No Code Exits

How Katt Used No-Code to Build a $33K Newsletter Business

February 28th, 2025

Founded By

Katt Risen

Founders

Profitable

Yes

Year Started

2022

Customer

B2B & B2C

Founded By
Katt Risen: Founders
1

Profitable
Yes: Year Started
2022

Customer
B2B & B2C

Who is Katt Risen?

Katt Risen, the founder of No Code Exits, hails from Leuven, Belgium, and has a background in digital marketing with over a decade at a major European tourism company. She transitioned into entrepreneurship through no-code development, inspired by Product Hunt and the Indie Hackers community, embarking on a journey from being an introvert and non-coder to building and selling successful no-code projects.

What problem does No Code Exits solve?

No Code Exits helps aspiring entrepreneurs learn how to build and sell products without needing to learn coding, which can otherwise be a daunting barrier. By offering insights and stories on successful no-code projects, it's valuable for anyone eager to create tech solutions but lacking programming skills.

AI & No Code Tool

How did Katt come up with the idea for No Code Exits?

Katt discovered the potential of no-code tools while navigating the complexities of conveying information to guests at her day job during the pandemic. The existing solutions were cumbersome, and she saw firsthand how a no-code approach could streamline communication efficiently without waiting months for IT interventions. Inspired, she dove into the no-code world, realizing she could bring ideas to life without needing traditional coding skills.

Her journey began with dabbling in no-code projects to solve real-world problems, driven by the newfound ability to create without writing code. She noticed a recurring question among no-code enthusiasts—choosing the right tool for projects. This observation led her to build No-Code Guru, a chatbot to guide tool selection, which gained unexpected traction and validation from her community.

Feedback from peers and a successful Product Hunt launch spurred her forward. Overcoming initial reluctance and the challenge of visibility, Katt connected with the community's needs, iterating on her MVP and eventually seeing her project acquired. Her story underscores the power of acting on a simple, validated idea and reshaping it into something impactful.

How did Katt Risen build the initial version of No Code Exits?

Katt Risen built No Code Exits using an array of no-code tools and resources from the get-go. Initially inspired by her success with No-Code Guru, Katt developed the newsletter on Substack within just 30 minutes, using a basic logo from Flaticon and straightforward setup, which led to acquiring her initial 500 subscribers rapidly after a successful tweet. The journey was centered around leveraging platforms like Airtable for automating processes and Substack for publishing, complemented by recycling content across platforms such as Twitter, Indie Hackers, and Medium. Building the product was both challenging and experimental; Katt constantly iterated based on feedback and learning experiences, such as mastering content distribution and creating engaging newsletter formats over a period of two years until its acquisition.

What were the initial startup costs for No Code Exits?

Acquisition Revenue: No-Code Guru was sold for $3,500.
Monetization through Sponsorships: Began offering sponsorships at 1,000 subscribers for $50, now with multiple packages available.
Overall Earnings: Earned $33,000 total from No-Code Exits before its final sale.
Acquisition of No-Code Exits: Sold to Jeremy Redman for $35,000, negotiated based on a 2.5x TTM revenue multiple.

What was the growth strategy for No Code Exits and how did they scale?

Community Engagement

No Code Exits capitalized on community engagement to grow its audience. Katt Risen started by interacting on social media platforms, particularly Twitter, Product Hunt, and Indie Hackers. By sharing her journey and building in public, she attracted like-minded individuals who were interested in no-code solutions. Her active participation in these communities helped her gain visibility and credibility among peers.

Why it worked: Engaging with communities allows for direct interaction with potential users and collaborators. Sharing progress, challenges, and successes makes individuals relatable and helps in building a support network interested in your product's journey.

Content Recycling

Katt effectively repurposed her newsletter content across multiple platforms like IndieHackers, Medium, and LinkedIn. This strategy expanded her audience reach without creating new content from scratch. Additionally, she leveraged these platforms' existing user bases to gain more subscribers for her newsletter.

Why it worked: Recycling content maximizes the use of existing materials, saving time while reaching a broader audience. This method of distribution helps to tap into the audiences of various platforms where potential subscribers may be active.

Twitter Engagement

Twitter was a primary platform for Katt. She posted updates, summaries of newsletter stories, and engaged with followers by tagging relevant no-code tools and entrepreneurs. This not only increased visibility but also encouraged retweets and shares, broadening her reach beyond her immediate followers.

Why it worked: Twitter allows for real-time interaction and sharing, making it an ideal platform for building in public and connecting with a community. Engaging content and strategic tagging increase the likelihood of shares and retweets, enhancing visibility.

Sponsorship and Partnerships

Katt monetized the newsletter through sponsorship deals and partnerships. Starting with a modest audience, she offered classified ads and gradually expanded to more comprehensive sponsorship packages as her subscriber base grew. She further cross-promoted with similar audiences to gain more traction.

Why it worked: Leveraging sponsorship and partnerships aligns financial incentives with content creation, ensuring a steady revenue stream while delivering value to readers. Cross-promotion with aligned brands helps in reaching new audiences who are likely to be interested in similar content.

What's the pricing strategy for No Code Exits?

No Code Exits offers a free newsletter focused on sharing success stories within the no-code community, with monetization through sponsorships starting at $50 for 1,000 subscribers and offering various ad packages.

What were the biggest lessons learned from building No Code Exits?

Start Small, Grow Big: No-Code Exits began by addressing a specific niche, focusing on no-code project exits. This micro-niche strategy helped them stand out and gain initial traction in a crowded market.
Leverage Community Feedback: Engaging with no-code communities and listening to their needs was crucial. This informed product decisions and provided validation before scaling, ensuring their offerings aligned with customer demands.
Content Is Just the Beginning: Simply writing content isn't enough. No-Code Exits expanded their reach by repurposing content across platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, and IndieHackers, which significantly boosted visibility and subscriber count.
Automate & Simplify: The use of tools like Airtable and Airtable automations automated many processes, freeing up time for more strategic work. This is a valuable lesson in leveraging technology to handle repetitive tasks efficiently.
Focus & Discipline: Initially juggling multiple projects affected the progress of No-Code Exits. Concentrating efforts on this one project, setting work boundaries, and having a disciplined schedule ultimately contributed to its success and growth.

No Code Exits Acquisition: How much did No Code Exits sell for and what was the acquisition price?

No Code Exits was acquired by Jeremy Redman, founder of TaskMagic, in a deal valued at $35,000 in August 2024. The acquisition aimed to continue the newsletter's success in the no-code community while offering the founder a chance to remain involved under new ownership.

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