Back a Proven Builder's Transition to Software
I've raised $2M+ in crowdfunding and sold 500K+ physical products globally. Now I'm applying that same product instinct to micro-SaaS — and I'm looking for runway to make it happen.
Don Wilder
Founder, Beast Creative · Chiang Mai, Thailand
13+ years building products. Nearly a decade in China mastering manufacturing and original product development. Six years in Thailand refining the craft. Trained in graphic design since high school — it's not a skill I learned, it's how I see the world.
I'm the "idea guy" who actually ships. The one who spots the gap in the market, designs the solution, builds the brand, and gets it to customers. I've done it with fans, air conditioners, laptop stands, party games, belts, and fitness gear. Now I'm doing it with software.
The short version: I connect dots others miss, I design things people want, and I ship.
Why Micro-SaaS? Why Now?
I've had real success in physical products — products that have sold 500,000+ units, generated millions in revenue, and been featured in major media globally. So why transition?
Because I've learned where I shine — and where physical products hold me back.
My Zone of Genius
Innovation. Connecting dots others miss. Visual identity and design. Taking a concept from zero to market. These are the things that come naturally — the "idea guy" skills that actually create value when paired with execution ability.
Physical Product Pain
12+ month timelines from concept to shelf. Manufacturer management nightmares. Capital-intensive inventory. Logistics complexity. Heavy customer service. Certifications. Partnership dependencies that have burned me multiple times.
SaaS Advantages
Days from concept to launch, not months. Full end-to-end control — no manufacturer dependencies. Minimal capital requirements. No inventory. Global distribution from day one. The ability to iterate in real-time based on user feedback.
The AI Moment
Everything is moving to software. AI tools have collapsed the barrier between "idea person" and "builder." For someone with my product instincts and design eye, this is the perfect moment — the tools finally match my strengths.
This isn't abandoning what I know. It's applying 13+ years of product development discipline to a medium that moves at my speed. The skills transfer — identifying real problems, designing with intention, shipping fast, iterating relentlessly. Only now, I can do it without the bottlenecks.
Why "Beast Creative"
Be Creative × Beast Mode
Beast Creative is a play on words — a collision of "be creative" and "beast mode." It represents hyper creativity. The relentless pursuit of making things, not as occasional inspiration strikes, but as a sustained state of output.
Most companies take months to ship a feature. Beast Creative ships products weekly. Not because speed is the goal, but because the system is the goal. When the process is dialed, prolific output becomes the natural byproduct.
This isn't a brand I adopted for this pitch. It's a philosophy I've carried for years — about creation, discipline, and showing up consistently.
It's tattooed on my arm. The kind of thing you don't just believe in — you commit to permanently.
Build in Public. Ship Weekly. Stack Bets.
This isn't a moonshot. It's a calculated approach proven by solo founders who've built multi-million dollar businesses from a laptop. The strategy: launch many small products quickly, double down on what gets traction, sunset what doesn't.
The Pieter Levels Blueprint
In 2014, Pieter Levels challenged himself to launch 12 startups in 12 months while running out of money. Most failed. But one — Nomad List — took off and became a multi-million dollar business. He later launched Remote OK using the same approach. Today he generates $3M+/year with zero employees, no co-founders, no VC funding. His approach: ship fast, validate quickly, build in public, stack small bets until something hits.
I'm applying this exact playbook — but I'm not starting from zero. I have 13+ years of product development, design training since high school, a track record of shipping physical products globally, and products already in market.
$30,000 — 6-Month Founder Sprint
A founder's loan to support a focused execution sprint. Low overhead (based in Thailand), proven ability to ship, and a clear repayment structure. See detailed terms below.
Monthly Living
$4,000/mo × 6 = $24,000
Lean operation based in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Buffer & Marketing
$6,000 total
For products that gain traction — ads, tools, support as needed
10% Annual Interest
$33,300 total repayment
18 months starting Month 7
Optional Upside
Convert up to 50% of principal into equity in any product launched
Premium Access
Lifetime premium accounts for all launched SaaS products — for you and two friends
Your Money Back — With Interest
This is a loan, not a gift. Here's how repayment works:
Base Terms
10% Annual Interest
Principal + interest repaid over 18 months, beginning Month 7. That's $1,850/month for 18 months, totaling $33,300 returned to you.
