IndieMaker was born from my experiences as the owner of a software development studio, working closely with numerous entrepreneurs.  Along the way, I often felt troubled by the value lost in our work. It was disheartening to see fantastic ideas and software go to waste when startups failed. This realisation sparked a deep desire to reclaim the value of overlooked and neglected intellectual property.

As someone deeply involved in startups and software development, I learned that failure often stemmed from factors beyond the idea's quality or the software itself. There were myriad reasons for failure, from incompatible teams and shareholder disputes to unpredictable investors and geographical misalignment. Many software products, I realized, could have succeeded in different circumstances.

In 2013, I jotted down the idea of a digital asset marketplace in my notebook, but it remained on the backburner for years. In 2018, I finally decided to act. Instead of pressuring our development team to build from scratch, I set out to acquire an existing platform. With my background in dealmaking, I believed it was worth a shot.

After identifying three potential websites, I made offers to acquire them. Eventually, I successfully acquired 1kProjects in 2019, which had 800 users at the time. Within six months, we experienced substantial growth, reaching around 10,000 users. With my longtime business partner, we swiftly improved the platform and rebranded it as IndieMaker in March 2020. However, personal challenges, including family matters and the upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic, made this period incredibly demanding. As a mother and daughter, I had to prioritize my family's needs, even if it meant slower progress with IndieMaker -  and my progress did fall short of my intended pace. Despite the difficulties, I remained determined to keep the site running, all the while understanding that opportunities to connect with loved ones are fleeting and irreplaceable.

During those tough times, something remarkable happened: IndieMaker developed a loyal following and dedicated fans. Their unwavering support and the platform's organic growth were testaments to its value, despite my inability to fully focus on it.

Amidst these developments, I observed changes in the entrepreneurial landscape, particularly the rise of solopreneurs and the flourishing creator economy. This shift reinforced my belief that IndieMaker needed to better serve solopreneurs, makers, and creators. Finally, in 2022, I had the capacity to rebuild and reimagine IndieMaker. The journey was arduous, but we worked tirelessly to revamp the platform from the ground up, leading to an early 2024 relaunch, which filled me with immense relief and pride.

Today, IndieMaker thrives as a community and marketplace for makers, solopreneurs, and bootstrappers, boasting over 20,000 users and significant GMV. Our goal is to empower solo entrepreneurs to achieve financial independence by providing a curated space to buy and sell digital assets and side-hustles while connecting with a supportive community.

I firmly believe that the future belongs to the small but mighty, and it is this belief that inspires our work at IndieMaker. The Indiemaker community is its lifeblood and we are committed to providing them with the tools and support they need to thrive. 

Looking ahead, we're ready to invest substantially in infrastructure, design, and user experience to honour and support our users' efforts. We'll persist in simplifying our platform, prioritising utility and simplicity, and refining every aspect thoughtfully. Our approach will be deliberate and measured, always guided by good intentions and a solid ethical compass.