How Maddox Schmidlkofer Built a $1,000-a-Day Site, Sold It for $120,000, and Started Again

Veronica Llorca-Smith shares how she built a six-figure business around multiple connected income streams, including Substack, courses, workshops, coaching, books, and public speaking. She breaks down how her 14,000-subscriber community generates about $25,000 annually and how corporate speaking can bring in $15,000 to $20,000 during busy months. Veronica also explains why roughly 80% of her course sales happen during the first month and how she repurposes newsletter content into paid products. Plus, she shares what she learned from low book sales, landing a Penguin deal, and turning one area of expertise into several offers.     Sponsor: Quiet Light Get a free, confidential valuation at https://quietlight.com/!     Be sure to get more content like this in the Niche Pursuits Newsletter Right Here: https://www.nichepursuits.com/newsletter ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Want a Faster and Easier Way to Build Internal Links? Get $15 off Link Whisper with Discount Code "Podcast" on the Checkout Screen: https://www.nichepursuits.com/linkwhisper ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Get SEO Consulting from the Niche Pursuits Podcast Host, Jared Bauman: https://www.nichepursuits.com/201creative -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------     Links & Resources Check out The Lemon Tree Mindset (Substack): https://veronicallorcasmith.substack.com Connect with Veronica on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronicallorcasmith/ Get Veronica's free Substack video tutorial: https://verollorcasmith.gumroad.com/l/substackhomepage/pg8w660     - You can learn more about me and get additional website tips at: https://www.nichepursuits.com - You can learn about optimizing your site with internal links using a WordPress Plugin I created right here: https://www.linkwhisper.com   Thanks for watching and please consider subscribing to the main Niche Pursuits YouTube channel by clicking here: https://www.nichepursuits.com/youtube 

At just 21, Maddox Schmidlkofer has already grown a gaming website to $1,000 a day and sold it for $120,000, after several earlier projects failed to take off. Now he's building Tallow, a consumer app generating less than $2,000 per month as he works toward a $4,000 monthly revenue goal.   Maddox shares why he now spends roughly 80% of his time on marketing, how short-form content fueled his previous success, and what makes growing an app so different. He also explains why he has set an October 31 deadline to decide how much longer to pursue Tallow.     Sponsor: Quiet Light Get a free, confidential valuation at https://quietlight.com/!     Be sure to get more content like this in the Niche Pursuits Newsletter Right Here: https://www.nichepursuits.com/newsletter ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Want a Faster and Easier Way to Build Internal Links? Get $15 off Link Whisper with Discount Code "Podcast" on the Checkout Screen: https://www.nichepursuits.com/linkwhisper ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Get SEO Consulting from the Niche Pursuits Podcast Host, Jared Bauman: https://www.nichepursuits.com/201creative -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------     Links & Resources Learn more about Maddox's projects: https://maddoxschmidlkofer.com/ Check out Tallow: https://tallow.app/     - You can learn more about me and get additional website tips at: https://www.nichepursuits.com - You can learn about optimizing your site with internal links using a WordPress Plugin I created right here: https://www.linkwhisper.com   Thanks for watching and please consider subscribing to the main Niche Pursuits YouTube channel by clicking here: https://www.nichepursuits.com/youtube 

