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Published January 21, 2025 in development 101

How to Build a Thriving Business with Lovable?

How to Build a Thriving Business with Lovable?
Author: Stephane & Harry at Lovable

Introduction

Harry’s journey is a testament to how embracing innovation and leveraging AI can transform a career. From his early days as a front-end engineer to becoming a successful entrepreneur using Lovable, Harry’s story is filled with lessons about resilience, adaptability, and finding the right tools at the right time.

TL;DR:

  • Harry transitioned from a burned-out developer to a successful entrepreneur.
  • Lovable became the cornerstone of his growth, enabling faster, more affordable client solutions.
  • By focusing on MVPs and leveraging AI, he scaled his business, tripling revenue in a year.
  • His approach balances technical expertise with human connection, collaboration, and confidence.

The Early Days: From Burnout to Bootstrapping

At just 19 years old, Harry left university to dive into the world of front-end engineering. Working with agencies on high-profile projects, including Gumtree and VR apps, Harry quickly climbed the ranks. However, the intensity of agency life led to burnout, prompting a move back to his countryside roots in Devon, UK.

Determined to regain control, Harry embarked on an ambitious goal: becoming a millionaire by building and selling websites. While his early attempts taught him the realities of running a business—managing client expectations, handling feedback, and navigating the challenges of scaling—these experiences laid the groundwork for his entrepreneurial mindset.

Discovering Lovable: The Turning Point

Harry’s journey with Lovable began during a period of exploration. Experimenting with tools like Coda, he provided workflow and automation solutions for enterprise clients in the US. Despite success, Harry felt limited by the no-code ecosystem.

The open-source version of GPT Engineer changed everything. By combining AI capabilities with his technical background, Harry began creating solutions that were not only faster but also more impactful. “I had a whiteboard moment,” Harry recalls. “I realized Lovable could be the bridge between what clients needed and what I could deliver efficiently.”

A strong personal brand helps with client trust and recognition. Suggestions include:

  • Thought Leadership: Sharing unique insights or success stories on platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter to attract clients.
  • Community Engagement: Actively participating in Lovable forums or communities to network and showcase expertise.
  • Portfolio Development: Building a portfolio of Lovable-based projects, highlighting the speed, quality, and innovation behind each solution.

The Lovable Effect: Rapid Growth and Client Success

How to Make Money with Lovable

Harry’s approach was simple:

  1. Build MVPs Overnight: Instead of pitching ideas with slide decks, Harry showcased working prototypes built with Lovable.
  2. Prove Value Instantly: Clients were often blown away by the speed and functionality of his solutions. “The speed at which we could deliver results was unlike anything clients had experienced,” he says.
  3. Upsell Lovable Solutions: Harry transitioned his existing clients from traditional tools to Lovable, showcasing its efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

By focusing on tight scopes and rapid feedback loops, Harry avoided common pitfalls like scope creep and lengthy timelines. Within a year, he tripled his revenue, closing six-figure contracts and signing deals that set the stage for exponential growth.

Key Insights: Making Money with Lovable

Harry shares practical advice for others looking to succeed with Lovable:

  1. Start Small, Deliver Fast: Focus on delivering MVPs with 2-3 critical features. “Clients value working solutions over promises,” Harry emphasizes.
  2. Leverage Communities: Platforms like Discord, LinkedIn, and YouTube have been instrumental in client acquisition. “Helping someone solve a problem often leads to deeper conversations and opportunities,” he explains.
  3. Show, Don’t Tell: Instead of explaining Lovable’s capabilities, Harry demonstrates them in real time. This approach builds excitement and trust.
  4. Invest in Presentation: Inspired by advice from Chris Do, Harry highlights the importance of polished proposals and confident pricing. “Your presentation is often more impactful than your technical skills,” he advises.

Exploring alternative avenues to generate income through Lovable reveals several passive income opportunities that appeal to online entrepreneurs:

  • Plugins and Integrations: Develop and market plugins that enhance Lovable’s features and functionality.
  • Open Source with Paid Add-Ons: Launch part of your project as open source to build a community and monetize advanced features or premium versions later.
  • Affiliate Marketing: Take advantage of Lovable's affiliate program, enabling users to earn discounts by promoting the platform.
  • Selling Templates or Pre-Built Solutions: Create reusable app templates or tools that address common issues (like CRM systems or analytics dashboards) and sell them on marketplaces or directly to clients.
  • Teaching and Content Creation: Leverage your knowledge of Lovable by offering tutorials, webinars, or online courses to help others navigate the platform.
  • Subscription Models: Develop a SaaS product utilizing Lovable, charging users a recurring subscription fee for access.

Lessons Learned: Overcoming Challenges

Renamify Lovable Project

While Lovable has been central to Harry’s success, his journey hasn’t been without challenges. From managing scope creep to ensuring data integrity with AI-generated code, Harry has learned to balance technical precision with client needs.

He also emphasizes the importance of adaptability:

  • Split Complex Projects into Smaller Tools: Lovable excels in creating focused solutions rather than massive codebases.
  • Prioritize Client Collaboration: Engaging clients in the development process ensures alignment and better outcomes.

Scaling Beyond Solo Success

Today, Harry leads a team of three and envisions expanding further. Based in Buenos Aires, he balances local development with a growing international client base. “The dream is to have offices in Miami and Buenos Aires,” he shares.

Despite his growth, Harry remains committed to empowering others. Whether through one-on-one coaching or YouTube tutorials, he continues to share his insights and inspire the next generation of developers.

Advice for Aspiring Lovable Users

Harry’s advice to newcomers is simple yet profound:

  • “Just Start.” While it’s easy to overthink, taking action is the first step toward growth.
  • Focus on Value: Understand your client’s core needs and build solutions that address them.
  • Stay Confident: “Confidence in your pricing and skills can be the difference between a small deal and a life-changing one,” Harry notes.

The Road Ahead: Aiming for $1 Million

With 20% of his revenue goal achieved in the first month of 2025, Harry’s sights are set on hitting $1 million by year-end. Reflecting on his journey, he credits Lovable for providing the tools that made this growth possible.

“I’ve never achieved this kind of revenue without a tool like Lovable. It’s been as much a part of our success as our skills,” he says.

Harry loves working with large operations teams in enterprise companies to help them build software:

Conclusion

Harry’s story illustrates how combining technical expertise with the right tools and mindset can unlock unparalleled growth. Lovable has not only transformed his business but also empowered him to redefine client solutions.

For those ready to take the leap, Harry’s journey serves as both inspiration and a blueprint for success.

Ready to start your own Lovable journey? Explore how Lovable can help you make money!