From Factory Worker to Founder: How Chris Poka Built a $10k MRR Productized Service Business
From Factory Worker to Founder: How Chris Poka Built a $10k MRR Productized Service Business
Dec 23, 2024
Chris Poka
Chris Poka
⏳ 6 min
⏳ 6 min
Revenue/month
Revenue/month
$9,800
$9,800
$9,800
No. of founders
No. of founders
1
1
1
Startup costs
Startup costs
N/A
N/A
N/A
Company type
Company type
Company type
productized service
productized service
productized service
Contents
About the Founder
About the Founder
Chris Poka grew up in a small village in Hungary, moving frequently between places where opportunities were scarce. His family struggled financially and couldn’t offer much emotional or financial support. After finishing school, he took a factory job testing and assembling automatic transmissions. It paid minimum wage, required a grueling 1.5-hour bus commute each way, and drained his health.
At 19, Chris hit a wall. He realized he couldn’t live like that anymore. Determined to break free, he decided to give indie hacking everything he had.
Let's dive into how Chris did it.
Chris Poka grew up in a small village in Hungary, moving frequently between places where opportunities were scarce. His family struggled financially and couldn’t offer much emotional or financial support. After finishing school, he took a factory job testing and assembling automatic transmissions. It paid minimum wage, required a grueling 1.5-hour bus commute each way, and drained his health.
At 19, Chris hit a wall. He realized he couldn’t live like that anymore. Determined to break free, he decided to give indie hacking everything he had.
Let's dive into how Chris did it.
Early Stumbles and Small Wins
Early Stumbles and Small Wins
Chris started exploring the world of entrepreneurship by devouring YouTube videos about successful founders. Inspired by their stories, he dabbled in e-commerce and dropshipping. One idea succeeded, generating a few million dollars in Amazon sales. But without enough capital to scale, his success was short-lived.
Undeterred, Chris kept searching for opportunities and stumbled upon Bubble, a no-code platform that allowed him to build software without coding. Within six months, he had learned enough to start freelancing, earning money on platforms like Upwork and Fiverr.
But Chris didn’t want to settle for piecemeal projects. He launched a Bubble agency, combining his growing knowledge of no-code development with a newfound passion for UI/UX design. The agency brought in around $3,000 per month at its peak, but the leads eventually dried up.
Chris started exploring the world of entrepreneurship by devouring YouTube videos about successful founders. Inspired by their stories, he dabbled in e-commerce and dropshipping. One idea succeeded, generating a few million dollars in Amazon sales. But without enough capital to scale, his success was short-lived.
Undeterred, Chris kept searching for opportunities and stumbled upon Bubble, a no-code platform that allowed him to build software without coding. Within six months, he had learned enough to start freelancing, earning money on platforms like Upwork and Fiverr.
But Chris didn’t want to settle for piecemeal projects. He launched a Bubble agency, combining his growing knowledge of no-code development with a newfound passion for UI/UX design. The agency brought in around $3,000 per month at its peak, but the leads eventually dried up.
2,678+ people enjoy it
➤ Every week, we dig up stories of how regular people started and grew their businesses—
➤ Plus the marketing hacks that won them customers.
➤ Then, we share those insights with you.
➤ Every week, we dig up stories of how regular people started and grew their businesses—
➤ Plus the marketing hacks that won them customers.
➤ Then, we share those insights with you.
Finding the Productized Path
Finding the Productized Path
Chris’s breakthrough came from a chance discovery on Twitter: productized services. Inspired by Brett from DesignJoy, he saw the potential in offering design services on a subscription basis, marketed as “unlimited design.” This model promised better cash flow and recurring revenue—a game-changer.
In April 2023, Chris launched Designpulse, a productized service helping businesses build custom software with low-code tools. Starting with just $1,500 in his bank account, he hustled 16-hour days to make it work. He cold-emailed prospects, posted on Twitter, and networked on LinkedIn. His first two clients came from Twitter, and today they’re still with him. The rest came through LinkedIn outreach.
Fast forward to today, and Chris is earning $9,840 per month, with his highest monthly revenue hitting $12,000.
Chris’s breakthrough came from a chance discovery on Twitter: productized services. Inspired by Brett from DesignJoy, he saw the potential in offering design services on a subscription basis, marketed as “unlimited design.” This model promised better cash flow and recurring revenue—a game-changer.
In April 2023, Chris launched Designpulse, a productized service helping businesses build custom software with low-code tools. Starting with just $1,500 in his bank account, he hustled 16-hour days to make it work. He cold-emailed prospects, posted on Twitter, and networked on LinkedIn. His first two clients came from Twitter, and today they’re still with him. The rest came through LinkedIn outreach.
Fast forward to today, and Chris is earning $9,840 per month, with his highest monthly revenue hitting $12,000.
Building Designpulse from Scratch
Building Designpulse from Scratch
One of the keys to Designpulse’s success is its internal software, which Chris built in just a few days. The initial version was simple: clients could create tasks, leave comments, and get email updates about task status changes. Over time, Chris improved the system, adding features like an onboarding process that lets new users subscribe, create projects, and start tasks immediately.
This system not only streamlined operations but also elevated the client experience, making Designpulse more professional and scalable.