Jason Zigelbaum has grown Zigpoll into a one-person SaaS generating about $142,000 in MRR, or roughly $1.7 million in annualized revenue. In this episode, he shares how 90% of the business comes through the Shopify App Store and why reviews, churn reduction, onboarding, and customer feedback have driven much of its growth.   Jason also explains how he uses AI across product development, marketing, design, and data analysis while still handling customer support himself. We also discuss pricing, annual plans, moving upmarket, and his plans to take Zigpoll from $2 million toward $4 million in annual revenue.     Sponsor: Quiet Light Get a free, confidential valuation at https://quietlight.com/!     Be sure to get more content like this in the Niche Pursuits Newsletter Right Here: https://www.nichepursuits.com/newsletter ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Want a Faster and Easier Way to Build Internal Links? Get $15 off Link Whisper with Discount Code "Podcast" on the Checkout Screen: https://www.nichepursuits.com/linkwhisper ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Get SEO Consulting from the Niche Pursuits Podcast Host, Jared Bauman: https://www.nichepursuits.com/201creative -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------     Links & Resources Learn more about Zigpoll: https://www.zigpoll.com/ Install Zigpoll: https://apps.shopify.com/zigpoll Connect With Jason: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-zigelbaum      - You can learn more about me and get additional website tips at: https://www.nichepursuits.com - You can learn about optimizing your site with internal links using a WordPress Plugin I created right here: https://www.linkwhisper.com   Thanks for watching and please consider subscribing to the main Niche Pursuits YouTube channel by clicking here: https://www.nichepursuits.com/youtube 

In this episode, Jared Bauman talks with Besmir Bregasi, founder of ZeroRank, about what is driving LLM citations in 2026 and why Reddit, X, YouTube, and fresh off-site mentions matter so much. Besmir shares ZeroRank data on user-generated content, local AI visibility, and the on-site factors that still support citation potential. He also explains how ZeroRank's first version was built in three months, grew past 1,000 customers through AppSumo, and reached mid-six figures in ARR. They also discuss AppSumo economics, recurring revenue, referrals, affiliates, and ZeroRank's next growth phase.     Sponsor: Quiet Light Get a free, confidential valuation at https://quietlight.com/!     Be sure to get more content like this in the Niche Pursuits Newsletter Right Here: https://www.nichepursuits.com/newsletter ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Want a Faster and Easier Way to Build Internal Links? Get $15 off Link Whisper with Discount Code "Podcast" on the Checkout Screen: https://www.nichepursuits.com/linkwhisper ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Get SEO Consulting from the Niche Pursuits Podcast Host, Jared Bauman: https://www.nichepursuits.com/201creative -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------     Links & Resources Check out ZeroRank: https://zerorank.ai/ Learn more about LanderLab: https://landerlab.io/     - You can learn more about me and get additional website tips at: https://www.nichepursuits.com - You can learn about optimizing your site with internal links using a WordPress Plugin I created right here: https://www.linkwhisper.com   Thanks for watching and please consider subscribing to the main Niche Pursuits YouTube channel by clicking here: https://www.nichepursuits.com/youtube 

Ben Borton, co-founder and CRO of PodPlay, shares how the company grew from operating sports venues into a platform used across 290 locations with more than 1.8 million end customers. He explains how founder-led sales, word of mouth, and organic content helped PodPlay compete with companies that had years of market experience. Ben also breaks down how more than two million captured replays turned into 24 million social media views through partnerships and user-generated content. Plus, he shares why PodPlay still invests heavily in search-focused content and how that strategy contributes to a roughly 40% demo-to-customer conversion rate.     Disclaimer: We're aware of the audio issues on this one. We did everything we could to clean it up, and ultimately felt the conversation was too valuable not to share.     Sponsor: Quiet Light Get a free, confidential valuation at https://quietlight.com/!     Be sure to get more content like this in the Niche Pursuits Newsletter Right Here: https://www.nichepursuits.com/newsletter ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Want a Faster and Easier Way to Build Internal Links? Get $15 off Link Whisper with Discount Code "Podcast" on the Checkout Screen: https://www.nichepursuits.com/linkwhisper ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Get SEO Consulting from the Niche Pursuits Podcast Host, Jared Bauman: https://www.nichepursuits.com/201creative -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------     Links & Resources Learn more about PodPlay: https://podplay.app/     - You can learn more about me and get additional website tips at: https://www.nichepursuits.com - You can learn about optimizing your site with internal links using a WordPress Plugin I created right here: https://www.linkwhisper.com   Thanks for watching and please consider subscribing to the main Niche Pursuits YouTube channel by clicking here: https://www.nichepursuits.com/youtube 

