Can a single-feature countdown timer turn into a thriving SaaS business? Meet Lucas Herman, a solopreneur from Germany, who built StageTimer.io — arguably the world's simplest app — and scaled it to over $25,000/month in revenue.

This is a story of lean development, niche marketing, and how a single Reddit post changed everything.

🚀 From Developer to Founder: Meet Lucas

Lucas is a software developer who decided to quit his job after validating and growing a small idea — a real-time countdown timer for live events — into a full-fledged SaaS company. Built together with his wife, the business now serves 20,000 users, with 4,400 paying customers and over 86,000 monthly visitors.

💡 The “Stupidly Simple” App That Solves a Real Problem

The app? A web-based countdown timer designed for real-life events like TED talks, live video production, and studio broadcasts. It allows event producers to display a shared timer to multiple people remotely.

While it may sound like something your iPhone can do, the magic is in real-time multi-screen syncing and ease-of-use. That’s what makes StageTimer.io indispensable for professionals.

📈 How a Single Reddit Post Sparked Growth

Lucas initially validated his idea by posting in niche subreddits related to video production. He asked for feedback and linked his MVP — without a price tag — to gain trust. One post gained just 58 upvotes, but it started everything. People engaged, offered suggestions, and asked when it would be ready.

⚙️ MVP in 3 Days with Familiar Tools

Lucas built the MVP in just three days using familiar technologies: JavaScript, Vue.js, and Node.js. He focused on shipping quickly instead of learning new frameworks. The initial product had one button: start the timer.

It took 224 days to earn his first dollar — but Lucas knew the value was there.

👩‍👩‍👧‍👦 Built as a Family Business

After acquiring early traction, Lucas invited his wife to help with marketing and customer support. She took over Google Ads, sales emails, and support, while Lucas focused on product development and strategy.

“We walk down the street and brainstorm how to grow StageTimer,” Lucas says.

📣 Organic Growth via SEO & Product-Led Marketing

StageTimer’s traffic comes from three main sources:

• 50% from Google search (SEO)
• 33% from word of mouth
• 17% from paid ads and direct outreach

Lucas used product-led growth by making the logo visible on all shared links, offering a free tier, and building integrations like Stream Deck tutorials on YouTube for niche terms.

🛠 Tools That Power StageTimer

• Airtable – CRM and automation
• Postmark – Transactional emails
• Google Ads – Paid acquisition
• Vue.js & Node.js – Frontend and backend stack

💰 Business Model & Costs

StageTimer is incredibly lean:

• Infrastructure costs: $280/month
• Tools & services: $250/month
• Paid ads: $1,400/month

Profit margin: 80–90%.

🎯 Lessons Learned

Lucas’s biggest insight? "There are more million-dollar niches than you think." Look outside the developer bubble and solve overlooked pain points in niche industries.

🔁 Final Thoughts

StageTimer is proof that even the simplest ideas can become successful SaaS businesses. With no audience, no funding, and just a Reddit post, Lucas built a profitable family-run company that changes how live events are run.

Check out StageTimer.io to see the app in action.

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❓ FAQ

Q: What is StageTimer.io?

A web-based countdown timer for live events, built for simplicity and real-time collaboration across multiple devices.

Q: How did Lucas validate the idea?

He posted on niche subreddits asking for feedback and linked to the MVP without a price, generating early traction.

Q: How is the app monetized?

Freemium model with paid upgrades. Revenue is supported by paid plans, word of mouth, and integrations.

Q: What makes StageTimer better than an iPhone timer?

It works across devices in real-time, supports remote control, and is optimized for live events and video productions.

Q: Can I build something similar?

Absolutely. Start with a small idea, validate it in niche communities, and build a simple MVP with tools you already know.

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This story was originally featured on Starter Story with Pat Walls.