Stagetimer
About the Company
Stagetimer is an online tool that allows users to create and share countdown timers via links or QR codes. The tool is particularly useful for event organizers who need to keep presentations or meetings on schedule. Despite its simplicity, Stagetimer has found a strong user base among event producers and other professionals who require precise time management tools.
The company is co-founded by Liz and her husband, Lukas Hermann. Liz focuses on marketing, customer service, and sales, while Lukas handles the technical aspects of the business. Despite their small team, they have managed to grow Stagetimer into a successful business, largely through organic search and word-of-mouth referrals.
Idea Behind Company
The idea for Stagetimer came about in November 2021 when Lukas noticed the inefficiency of manually starting a timer in a recording studio. After realizing that no remote-controlled timer tool existed, he decided to create one himself. Initially developed over a weekend, the tool quickly gained attention when Lukas shared it on Reddit.
The positive feedback from Reddit users motivated Lukas to continue developing the tool, adding features based on user suggestions. Within six months, a paid version of Stagetimer was launched, marking the start of their business journey. The tool's practicality and niche appeal helped it gain traction among event producers and other professionals.
Creating the Company
The initial version of Stagetimer was extremely simple, with no landing page and just basic functionality. Users could display and share a timer or message, making it ideal for event producers who needed a reliable timing tool. The tool’s ability to be controlled remotely was a significant improvement over existing solutions, which required manual operation.
Stagetimer's early success was largely due to Lukas sharing the tool on Reddit, where it found an audience among technical users who appreciated its functionality. Feedback from these users was instrumental in refining the product and adding features that made it more useful for its target market. The development process was iterative, with Lukas and Liz continuously improving the tool based on user input.
Launching the Business
Stagetimer did not have a formal launch until 18 months after its creation. The initial users came from Reddit, and word-of-mouth quickly spread the tool’s reputation among event producers. These early adopters not only used Stagetimer but also recommended it to their industry colleagues, helping the business grow organically.
The business benefited from the technical nature of its users, who often created high-quality content, such as YouTube videos, that promoted Stagetimer. Additionally, the straightforward naming of the tool helped it rank well in SEO, driving more traffic and users to the site. Although a ProductHunt launch in May 2022 did not generate sales, it served as a valuable learning experience for the team.
Earnings
Today, Stagetimer generates approximately $8,000 in monthly revenue and supports Liz and Lukas full-time. The business allows them to work flexibly, dedicating between 2-6 hours a day to Stagetimer while pursuing other interests and projects. Despite their success, the couple remains hands-on, with Lukas handling technical work and Liz managing marketing and customer service.
The future looks bright for Stagetimer as the couple plans to hire additional help for development work. They continue to focus on product-led growth, relying on organic search and word-of-mouth to attract and retain customers. The introduction of a one-time event license has also boosted revenue, catering to customers who need the tool for specific occasions.