Early Success Accelerator
$5K MRR Trigger
If any product hits $5K MRR, repayment accelerates to 20% of monthly revenue until fully repaid. You get paid back faster when things work.
My Commitment — Regardless of Outcome
I commit to repaying this loan whether or not the products succeed. If the sprint doesn't produce revenue, I will generate income through design consulting and contract work — skills I've used professionally for 13+ years. My track record of delivering for clients (the same skills that launched $2M+ in crowdfunding campaigns) is marketable and in demand.
Bottom line: You're not betting on whether micro-SaaS works. You're betting on whether I'm good for it. My history says I am.
If It Works — You Can Participate
Beyond the base loan terms, I'm offering lenders the option to convert a portion of their loan into product equity:
Convertible Loan Option
At any point before full repayment, you may elect to convert up to 50% of your outstanding principal into equity in any single product launched during the 6-month sprint.
Conversion Rate
$1 = 0.1% equity
Max Conversion
$15K → 1.5% equity
Your Choice
Pick any product
Example: If you lend $30K and a product takes off, you could convert $15K into 1.5% equity of that specific product while receiving repayment on the remaining $15K. You get both security and upside.
This is entirely optional. If you prefer a straightforward loan with guaranteed repayment, that works too. The convertible option is for those who want skin in the game if something hits.
Where the Money Goes
| Category | Monthly | 6-Month Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Living Expenses | $2,500 | $15,000 | Rent, food, utilities — Chiang Mai cost of living |
| Tools & Services | $500 | $3,000 | AI tools, hosting, domains, dev tools, subscriptions |
| Dev Support | $500 | $3,000 | Contract help for technical blockers as needed |
| Contingency | $500 | $3,000 | Health, travel, unexpected costs |
| Marketing Buffer | — | $6,000 | Reserved for products showing traction |
| Total | — | $30,000 |
A Track Record of Market Success
Before software, I built physical products that reached global markets. These aren't side projects — they're real businesses that have generated millions in revenue. I led design, branding, and go-to-market strategy for each.
The Venty Fan
The world's top-selling portable folding fan. What began as a Kickstarter campaign exploded into a household brand sold in 50+ countries. Featured in major media outlets globally. Multi-million dollar annual revenue.
Zero Breeze Portable AC
The world's first portable battery-powered air conditioner. Designed for camping, RVs, and outdoor use. Now a 7+ year company with multiple product generations and a loyal customer base worldwide.
The Apex Stand
"The World's Best Laptop Stand" — an ergonomic aluminum laptop stand with Apple aesthetic. 4,932 backers. Led design and go-to-market as head of Sano Design Lab.
Drama Mayhem
Party card game combining charades with role-play improv. Multiple versions (Adult, Family) plus expansion packs. Still generating revenue years after launch. Designed, manufactured, and launched globally.
Additional Campaigns & Products
HydraTech Vest
Water-weighted training vest
SYKO Mount
Magnetic gym phone mount
Eastwood Belts
Slider belt design
Ridge Stand
Smart device stand
Puretta Station
UV toothbrush sanitizer
Havit Cable
Multi-functional smart cable
What's In Development
I'm transparent: I'm early in this transition. The products below are in various stages of development — not yet launched. But that's exactly why I'm raising this runway. The methodology is proven; I'm applying it to a new medium.
The honest pitch: I'm not asking you to fund a proven SaaS business. I'm asking you to fund a proven product builder who's transitioning to SaaS. The same instincts that identified the portable fan market gap, the laptop stand opportunity, and the party game niche — those instincts are now pointed at software.
Snap2GPT
AI-assisted screen capture for feeding visual context to LLMs
Notion Clipboard
One-click clipboard to Notion with glassmorphic UI
Injection Calculator
Precision dosing calculator — first shipped product
More Ideas Ready
Market research completed, ready to build
What People Who Know Me Say
"[Testimonial placeholder — quote about Don's product instincts, ability to ship, or why this transition makes sense]"
[Name]
[Title/Relationship]
"[Testimonial placeholder — quote about working with Don, his design skills, or his track record of execution]"
[Name]
[Title/Relationship]
"[Testimonial placeholder — quote about Don's ability to learn, adapt, or his approach to building]"
Anthony
[Title]
The Credentials
Crowdfunding Raised
Multiple successful Kickstarter campaigns, including products that hit 500-800% of funding goals. Proven ability to identify market demand and deliver.
