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My First Million / – Tiny Desk Awards: 13 Companies Making $1M+ With 0 Employees

My First Million – Tiny Desk Awards: 13 Companies Making $1M+ With 0 Employees

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Intro

In this episode of the “My First Million” podcast, the hosts discuss the success stories of various one-person businesses that have generated millions in revenue. From tech startups to content creators, these entrepreneurs have proven that dedication and hard work can lead to great success. The hosts also explore the concept of building a niche audience and establishing oneself as an authority in a specific industry. Tune in to learn about the strategies and challenges faced by these entrepreneurs and gain insights into the world of one-person businesses.

Main Takeaways

Successful One-Person Businesses

  • Wargraphs, a company that sold for $54 million, was run by just one person who built a companion app for League of Legends players.
  • Mighty businesses, run by just one or two people, that generate millions in revenue are often overlooked.
  • Other examples of successful one-person companies include Peter Levels and Amit Agarwal.

Tiny Desk Awards and Small Businesses

  • NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert Series featured rapper Juvenile, who initially refused to perform but eventually did so.
  • The Tiny Desk Awards recognize businesses that can be run off of one tiny desk.
  • These businesses are typically run by one or two people and may not have a physical office or employees.

Success Stories in Gaming and Software Development

  • Stardew Valley is a popular game made by one developer over four years that has sold 20 million copies.
  • Minecraft was developed by one person and sold for multiple billions of dollars.
  • Stream Yard is a platform that allows for online streaming of events and interviews and generated $30 million in revenue in one year.

Entrepreneurial Journeys and Startups

  • Hopin, a virtual events platform, was sold for $250 million in cash and stock during the pandemic.
  • StreamYard, a video streaming platform, reached $14 million in ARR with just two founders before selling for an undisclosed amount.
  • Plenty of Fish, an early dating website, was sold for $550 million with only one founder, Marcus.

Building Niche Audiences and Monetizing Expertise

  • Abder created Twitter trending, a separate website off of Twitter that showed what topics were trending on the platform.
  • Working at successful startups early on can be intense and challenging.
  • Evan Gower, founder of TinyWhale, sold his previous website for eight figures and started TinyWhale as a side project.

Success in Design and Image Editing

  • TinyWhale offers a variety of tools, including AI-powered image editing and PDF conversion.
  • Photo P is a free web browser version of Photoshop created by one person, with 13 million monthly visits and monetized through basic banner ads.
  • Photopea creator, Ivan, made almost a million dollars in the last 12 months, mainly from ads and premium users.

Monetizing Information and Online Services

  • Design Joy is a company that offers a design subscription service, generating $100,000 a month.
  • Some course creators make millions of dollars a year from just one or two courses.
  • Cyber Lead is a newsletter service that connects agencies with companies that have recently raised money.

Exploring OnlyFans and Agriculture Expertise

  • Only Finders is a search engine for OnlyFans that generates a million dollars a month.
  • Kevin van Trump is an agriculture expert who sends a daily newsletter and hosts FarmCon.

Summary

Successful One-Person Businesses

The podcast highlights the stories of entrepreneurs who have built successful businesses with just one person or a small team. Examples include Wargraphs, a company that sold for $54 million, and Mighty businesses that generate millions in revenue. These individuals prove that dedication and hard work can lead to remarkable success, even without a large workforce.

Tiny Desk Awards and Small Businesses

The hosts discuss the Tiny Desk Awards, which recognize businesses that can be run off of one tiny desk. These businesses are typically operated by one or two people and may not have a physical office or employees. The awards focus on the spirit of entrepreneurship and highlight the potential for small businesses to achieve great success.

Success Stories in Gaming and Software Development

The podcast explores the achievements of individuals in the gaming and software development industry. Stardew Valley and Minecraft are examples of games developed by one person that have achieved massive success. Stream Yard, a platform for online streaming, and other software development ventures also demonstrate the potential for one-person businesses to generate significant revenue.

Entrepreneurial Journeys and Startups

The hosts share stories of successful startups and entrepreneurial journeys. Hopin, a virtual events platform, was sold for $250 million during the pandemic. StreamYard, a video streaming platform, reached $14 million in ARR before being sold. Plenty of Fish, an early dating website, was acquired for $550 million. These examples showcase the potential for one-person businesses to achieve significant financial success.

Building Niche Audiences and Monetizing Expertise

The podcast emphasizes the importance of building a niche audience and establishing oneself as an authority in a specific industry. Abder’s creation of Twitter trending and Evan Gower’s journey with TinyWhale highlight the benefits of focusing on a specific niche and leveraging expertise to achieve success. The hosts also discuss the challenges and intensity of working at successful startups early on.

Success in Design and Image Editing

The podcast explores success stories in the design and image editing industry. TinyWhale offers AI-powered image editing and PDF conversion tools, while Photo P provides a free web browser version of Photoshop. The creator of Photopea, Ivan, has achieved significant revenue through ads and premium users. These examples demonstrate the potential for one-person businesses to thrive in the design and image editing space.

Monetizing Information and Online Services

The hosts discuss various ways to monetize information and provide online services. Design Joy offers a design subscription service, while course creators like Sam Ovens generate millions of dollars from their courses. Cyber Lead connects agencies with companies that have recently raised money, creating business opportunities. These examples highlight the potential for one-person businesses to generate significant revenue through information and online services.

Exploring OnlyFans and Agriculture Expertise

The podcast delves into the world of OnlyFans, a platform where content creators can monetize personal connections. Only Finders, a search engine for OnlyFans, generates a million dollars a month by directing traffic to top-ranked profiles. The hosts also discuss Kevin van Trump, an agriculture expert who sends a daily newsletter and hosts FarmCon. These examples showcase the diverse opportunities available for one-person businesses.

Conclusion

The “My First Million” podcast episode highlights the incredible success stories of one-person businesses and small teams. From tech startups to content creators, these entrepreneurs have proven that dedication, hard work, and niche expertise can lead to significant financial success. The podcast encourages listeners to explore their passions, build niche audiences, and leverage their expertise to create thriving businesses. Whether it’s in gaming, software development, design, information monetization, or other industries, the potential for success as a one-person business is vast.

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