Tobi Lütke — From Snowboard Shop to Billion-Dollar Company (#359)

Tobi Lütke — From Snowboard Shop to Billion-Dollar Company (#359)

“Feedback is a gift.” — Tobi Lütke Tobi Lütke (@tobi) is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Shopify. In 2004, Tobi began building software to launch an online snowboard store called Snowdevil. It quickly became obvious that the software was more valuable than the snowboards, so Tobi and his founding team launched the Shopify …

Case Studies: How to Build Online Businesses That Gross $250,000+ Per Month

Case Studies: How to Build Online Businesses That Gross $250,000+ Per Month

Debbie Sterling’s GoldieBlox is now grossing $300,000+ per month. My specialty is modeling success. I analyze what works and ask: what recipe can I find that others can use? In this post, we’ll dissect five successful online businesses. Some of them (e.g. GoldieBlox) are now grossing $300,000+ per month…and it’s the founder’s first company! One …

A $50,000 Benevolent Bribe: Is Today The Day You Finally Build Your Business?

A $50,000 Benevolent Bribe: Is Today The Day You Finally Build Your Business?

Two years ago, Patrick Buckley and Craig Dalton had an idea–an iPad case made using traditional bookbinding. Today, DODOcase is a multi-million dollar business that’s been featured in The New York Times and beyond. They have more than 20 employees, and customers all over the world, including President Barack Obama. Is that a freaking DODOCase …

The Way of the Dodo — How to Sell 10,000 iPad Cases at $60 Each (and Other Lessons Learned)

The Way of the Dodo — How to Sell 10,000 iPad Cases at $60 Each (and Other Lessons Learned)

DODOcase, one of more than 1,000 businesses created in the last six months, has sold more than 10,000 units at $60 each. From today’s New York Times coverage of the Shopify/4-Hour Workweek build-a-business competition that just ended: To encourage early, positive buzz among Apple iPad buyers, Mr. Dalton [of DODOcase] hired street teams via Craigslist …

No More Excuses – How to Make an Extra $100,000 in the Next 6 Months

No More Excuses – How to Make an Extra $100,000 in the Next 6 Months

The Wilburns have created a multinational from their home.(Photo: Dana Smith) “So, do you have any ideas?” “Well, if we’re going to do something, it should be big. It should make people sit up and say OMFG. Make people actually do something,” I responded. The conversation continued in front of the Thai restaurant, me pacing …