DigitalSideHustles

From Passion Project to $25k MRR: How Nick Built a Thriving Startup Consulting Business

Nick wasn't just a designer; he saw a bigger opportunity. Learn how he built Baked, a consulting service that's changing the game for early-stage startups.
From Passion Project to $25k MRR:  How Nick Built a Thriving Startup Consulting Business

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Twitter: Nick
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Revenue: 100k average per month
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Business: baked.design

Introduction

Nick isn't just a product designer; he's got that startup spark in his eyes. After years of working within established companies, he saw firsthand the struggles founders face when it comes to crafting compelling products and a strategy to get them into the right hands. Enter Baked: a consulting service laser-focused on turning startup dreams into reality.

The Early Days: Building Baked

It wasn't just about offering design services. Nick spent countless hours analyzing case studies, reverse-engineering what makes successful startups tick. Combining his design chops with strategic savvy, he built Baked's service offerings, zeroing in on where early-stage founders need the most support. Nick didn't want to be just another vendor – Baked would be a true partner in its clients' success.

Launching into the Market

While a big, splashy launch wasn't in the cards, Nick wasn't starting from zero. He leaned into his network, those who already knew his work and trusted his design instincts. Baked's reputation quickly grew: It wasn't just pretty mockups, Nick helped founders refine their entire pitch. Those first few clients became Baked's best marketing asset.

Keys to Success: Attracting & Retaining Clients

Sure, Baked offers top-notch design and strategy, but it's the results that keep clients coming back. Nick isn't shy about sharing a win on social media: a client landing funding, hitting a user milestone – these aren't just abstract ideas, but proof that Baked's work translates to tangible startup growth.

Baked Today & The Future

$100K MRR isn't just a number—it validates Nick's vision. Baked proves you can build a thriving business by focusing on a specific niche and becoming the go-to expert in that area. But Nick's not done; he's thinking bigger. A growing team means Baked can take on more projects, and new service offerings hint at his ambition to provide startups with 360-degree support.

Lessons from the Journey

Nick's story is more than a case study in consulting services. It highlights the power of pairing your passion with a real-world problem in need of a solution. Baked thrives because of its clear focus, and its ability to pivot. One day it's UI overhaul, the next, a fundraising deck that lands a big investor – Nick's always ready to meet his clients' most crucial needs.

Tools of the Trade

We can only guess the exact stack, but Baked's success surely relies on industry-standard design tools (think Figma, Adobe Suite) paired with communication platforms that keep the client loop tight. Scheduling tools likely streamline bookings, and behind the scenes, you bet there's a well-crafted website and targeted email marketing campaigns to nurture those leads.

Inspirational Resources

No entrepreneur is an island! Nick likely drew inspiration from books like "Zero to One" on innovative product development, or "The Lean Startup" for its iterative approach. Podcasts and online resources focusing on the realities of startup life probably fueled his fire during those early days.

Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Nick's a no-nonsense founder, so his advice hits hard:

  • Be the solution: Don't just dream it, solve someone else's problem.
  • Niche down: Own a specific space, be THE expert for a hungry market.
  • Success is your pitch: No amount of hype beats showcasing what you've done for others.

A Note on Sources

Let's be real: this paints a picture based on what we can see publicly. The real story of Baked lies with Nick himself. His Twitter account is likely a goldmine of insights, struggles, and the "ah-ha" moments along the way. Perhaps one day we'll get the full founder interview!

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