBay's 10% fees). To create an independent online storefront, he built a basic website using Wix, featuring a single landing page with one product, a stock photo, buy button, and brief description. The initial setup took minimal investment—$30/month for Wix, $10 for the domain, and $6/month for a professional email. Logo design was handled using Canva, a free tool. The process from sourcing inventory to a working ecommerce site took a matter of weeks, with no custom development. A primary challenge was ensuring legitimate suppliers and avoiding scams, leading to extensive Instagram outreach and direct vetting of Japanese sellers.
|
**Shortform Video Content (TikTok, Instagram Re...
Shortform Video Content (TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts)
He produced 8–10 pieces of video content daily, often going semi-viral on TikTok, where his straightforward, personal style grew his account to 25,000 followers within weeks. Videos included simple shots of his inventory and blunt, transparent messaging about offers and pricing.
Why it worked: Regular, authentic content built fast trust in a niche with rampant fraud, and shortform video enabled rapid audience growth. Community Building & Transparency
He differentiated his store by regularly showing his face, vlogging behind-the-scenes operations, and sharing transparent business details (including profit margins and sourcing strategies). This included starting a YouTube series called “How to Build a Pokémon Card Business.”
Why it worked: Putting a face to the brand and sharing openly about operations fostered customer loyalty and trust, key in a market rife with scams. Events & Live Streams
By attending conventions and livestreaming on YouTube, he engaged directly with the TCG community, meeting subscribers and other creators. These real-world and digital interactions raised the profile of the business among serious collectors.
Why it worked: Direct interactions reinforced community ties and positioned the business as reputable and approachable. Paid Meta Ads (Facebook, Instagram)
He spent $3,000–$5,000 per month on Meta ads (dependent on season), with the most successful ad campaigns achieving a ROAS of over 1300.
Why it worked: Paid ads amplified reach for an already high-trust brand and capitalized on established demand for trading cards, driving significant site traffic and conversions.
|
|
|
Nationwide RV rental management franchise for e...
Nationwide RV rental management franchise for epic family getaways.
|
Making cramped family vacations feel adventurou...
Making cramped family vacations feel adventurous and profitable.
|
$150K
monthly
|
30
days
|
—
per visitor
|
$25K
to start
|
84
out of 100
|
After surprising his wife with an RV for their ...
After surprising his wife with an RV for their anniversary and realizing she wasn't thrilled, Garr Russell turned a liability into an asset by renting it out. This pivot evolved into Fireside RV Rental, managing over 200 RVs across 24 locations with nearly $2 million in annual revenue.
|
The founders began by developing a “business-in...
The founders began by developing a “business-in-a-box” system, including tools, templates, forms, and coaching for others to launch their own RV management businesses. The first prototype was a set of documented processes, management forms, and branding materials, shared initially with Kim Hill, the first branch operator, after connecting via a Facebook group. Early versions relied heavily on manual systems and founder coaching. Over the next several months, they iterated with feedback from early adopters, eventually building a more robust support and training program known as the Fireside FastTrack Framework, which included recorded videos, guides, and onboarding steps. The development of the F3 training portal took about 4 months, using tools like Clickfunnels for content delivery and email, and cost roughly $20,000 for software, applications, and development time. A key challenge was ensuring the new systems could scale to support multiple franchise partners, requiring extra focus on video training and support infrastructure.
|
**Peer-to-Peer Rental Platforms**
Fireside RV R...
Peer-to-Peer Rental Platforms
Fireside RV Rental leveraged established marketplaces like RVshare and Outdoorsy to list their managed RVs, benefiting from the platforms’ extensive marketing and built-in demand. This approach allowed them to fill bookings for their 100+ RVs and gain credibility quickly.
Why it worked: Partnering with platforms that already attract RV renters ensured a pipeline of ready customers, minimizing acquisition costs at an early stage. Email Marketing
They built an email list of 15,000 past renters and send weekly newsletters with travel ideas and RV tips, driving repeat bookings and direct reservations through their own website.
Why it worked: Regular, valuable communication nurtured long-term relationships, encouraging repeat business and reducing reliance on third-party platforms. Relationship & Community Marketing
Growth came from grassroots outreach: building relationships with other businesses, engaging in Facebook camping groups, and fostering partnerships—often connecting directly with local RV owners and entrepreneurs to expand locations.
Why it worked: Trust-based, local networking enabled quick expansion and helped them access underutilized RV inventory with minimal marketing spend. Event Sponsorships (Select Branches)
Some branches sponsored events like NASCAR races, resulting in increased visibility and local bookings.
Why it worked: Aligning the brand with large, relevant events generated exposure among adventure-seeking and travel-oriented audiences, driving targeted inquiries.
|
|
|
Custom high-quality socks with rapid 7-day deli...
Custom high-quality socks with rapid 7-day delivery.
|
Making socks exciting again by shipping them fa...
Making socks exciting again by shipping them faster than you can lose them.
|
$525K
monthly
|
60
days
|
—
per visitor
|
$25K
to start
|
66
out of 100
|
Samuel Moses, the founder of Sockrates Custom S...
Samuel Moses, the founder of Sockrates Custom Socks, came up with the idea for his business while managing a men's accessory store in Toronto. After realizing the high demand for socks and receiving requests from companies for custom socks, he saw a gap in the market and decided to pivot his business towards producing high-quality custom socks for corporate clients. Today, Sockrates is a global business with thousands of clients worldwide and a reputation for excellence in design and production.
|
The founders began with a digital-to-physical w...
The founders began with a digital-to-physical workflow for custom sock creation, starting with a web form for client designs and requirements. Artwork and logo files are reviewed by an in-house design team, which produces a detailed ‘sock board’ using digital tools; designs are prepared in BMP format and programmed stitch-by-stitch before being sent to their Italian factory. The manufacturing was set up through a close partnership with a family-owned factory in Castel Goffredo, Italy, leveraging local access to high-quality yarns and rapid turnaround logistics. Initial prototypes were created by collaborating directly with the factory, often requiring close attention to details like thread sourcing (using Pantone color books), label paper weight, and packaging. A major early challenge was building up a sample inventory for photography and presentation, as nearly all production shipped directly to clients; this meant early web content featured only a handful of sample socks. The timeline from finalized design to shipment was streamlined to just 7 calendar days, which required iteration and process adjustments, particularly as order volumes scaled from 10–15 per month at launch to hundreds today.
|
**Google Ads**
In the early days, Google Ads ...
Google Ads
In the early days, Google Ads generated the majority of leads by targeting B2B clients searching for custom socks globally. Consistently optimized ad campaigns brought in clients quickly, taking advantage of low competition around 2018.
Why it worked: Paid search put them in front of high-intent buyers, driving immediate and predictable inbound requests. SEO
They invested in continuous SEO, including multiple website redesigns, keyword optimization, and creating process/demo content. As competition increased, this organic strategy supplemented paid ads, resulting in sustained inbound leads, especially after 2 years when the market became more crowded.
