The Plot Twist That Changed Everything
Picture this: It's 2022, I'm fresh out of college with a crystal-clear vision to build the next-gen Patreon for serialized creators called Patron. But then ChatGPT drops and suddenly everyone's losing their minds over AI.
So what did I do? I pivoted harder than a React component getting new props.
Instead of building creator tools, I went all-in on Trieve, a retrieval API riding the AI wave. Fast forward through 2.5 years of grinding: first customers ✅, Y Combinator ✅, $3.5M raised ✅, and boom - acquired!
But here's the kicker: that original Patron idea? It never left my brain. And now, post-exit, I finally had the bandwidth to chase it down.
Why "Patron" Just Hits Different
Ever notice how creators on Patreon accidentally say "Patron" instead of "Patreon"? It happens ALL. THE. TIME. It's like their brain is telling them what the platform should actually be called.
Plus, let's be real - Patreon treats every creator the same whether you're making $50/month or $50K/month. Where's the white-glove service for the heavy hitters? Where are the tools built specifically for episodic content instead of random posts?
I wanted to build what Patreon should have been: premium revenue splits, dedicated success managers, killer analytics, and tools that actually understand serialized content. Basically, treat creators like the media empires they actually are.
But first, I needed the perfect domain...
The Million Dollar Question: How Do You Get patron.com?
I punched in patron.com and got redirected to some basic landing page at world.com. Classic domain parking situation. The page screamed "we own premium domains as investments" and had one contact: Gary Millin.
Here's what most people don't get about premium domains: it's not just about throwing money at the problem. These domain owners are sitting on digital gold. They want to see their baby go to someone who'll actually build something epic with it.
Mission: convince Gary I was that person.
Cold Outreach Like a Boss
Time for some good old-fashioned hustle. I hit Gary with a standard outbound sequence:
- Cold emails (professional but persistent)
- LinkedIn Sales Navigator messages
- No fancy tricks, just solid execution
The difference this time? Credibility was my secret weapon. Having YC, Trieve's growth story, and a successful exit meant people actually replied to my emails. It's wild how much easier doors open when you've got that track record.
Pro tip: If you're early in your journey and nobody's responding, just remember - it gets easier after your first win.
When in Doubt, Get on a Plane ✈️
Gary finally responded, and from there it was surprisingly straightforward:
- Booked a flight to New Jersey (where his office was)
- Met face-to-face and pitched the vision
- Dropped a detailed 100-day plan covering product development, creator onboarding, and revenue projections
- Negotiated terms like civilized humans
That 100-day plan was clutch. It proved I wasn't some domain flipper - I had a real roadmap with concrete milestones. Gary needed to see I was serious about building something valuable.
The deal? Founder-friendly terms where I get perpetual usage rights without cash upfront. I only pay a revenue percentage if the business actually works. Basically, Gary became an investor in the vision, not just a domain landlord.
A few weeks later, boom - domain transferred and I started building what you see today.
The Superpower of Just Doing Stuff
This whole experience crystallized something I've been thinking about: doers beat thinkers every single time.
While I was sending emails and booking flights, others were probably:
- Researching "domain acquisition best practices"
- Building 47-slide pitch decks
- Running analysis paralysis marathons
Sometimes the "impossible" thing just needs an email, a phone call, a flight, and an honest conversation. The mechanics are simpler than the outcome suggests.
Your Turn to Ship Something Wild
Look, if you've got an idea rattling around in your head, stop overthinking it. There are probably way fewer blockers than your brain is telling you.
That side project you've been "planning"? That domain you think is "too expensive"? That person you think is "too important" to email?
Less planning. More doing. More shipping.
The worst thing that happens? Someone says no. The best thing? You end up with patron.com and a platform to build.
What are you going to ship this week? 👀
Currently building Patron - the creator platform I actually want to use. Follow the journey and maybe we'll change how serialized creators get paid.