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Growth channel · Paid ads
Businesses that grew with paid ads
The 1M.chat dataset has 548 businesses that credited paid ads. 445 of them have a revenue figure the founder reported in an interview. Their median is $50K a month, and 41% were at $1M a year or more when interviewed, with a median team of 4 employees. The growth channels founders credited most often were paid ads (100%), organic social media (70%), SEO & organic search (62%).
Revenue at interview
| Under $1K/mo | 19 | |
| $1K–$10K/mo | 70 | |
| $10K–$50K/mo | 121 | |
| $50K–$83K/mo | 51 | |
| $1M+ a year | 143 | |
| $1M+ a month | 41 |
Growth channels credited
| Paid ads | 100% | |
| Organic social media | 70% | |
| SEO & organic search | 62% | |
| Email & newsletters | 39% | |
| Word of mouth & referrals | 32% |
Share of 445 businesses with channel information; founders often name several.
Industries in this group
| Software & SaaS | 115 | |
| Agencies & services | 83 | |
| Fashion, apparel & accessories | 43 | |
| Other physical products | 43 | |
| Marketplaces & platforms | 34 | |
| Courses & education | 32 |
Tools named most: Instagram (39%), Shopify (22%), Google Drive (14%), Twitter (14%), Google Analytics (12%) — of 99 that listed tools.
Examples
Highest founder-reported revenues in this group
| Business | What it sells | Revenue / month | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| ShipMonkAgencies & services | Ecommerce order fulfillment and logistics services | $62.5Mfounder interview 2019 | United States |
| BrüMateHome, lifestyle & gifts | Insulated drinkware for adult beverages | $12Mfounder interview 2018 | United States |
| MonetizeMoreAgencies & services | ad revenue optimization for publishers | $8Mfounder interview 2019 | Canada |
| Xero ShoesFashion, apparel & accessories | minimalist shoes and sandals | $6.2Mfounder interview 2018 | United States |
| Transformify: Wor...Software & SaaS | global payroll and contractor payment software | $5Mfounder interview 2021 | United Kingdom |
| Diesel LaptopsOther physical products | diesel diagnostic hardware, software and services | $4.2Mfounder interview 2018 | United States |
| TediberHome, lifestyle & gifts | Mattresses, pillows, duvets, baby mattresses, bed frames online | $3.5Mfounder interview 2018 | France |
| OffiNeedsOther physical products | Corporate gifting and custom merchandise | $3.4Mfounder interview 2022 | India |
| FactoryPureOther physical products | generators, air purifiers, and heavy goods online | $3Mfounder interview 2021 | United States |
| UPQODEAgencies & services | Website design and development services and WordPress themes | $3Mfounder interview 2021 | United States |
| BlindsterOther physical products | custom window blinds and treatments | $3Mfounder interview 2021 | United States |
| Love Good FatsFood & beverage | Low-sugar keto high-fat snack bars | $3Mfounder interview 2022 | Canada |
| WildBeauty & personal care | Refillable natural deodorant products | $2.8Mfounder interview 2022 | United Kingdom |
| TrainualSoftware & SaaS | training and knowledge base software for small businesses | $2.7Mfounder interview 2019 | United States |
| Viome Life SciencesHealth, fitness & wellness | Gut health diagnostics and probiotics | $2.5Mfounder interview | United States |
| FactoflySoftware & SaaS | admin and invoicing tool for freelancers | $2.4Mfounder interview 2022 | Denmark |
| International Cer...Other physical products | Ceramics manufacturing for industrial clients | $2Mfounder interview 2024 | United States |
| DetraPelOther physical products | protective stain-repellent sprays for fabric and leather | $1.9Mfounder interview 2019 | United States |
| GR0Agencies & services | SEO and organic growth marketing | $1.8Mfounder interview 2021 | United States |
| VirtudeskAgencies & services | Virtual assistants and business automation services | $1.8Mfounder interview 2021 | United States |
Revenue as the founder reported it in a Starter Story interview, at the interview date; not current revenue. “What it sells” is a 1M.chat summary. Channels come from Starter Story's listed growth channels and from what founders said worked in their interviews, grouped by 1M.chat. How this data is built
Questions
How much do businesses that credited paid ads typically make?
Among 445 businesses that credited paid ads with founder-reported revenue, the median was $50K a month at the time of the interview. The sample is founders who chose to be interviewed, so it leans toward businesses that were already working; treat it as a range of real outcomes, not an average for everyone who tries.
How many businesses that credited paid ads reached $1M a year?
184 of 445 (41%) reported at least $83K a month, the run-rate for $1M a year.
How did businesses that credited paid ads find customers?
Of 445 with growth-channel information, founders most often credited paid ads (100%), organic social media (70%), SEO & organic search (62%), email & newsletters (39%), word of mouth & referrals (32%). Channels are grouped by 1M.chat from what founders said worked.
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