Sexual wellness blog offering tech-savvy toy reviews.

Turning awkward Google searches into a profitable blog.

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 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 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.

Anonymous chocolate prank gifts for light-hearted fun.

Chocolate anatomy for when words fail to convey your tasteful insults.

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 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 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.

Miniature construction supplies for creative model builders.

For when playing God with LEGO wasn't satisfying enough.

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 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 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.

Turning your childhood nostalgia into adult-size profits.

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 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 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 epic family getaways.

Making cramped family vacations feel adventurous and profitable.

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-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 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 delivery.

Making socks exciting again by shipping them faster than you can lose them.

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 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 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.

Catering to tourists too lazy to walk but adventurous enough to scooter.

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 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 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 enthusiasts.

Arming BBQ enthusiasts with propane-powered overkill.

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 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 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 platform.

Finally proving kindness isn't dead-it's just heavily monetized.

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 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, 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 living.

Because there's clearly gold in turning apartment trash into treasure.

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 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 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.

"Online courses for pregnancy, parenting, and home organization."

Profiting from parenting advice your own kids ignore.

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 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 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.

Immersive escape room experiences for adventure seekers.

Turning claustrophobia and puzzles into a million-dollar business.

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 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 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.

Turning your pets and selfies into creepy AI-generated portraits.

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 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 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 Partnerships

A 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 Customers

To 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 Presence

Launching 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.

Cannabis-friendly lodging for safe 420-friendly stays.

Turning your cannabis habit into lucrative hospitality.

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 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 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 revelations.

Selling awkwardness in a box for corporate bonding experiences.

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 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, 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.