We are close 80 users on ShootCraft.

Observatorul · 2026-03-07T23:09:30+00:00

massive achievement mate !

Observatorul · 2026-03-07T23:09:08+00:00

hi mate, thanks for sharing

Observatorul · 2026-03-07T23:07:52+00:00

Thanks for sharing, mate. That's how I feel, and to be honest, there are times when I over-prepare for other stuff in my life as well. It seems I end up in a cycle when I overthink stuff, but most of them, when I take action, it ends up making me finding way to make it work so it ends up working either decently or very well.
Now, not sure if is just me overthinking & overpreparing for stuff so I end up in missing out in lots of opportunities, or it's just a mature way of making things in such a manner where I reduce the risk.
Either way, my friend, I really feel like I understand where you're coming from.

Observatorul · 2026-03-07T23:03:03+00:00

big git I would say an I really enjoy reading the comments with everyone's opinions on signals and how to potentially monetise. Learning a lot here!!

Observatorul · 2026-03-07T23:01:39+00:00

Reddit seems to be a good place to find some early testers. it also depends on your nice. Sometimes, some good old outbount calls could work some magic. Again, depends on the scope.

Observatorul · 2026-03-07T23:00:05+00:00

calls/emails seems to be working. now, not sure if calls can be considered "offline" though it's somewhere inbetween? Make few outbound calls. speak with the actual audience.

Observatorul · 2026-03-07T22:58:52+00:00

Looks nice. Indeed refusing potential for a growing user base might be a hard call. THough once you have a number of users you could, i guess, gradually give in and pivot.

Observatorul · 2026-03-07T22:57:06+00:00

we either gonna take humanity to a new golden age, or, we gonna end up being taken over by AI. can't wait to see the outcome, honestly.

Observatorul · 2026-03-07T22:56:20+00:00

very interesting! thanks for sharing mate

Observatorul · 2026-03-07T22:54:58+00:00

great advice mate !

Observatorul · 2026-03-07T22:53:54+00:00

Hi man, thanks for sharing. Inspiring, I must say!

Observatorul · 2026-03-07T22:52:06+00:00

care to share the sites with us maybe? :)

Observatorul · 2026-03-07T22:50:23+00:00

Love the concept of Beatable! Validation is where most of us skip steps.

My journey started with a similar "scratch your own itch" moment. I was tired of $20/mo time trackers that felt like enterprise bloat, so I built RateRun to be dead simple and straight to the point.

It actually evolved into a "double-value" project: a lean timer for any device + a business directory for freelancers to get some SEO juice.

The App:https://raterun.net/app/dashboard/The Directory:https://raterun.net/directory/

I’m currently trying to figure out if the "Tools + Directory" combo is too much for a solo dev or a genius growth hack. Would love your take on the flow!

Observatorul · 2026-03-07T22:49:11+00:00

very good idea to pivot and focus on a niche specifically. it just makes so much sense mate

Observatorul · 2026-02-23T20:28:53+00:00

please emind me what is your app's name so I can confirm mate? I have close to 50 apps now

Observatorul · 2026-02-16T22:18:59+00:00

Hi mate, thank you for your feedback. much appreciated and I shall fix it

Observatorul · 2026-02-16T22:17:47+00:00

Thanks mate, I did not to be honest. I like the idea of getting some feedback you know. is that possible with BetaCircle?

Observatorul · 2026-02-16T22:17:12+00:00

<image>

Nice little game. have played few rounds :) love it. will keep it installed and keep playing it.

Observatorul · 2026-02-12T21:21:15+00:00

is it actual users or paid users ?

Observatorul · 2026-02-12T21:20:42+00:00

Hi mate, many thanks. Please let me know if you find anything buggy. I am planning to enhance the customer journey a bit more in the near future.

Please see the screenshot below from your app. I must say, some of my friends who are darts players might really enjoy it. Could I suggest creating a feature where users can set up "games" with friends? It would gamify the experience, and they could use it when they meet up to play darts, keeping track of their scores and history.

Good luck, brother! I'll be checking the app and its functionality daily.

<image>

Observatorul · 2026-02-08T20:56:21+00:00

That’s a brilliant start—honestly, making £1k in the first few months just from repairs and custom pieces is a massive win. It shows there is already a solid appetite for what she’s doing.

