Ask HN: who started something in 2012 which is already profitable?

#1

Post by withinthreshold » Sat, Jun 09, 2012, 5:16 PM UTC

I think we are all interested in reading some inspirational success stories for summer 2012! I would really appreciate your responses, HN!

Re: Ask HN: who started something in 2012 which is already profitable?

#2

Post by 10dpd » Sat, Jun 09, 2012, 5:29 PM UTC

Define profitable, it's extremely easy to build something that generates revenue.

The difficult part is to build something that provides enough revenue to support 1+ employees, office space, etc

Re: Ask HN: who started something in 2012 which is already profitable?

#3

Post by coderdude » Sat, Jun 09, 2012, 5:32 PM UTC

Beware of posts like this from what is basically a new account with only as much karma as this post has received.

Sharks and all that: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4017843

(Am I paranoid much?)

Re: Ask HN: who started something in 2012 which is already profitable?

#4

Post by fennecfoxen » Sat, Jun 09, 2012, 5:35 PM UTC

10dpd wrote: post #2

Define profitable, it's extremely easy to build something that generates revenue. The difficult part is to build something that provides enough revenue to support 1+ employees, office space, etc

The economist will refer to something as earning an "economic profit" if it generates more profit than the alternative investment (of time/effort/money). This is, of course, difficult to measure, especially when you consider the worth of intangibles like "I am my own boss" or "I am stressed out and my soul is crushed by the culture of corporate conformity", but there you go. :)

Re: Ask HN: who started something in 2012 which is already profitable?

#5

Post by andyfleming » Sat, Jun 09, 2012, 5:36 PM UTC

10dpd wrote: post #2

Define profitable, it's extremely easy to build something that generates revenue. The difficult part is to build something that provides enough revenue to support 1+ employees, office space, etc

And sustainable revenue ;)

Re: Ask HN: who started something in 2012 which is already profitable?

#6

Post by withinthreshold » Sat, Jun 09, 2012, 5:37 PM UTC

10dpd wrote: post #2

Define profitable, it's extremely easy to build something that generates revenue. The difficult part is to build something that provides enough revenue to support 1+ employees, office space, etc

I think of profit as residual income (after expenses and overheads), which one can retain/invest or draw.

Re: Ask HN: who started something in 2012 which is already profitable?

#7

Post by cheez » Sat, Jun 09, 2012, 5:39 PM UTC

I started a new social network for people who like weird socks.

Re: Ask HN: who started something in 2012 which is already profitable?

#8

Post by markessien » Sat, Jun 09, 2012, 5:41 PM UTC

I started hotels.com.ng feb this year I think and it's already mildly profitable.

Re: Ask HN: who started something in 2012 which is already profitable?

#9

Post by withinthreshold » Sat, Jun 09, 2012, 5:42 PM UTC

coderdude wrote: post #3

Beware of posts like this from what is basically a new account with only as much karma as this post has received. Sharks and all that: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4017843 (Am I paranoid much?)

I think your point is valid, but what can i do - i am new here and i am interested to read some success stories.

Re: Ask HN: who started something in 2012 which is already profitable?

#10

Post by TamDenholm » Sat, Jun 09, 2012, 5:42 PM UTC

10dpd wrote: post #2

Define profitable, it's extremely easy to build something that generates revenue. The difficult part is to build something that provides enough revenue to support 1+ employees, office space, etc

To me profitable means making more money than it costs to operate. I personally wouldn't count my own time in that equation until I officially draw a salary from it.

So if I spent 100 hours making something and spent 5 hours a week maintaining it and it cost £500 a month to run, and the revenue was £501 a month, to me that's profitable.

Now obviously it's not profitable enough to keep it in its current state as 5 hours of my time is worth more than £1 but it is worth the time and money investment to make it bring in more revenue.