Why it worked: SEO positioned them as an authority and captured clients actively seeking quality, custom, quick-turnaround products. Customer referrals & retention
A significant portion of new customers comes from existing client referrals, driven by a focus on exceptional project management and owning any issues that arise. They report that every eight customers refers someone new, with a 65% close rate on those referred leads.
Why it worked: Impressive customer service and simple, all-in pricing built trust and prompted word-of-mouth in B2B circles. Podcasts and Social Proof
The founder appeared on industry podcasts to tell the Sockrates story and emphasized collecting and displaying positive Google reviews and client feedback. These activities increased authority and trust, further fueling inbound leads.
Why it worked: Third-party validation and storytelling enhanced brand credibility and expanded reach among business decision-makers.
|
|
|
Mobility scooter rentals for Los Angeles tourists.
|
Catering to tourists too lazy to walk but adven...
Catering to tourists too lazy to walk but adventurous enough to scooter.
|
$5K
monthly
|
7
days
|
—
per visitor
|
$500
to start
|
90
out of 100
|
While brainstorming with a friend who had just ...
While brainstorming with a friend who had just entered the equipment rental business, Lenny's lightbulb moment arrived: mobility scooters. Intrigued by the unique niche and low competition, he built a website, generated interest quickly, and now, part-time, earns $5K/month.
|
The founder began by building the company's web...
The founder began by building the company's website using the GoDaddy website builder, focusing on a modern design to stand out from local competitors who mostly had outdated websites. To inform the website content, he researched competing scooter rental businesses and added his unique perspective. No physical product was purchased initially; instead, he waited to see if there was demand by tracking inbound calls and inquiries through the site. Only after receiving early interest did he buy a couple of top-of-the-line Pride mobility scooters, paying about $500 each. The entire process of building the website and testing for demand took a few months, and the main challenge was deciding whether to commit to the business before making upfront investments in equipment.
|
**SEO & Google My Business**
The business quick...
SEO & Google My Business
The business quickly ranked on Google after launch thanks to its professional website and an optimized Google My Business page, resulting in customer calls within a few months.
Why it worked: Local competitors had weak online presences, so a better site and good local SEO made the business easy to find for people searching for mobility scooter rentals in the area. Soliciting Reviews
The founder actively encouraged customers to leave reviews on Google, boosting the business’s local search visibility and credibility.
Why it worked: Positive reviews improved search rankings and established trust for new customers seeking reliable rentals. Yelp Listing
A Yelp listing was created to supplement Google presence and attract users searching for mobility solutions on that platform.
Why it worked: Many travelers and tourists look for local services through Yelp, so this helped drive additional leads without significant extra work.
|
|
|
High-power propane torches for grilling enthusi...
High-power propane torches for grilling enthusiasts.
|
Arming BBQ enthusiasts with propane-powered ove...
Arming BBQ enthusiasts with propane-powered overkill.
|
$175K
monthly
|
760
days
|
—
per visitor
|
$500K
to start
|
68
out of 100
|
Bob Healey came up with the idea for the GrillG...
Bob Healey came up with the idea for the GrillGun while cooking steaks on his charcoal grill in cold weather. After realizing the need for a high-power propane torch to easily and safely light charcoal grills, he began developing a prototype and conducting research on manufacturing costs and financing options. He ultimately decided to use crowdfunding to raise the necessary funds and successfully launched the GrillGun in February 2020, generating an average of $2.5 million in annual sales.
|
The founder began by specifying strict design r...
The founder began by specifying strict design requirements for a handheld propane torch that would both light grills rapidly and sear meat, with the look and ergonomics of a firearm. He had no prior experience with 3D parametric CAD software, so he self-taught as he went, modeling the components and then using a 3D printer for the plastic parts and machining or sourcing the metal parts based on custom prints. Over four months, he went through multiple cycles of designing, modeling, printing, assembling, and testing to reach a fully functional prototype by May 2018, having started in January. After developing the initial prototype, the founder built additional versions for user feedback, then spent three more months researching and contacting manufacturers worldwide to determine feasible production sources and costs. A significant challenge was learning new digital design tools from scratch while simultaneously dealing with the complexities of prototyping and sourcing low-volume, high-specification components for a new product category.
|
**Influencer Marketing (YouTube)**
They sent pr...
Influencer Marketing (YouTube)
They sent prototypes to YouTube grilling influencers ahead of their crowdfunding campaign to drive awareness and encourage authentic, demo-driven endorsements. Why it worked: Influencers exposed the unique product to highly targeted, engaged grill and barbecue audiences, generating early buzz and trust that fueled both crowdfunding and direct sales. Crowdfunding (Kickstarter & Indiegogo)
They raised over $560,000 across Kickstarter and Indiegogo, validating demand while building a community of early adopters who amplified word of mouth. Why it worked: Crowdfunding provided both capital and social proof, propelling the business into manufacturing while simultaneously developing its first core customer base. SEO and Direct Online Sales
They optimized their website for search engines and purchased high-intent keywords related to grilling torches and accessories. Most sales (97%) are online, primarily through their website but also on Amazon and select online retailers. Why it worked: Dominating search results for product-relevant queries drove steady organic traffic and captured buyers actively looking for solutions like the GrillGun. Social Media and Paid Ads
They used Facebook, Instagram, Google Shopping, and Google Ads to target grill enthusiasts and gift buyers, supported by ongoing A/B testing to refine messaging and site conversion. Why it worked: These channels efficiently reached their niche target audience of outdoorsmen and chefs, supporting both direct sales and ongoing brand awareness.
|
|
|
Thank-you note writing guide and examples platf...
Thank-you note writing guide and examples platform.
|
Finally proving kindness isn't dead-it's just h...
Finally proving kindness isn't dead-it's just heavily monetized.
|
$8.33K
monthly
|
—
days
|
—
per visitor
|
$10
to start
|
90
out of 100
|
Having learned about blogging back in 2013, Hei...
Having learned about blogging back in 2013, Heidi wanted to enter a niche she could perform well in. Thank you writing was one space she was good at, having written notes since her childhood. Seeing the examples of other such notes and cards on the internet felt way too generic to her, and she knew she could better than them.
|
Heidi Bender built Tons of Thanks from the grou...
Heidi Bender built Tons of Thanks from the ground up by initially setting up a WordPress site with a shared hosting plan costing $3.97 per month. The development process was straightforward, focusing on creating valuable content to help people write better thank-you notes. She engaged in a continuous cycle of content creation, primarily through writing blog posts and optimizing them for search engines using tools like Ahrefs and Google Search Console. The journey was challenging, especially as she navigated the complexities of SEO, faced low traffic in her early days, and worked through several iterations of her content to improve its search rankings. Over time, Heidi’s focus on understanding search intent and long-tail keywords proved pivotal in increasing organic traffic, allowing her site to eventually sustain itself through ad revenue.
|
Discovering AdThrive paying more than AdSense, ...