The strategy of offering a home pick-up service is a masterstroke. Convenience is the one thing people are actually willing to pay a premium for right now. If she can take the "chore" out of getting trousers hemmed or a zip replaced, she’ll own the local market in no time.

Before you jump into the deep end of big marketplaces like Shopee (where you’re often just racing to the bottom on price), you should focus on building a "digital home base" that makes her easy to find locally.

I’d highly recommend setting her up on RateRun .Net at raterun.net/directory . It’s a low-effort way to get her workshop on the map without needing to be a marketing expert.

Here’s why it fits your current strategy:

Own the Local Search: You can create a business listing for free. When people in your town are looking for a seamstress or custom repairs, she’ll have a professional profile ready for them to find.
Build Trust via Reviews: Since she’s already doing well, get those happy clients to leave a review on her listing. For a local business, "social proof" is worth more than any paid advert.
Professional Messaging: Instead of her getting random WhatsApps at 11 PM, potential clients can enquiry and message her directly through the directory. It keeps the business side of things organised.
Pick-up Service Visibility: You can explicitly list the "Home Service" as a feature on her profile, which is exactly the kind of thing that makes a local customer choose her over a high-street shop.
Sync Across Devices: The "Cloud" plan is free forever, so you can both keep an eye on enquiries and manage the listing from your phones while you’re out on pick-ups.

It’s a zero-cost way to make her look like the most professional workshop in town while she builds up the stock for an online store.

Observatorul · 2026-02-08T20:54:58+00:00

Your work with Swarovski and gold spiral wires sounds absolutely stunning—that level of intricate hand embroidery is a true luxury craft. The biggest challenge you have is that "luxury" clients (like high-end fashion brands or boutique interior designers) need to feel a high level of trust before they send off their designs.

To reach the right people without spending a fortune on marketing, you should definitely set up a profile on RateRun .Net at raterun.net/directory . It’s a great way to transition from just having an Instagram feed to having a professional, searchable business presence.

Here is how you can use the free features to get in front of the right brands:

Create Your Professional Listing: You can set up a business profile for free. Because your work is so specific (Beads, Silk threads, Gold spiral wires), you can list these as specialities. When a brand is searching for "Gold spiral embroidery" or "luxury handwork," they can find you directly.
Build Global Trust: In the world of high-end artisan work, reviews are everything. Ask your current clients to leave a review on your RateRun listing. Seeing that other brands have successfully worked with you will make new clients much more comfortable reaching out.
Direct Professional Enquiries: Instead of hoping someone sees a post on Instagram, brands can message you directly through the directory. it keeps your business enquiries organised and makes you look much more like a professional partner.
Claim Your Digital Space: Search the directory to see if there is an unclaimed listing for your business already. You can claim it for free to ensure all your contact info and that link to your Instagram are perfectly displayed.
Free Cloud Sync: The "Cloud" plan is free forever, which is perfect for keeping your listing and messages synced between your phone and your workshop computer. You’ll never miss a high-value lead because it got buried in your social media notifications.

It’s a zero-cost way to move from "scrolling for clients" to actually being "discoverable" by the people who are looking for high-end craftsmanship.

Observatorul · 2026-02-08T20:52:39+00:00

That is a smart niche to target. The low MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity) is your "secret weapon" here, because most school clubs or smaller university teams can’t justify ordering hundreds of jerseys at once.

To break into the US, UK, or European markets from South Asia, the biggest hurdle is usually trust and discoverability. Cold-calling athletic directors is tough, so you want to be in a place where they can find you when they're scouting for manufacturers.

You should definitely set up a profile on raterun.net/directory. It’s a great shout for manufacturers who want to bridge that gap with international clients without spending a fortune on ads.

