Ask HN: Who started something in 2013/14 which is already profitable? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: Who started something in 2013/14 which is already profitable?

#51

Post by reqres » Thu, Jul 03, 2014, 5:18 PM UTC

Started a UK postcode and addressing API in the midst of developing another (eventually failed) project - partly to scratch my own itch and partly because the existing offering was in a bit of a sorry state.

Was profitable within 2 months despite some idealistic pricing on my part. The feedback and kind words from my users over the past year has been incredibly humbling.

Re: Ask HN: Who started something in 2013/14 which is already profitable?

#52

Post by tomblomfield » Thu, Jul 03, 2014, 5:19 PM UTC

jamesgagan wrote: post #31

I very recently launched an ecommerce site[1] selling shoe shine kits of all things. We just launched a few weeks ago but are already making money. It was a nice feeling to be able to pay myself yesterday, even if it was only $500! [1] http://shinekits.com

Looks really cool.

Why are your prices defaulting to Canadian dollars? I imagine it's pretty off-putting to the (much larger) US market just south of your border.

Re: Ask HN: Who started something in 2013/14 which is already profitable?

#53

Post by jamesgagan » Thu, Jul 03, 2014, 5:20 PM UTC

grakic wrote: post #50

jamesgagan wrote: post #31

I very recently launched an ecommerce site[1] selling shoe shine kits of all things. We just launched a few weeks ago but are already making money. It was a nice feeling to be able to pay myself yesterday, even if it was only $500! [1] http://shinekits.com

What is your current best strategy to acquire customers? Are you doing any social marketing, is it mostly organic search or paid search placements?

social marketing (twitter, blogging, facebook page etc), adwords, reddit ads. starting to see a trickle of organic search traffic.

Re: Ask HN: Who started something in 2013/14 which is already profitable?

#54

Post by gamebak » Thu, Jul 03, 2014, 5:20 PM UTC

I started http://skyul.com and it's been profitable since it's first month when I released this service. The main reason why is because I'm keeping costs low and I re-invested most of the cash into advertising and more product development :)

Re: Ask HN: Who started something in 2013/14 which is already profitable?

#55

Post by prakster » Thu, Jul 03, 2014, 5:21 PM UTC

derptacos wrote: post #37

jamesgagan wrote: post #31

I very recently launched an ecommerce site[1] selling shoe shine kits of all things. We just launched a few weeks ago but are already making money. It was a nice feeling to be able to pay myself yesterday, even if it was only $500! [1] http://shinekits.com

Off-topic, but you should contact massdrop.com these are the kinds of products that may really interest massdrop's customers!

What is Massdrop? Website doesn't say much.

Re: Ask HN: Who started something in 2013/14 which is already profitable?

#56

Post by mjwhansen » Thu, Jul 03, 2014, 5:22 PM UTC

We launched Geocodio [1] in January 2014. It's a side project, so the definition of "profitable" is a bit different, but it's paying for itself and then some -- servers, Basecamp, LLC filing fees, etc. We're making enough that it covers costs for other, less serious projects [2][3] and our "fun" server (for testing out new projects/ideas/etc) with some to spare.

This was our first time launching a serious product as a side project and it's been a blast. I actually wrote up a few thoughts on launching side projects last week [4], largely based on our experience with Geocodio.

[1] http://geocod.io [2] http://opennear.by [3] http://happykitchen.dotsqua.re [4] https://medium.com/@mjwhansen/things-ive-learned-launching-a...

Re: Ask HN: Who started something in 2013/14 which is already profitable?

#57

Post by thibaut_barrere » Thu, Jul 03, 2014, 5:26 PM UTC

I launched WiseCash (https://www.wisecashhq.com), a cash flow forecasting app for freelancers and small businesses publicly in July 2013.

This is bootstrapped using freelancing. We are currently at $800 MRR and growing.

I'm having a lot of fun helping people get more freedom of choice in their lives!

Re: Ask HN: Who started something in 2013/14 which is already profitable?

#58

Post by withinthreshold » Thu, Jul 03, 2014, 5:27 PM UTC

Off-topic, but I'm proud to have my thread mentioned in your post. :) A long time went by after I posted it, and I still haven't launched anything, just a couple of nearly-launches. I hope 2014/2015 will change that and wish everyone to not hesitate and just do it!

Re: Ask HN: Who started something in 2013/14 which is already profitable?

#59

Post by jamesgagan » Thu, Jul 03, 2014, 5:29 PM UTC

tomblomfield wrote: post #52

jamesgagan wrote: post #31

I very recently launched an ecommerce site[1] selling shoe shine kits of all things. We just launched a few weeks ago but are already making money. It was a nice feeling to be able to pay myself yesterday, even if it was only $500! [1] http://shinekits.com

Looks really cool. Why are your prices defaulting to Canadian dollars? I imagine it's pretty off-putting to the (much larger) US market just south of your border.

I agree that the CAD pricing may be a deterrent to US customers - still deciding on that one, but will probably change it to USD to see if conversions improve.

Re: Ask HN: Who started something in 2013/14 which is already profitable?

#60

Post by cannikin » Thu, Jul 03, 2014, 5:30 PM UTC

jaredtking wrote: post #16

I launched Invoiced [1] as a private beta in June of 2013 while in college. In November I took it out of private beta and have since been fortunate enough to be able to focus on it full time. Invoiced provides simple invoicing for the small business/freelance crowd. It is bootstrapped, profitable, and currently producing 4-figures of MRR. I learn something new every day and get to work with awesome people (customers)…

What did you do to get the word out to the world? Word of mouth? Ads? Tech blog writeups? I have a pretty polished app I wrote a couple of years ago but it didn't even cover the AWS fees once I dropped off the free year. :( Great app, I just don't know how to get the word out...