Discovering AdThrive paying more than AdSense, Heidi wrote blog posts to meet AdThrive's minimum requirements of 100,000 page views a month. Learning Pinterest thereafter helped her site reach 100k page views within a few months! As of now, the key to the success of the site has been understanding search intent and long-tail keywords, and SEO brings 99% of the traffic to Tons of Thanks.
|
|
|
Indoor composting kit for sustainable apartment...
Indoor composting kit for sustainable apartment living.
|
Because there's clearly gold in turning apartme...
Because there's clearly gold in turning apartment trash into treasure.
|
$6.5K
monthly
|
600
days
|
—
per visitor
|
$25K
to start
|
77
out of 100
|
Audrey & Rob Wynkoop came up with the idea for ...
Audrey & Rob Wynkoop came up with the idea for the Worm Bucket Indoor Composting Kit after turning to backyard gardening during the pandemic. Rob experimented with various designs for an indoor worm composter to address the limited space of apartment living. Audrey quit her corporate job, built a website, and launched the vermicomposting kit, which has now generated $6,500 in monthly revenue.
|
Rob began by researching competitor worm compos...
Rob began by researching competitor worm composters, focusing on customer complaints such as weight, fragility, and excess plastic use. He iteratively prototyped bucket-based designs, testing different materials and form factors to solve those pain points while ensuring a sustainable margin. Early prototypes were assembled and tested at home, with dietary and waste-handling considerations for indoor use, particularly regarding smell and size. Packaging was designed to be fully compostable, down to tape and stickers, aligning with their eco-minded audience. The process from idea to the first working batch took several months, with notable challenges around design iteration, sourcing compostable components, and unexpected supply chain issues (e.g., running out of parts when initial demand spiked, and learning to avoid single-source suppliers during global supply instability).
|
**Reddit Viral Posts**
By sharing their story a...
Reddit Viral Posts
By sharing their story and product build process transparently across multiple subreddits, they gained viral attention, which directly resulted in their first 141-unit sales spike after launch (source: initial Reddit post).
Why it worked: Authentic "build in public" storytelling engaged an audience eager to support indie products, providing rapid exposure and validation with minimal ad spend. Google Shopping Ads
Google Shopping has been their most consistent and profitable channel, contributing the majority of predictable sales with over 550 units sold in six months and an average cost per conversion of about $24, leaving roughly $10 profit per unit due to their high 70% gross margin.
Why it worked: Search ads captured motivated buyers actively looking for indoor composting solutions, providing reliable, scalable leads compared to more fickle organic channels. YouTube & Content Marketing
They invested in educational YouTube videos and about 40 high-quality blog posts to fuel SEO, repurposing this content into an onboarding email series and on their site. YouTube emerged as their best-performing organic channel even though it remains time-intensive, and their content helps warm up potential customers to a niche product.
Why it worked: Educational content is crucial for a non-mainstream product, building trust and answering questions that lower buyer hesitation and support conversion from colder traffic. Affiliate & Influencer Outreach
They launched an affiliate program using Shopify Collabs and UpPromote, attracting 29 partners, and sent free kits to smaller influencers. While conversion has been low (rarely more than 5 sales/month), these efforts have generated positive user feedback and a handful of authentic third-party testimonials.
Why it worked: Even modest influencer and affiliate outreach provided valuable feedback and social proof, helping reinforce trust for skeptical buyers in a highly niche category.
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|
|
"Online courses for pregnancy, parenting, and h...
"Online courses for pregnancy, parenting, and home organization."
|
Profiting from parenting advice your own kids i...
Profiting from parenting advice your own kids ignore.
|
$16K
monthly
|
3200
days
|
—
per visitor
|
$0
to start
|
82
out of 100
|
Hilary Erickson, a nurse and mom, started the w...
Hilary Erickson, a nurse and mom, started the website Pulling Curls as a "mommy blog" in 2005 to supplement her family's income. In 2016, she launched the first of her online courses, The Online Prenatal Class for Couples, which has become one of the top-recommended prenatal classes with hundreds of positive reviews. Erickson has self-funded the business and uses targeted SEO and Pinterest to attract customers.
|
Hilary Erickson initially built her first produ...
Hilary Erickson initially built her first product, The Online Prenatal Class for Couples, by converting her in-person prenatal teaching into a digital format. She started with a written book, which was created and delivered through her own website before moving to a course format. The tech stack began simply, leveraging her WordPress site, and later transitioned to Teachable in 2017, followed by Thrivecart Learn in 2022; she also used Thrivecart for transaction processing. The first prototype was a basic ebook, which quickly evolved into a more interactive online course as she recognized the limitations of the book format. The process from idea to the first working version spanned less than a year, as she iterated based on user feedback and her own teaching experience. A key challenge was low initial belief in online classes for pregnancy education, both from peers and potential users, and bootstrapping with zero investment other than her time and self-guided learning from YouTube.
|
**SEO**
Hilary focused on writing articles targ...
SEO
Hilary focused on writing articles targeting specific, high-intent keywords using tools like RANK IQ and Google Search Console to find gaps, consistently producing and updating several articles per week. This strategy drove Pulling Curls to about 200k monthly pageviews, making organic search the largest traffic source.
Why it worked: By solving real search queries for pregnancy, parenting, and home topics—most linked to her courses—she captured readers actively looking for her core expertise. Pinterest
Early growth was fueled by visually engaging, highly shareable posts on Pinterest, a platform well-suited for parenting, organizing, and lifestyle content. Pinterest generated significant traffic spikes beginning in 2014, augmenting her organic channel.
Why it worked: The audience overlap with moms and expectant parents made Pinterest an ideal discovery engine for her content, fostering viral discovery and referral visitors. Segmented Email Newsletter
She implemented highly segmented opt-ins and automated email sequences using Birdsend, matching subscribers to relevant topics such as pregnancy, home organization, or travel. By regularly cleaning her list and focusing on education over hard selling, her email marketing remained effective, even as the subscriber count dropped from 15k to 9k.
Why it worked: Tailored content kept engagement high and delivered targeted offers to subscribers genuinely interested in each segment, supporting course and affiliate sales without fatiguing her audience.
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|
|
Immersive escape room experiences for adventure...
Immersive escape room experiences for adventure seekers.
|
Turning claustrophobia and puzzles into a milli...
Turning claustrophobia and puzzles into a million-dollar business.
|
$1M
monthly
|
365
days
|
$40.00
per visitor
|
$500K
to start
|
38
out of 100
|
Akos Gabossy, the CEO and co-founder of PANIQ R...
Akos Gabossy, the CEO and co-founder of PANIQ ROOM, was inspired to start his own business after visiting Chuck E Cheese's during his year as a foreign exchange student in California. Recognizing the growing popularity of escape rooms in his hometown of Budapest, Gabossy brought the concept to the United States in 2014, aiming to create immersive and interactive rooms that resembled movie sets. Today, PANIQ ROOM has 20 locations and plans to reach 30 locations, generating over $15 million in revenue and attracting more than 400,000 players annually.
|
The initial Paniq Escape Room venue was constru...