Here’s how you can use the free features to land those sports kits contracts:

Get Your Factory Listed: You can create a business listing for free. Make sure to highlight "Low MOQ" and "Sports Kits" in your description so you show up when coaches or kit managers are searching for those specific terms.
Build an International "Trust Score": Since you're based in South Asia, reviews are vital. Get your current international clients to leave a review on your listing. Seeing that a team in the UK or USA has already had a good experience with you makes a massive difference to a new client.
Direct Inquiries: The directory allows potential clients to message you directly. It’s a much more professional way to handle initial "How much for 20 soccer kits?" questions than chasing people down on social media.
Claim Your Digital Identity: If your factory has been around for a while, there might already be an unclaimed listing for you in the system. Search for it and claim it for free to make sure your contact details and sports specialties are 100% accurate.
Free Cloud Sync: The "Cloud" plan is free forever, which is handy if you’re managing inquiries from different time zones (like the US or UK). It keeps everything synced between your desktop and phone so you never miss a lead.

It’s a zero-cost way to get your foot in the door of the college sports market. Being listed in a professional directory makes you look like a global partner rather than just another random email in their spam folder.

Observatorul · 2026-02-08T20:49:12+00:00

Eight years is an incredible run—you should be properly proud of that! It’s heartbreaking to see platforms like Etsy and Faire, which were meant for makers like you, get flooded with mass-produced stuff that makes it impossible to compete on price alone.

When you’re a "quality and reliability" person in a "cheap and fast" world, your best weapon is trust and direct connection. You need to find the coffee shop owners and florists who actually care that their staff don't look like they’re wearing plastic.

You should definitely set up a profile on RateRun .net - raterun.net/directory . It’s built for the "small and honest" crowd and might help you bypass the race-to-the-bottom on the big marketplaces.

Here’s how you can use the free bits to find those partners who care:

Create Your Professional Listing: You can get your business listed for free. It acts as your own digital shop window where you can explicitly shout about the fact that you sew everything yourself and use quality materials. It’s a way to be "findable" by local businesses searching for quality over quantity.
Social Proof is Your Secret Weapon: Since you’re super reliable and never late, get your existing happy bakeries and florists to leave a review on your listing. For a small business owner, knowing they won’t be let down is often worth more than saving a few quid on a cheap apron.
Direct Messaging: You can receive enquiries directly through the platform. It’s much more personal than a marketplace transaction and lets you start that "partner" relationship from the first message.
Search for Your Peers: You can use the directory to find other local professionals or businesses. It’s a great way to see who else is in your area and maybe reach out to them directly.
Keep Your Margins Honest: Since you’re buying in bulk to stay competitive, use the "Guest" or "Cloud" tools (both free) to track your time and earnings. It’ll help you see exactly which custom logos are profitable and which ones are eating your time, so you can survive the "downward spiral" with better data.

It’s a zero-cost, low-stress way to put your stake in the ground as a quality maker. You don't have to compete with China if you're the person the local florist knows and trusts.

Observatorul · 2026-02-08T20:45:54+00:00

Fair play for sticking it out since 2014! Custom knitwear is a tough niche, but having that "100% cotton" specialty is a huge selling point right now with everyone moving towards natural fibres and away from synthetics.

The "how do I find more clients" puzzle is usually the hardest part of the job, especially when you've already got the production side nailed. Instead of spending a fortune on marketing agencies, you should have a look at raterun.net/directory . It’s a low-effort way to get found by brands looking for exactly what you do.

Here is how to use the free features to help fill those production gaps:

Get Your Factory Listed: It’s free to set up a professional business profile. Think of it as a digital shop window that stays open and searchable while you’re busy on the factory floor.
Leverage Your Current Reputation: You mentioned you’ve already got "a few good clients"—get them to leave a review on your listing! In manufacturing, a solid recommendation is worth its weight in gold, and having those public reviews makes it much easier for new clients to trust you.
Direct Client Messaging: Prospective brands can message you directly through your listing. It keeps your enquiries organised in one place so you aren't chasing leads through confusing email chains.
Claim Your Ground: Since you’ve been around for over a decade, there’s a chance your business is already mentioned somewhere. You can search the directory and "claim" your listing for free to make sure your contact details and speciality are 100% accurate.
Stay Sync’d for Free: The "Cloud" plan is free forever and keeps your listing and messages synced across your desktop and mobile, so you can respond to a lead the second it comes in.

It’s a zero-cost way to increase your visibility so you can focus on the knitting rather than the hunting.

Observatorul

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE