A month ago, I launched Kardow. Today, it crossed $1,000 in revenue.

I’ve built projects before, but this is the first time people are actually paying for something I made. No crazy launch, no viral moment—just a small, useful product that solves a real problem.

What worked:

• Solving my own problem – I built something I needed, which made it easier to understand what users wanted.
• Keeping it simple – Launched with an MVP, fixed issues fast, and improved based on real feedback.
• Letting people find it naturally – No ads, no hype, just posting in the right places where my target users already hang out.

What didn’t work:

• Trying to make it “perfect” before launch – The rough early version still got paying users.
• Overcomplicating pricing – A simple offer converted way better than multiple options.
• Ignoring onboarding – Adding small improvements here made a big difference.

This isn’t life-changing money, but it’s real validation. Now the goal is to keep improving and see where it goes.

If you’re stuck on a side project, my biggest lesson: launch earlier than you think—the real learning starts after people use it.