Welcome to Money Making Story,

Today, we’re thrilled to share the story of Pauline, how she balanced IBM with her passion, building IA Crea into a six-figure business that freed her from the 9-to-5.

In this discussion, we’ll discuss his:

• Background

• The Challenge

• The Turning Point

• Develop your Skills

• Results

• Key Takeaways

• A Story Worth Reading

Top Advice from Pauline:

“Start with an MVP, get it out there fast, and don’t wait for perfection. The key is to build connections and truly understand your customers.”

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Pauline’s journey from a full-time IBM employee to a successful indie hacker and founder of an AI-powered design app is a testament to the power of dedication, innovation, and a customer-focused approach. In just a year, her side project, IA Crea, grew to generate over $100,000 annually, allowing her to leave her 9-to-5 and pursue entrepreneurship full-time.

Background: From Data Scientist to Indie Hacker

After studying engineering and data science, Pauline began her career at IBM, gaining valuable technology experience but feeling unfulfilled creatively. Although IBM provided stability, Pauline was drawn to the idea of building something of her own and decided to pursue entrepreneurship on the side. Using her spare time, she began experimenting with small projects, hoping one would gain traction. Initially, her ideas struggled to find an audience, but she kept refining her approach and looking for a unique, impactful product.

Her breakthrough came when she identified a niche within the AI sector: a design tool that could help people visualize home renovations. With her background in data science, Pauline realized she could leverage AI to develop a service that allows users to upload a photo, choose a style, and instantly see a transformed image of their space. Thus, IA Crea was born—a simple, accessible tool that brought her closer to her entrepreneurial dream.

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The Challenge: Balancing a Demanding Job and Building a Business

“When you work a full-time job, it’s tough to find time, but I dedicated my nights and weekends,” Pauline shared. As a full-time IBM employee, Pauline faced the challenge of finding time to develop her side project. With only nights and weekends to work on IA Crea, she often found herself stretched thin but relied on her steady income to support her venture. Having faced several unsuccessful side projects, Pauline was cautious; she focused on creating a minimal viable product (MVP) to test her concept with real customers, prioritizing efficiency and user feedback to ensure it was a valuable offering.

Entering the competitive AI market also posed a major hurdle. Competing with established players, she had to find creative, cost-effective ways to reach her target audience of real estate agents and homeowners. Through research and persistence, she honed her marketing strategy and built a user base on platforms like Facebook. By June, IA Crea was generating enough revenue to allow her to leave her IBM job and fully commit to her business, turning her side project into a sustainable, growing company.

The Approach: Turning an Idea into a Six-Figure Business

Pauline’s journey from idea to six-figure business is a masterclass in lean startup principles. Here’s how she built her company step-by-step:

• Finding a Real Problem: Pauline looked for problems that she or her friends faced. With IA Crea, she identified the need for affordable and accessible home design tools. She asked friends and potential customers questions to understand their needs, ensuring she had a problem worth solving.

• Building a Minimal Viable Product (MVP): Pauline believes in shipping quickly. “The sooner you ship, the better,” she said. IA Crea’s initial MVP was basic but functional, allowing her to validate the product with real estate agents and potential users. Feedback from early users helped her shape the final product.

• Customer-Driven Marketing: Pauline found her customers on social media channels and forums where real estate agents and design enthusiasts gathered, like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Reddit. Her primary channel, however, was Facebook, as she found that her core customer base was most active there.

• Launching and Scaling: Pauline used Product Hunt to gain visibility and attract her initial customer base, a platform she prefers for its SEO benefits. She steadily grew her user base by connecting with her audience on Twitter and sharing updates through a newsletter.

Develop your Skills

Results: A Thriving Business and Financial Independence

Through dedication and a lean approach, Pauline grew IA Crea into a profitable business, generating $8,000 in monthly revenue and over 8,000 users. Her strategy of balancing both one-time payments and subscriptions helped her cater to different customer preferences and manage churn effectively.

• Annual Revenue Milestone: Within a year, IA Crea had grown to over $100,000 in annual revenue, a remarkable achievement for a business started as a side project.

• Customer Retention Strategies: By adding a yearly plan and a free trial option, Pauline reduced churn rates significantly, keeping her customers engaged and satisfied with the service.

• Full-Time Founder: The success of IA Crea allowed Pauline to leave her full-time job and become a full-time founder, turning her passion for entrepreneurship into a sustainable career.

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Key Takeaways for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Pauline’s journey offers valuable lessons for those looking to turn a side project into a profitable business:

• Validate Your Idea Quickly: Pauline emphasizes the importance of releasing an MVP early and validating it with real customers. “Don’t wait for perfection. Ship early, and improve based on feedback,” she advises.

• Market Where Your Customers Are: Pauline’s success lies in identifying where her customers spend time online and actively engaging with them. For IA Crea, Facebook and physical events were the most effective channels.

• Build Customer Trust: Pauline uses a clear cancellation policy and straightforward pricing, creating a trustworthy relationship with her customers. This approach has helped her build long-term customer loyalty.

• Stay Resourceful and Invest in Growth: While she keeps costs low, Pauline is strategic about investing in her business. By spending on essential tools and occasional ads, she continues to scale IA Crea sustainably.

Learn More About Pauline

A Story Worth Reading

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