The initial Paniq Escape Room venue was constructed in Hollywood over about three months, with the founders originally budgeting $40,000; costs ultimately rose to $100,000 due to unexpected expenses. They designed and built two immersive rooms, the Insane Asylum and the Bunker, aiming to surpass the simple, low-budget escape rooms seen in Budapest by focusing on set quality and player immersion. Much of the build involved physical construction and manual puzzle assembly, with early puzzles less technologically advanced compared to later iterations. Determining the ideal difficulty for puzzles was a challenge, requiring several rounds of adjustments based on hands-on testing. The founders also faced difficulties educating new customers about the escape room concept, as it was unfamiliar in the U.S. market at the time.
|
**Groupon**
Paniq launched a Groupon campaign i...
Groupon
Paniq launched a Groupon campaign immediately after opening, which resulted in hundreds of coupons sold every hour for their first LA location. Why it worked: The deep discounts and visibility brought in large numbers of first-time customers and quickly created local buzz. Google Ads
They have consistently used Google Ads to attract new customers searching for escape room experiences in their area. Why it worked: Paid search directly reached people with high purchase intent, converting them into bookings efficiently. Social Media & Instagram-friendly Design
With social media as a key channel, they invested in “selfie spots” and Instagram-friendly lobbies to encourage organic sharing. Why it worked: Visual, immersive environments spurred customers to post about their experiences, amplifying word of mouth and driving more organic referrals. SEO & Reviews
Paniq prioritized SEO optimization and accumulating positive Google reviews to rank among the most-reviewed escape rooms locally. Why it worked: Appearing in the top reviews and search results established credibility and captured organic traffic from people actively seeking fun group activities.
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AI portrait generator for personal and pet images.
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Turning your pets and selfies into creepy AI-ge...
Turning your pets and selfies into creepy AI-generated portraits.
|
$4.5K
monthly
|
2
days
|
—
per visitor
|
$0
to start
|
85
out of 100
|
Sabatino, a full-stack freelance developer and ...
Sabatino, a full-stack freelance developer and head of development at Craftzing, became interested in the AI revolution happening and trained his first model after playing around with Google Colabs. During a city trip to New York, he and his girlfriend Silke came up with the idea for AI-generated portraits, which led them to launch Imagined with AI. Within 24 hours of launching their MVP, they sold their first AI-generated portraits and have since attracted customers from over 25 countries, generating over 234,000 unique images to date.
|
Imagined with AI began with a minimalist MVP co...
Imagined with AI began with a minimalist MVP consisting of a static HTML page equipped with an upload form and a Stripe payment button. The initial days saw Sabatino and Silke handling order training manually, focusing their efforts more on marketing than product development. They later automated the entire process, enabling scalability and efficiency in delivering AI-generated portraits. The tech stack they utilized included Laravel and Laravel Nova for the backend, providing a robust foundation for building and managing their service. The development of the app was notably rapid, with the first version constructed in a single Saturday morning before being submitted to the App Store. A significant challenge they faced was tuning the styles offered, which required extensive customer feedback to refine their offerings to meet user satisfaction.
|
#### Social Media
Imagined with AI primarily u...
Imagined with AI primarily used social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram to grow their audience. They launched these accounts and began creating content that resonated with users. One of their early successes was a viral Instagram Reel that gathered 30,000 views within a few hours. This showed the potential of engaging visual content. Instagram, in particular, proved effective for reaching pet lovers, as their first viral video was about dogs. Why it worked: TikTok and Instagram are visual platforms, making them ideal for sharing the AI-generated portrait styles offered by Imagined with AI. The engaging nature of short video clips and the popularity of pet content on Instagram helped attract their target audience, encouraging shares and driving organic traffic. Word of Mouth and B2B PartnershipsA significant driver of initial sales was word-of-mouth, stemming from a Facebook post by a founder. This post unexpectedly took off, bringing in their first paying customers. Additionally, Imagined with AI secured a B2B partnership with MakeYour, a company specializing in personalized photo products. This collaboration allowed them to leverage an established marketing machine to expand reach. Why it worked: Personal recommendations and strategic partnerships create trust and amplify reach. The Facebook post tapped into the founder's network, while the B2B partnership gave Imagined with AI access to a larger audience without incurring direct marketing costs. Upselling to Existing CustomersTo retain customers and entice repeat purchases, Imagined with AI employed upselling strategies. They offered existing customers a 50% discount to try new styles, effectively increasing the average customer spend. This was particularly appealing as customers' partners often wanted to try the service as well. Why it worked: This approach capitalizes on existing customer satisfaction and purchasing behavior, encouraging them to explore more options at a reduced cost, which minimizes the barrier to purchase. App Store PresenceLaunching an app and enabling in-app purchases was a strategic move for Imagined with AI. They quickly built and submitted their app to the App Store, and within days, they began registering in-app purchases. This move provided another channel for attracting and retaining customers, especially in a mobile-first world. Why it worked: Having an app makes the service more accessible and integrates seamlessly into users’ digital habits. The convenience of in-app purchases can lead to higher conversion rates and easier customer acquisition by leveraging the trust and reach of the App Store.
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|
|
Cannabis-friendly lodging for safe 420-friendly...
Cannabis-friendly lodging for safe 420-friendly stays.
|
Turning your cannabis habit into lucrative hosp...
Turning your cannabis habit into lucrative hospitality.
|
$18K
monthly
|
90
days
|
—
per visitor
|
$18K
to start
|
69
out of 100
|
Deontae Mack, the founding partner of Vibesbnb,...
Deontae Mack, the founding partner of Vibesbnb, came up with the idea for his cannabis-friendly lodging service after noticing a lack of communication between hosts and guests regarding cannabis consumption on Airbnb. Seeing an opportunity to cater to the growing cannabis tourism market, Mack and his team created Vibesbnb, which has handled over 5,000 reservations and earns $13,000 to $18,000 in monthly booking revenue from its 160 properties.
|
The founders began by designing a two-sided mar...
The founders began by designing a two-sided marketplace, initially called 420bnb, inspired by direct feedback from 1,500 surveyed users who wanted cannabis-friendly lodging and experiences. They quickly realized the technical and operational complexity, leading them to hire a software engineer to support development. Their first prototype focused on building an all-in-one marketplace with core features for listing, booking, and user communication, guided by a product requirements document (PRD). The process included creating dashboards, website designs, progressive web application elements, and workflow diagrams between 2019 and 2021, with significant iteration after realizing early versions lacked scalability and image processing capabilities. Key challenges included meeting higher host expectations set by Airbnb, building channel manager integrations, and providing features for both reliable property management and user experience.
|
**Airbnb Host Meetups & Partnerships**
They att...
Airbnb Host Meetups & Partnerships
They attended local Airbnb Superhost meetups in Miami and Fort Lauderdale to recruit experienced hosts, onboarding 20+ superhosts at a single Hollywood launch event.
