3 ms·

While I haven't tried this service and thus cannot vouch for it, I can say that: "I love your business model!" It's simple, it provides a lot of value for a l

While I haven't tried this service and thus cannot vouch for it, I can say that: "I love your business model!" It's simple, it provides a lot of value for a little bit of money (yet still allows you, the owner, to make a tiny profit on each transaction), and it doesn't require a complex database driven website... Also, I'm guessing (but not knowing!) -- that a business like this could be started for $50 or less... the only thing you'd really need is a good enough postcard printer (OK, so maybe a bit more than $50 if you include that), some cardstock, and the willingness to make a trip to the post office (or local mail drop-off point) every day (or when orders were received...) Again, I reiterate, "I love your business model!" The only real thing that a business of this sort would need then is some online advertising... Google ads would be too expensive relative to the cost to acquire new customers -- so you'd have to advertise via single links posted here and there on public forums... Well, I upvoted you and favorited you here on HN -- which might generate a teeny tiny bit more traffic for you -- or so I hope! Wishing you and your business well, whoever you are!

heartbreak 3y ago
They’re running the print and mailing through lob.com
- peter_d_sherman 3y ago
  Interesting!
traviswingo 3y ago
Thanks, that means a lot! As for the business, it’s 100% automated. Otherwise, it wouldn’t work at scale with everything else I have going on. It’s also designed to simply be a fun thing for me and others to use, and isn’t really meant to be anything more than that, money wise. The price point, at the average use numbers, pretty much cover my costs. :) I just wish I had this running when everyone was locked inside in 2020, I bet it would have been fun to use then!
- peter_d_sherman 3y ago
  >Thanks, that means a lot! Again, it's well done from a pure business / bootstrapping / resourcefulness / "MacGyvering" (for lack of a better term!) perspective. Academically (and it is a purely academic question) -- I'm looking to put together a table of capital tiers (i.e., $1-$10, $10-$100, $100-$1000, etc.) -- and what types of businesses could be created online at each tier. Of all of them the $1-$10 tier is the hardest (well, unless we count $0 as a tier!), that is, "what type of online business could someone invest $10 in and generate a return?". Same question for $100, $1000, etc., etc. Your business would fall somewhere in the (I'm guessing here -- $50 to $100 is that accurate?) amount to start it up, depending on initial costs with the postcard mailer, domain name, and if a color postcard printer is needed or not... or at least I'm guessing... >As for the business, it’s 100% automated. Otherwise, it wouldn’t work at scale with everything else I have going on. That's extra nice -- you definitely don't want to have to make a trip to the post office (or even probably not-too-far away local mailbox) every day... So, "well done" (well played, perhaps?) -- on the automation front! >It’s also designed to simply be a fun thing for me and others to use, and isn’t really meant to be anything more than that, money wise. The price point, at the average use numbers, pretty much cover my costs. :) Again, very nice! Hobby A.K.A. "fun" projects -- usually teach a lot, too! >I just wish I had this running when everyone was locked inside in 2020, I bet it would have been fun to use then! Well -- "we all fall short" -- of most of the opportunity inception points presented to us by life(!) -- I'm still berating myself for not investing in Tesla... before that, Google... and before that, Microsoft... (that's a lot of self-loathing and disrespect I have to put up with every day -- from myself, of all people!) <g> :-) <g> Anyway, wishing you well!

heartbreak 3y ago

They’re running the print and mailing through lob.com

peter_d_sherman 3y ago
Interesting!

traviswingo 3y ago

Thanks, that means a lot! As for the business, it’s 100% automated. Otherwise, it wouldn’t work at scale with everything else I have going on. It’s also designed to simply be a fun thing for me and others to use, and isn’t really meant to be anything more than that, money wise. The price point, at the average use numbers, pretty much cover my costs. :) I just wish I had this running when everyone was locked inside in 2020, I bet it would have been fun to use then!

peter_d_sherman 3y ago
>Thanks, that means a lot! Again, it's well done from a pure business / bootstrapping / resourcefulness / "MacGyvering" (for lack of a better term!) perspective. Academically (and it is a purely academic question) -- I'm looking to put together a table of capital tiers (i.e., $1-$10, $10-$100, $100-$1000, etc.) -- and what types of businesses could be created online at each tier. Of all of them the $1-$10 tier is the hardest (well, unless we count $0 as a tier!), that is, "what type of online business could someone invest $10 in and generate a return?". Same question for $100, $1000, etc., etc. Your business would fall somewhere in the (I'm guessing here -- $50 to $100 is that accurate?) amount to start it up, depending on initial costs with the postcard mailer, domain name, and if a color postcard printer is needed or not... or at least I'm guessing... >As for the business, it’s 100% automated. Otherwise, it wouldn’t work at scale with everything else I have going on. That's extra nice -- you definitely don't want to have to make a trip to the post office (or even probably not-too-far away local mailbox) every day... So, "well done" (well played, perhaps?) -- on the automation front! >It’s also designed to simply be a fun thing for me and others to use, and isn’t really meant to be anything more than that, money wise. The price point, at the average use numbers, pretty much cover my costs. :) Again, very nice! Hobby A.K.A. "fun" projects -- usually teach a lot, too! >I just wish I had this running when everyone was locked inside in 2020, I bet it would have been fun to use then! Well -- "we all fall short" -- of most of the opportunity inception points presented to us by life(!) -- I'm still berating myself for not investing in Tesla... before that, Google... and before that, Microsoft... (that's a lot of self-loathing and disrespect I have to put up with every day -- from myself, of all people!) <g> :-) <g> Anyway, wishing you well!