$30k/month Selling AI-Generated Models

Ever wondered what it's like to work on shows like Star Trek or Stranger Things?

Just ask Jan, a former VFX artist who spent 4 years bringing alien worlds and upside-down dimensions to life.

Jan’s work was exciting. But deep down, something was bugging him. A subtle feeling that he couldn’t shake off - a sense of entrepreneurship.

The Idea

When ChatGPT gets released and the AI revolution starts, Jan notices everything around him is changing. Everything except 3D animations.

And just like that, the idea was born.

Jan knew creating 3D models was a pain. A pain you can only solve with three options:

• Learn 3D modeling

• Buy pre-made models

• Hire someone

But what if there was a fourth option? The one that wouldn’t cost you a lot of time and money?

That's exactly what Jan set out to create. He’d call it 3D AI Studio.

But there was a problem: Jan didn’t know anything about building software.

The Birth of 3D AI Studio

So, what do you do when you've got a groundbreaking idea but lack the skills to build it? You start and you figure it out as you go.

"I started with Figma," he explains, "sketching out wireframes, thinking about the customers. How do they navigate? What frustrates them? What makes them click?"

Then came the real challenge: turning those sketches into reality.

With the help of AI and a healthy dose of determination, Jan put together the first version of 3D AI Studio.

"I used mostly Claude to build the MVP," Jan recalls.

"It was a game-changer. I could describe what I needed, and Claude would help me piece together the code."

Jan finishes his MVP and decides to put it to the test. He sent the initial MVP to his friends at VFX companies…

"Their reaction was incredible. They loved it! It wasn't production-ready, but they saw the potential immediately. They were using it for stuff like simulations, concept art, backgrounds – things I hadn't even considered."

That moment of validation was important. But the real "pinch me" moment? It came when he saw who was visiting the website.

"People from huge companies were signing up and trying the tool. Seeing someone from Epic Games use it? That was wild!"

Jan knew he was onto something big.

But the real question was: would someone pay for this tool?

The First Customers

Without knowing anything about marketing, Jan starts spamming Reddit with his tool.

And boy, did it work!

"I spammed every big subreddit with a 5-second video. Not proud of it, but it worked."

Within days, Jan had his first paying customers. But that was just the beginning.

Scaling Up

What started as a fun little experiment is starting to look like a real business. But how do you take it to the next level?

"Ads are the best way to get your product in front of people," Jan insists.

But here's the real secret: Don’t just throw money on ads. First, collect as much data about your customers as you can. Then use those insights to create ad creatives that convert. That’s the only way to scale.

"Meta ads and Reddit ads worked best for me. For each dollar I spent on ads, I’d get 8 dollars back. It was insane!"

The Product & Future Plans

Users of 3D AI Studio can simply generate 3D Models based on Images or Text.

"My customers are a mix of B2B and B2C," Jan explains. "Some use it for 3D Printing, some for Game Development, and some for 3D Animations. We've even got users from Epic Games and Unity!"

As 3D AI Studio grew, Jan realized something crucial: success isn't just about the product. It's about the people.

"We built a Discord community," he explains. "Now we've got about 1,000 people sharing workflows, helping each other out. It's beautiful."

Jan's also got big plans.

"We're launching an Animation Studio inside 3D AI Studio soon. People will be able to animate and rig characters right on the website. It's going to be sick!"

Lessons Learned and Future Plans

So, what's the biggest lesson Jan learned from this wild ride?

"Don't give up," he says without hesitation. "I worked for 4 months without seeing a cent. And this wasn't even my first rodeo. I had 4 failed projects before this – an app, a Shopify store, you name it."

Jan didn't let his setbacks crush his spirit. Instead, he saw them as stepping stones.

"I don't regret any of it," he says firmly. "All of those failed projects led me to this. So looking back at it? It was all worth it."

Lessons from the AI Founder

So, what wisdom does Jan have for aspiring AI entrepreneurs?

1. Don't give up: Success rarely happens overnight.

2. Gather data relentlessly: Track everything your users do.

3. Get feedback early and often: It's the only way to grow.

4. Stay updated: Follow AI advancements religiously.

5. Build a community: It's not just about the product; it's about the people.

And here’s Jan's parting advice: "Take breaks, and watch startup series like WeCrashed or Unicorn." It’s the only way to stay sane on this wild ride of entrepreneurship.

Want to learn more about Jan’s journey or try out his product?

• Follow Jan on Twitter (X)

• Check out 3D AI Studio

LET’S HEAR IT!