Why it worked: Partnering with seasoned hosts established credibility with both supply and demand sides, solving the chicken-and-egg problem common in marketplaces. Education & Referral Programs
Vibesbnb developed a host education program and partnered with Mack University to teach responsible hosting, leveraging a referral system and word of mouth to grow host listings.
Why it worked: Host education and community-building differentiated them from generic listing platforms, driving high engagement and ongoing referrals among the cannabis hospitality niche. Online Advertising & Influencer Content
They promoted listings through Airbnb, created strategic online ads, and used video marketing (e.g., YouTube travel and company ads) plus partnerships with cannabis influencers and brands like Weedsies.
Why it worked: Visual content and social proof resonated with their niche demographic, helping them reach cannabis consumers who were underserved by mainstream lodging sites. Insurance & Platform Integration
Offering integrated liability/property insurance and a streamlined damage claim process attracted hosts, doubling monthly acquisition rates.
Why it worked: Addressing major host concerns about safety and risk enabled Vibesbnb to overcome friction that would otherwise block adoption.
|
|
|
Boxed party game for hilarious personal revelat...
Boxed party game for hilarious personal revelations.
|
Selling awkwardness in a box for corporate bond...
Selling awkwardness in a box for corporate bonding experiences.
|
$2.5K
monthly
|
500
days
|
—
per visitor
|
$12K
to start
|
81
out of 100
|
Dennis Hensley, a former entertainment journali...
Dennis Hensley, a former entertainment journalist, came up with the idea for You Don't Know My Life! while hosting Virtual Game Nights during the pandemic. The game, which combines elements of Cards Against Humanity and personal storytelling, quickly gained popularity and now brings in about $2,500 a month in revenue.
|
After the initial idea was validated through po...
After the initial idea was validated through podcast segments and informal interviews, Dennis Hensley and Jeb Havens began product design soon after their first playtest in early 2018. They sourced an illustrator via Fiverr for custom doodles and handled the rest of the graphic design themselves, collaborating closely on the component visuals. Manufacturing was arranged with Longpack Games, a Chinese company specializing in boxed games; the team received detailed proofs that closely matched the final product, which allowed only minor adjustments before the full print. The timeline from concept to finished, boxed game was approximately eight months, with their first batch of 1,000 units arriving just five days before Christmas 2018—a tight deadline that added urgency but ensured holiday delivery. Challenges included finalizing artwork, securing trademarks, managing international production logistics, and synchronizing delivery and pre-order fulfillment under pressure.
|
**Media Features & Earned Press**
In late 2019,...
Media Features & Earned Press
In late 2019, the team hired a publicist for $1,500/month over three months to land the game in holiday gift guides and press outlets like The New York Times, The Star, and Parade.
Why it worked: These high-profile features instantly raised credibility and visibility, resulting in noticeable surges in sales around publication. Amazon Marketplace
Listing You Don’t Know My Life on Amazon gave the boxed game wide accessibility. They solicited customer reviews to boost product ranking and used the platform’s trusted fulfillment and search tools.
Why it worked: Amazon's reach helped them capture impulse and gift shoppers who might never find their own website, removing friction for buyers. Corporate Partnerships for Virtual Game Nights
During the pandemic, they pivoted to virtual game nights and partnered with agencies like Elevent and Amphy, who connected them to companies seeking remote team-building events.
Why it worked: These platforms provided a steady flow of well-paying corporate clients, scaling up bookings beyond what direct outreach could achieve. Email Newsletter
They maintained a consistent monthly newsletter via Constant Contact, primarily reaching past clients and early supporters.
Why it worked: Even with a modest list, regular updates led to spontaneous rebookings or new business opportunities, such as a TV production deal sparked by a recipient.
|
|
|
Refillable natural deodorant tackling bathroom ...
Refillable natural deodorant tackling bathroom plastic waste.
|
Because the real environmental crisis was deodo...
Because the real environmental crisis was deodorant sticks, apparently.
|
$2.8M
monthly
|
120
days
|
—
per visitor
|
$120K
to start
|
55
out of 100
|
Charlie Bowes-Lyon came up with the idea for Wi...
Charlie Bowes-Lyon came up with the idea for Wild after recognizing the increasing consumer demand for sustainable products. He initially started a side business selling reusable coffee cups and water bottles, which was a success. Inspired by the shift in customer sentiment towards packaging and waste, Charlie and his co-founder decided to tackle bathroom waste by creating a refillable, natural deodorant. With a focus on sustainability and an innovative product, Wild has scaled into a global brand with over a million customers and trading at upwards of £25m ARR.
|
The founders of Wild spent about 12 months deve...
The founders of Wild spent about 12 months developing their first product, a refillable natural deodorant. They went through over 30 product iterations to achieve reliable 24-hour protection and a satisfactory user experience. For the physical design, they collaborated with the industrial design agency Morrama to create an aluminum case meant for long-term use, paired with a refill cartridge made from compostable bamboo pulp packaging. The process involved extensive materials sourcing, prototyping, and manufacturing setup, with particular challenges in finding suitable zero-waste materials that balanced durability and sustainability. Their naivety around creating personal care formulations led to a longer development timeline than anticipated, but partnering with specialists helped them overcome technical and design hurdles in both the deodorant formula and packaging.
|
**Facebook Ads**
Wild relied heavily on Faceboo...
Facebook Ads
Wild relied heavily on Facebook Ads during their early growth, making it their largest acquisition channel. Strong performance on this platform enabled them to achieve significant first-month sales, with £200,000 in sales at launch and over £5 million in the first year.
Why it worked: Facebook’s targeting and reach captured an audience already interested in sustainable alternatives, allowing rapid scaling from zero. Influencer & Community Marketing
Wild built an engaged audience via Facebook groups, online forums, and a VIP Facebook community of 5,000+ early on. They also launched influencer partnerships and campaigns on TikTok, YouTube, Reddit, and more, giving them diversified sources of brand awareness and direct feedback.
Why it worked: Community and influencer channels fostered regular product feedback and brand advocacy, directly informing product development and securing loyal customers. Retail & Amazon Expansion
Wild moved into retail across major UK and European stores and launched on Amazon, with around 20% of sales attributed to retail by 2022. These offline and marketplace channels rapidly increased reach beyond digital-only channels.
Why it worked: Physical retail and Amazon provided access to broad new audiences, reduced risk of channel over-reliance, and helped validate Wild as a mainstream, rather than niche, product.
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|
|
Comedy-infused copywriting for eCommerce and so...
Comedy-infused copywriting for eCommerce and software businesses.
|
Making money from jokes your parents never foun...
Making money from jokes your parents never found funny.
|
$17K
monthly
|
—
days
|
$17.00
per visitor
|
$0
to start
|
90
out of 100
|
Lianna Patch, founder of Punchline Copy, came u...