One of the keys to Designpulse’s success is its internal software, which Chris built in just a few days. The initial version was simple: clients could create tasks, leave comments, and get email updates about task status changes. Over time, Chris improved the system, adding features like an onboarding process that lets new users subscribe, create projects, and start tasks immediately.
This system not only streamlined operations but also elevated the client experience, making Designpulse more professional and scalable.
Marketing: The Hardest Part
Marketing: The Hardest Part
Marketing didn’t come naturally to Chris. “I didn’t even know what a funnel was when I started,” he says. He tried everything: cold emails, forums, landing pages, social media, newsletters, and PR. But what worked best for him was building trust through transparency.
Chris embraced “building in public,” regularly sharing updates about his journey on Twitter and LinkedIn. “Posting what you’re up to and how you’re doing it builds trust,” he explains. “And in business, trust is the most important thing.”
His advice? Post every day. If you don’t have clients, build your own projects to create a portfolio. Redesign live websites, record videos, and share them on LinkedIn, Twitter, and TikTok. Consistency is key: “You need to keep working and posting to get eyeballs. Every day, for months and years.”
Marketing didn’t come naturally to Chris. “I didn’t even know what a funnel was when I started,” he says. He tried everything: cold emails, forums, landing pages, social media, newsletters, and PR. But what worked best for him was building trust through transparency.
Chris embraced “building in public,” regularly sharing updates about his journey on Twitter and LinkedIn. “Posting what you’re up to and how you’re doing it builds trust,” he explains. “And in business, trust is the most important thing.”
His advice? Post every day. If you don’t have clients, build your own projects to create a portfolio. Redesign live websites, record videos, and share them on LinkedIn, Twitter, and TikTok. Consistency is key: “You need to keep working and posting to get eyeballs. Every day, for months and years.”
Habits for Success
Habits for Success
Beyond business strategies, Chris credits much of his success to building good habits:
Exercise: Regular gym sessions boost his energy and focus.
Healthy eating: Proper nutrition keeps him sharp.
Blue light-blocking glasses: These help him stay productive during long hours at the computer.
“Work every day, grow every day, and learn every day,” he advises. “That’s the formula for success.”
Beyond business strategies, Chris credits much of his success to building good habits:
Exercise: Regular gym sessions boost his energy and focus.
Healthy eating: Proper nutrition keeps him sharp.
Blue light-blocking glasses: These help him stay productive during long hours at the computer.
“Work every day, grow every day, and learn every day,” he advises. “That’s the formula for success.”
The Plateau and the Pivot
The Plateau and the Pivot
Chris also shares an important lesson about hitting plateaus. Around $8,000/month, he noticed that free online resources stopped being helpful. “This is where you’ll plateau,” he says. “You have to get a mentor or invest in bigger courses to learn what people aren’t sharing for free.”
Chris also shares an important lesson about hitting plateaus. Around $8,000/month, he noticed that free online resources stopped being helpful. “This is where you’ll plateau,” he says. “You have to get a mentor or invest in bigger courses to learn what people aren’t sharing for free.”
What’s Next for Chris?
What’s Next for Chris?
Chris plans to expand his personal brand by starting a podcast and a YouTube channel. “That should make it easier to grow any future businesses I start,” he says.
His revenue goal for 2025 is $20,000 per month, and on a personal note, he hopes to travel to at least six countries next year.
Chris’s journey from a factory worker in Hungary to a founder approaching $10k MRR is proof of what’s possible with creativity and the willingness to adapt. For anyone looking to start their own journey, his advice is clear:
Learn every day.
Build trust by sharing your story.
Stay consistent.
And when you hit a wall, don’t be afraid to seek help.
Chris plans to expand his personal brand by starting a podcast and a YouTube channel. “That should make it easier to grow any future businesses I start,” he says.
His revenue goal for 2025 is $20,000 per month, and on a personal note, he hopes to travel to at least six countries next year.
Chris’s journey from a factory worker in Hungary to a founder approaching $10k MRR is proof of what’s possible with creativity and the willingness to adapt. For anyone looking to start their own journey, his advice is clear:
Learn every day.
Build trust by sharing your story.
Stay consistent.
And when you hit a wall, don’t be afraid to seek help.
Final Thoughts
Final Thoughts
P.S. I’ve got a weekly newsletter where I dig up stories of how regular people started and grew their businesses— Plus the marketing hacks that won them customers. Then, I share those insights with you. I would love for you to join us here
Shoot me a DM if you want to share your story, or visit this page to submit your information 💌
- h/t Designpulse, Indie Hackers ⇢ Great resources
P.S. I’ve got a weekly newsletter where I dig up stories of how regular people started and grew their businesses— Plus the marketing hacks that won them customers. Then, I share those insights with you. I would love for you to join us here
Shoot me a DM if you want to share your story, or visit this page to submit your information 💌
- h/t Designpulse, Indie Hackers ⇢ Great resources
Boost your business visibility to thousands of engaged readers!
Get Featured on 100+ pages across the FounderNoon website.
One month stretch ⇢ $100
Three-month stretch ⇢ $250
Boost your business visibility to thousands of engaged readers!
Get Featured on 100+ pages across the FounderNoon website.
One month stretch ⇢ $100
Three-month stretch ⇢ $250