Natasha Tynes draws on 25 years of journalism experience to build a media business that generates leads through multiple online channels. In this episode, she breaks down how she uses Substack, LinkedIn, YouTube, and free versus paid content to attract potential clients and move them through her funnel. She also shares how a new paid community fits into her strategy and why different platforms serve different purposes in her business. The conversation offers a closer look at how Natasha connects content, audience building, and multiple marketing channels to create leads and grow her service-based business. Sponsor: Quiet Light Get a free, confidential valuation at https://quietlight.com/! Be sure to get more content like this in the Niche Pursuits Newsletter Right Here: https://www.nichepursuits.com/newsletter ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Want a Faster and Easier Way to Build Internal Links? Get $15 off Link Whisper with Discount Code "Podcast" on the Checkout Screen: https://www.nichepursuits.com/linkwhisper ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Get SEO Consulting from the Niche Pursuits Podcast Host, Jared Bauman: https://www.nichepursuits.com/201creative ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Links & Resources Learn more about Natasha's writing work: https://natashatynes.substack.com/ - You can learn more about me and get additional website tips at: https://www.nichepursuits.com - You can learn about optimizing your site with internal links using a WordPress Plugin I created right here: https://www.linkwhisper.com Thanks for watching and please consider subscribing to the main Niche Pursuits YouTube channel by clicking here: https://www.nichepursuits.com/youtube

John Muscarello is making roughly $25,000 to $30,000 per month as a full-time Amazon Influencer, with one recent month reaching $35,000. In this episode, he shares how he grew from publishing 500 videos in his first 30 days to building a library of nearly 5,000 videos.   John breaks down his current product research process, why Creator Connections generates around 80% of his income, and why he now buys many of the products he reviews. He also explains his simple filming and editing workflow, his approach to brand deals, how he uses YouTube, and what he would focus on if starting today.   Sponsor: Quiet Light Get a free, confidential valuation at https://quietlight.com/!   Be sure to get more content like this in the Niche Pursuits Newsletter Right Here: https://www.nichepursuits.com/newsletter ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Want a Faster and Easier Way to Build Internal Links? Get $15 off Link Whisper with Discount Code "Podcast" on the Checkout Screen: https://www.nichepursuits.com/linkwhisper ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Get SEO Consulting from the Niche Pursuits Podcast Host, Jared Bauman: https://www.nichepursuits.com/201creative -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   Links & Resources Get John's Amazon Influencer Guide: https://www.reviewandearnsystem.com/guide Watch The Side Hustle Experiment on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SideHustleExperiment Connect with John on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sidehustleexperiment/   - You can learn more about me and get additional website tips at: https://www.nichepursuits.com - You can learn about optimizing your site with internal links using a WordPress Plugin I created right here: https://www.linkwhisper.com   Thanks for watching and please consider subscribing to the main Niche Pursuits YouTube channel by clicking here: https://www.nichepursuits.com/youtube

Aaron Steed started Meathead Movers at just 17 and spent the next 29 years building it into an eight-figure business with nine locations. In this episode, he shares how he survived having his phone lines shut down, overcame a $25,000 licensing hurdle, and recovered from a major advertising deal falling apart during expansion. Aaron also explains how a 400-point training program, athletic movers, memorable customer experiences, and community involvement helped the company stand apart. Plus, he reveals why speed to lead matters more than ever and how Meathead Movers closes around 50% of prospects its team successfully reaches. Sponsor: Quiet Light Get a free, confidential valuation at https://quietlight.com/! Be sure to get more content like this in the Niche Pursuits Newsletter Right Here: https://www.nichepursuits.com/newsletter ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Want a Faster and Easier Way to Build Internal Links? Get $15 off Link Whisper with Discount Code "Podcast" on the Checkout Screen: https://www.nichepursuits.com/linkwhisper ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Get SEO Consulting from the Niche Pursuits Podcast Host, Jared Bauman: https://www.nichepursuits.com/201creative ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Links & Resources Book Meathead Movers: https://www.meatheadmovers.com/ Connect with Meathead Movers on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/MeatheadMovers/ Follow Meathead Movers on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MeatheadMovers/ Learn more about the Meathead Movers New Vista Office: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/meathead-movers-meets-growing-san-diego-demand-with-new-vista-office-302748878.html - You can learn more about me and get additional website tips at: https://www.nichepursuits.com - You can learn about optimizing your site with internal links using a WordPress Plugin I created right here: https://www.linkwhisper.com Thanks for watching and please consider subscribing to the main Niche Pursuits YouTube channel by clicking here: https://www.nichepursuits.com/youtube