Lianna Patch, founder of Punchline Copy, came up with the idea for her business while doing stand-up comedy open mics and attending improv and sketch classes in 2015. She was unhappy with her previous copywriting business and found a passion for writing funny copy after joining The Copywriter Mastermind. Through research and client demand, she discovered the benefits of humor in copywriting and started speaking, teaching, and writing funny copy.
|
Lianna Patch created Punchline Conversion Copyw...
Lianna Patch created Punchline Conversion Copywriting as a solo consultancy, initially pivoting away from copy-editing services towards productized copywriting offers focused on humor. The "first product" was not a traditional digital app or physical good, but structured, time-bound service packages like 'Buy My Day' and 'Uppercuts', which clients could clearly understand and purchase. The build process involved rebranding the business, developing clear service descriptions, and setting up an easy ordering workflow via a WordPress website with WooCommerce for payments and scheduling. The initial prototype was likely the early service packages refined through client feedback and personal testing, with tools including WordPress, WooCommerce, QuickBooks Online, Zapier, and ActiveCampaign supporting the backend. The full transition and build-out of productized services unfolded over several months, coinciding with client work, course participation, and rebranding efforts. Key challenges included overcoming burnout, pivoting the business focus, and refining service offers to align with client demand and operational efficiency.
|
**Speaking Engagements & Conferences**
Lianna r...
Speaking Engagements & Conferences
Lianna regularly gave talks—starting with a lightning talk, then a keynote—at industry conferences like Business of Software, showcasing her expertise in humor-based conversion copy.
Why it worked: Speaking directly to audiences of potential clients positioned her as an authority and attracted engaged customers, especially from software and eCommerce verticals. Productized Services & Website Copy
She clearly defined and branded unique service packages (e.g., 'Buy My Day', 'Uppercuts') on her website, making it frictionless for interested clients to understand and purchase offerings.
Why it worked: Productizing services reduced sales friction and enabled easy client onboarding, catering to busy founders who valued clarity and expertise. Word-of-Mouth & Client Referrals
A significant portion of her new clients came from repeat business and recommendations, as she noted many first-time clients returned for additional projects.
Why it worked: The high-touch, specialized nature of her service fostered trust and satisfaction, encouraging referrals and long-term relationships.
|
|
|
Infused honey brand with unique flavors.
|
Because regular honey was clearly too boring fo...
Because regular honey was clearly too boring for humanity.
|
$10K
monthly
|
150
days
|
—
per visitor
|
$50K
to start
|
89
out of 100
|
Tique Chandler, the founder of Chandler Honey, ...
Tique Chandler, the founder of Chandler Honey, came up with the idea for her infused honey brand by leveraging her knowledge of beekeeping and her desire to make honey more exciting. She created interesting flavors and used bright branding to differentiate her product. In under two years, Chandler Honey is now in 150+ stores in Canada and continues to grow.
|
The founder created the initial Chandler Honey ...
The founder created the initial Chandler Honey products by experimenting at home with about 30 different infused honey flavors, using raw organic honey from her family's beekeeping farm. Early batches were tested with friends and family, who helped select a 'core five' flavors to move forward with. For packaging, she sourced standard jars and designed her own labels, but initially struggled with unattractive results. She validated the minimum viable product (MVP) by pitching it to local stores, which agreed to stock it based on product quality despite the basic branding. Realizing labeling and branding needed improvement, she later hired a branding expert and invested in custom-designed labels and higher-end jars. Key tools included Canva for ongoing label design and Shopify for setup, with the first working product ready after several rounds of flavor testing and approximately a few months of DIY label and packaging iteration. One challenge was balancing DIY scrappiness with the need for polished branding, which required bringing in outside help after early attempts fell short.
|
**Instagram & Social Content**
The business b...
Instagram & Social Content
The business built buzz by regularly posting behind-the-scenes content, product photos, and personal updates, particularly sharing the founder's story to connect with followers. Instagram engagement accelerated via pre-launch teasers and consistently showcasing the founder's personality, which drove word-of-mouth and repeat business.
Why it worked: Personal storytelling made the brand relatable and memorable, increasing follower loyalty and engagement. Wholesale & Direct Outreach
Growth accelerated by cold-emailing, cold-calling, and hand-delivering samples to indie retailers and gift boutiques across Canada. Within two years, Chandler Honey secured placement in 150+ stores, primarily through persistent grassroots sales tactics.
Why it worked: Direct outreach allowed the brand to rapidly access shelf space and reach new customers without significant ad spend. Product Photography & Visual Branding
The founder invested in professional photography for website and social content, making the infused honey look appealing to online shoppers—especially important during COVID when sampling was impossible. High-end visuals were key in pre-launch buzz and early e-commerce sales.
Why it worked: Outstanding product images compensated for limited sampling, persuading online customers to try a new brand.
|
|
|
Luxury RV rentals for unforgettable Pacific Nor...
Luxury RV rentals for unforgettable Pacific Northwest adventures.
|
Renting mobile homes for people who prefer thei...
Renting mobile homes for people who prefer their vacations cramped but classy.
|
$250K
monthly
|
30
days
|
—
per visitor
|
$10K
to start
|
77
out of 100
|
John Higgins, the founder of NW Adventure Renta...
John Higgins, the founder of NW Adventure Rentals, came up with the idea for his business during a family vacation when they decided to rent an RV but were met with hidden fees, poor quality, and bad customer service. After having a successful trip in their own purchased travel trailer, John put an ad on Craigslist to rent it out and was overwhelmed with the response, realizing there was a real need for high-quality RV rentals without hidden fees. This led him to start NW Adventure Rentals, which has now grown to three locations, 85+ rental units, and $3 million in annual sales.
|
The founders built the initial product by first...
The founders built the initial product by first purchasing a used travel trailer and listing it for rent on Craigslist, using their own front yard as the business's base of operations. To deliver a better experience than competitors, they focused on thorough cleaning and fully stocking the trailer with necessities like dishes, towels, and bedding—documenting processes and using checklists to ensure quality. Early tools included MS Office and Google Drive for documentation, and a custom-built website for online presence. The prototyping phase consisted of using the first trailer for rentals, learning through direct feedback, and quickly iterating on operations; within a year, they added another RV and adopted a leaseback model with privately owned units. One major challenge was balancing operations from home, including managing increased demand, and finding a suitable commercial property due to zoning and neighborhood concerns.
|
**Word of Mouth & Referrals**
Happy customers...
Word of Mouth & Referrals
Happy customers recommended NW Adventure Rentals to friends, driving demand during the early years and helping build a reputation for quality and service.
Why it worked: Personal referrals and positive experiences built trust and credibility, keeping the marketing budget low initially. Online Ads (Google Ads)
They consistently invested in Google Ads to reach people searching for RV rentals, at one point making up the bulk of their marketing spend.
Why it worked: Paid search captured high-intent customers actively looking to rent, immediately boosting leads and bookings. RV Shows, Fairs, and Events
Attending local recreation shows and fairs, and displaying rental units, attracted both renters and RV owners interested in their leaseback program.
