Journey Unveiled: A Graphic Designer’s Leap from Small-scale Passion Project to Generating Eight-figure Annually with Vecteezy.

ONLINE STARTUP
Turning a Side Gig into a Lucrative Online Business: Vecteezy’s Success Story

Not everyone wants to clock out after a lifetime of work. For some, starting their own business can offer a rewarding alternative to the drab routine. It enables them to do something they love, while also potentially earning big. Consider Shawn Rubel, who managed to transform a side gig into a thriving business, earning millions annually.

After earning his degree in Visual Arts, Shawn set up his website called Vecteezy while also holding onto a full-time job. Just two years down the lane, his online venture was thriving and he jumped in full-time. Today, his site Vecteezy, a creative hub offering visuals like stock images and videos, is a roaring success.

Shawn’s journey can act as a roadmap for those looking to turn their passion projects into successful businesses.

Shawn’s Side Gig to Success Story

Shawn began with Brusheezy.com in 2007. He realized that Photoshop brushes, something he regularly needed as a graphic designer, were scattered all over the internet and not easily accessible. So, he set up Brusheezy to create a one-stop shop for the best free Photoshop brushes. Within months, he replicated his approach, launching Vecteezy.com to offer free vector graphics.

By 2009, Shawn was able to say goodbye to his 9-5 job and pull his full attention towards his growing businesses. His sites earned from advertisements and affiliate marketing, and he managed to offer all his content for free to visitors.

The secret sauce to Shawn’s booming business, he shared, was the word-of-mouth publicity from happy visitors who shared his site with their friends, and they just kept coming back.

Fast forward a few years, Vecteezy added premium content available to subscribers. He began with hiring freelancers to create new resources. The upgrade to Pro subscriptions resulted in significant revenue growth.

This venture was not without challenges. Problems arose with multiple freelancers working on his site’s code. Eventually, Shawn hired his first employee to ensure long-term business stability. Today, Vecteezy relies on a dedicated team of 70 people. They’ve also launched a contributor program allowing creators to sell their resources.

How Did Vecteezy Achieve Success?

As we look at the inspiring journey from a side gig to a high-revenue business, it’s worth noting the key elements that led to Vecteezy’s success.

1. Free Resources
Every newbie business needs a swift footfall, and what better way than offering free yet quality content. Vecteezy gained a significant audience due to the abundance of free resources it offered.

2. Problem Solver
Vecteezy responded to a much-felt need among designers, making high-quality resources accessible and affordable.

3. Audience Understanding
Having been a graphic designer himself, Shawn understood the needs and challenges of designers, enabling him to cater to them effectively.

4. Attractive Deals
While all the content at Vecteezy was initially free, today’s Pro subscription offers unlimited downloads, making it a value-for-money option for frequent users.

5. Unique Proposition
Vecteezy managed to carve a niche for itself with unlimited downloads, a rich collection of vectors, and safe-to-use freebies, distinguishing it from its competitors.

6. Building a Team
Hiring an in-house team to manage different aspects of the business was a major pivot point for Vecteezy’s success.

In conclusion, side hustles have the potential to grow into significant businesses. Shawn Rubel’s story stands testament to it. It underlines the key principles to keep in mind while turning your passion project into a successful business platform.