How I got a đź as my email address
As a designer, developer, or just through the entrepreneurial spirit, I bet youâve had some random ideas for fun little projects.
Perhaps itâs an app, a physical product, or a simple blog diving deep into an obscure topic youâre into (no judgement).
You may have even gone as far as purchasing a domain.
But other obligations get in the way, self-doubt creeps in, and the project sits on the shelf unfinished (or never started).
If youâve had one idea like this, then youâve probably had at least a dozen. While some may be long forgotten, chances are there are 1 or 2 that keep crossing your mind.
If so, I think youâre going to be just as fascinated by Ben Stokesâ story as I am.
Ben is a full stack developer, and like us, heâs constantly coming up with little project ideas.
I found Ben after going down a Twitter rabbit hole and reading his fascinating story about creating a paper website.
And while the idea of publishing a website from a paper notebook seemed silly (and maybe impossible?) he not only validated the concept, heâs now bringing in thousands of dollars in recurring revenue from it!
But it was another one of his 8 âtiny projectsâ that got me to open my walletâŠ
Before Paper Websites, Ben bought 300 emoji domain names from Kazakhstan and built an email service with them.
When I read about it, there was just no way I was going to pass up on the opportunity of being the proud owner of [email protected]đź.fm!
Mailoji has gone viral on social media and is well on its way to becoming a legitimate, profitable business.
But hereâs the thing...
The difference between Ben and the rest of us isnât having unique ideas.. I bet you have a hundred of them.
Itâs not about having the capital⊠he launched his projects on a shoestring budget.
Itâs not even about having the technical expertise⊠he hired a guy on Upwork to build a mail server.
The difference is simply taking action.
Itâs the same whether youâre Bill Gates or Ben Stokes.
Your idea probably isnât the next Microsoft but it could be the next Mailoji -- and thatâs still pretty awesome!
Kyle Van Deusen
@kylevandeusenKyle is the co-host of The Admin Bar, the owner of a agency of one called OGAL Web Design and the co-founder of Docket WP. Youâll likely find him trolling The Admin Bar community.
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