Why it worked: Face-to-face engagement in relevant venues connected directly with targeted audiences, generating interest and leads. SEO & Website Development
Over time, they improved their website, began working on SEO, and used tools like Semrush and Moz to track rankings and optimize pages for better visibility.
Why it worked: Increasing organic search presence drove ongoing traffic and reduced dependence on paid ads, capturing customers at a lower cost.
|
|
|
Handcrafted pierogi for wholesale and retail di...
Handcrafted pierogi for wholesale and retail distribution.
|
Turning grandma's dumplings into a million-doll...
Turning grandma's dumplings into a million-dollar empire.
|
$80K
monthly
|
120
days
|
—
per visitor
|
$3.5K
to start
|
78
out of 100
|
Jaju Pierogi, founded by sisters Casey and Vane...
Jaju Pierogi, founded by sisters Casey and Vanessa White, started as a side project selling pierogi at farmers' markets and pop-up events. With a background in the corporate world and a love for their Polish heritage, they saw a gap in the market for high-quality, handmade pierogi. Fast forward to August 2022, Jaju Pierogi is now in multiple grocery chains and over 650 specialty independent stores, with a monthly revenue of $80,000-$100,000.
|
The initial product was made by adapting their ...
The initial product was made by adapting their grandfather's Polish pierogi recipes, starting with manually scaling down batch sizes and then scaling up as demand grew. Early production took place in a rented deli kitchen on Sundays to minimize overhead, using basic kitchen equipment with the critical addition of a dough sheeter to improve consistency and throughput compared to hand rolling. Packaging was created with the help of a designer friend, featuring hand-cut wrap-around labels on hinge containers for a homemade touch, all applied by hand. The founders spent about $30,000 in the first 18 months on permits, kitchen equipment (notably the dough sheeter), and packaging, with funds mostly reinvested from early farmers' market and event sales. Key challenges included finding affordable kitchen space, achieving consistent dough texture, and managing very manual production processes before gradually investing in better equipment.
|
**Farmers' Markets & Local Events**
Jaju Pier...
Farmers' Markets & Local Events
Jaju Pierogi began by selling at farmers' markets, pop-up events, and festivals, consistently appearing locally from 2016 to 2018. These in-person events let customers sample pierogi, helping them quickly develop a base of strong repeat and word-of-mouth customers.
Why it worked: Sampling created direct connections and allowed the founders to educate and establish trust with consumers in a new market. In-Store Demos and Geographic Targeting
They attended events near stores stocking their products, encouraging event attendees to find Jaju Pierogi in local grocery freezers. This led to increased demand at nearby stores and got the attention of new retailers.
Why it worked: Event-driven foot traffic directly converted into in-store sales, and retailers noticed rising consumer interest, leading to more distribution opportunities. Social Media
The founders maintained active Facebook and Instagram accounts, announcing their event locations and sharing stories about their business and personal connection to pierogi. Regular updates kept their audience engaged and informed about where to buy or try the product.
Why it worked: Personal storytelling and frequent updates kept the brand top-of-mind and made the founders relatable, fostering a loyal community and driving attendance to events and stores.
|
|
|
Post-sex cleanup solutions with humor and pract...
Post-sex cleanup solutions with humor and practicality.
|
Taking cleanup duty where literally no one aske...
Taking cleanup duty where literally no one asked it to go.
|
$120K
monthly
|
365
days
|
—
per visitor
|
$5K
to start
|
86
out of 100
|
Frances, the founder of Awkward Essentials, cam...
Frances, the founder of Awkward Essentials, came up with the idea for her business, specifically the Dripstick product, after experiencing post-sex drip and realizing there were no effective solutions available. While baking and using a spatula, she had the idea for a vaginal spatula to clean up the leftovers, which ultimately led to the creation of the world's first cum sponge. Despite facing challenges and setbacks, Frances persisted and launched her business, gaining attention and orders from around the world.
|
The founder started prototyping by studying why...
The founder started prototyping by studying why current solutions (like tampons, towels, or wipes) didn’t work for absorbing semen and noted that the product needed a sponge with larger pores. She researched medical-grade, vaginal-safe sponge materials, similar to what is used in contraceptive sponges and non-latex condoms, and sourced a medical manufacturing facility capable of small runs. Without much design experience, she drew her idea by hand on paper and sent this sketch to the manufacturer for sampling. Despite advice to validate demand first, she ordered the minimum quantity (20,000 units) directly to her parents' house, going straight to a physical prototype to showcase the product concept. The initial build phase was scrappy, with legal hurdles (such as being ghosted by a nonprofit-assigned attorney), hands-on product packing, and practical testing workarounds like filming demo videos using a Twinkie to illustrate usage for early marketing. The timeline from idea to first working product appears to have taken several months, with the major bottlenecks being manufacturing and legal steps, along with the challenge of explaining an entirely new product category to others.
|
**PR and Virality**
The business gained immed...
PR and Virality
The business gained immediate traction after a founder's post in Facebook groups was noticed by HuffPost UK, triggering wide media coverage and a viral effect. This resulted in hundreds of orders overnight, dramatically surpassing the founder's expectations.
Why it worked: Media stories about a taboo, novel product sparked mass curiosity, quickly validating demand and supercharging initial reach. Paid Social Advertising
Awkward Essentials used paid ads on platforms like Facebook and Instagram, with some campaigns going viral due to the product’s unique, humorous positioning. Despite needing manual review for ads (because of the product’s sexual nature), paid social played a large role in driving early D2C growth.
Why it worked: The product’s controversial, eye-catching appeal broke through competitive noise and encouraged high user engagement and sharing. Organic Social Media/TikTok
The founder created low-budget, funny demo videos—including a now-viral Twinkie demo—to generate buzz on TikTok and other social channels. These relatable, shareable clips helped normalize the product and drive organic follower growth.
Why it worked: Authentic, humor-driven content lowered barriers to discussion about intimate topics and fostered community, fueling word-of-mouth referrals. Amazon Marketplace
Upon launching on Amazon, they saw a 350% growth, leveraging the platform’s built-in trust factors (such as Prime delivery and easy returns) and meeting search demand from customers looking for their product there.
Why it worked: Listing early on Amazon captured purchase-ready searches, prevented counterfeiting, and significantly boosted conversions due to consumer trust in the Amazon buying experience.
|
|
|
Cleanroom-grade air purification for homes and ...
Cleanroom-grade air purification for homes and public spaces.
|
Aerospace engineers cleaning your air? Sounds r...
Aerospace engineers cleaning your air? Sounds reassuringly expensive!.
|
$21K
monthly
|
270
days
|
—
per visitor
|
$320K
to start
|
64
out of 100
|
Arjen de Jong, the founder of AirTulip, came up...
Arjen de Jong, the founder of AirTulip, came up with his business idea after witnessing the non-spreading line of smoke from a lit cigarette in a cleanroom booth, which sparked the idea of preventing indoor outbreaks during the Covid pandemic. He combined his theoretical and practical experience in aerospace engineering to develop cleanroom-grade air purification systems for public spaces and homes.
|
The AirTulip team began with rapid prototyping,...