Products Sold
The Venty Fan alone has sold over half a million units across 50+ countries. Not a side project — a real business generating multi-million dollar annual revenue.
Years Product Experience
From concept to market — physical goods, games, and now software. The principles transfer: identify problems, design with intention, ship fast, iterate.
Design Since High School
Trained in graphic design with a natural eye for aesthetics. This isn't learned — it's embedded. Design thinking informs everything I build.
What I Bring to the Table
Product Development
End-to-end: ideation, validation, design, build, launch
Market Research
Finding pain points, validating demand, understanding user needs
Brand & Identity
Creating cohesive visual systems that stand out
AI-Assisted Dev
Leveraging Claude, Cursor, and modern tools to ship faster
User Experience
Designing flows that feel intuitive and solve real problems
Rapid Iteration
Build, test, learn, repeat — no perfectionism paralysis
Where I'll Build
Four categories I know deeply and care about — where I can identify real problems and design real solutions.
Productivity
Tools that remove friction from work
Health & Fitness
Software for physical optimization
Self-Development
Systems for personal growth
Games
Experiences worth the time
Execution Timeline & Milestones
This runway is for both shipping and skill development. Here's what success looks like at each checkpoint — concrete milestones you can track.
Foundation & First Launches
Launch Snap2GPT and Notion Clipboard. Ship 2-3 additional micro-products. Establish build-in-public presence on Twitter. Deepen understanding of modern dev workflows and AI-assisted coding patterns.
Validate & Iterate
Analyze traction signals. Products showing organic growth get iteration and feature depth. Products that flatline get documented and sunset. Launch 4-6 more small bets. Focus skill development on areas hitting technical blockers.
Scale Winners
Focus resources on products with clearest path to revenue. Add premium tiers, targeted marketing, feature depth. By this point, significantly more capable across the full stack.
Monthly Updates
I commit to sending monthly progress reports to the lender: products shipped, user metrics, revenue, learnings, and next priorities. Full transparency on how the runway is being used.
The Backer Experience
I want this to be more than a transaction. If you fund this sprint, you get a front-row seat to the entire journey — and some exclusive access that makes it interesting.
Why this matters: You're not just lending money — you're getting an education in how a product-minded founder approaches micro-SaaS. The research, the decision-making, the iteration. Whether the products hit or not, you'll see exactly how the sausage gets made.
Not Going It Alone
While I operate as a solo founder, I have a bench of experienced developers who've agreed to mentor and support me through this transition. They're friends who believe in this path and will help me navigate technical challenges.
Ian Borders
Technical Advisor
Nick Frithe
Technical Advisor
These aren't co-founders or employees — they're experienced developers in my network who can help when I hit walls. Different skill sets across frontend, backend, and infrastructure. The goal is self-sufficiency, but with a safety net for the hard problems.
The Window is Open
AI tools have collapsed the barrier between "idea person" and "builder." What used to require a technical co-founder can now be done by a product-minded founder with the right tools and methodology. The micro-SaaS market is maturing but not saturated — there's still enormous opportunity for well-designed, focused tools that solve real problems.
I've spent 13 years learning to ship. Now I have the tools to ship faster than ever. This is the moment to go all-in.
TL;DR
Who: A founder who's raised $2M+ in crowdfunding, sold 500K+ physical products globally, and been trained in design since high school.
What: Transitioning to micro-SaaS using the same product methodology that built successful physical product businesses.
The Ask: $30K loan at 10% annual interest, repaid over 18 months starting Month 7. Optional equity conversion for upside participation.
The Plan: Ship 10+ products in 6 months, build in public, double down on winners. Target: $500+ MRR by Month 6.
Your Protection: Guaranteed repayment regardless of product success. Fallback to marketable design consulting skills.
Your Upside: Private backer portal, monthly updates, optional equity conversion into any product that takes off.
Let's Talk
If you're interested in supporting an innovative founder with a track record
and a clear plan, I'd welcome a conversation.