In this episode of the Niche Pursuits podcast, Tom Szaky shares how he built TerraCycle from a college dorm room idea into a global company with close to $100 million in annual revenue. He explains how finding business opportunities in overlooked markets helped TerraCycle become a leader in hard-to-recycle waste, while also revealing the marketing strategy behind thousands of earned media mentions. Tom also discusses launching Loop, expanding into adjacent markets, raising capital, and acquiring complementary businesses. If you're looking for fresh ideas on business growth, marketing, and long-term entrepreneurship, this conversation is packed with insights you can apply to your business planning. Sponsor: Quiet Light Get a free, confidential valuation at https://quietlight.com/! Be sure to get more content like this in the Niche Pursuits Newsletter Right Here: https://www.nichepursuits.com/newsletter ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Want a Faster and Easier Way to Build Internal Links? Get $15 off Link Whisper with Discount Code "Podcast" on the Checkout Screen: https://www.nichepursuits.com/linkwhisper ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Get SEO Consulting from the Niche Pursuits Podcast Host, Jared Bauman: https://www.nichepursuits.com/201creative ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Links & Resources Learn more about TerraCycle: https://www.terracycle.comInvest in TerraCycle: https://invest.terracycle.com/  - You can learn more about me and get additional website tips at: https://www.nichepursuits.com - You can learn about optimizing your site with internal links using a WordPress Plugin I created right here: https://www.linkwhisper.com Thanks for watching and please consider subscribing to the main Niche Pursuits YouTube channel by clicking here: https://www.nichepursuits.com/youtube

In this episode of the Niche Pursuits Podcast, Jared Bauman sits down with entrepreneur Bernard Huang to discuss his incredible journey from making six figures playing online poker in college to building and exiting the SEO platform ClearScope. Bernard shares lessons from a failed restaurant franchise, seven years in Silicon Valley, and growing a bootstrapped SaaS business to mid-seven figures. The conversation also explores how AI is reshaping SEO, content creation, and software, including why Bernard believes today's internet economics are changing faster than ever. If you're interested in entrepreneurship, SEO, AI, or building sustainable online businesses, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss. Sponsor: Quiet Light Get a free, confidential valuation at https://quietlight.com/! Be sure to get more content like this in the Niche Pursuits Newsletter Right Here: https://www.nichepursuits.com/newsletter ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Want a Faster and Easier Way to Build Internal Links? Get $15 off Link Whisper with Discount Code "Podcast" on the Checkout Screen: https://www.nichepursuits.com/linkwhisper ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Get SEO Consulting from the Niche Pursuits Podcast Host, Jared Bauman: https://www.nichepursuits.com/201creative ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Links & Resources Learn more about Bernard's work: https://zonted.com/ Check out Clearscope: https://www.clearscope.io/ - You can learn more about me and get additional website tips at: https://www.nichepursuits.com - You can learn about optimizing your site with internal links using a WordPress Plugin I created right here: https://www.linkwhisper.com Thanks for watching and please consider subscribing to the main Niche Pursuits YouTube channel by clicking here: https://www.nichepursuits.com/youtube