The AirTulip team began with rapid prototyping, constructing early versions of their air purification system from wood and testing them directly in real-world environments such as bars, restaurants, gyms, and offices. They prioritized gathering feedback and iterating quickly, modifying the physical structure to make units more portable and user-friendly. For components, they initially had to get creative by salvaging motors from other equipment before locking down relationships with at least three suppliers for each critical part. The founders drew on expertise in aeroacoustics to make the device whisper-quiet. Reaching a reliable, working version took multiple field tests and refinements, with the earliest builds assembled by the team and local manufacturing partners. Sourcing the right components and suppliers was a major challenge, requiring significant supplier outreach and some improvisation due to availability.
|
**PR and Media Coverage**
The AirTulip team sec...
PR and Media Coverage
The AirTulip team secured features in both major Dutch media (RTL Nieuws) and targeted engineering outlets like Fuzehub, generating significant early exposure for their products and driving prelaunch interest, especially for the AirTulip Sleep Kickstarter.
Why it worked: Getting coverage in respected publications built credibility and surfaced the brand to both consumers and B2B audiences without significant marketing spend. Social Media & Content Marketing
They actively posted updates and ran pre-campaigns across platforms like Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and are planning to expand with a new blog. Social engagement helped build an audience in advance of B2C launches.
Why it worked: Consistent content across multiple platforms kept potential customers engaged and informed, feeding into subscriber and sales growth ahead of product launches. Direct Sales & Industry Conferences (B2B)
Initial B2B growth came from direct outreach, face-to-face networking, and presenting at industry-specific events, such as securing a booth at the largest dental conference to reach technical key decision-makers.
Why it worked: Targeted, relationship-driven selling allowed AirTulip to connect with early adopters in professional segments where credibility and technical proof are valued. Paid Advertising Experiments
For AirTulip Sleep, the team has begun testing multiple paid advertising platforms to gauge the effectiveness of different channels during the pre-campaign phase.
Why it worked: This allowed them to identify scalable paid channels, optimizing their ad spend before a full consumer launch.
|
|
|
"Smart supplements for optimal brain health."
|
Selling smart pills to people who clearly aren'...
Selling smart pills to people who clearly aren't smart enough without them.
|
$1M
monthly
|
500
days
|
—
per visitor
|
$-300K
to start
|
50
out of 100
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Dan, the co-founder of braincare company Height...
Dan, the co-founder of braincare company Heights, came up with the idea for their smart supplement after experiencing his own mental health struggles and finding relief through certain supplements. Through a newsletter that gained traction and the support of a leading neuroscientist, the idea for a unique brain supplement was born. They conducted extensive customer interviews, overcame manufacturing challenges, and utilized content marketing strategies to attract and retain customers. Today, Heights is a successful B Corp with a monthly recurring revenue of $500k and plans to hit $10M ARR by the end of the year.
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The founders began by conducting 200 customer i...
The founders began by conducting 200 customer interviews over three months to deeply understand user pain points with existing supplements, particularly forgetfulness due to uninspiring packaging. They collaborated with neuroscientist Dr. Tara Swart and dietitian Sophie Medlin to formulate a unique, high-quality, plant-based supplement, insisting on premium ingredient sourcing, such as securing specialized blueberry extract from Italy found at an international conference. The development process involved frequent iteration with manufacturers: they received multiple prototypes over the first year, many of which failed tests for quality, leakage, or synthetic fillers, in part because suppliers were unaccustomed to their strict, innovative requirements. Challenges included the difficulty of sourcing best-in-class ingredients, integrating omega-3 oils and vitamins in one capsule, and achieving a leak-proof, filler-free formulation. Their approach also involved reimagining the supplement bottle to encourage daily use and meet their B Corp sustainability goals, with significant effort invested before achieving a final product they were satisfied with.
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**Newsletter and Email Funnels**
They built an ...
Newsletter and Email Funnels
They built an audience over 18 months with a weekly science-backed braincare newsletter, then converted subscribers through personalized campaigns and free trials, resulting in 84 out of 100 early testers becoming paying subscribers. Why it worked: Warm, educated leads from the newsletter had high conversion and long-term retention rates, reflecting strong trust and product fit. Content Marketing
They invested heavily in educational content, including a YouTube live interview series, free guides, the "Braincare Podcast," and interactive resources like the "braincare score" assessment. Why it worked: High-quality, expert-driven content built authority and organic traffic, attracting an audience interested in brain health and turning them into customers. Instagram and Organic Social
They focused on Instagram as their main social channel, growing to 50,000 followers and engaging users through regular posts and stories highlighting science, reviews, and testimonials. Why it worked: Visual storytelling and social proof on a platform aligned with their demographic drove engagement and awareness for direct-to-consumer sales.
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Crowdfunded dream of owning a private island.
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Turning your James Bond villain fantasies into ...
Turning your James Bond villain fantasies into crowdfunded reality.
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$25K
monthly
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1400
days
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—
per visitor
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$500K
to start
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43
out of 100
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Marshall Mayer, Gareth Johnson, and Jodie Joyce...
Marshall Mayer, Gareth Johnson, and Jodie Joyce came up with the idea for Let's Buy an Island after a few drinks and a conversation about owning a private island. They reached out to friends and family, created a website, and convinced over 140 people to invest in their dream. They were able to buy an island in Belize and are now in the process of developing it into a boutique resort.
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The founders began by acquiring the domain lets...
The founders began by acquiring the domain letsbuyanisland.com and setting up a basic website themselves. Early development was manual and lean: they recruited initial investors through personal contacts and manually managed communications, as well as due diligence for each potential island purchase. They didn't use sophisticated tech stacks or manufacturing—most coordination was handled via email, spreadsheets, and basic web tools, with volunteer help for branding and operations. After raising enough funds from over 140 investors, they shortlisted possible islands and put the options to a community vote, ultimately purchasing Coffee Caye in Belize in late 2019. Their main challenges included managing uncertainty (location, cost, and development feasibility) and navigating legal and logistical hurdles of overseas real estate and group ownership.
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**Press Coverage & PR**
Major spikes in investo...
Press Coverage & PR
Major spikes in investor interest and website hits followed prominent media coverage, such as when CNN featured their story, which was then syndicated by other outlets.
Why it worked: News coverage leveraged the uniqueness of the first crowdfunded private island, giving instant credibility and vast exposure to new audiences. Social Media & Community Engagement
They maintained daily engagement through a public Facebook group and Instagram, with regular content updates and invitations for input on key decisions like island selection and flag designs.
Why it worked: Consistent, transparent communication fostered trust and built a committed community who felt included in the process. Newsletters
They grew an email mailing list to thousands of subscribers, sharing regular updates and opportunities to participate or invest.
Why it worked: Email updates kept interested parties in the loop and helped nurture investors from awareness through to commitment, enabling ongoing engagement.
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