6 Design Tool Success Stories [2024]
Looking for an engaging way to combine creativity and technology? Consider starting a design tool business. A design tool business involves creating software that helps designers and non-designers alike craft stunning visuals for various purposes such as marketing, web development, and more.
Your primary task will be to develop a user-friendly interface that simplifies the design process for your customers. This industry demands a good mix of technical skills, market understanding, and ongoing customer support. Essential features may include template libraries, drag-and-drop functionality, and collaborative options for team projects.
With increasing demand for digital content, businesses and individuals are constantly seeking efficient ways to create professional-looking designs without hiring experts. By providing a reliable, easy-to-use design tool, you could tap into a robust market and build a steady customer base. If you’re not afraid of a bit of technical work and are passionate about design, this could be a rewarding venture.
In this list, you'll find real-world design tool success stories and very profitable examples of starting a design tool that makes money.
1. TruTech Tools, LTD ($27.5M/year)
Bill Spohn, the founder of TruTech Tools, had a background in the HVAC/R industry and recognized the pain points that technicians faced in finding and purchasing tools and test instruments. Along with his business partner, Jim Bergmann, they envisioned creating a one-stop-shop for these products. They started the business in 2007 and have since experienced significant growth, with projected sales of $16 million in 2020 and recognition on the Inc 5000 list multiple times.
How much money it makes: $27.5M/year
How much did it cost to start: $19.7K
How many people on the team: 27
TruTech Tools, LTD is one of the largest online stores in the niche market of tools and test instruments for HVAC/R Technicians, with $16 million in sales in 2020 and 20% YoY growth thanks to a focus on providing an exceptional customer experience and staying true to their core values.
2. Snappa ($1M/year)
Christopher Gimmer, the co-founder of Snappa, came up with the idea for the business after struggling to create graphics for his blog posts. As he searched for a simple and powerful graphic design tool, he realized there was a need for one geared towards marketers and entrepreneurs. He leveraged his viral blog post about free stock photos to market Snappa and collected feedback from potential users before building the prototype.
How much money it makes: $1M/year
How many people on the team: 4
Learn how two friends bootstrapped a SaaS business to $55k monthly recurring revenue (MRR) by creating a simple graphic design tool for non-designers and focusing on content marketing for customer acquisition.
3. BRCHN Design House ($480K/year)
Sam Birchenough, driven by a childhood passion for building and taking things apart, founded BRCHN Design House in 2015, enduring six months of zero income and $35,000 in debt before turning the business into a success, with current monthly revenues between $20,000 and $80,000.
How much money it makes: $480K/year
How much did it cost to start: $1K
How many people on the team: 1
This case study outlines how BRCHN Design House went from starting with no revenue to bringing in $20,000 to $80,000 monthly, by developing an efficient product design process, leveraging networking opportunities, and retaining clients through exceptional service.
4. Wave Connect ($300K/year)
After working in banking and transitioning to a sales role, George El-Hage noticed that sales teams wasted countless hours managing new contacts. Frustrated by the inefficiency, he built Wave Connect with just $5,000, a digital business card solution now generating $25K in monthly revenue.
How much money it makes: $300K/year
How much did it cost to start: $5K
How many people on the team: 2
Discover how George El-Hage built Wave Connect, a sales and marketing tool that helps professionals exchange contact information and manage leads efficiently, resulting in monthly revenues of $25K per month and a customer base of 12,000, primarily acquired through organic LinkedIn outreach.
5. MeetAnders ($87.9K/year)
Marilyn Wo, co-founder of MeetAnders, came up with the idea for her productized graphic design company after realizing the limitations of her freelance business. She saw the potential in offering predefined design packages on a subscription model, providing unlimited graphic design for a fixed fee per month. Through trial and error, Marilyn and her team grew the business to a three-person team with $7,000 in monthly recurring revenue, attracting customers such as event directors, CMOs, and startup founders who needed ongoing design support.
How much money it makes: $87.9K/year
How much did it cost to start: $0
How many people on the team: 3
MeetAnders is a productized graphic design company offering unlimited graphic designs for just one fixed-fee a month, with a three-man team and $7,000 in monthly recurring revenue, all started without any upfront capital.
6. OrgPad ($12K/year)
Vít Kalisz, co-founder and CEO of OrgPad, had the idea for the universal digital whiteboard tool after visiting his university teacher in Switzerland, where he convinced him to leave Google and start OrgPad together. The idea had actually been forming since the early 1980s with the work of Czech mathematician Zdeněk Hedrlín, and Vít was determined to bring his ideas to life. Through self-funding and building a strong community, OrgPad has grown rapidly and now helps over 17,000 people with their studies and work.
How much money it makes: $12K/year
How much did it cost to start: $10K
How many people on the team: 0
OrgPad is a web-based digital whiteboard that helps over 17,000 people with their studies and work, with a strong community built around the product leading to rapid revenue growth and profitability.
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
