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Apr 22, 2025 · 16m · startup-acquisition-stories

Bootstrapped, Built, Sold: Luka’s Micro-SaaS Exit

Luka Pekibar · 11m spoken Andrew Gazdecki · 2m spoken
0:00 / 0:00

gold bands on the timeline = statements, start to end. Hover to read, click to jump. CC turns on captions

In this episode of Startup Acquisition Stories, founder Luka Pekibar discusses how he built Before and After into a $100K ARR micro-SaaS on Wix and executed a ten-day exit on Acquire.com to self-fund his next venture, Manyreach.

How this conversation actually went

Every chapter scored 0–10 on four independent dynamics. Hover any point for the reasoning behind the score. Andrew holds 18% of the talking time here. How this is scored →

Andrew as informed peer 1.6 Guest teaching 1.8 Guest disagreement 0.2 Andrew pushing back 0.0
05100:0010:000:59–4:05 · Andrew as informed peer 1/10 The Origins and Launch of Before and After on Wix Andrew Gazdecki opens with an open-ended question inviting Luka Pekibar to tell the origin story of Before and After. Pekibar provides an extensive explanation of how observing trending widgets on Code Canyon and requests on Wix led to the product's launch.4:05–7:39 · Andrew as informed peer 2/10 Revenue Metrics, Customer Base, and Practical Use Cases Gazdecki asks for revenue numbers and maintenance overhead, expressing admiration for the passive nature of the app. Pekibar expands on various use cases and gently adds nuance regarding marketplace differences between Wix and Shopify.7:39–10:11 · Andrew as informed peer 2/10 Deciding to Exit to Self-Fund New Ventures Gazdecki asks about the motivation behind the exit and the Acquire.com marketplace experience. Pekibar shares how selling allowed them to bootstrap their next startup and details the swift ten-day closing process.10:11–12:31 · Andrew as informed peer 2/10 Frictionless Due Diligence and Essential Advice for Founders Gazdecki inquires into due diligence hurdles and asks for advice for selling founders. Pekibar highlights the importance of clean accounting and founder detachment, which Gazdecki endorses.12:31–15:11 · Andrew as informed peer 1/10 Post-Sale Celebration and Launching Manyreach Gazdecki asks about post-sale celebrations and Pekibar's new product, Manyreach. Pekibar explains why their pay-as-you-go credit model addresses the high churn rate typical in cold outreach tools.0:59–4:05 · Guest teaching 2/10 The Origins and Launch of Before and After on Wix Andrew Gazdecki opens with an open-ended question inviting Luka Pekibar to tell the origin story of Before and After. Pekibar provides an extensive explanation of how observing trending widgets on Code Canyon and requests on Wix led to the product's launch.4:05–7:39 · Guest teaching 2/10 Revenue Metrics, Customer Base, and Practical Use Cases Gazdecki asks for revenue numbers and maintenance overhead, expressing admiration for the passive nature of the app. Pekibar expands on various use cases and gently adds nuance regarding marketplace differences between Wix and Shopify.7:39–10:11 · Guest teaching 1/10 Deciding to Exit to Self-Fund New Ventures Gazdecki asks about the motivation behind the exit and the Acquire.com marketplace experience. Pekibar shares how selling allowed them to bootstrap their next startup and details the swift ten-day closing process.10:11–12:31 · Guest teaching 2/10 Frictionless Due Diligence and Essential Advice for Founders Gazdecki inquires into due diligence hurdles and asks for advice for selling founders. Pekibar highlights the importance of clean accounting and founder detachment, which Gazdecki endorses.12:31–15:11 · Guest teaching 2/10 Post-Sale Celebration and Launching Manyreach Gazdecki asks about post-sale celebrations and Pekibar's new product, Manyreach. Pekibar explains why their pay-as-you-go credit model addresses the high churn rate typical in cold outreach tools.0:59–4:05 · Guest disagreement 0/10 The Origins and Launch of Before and After on Wix Andrew Gazdecki opens with an open-ended question inviting Luka Pekibar to tell the origin story of Before and After. Pekibar provides an extensive explanation of how observing trending widgets on Code Canyon and requests on Wix led to the product's launch.4:05–7:39 · Guest disagreement 1/10 Revenue Metrics, Customer Base, and Practical Use Cases Gazdecki asks for revenue numbers and maintenance overhead, expressing admiration for the passive nature of the app. Pekibar expands on various use cases and gently adds nuance regarding marketplace differences between Wix and Shopify.7:39–10:11 · Guest disagreement 0/10 Deciding to Exit to Self-Fund New Ventures Gazdecki asks about the motivation behind the exit and the Acquire.com marketplace experience. Pekibar shares how selling allowed them to bootstrap their next startup and details the swift ten-day closing process.10:11–12:31 · Guest disagreement 0/10 Frictionless Due Diligence and Essential Advice for Founders Gazdecki inquires into due diligence hurdles and asks for advice for selling founders. Pekibar highlights the importance of clean accounting and founder detachment, which Gazdecki endorses.12:31–15:11 · Guest disagreement 0/10 Post-Sale Celebration and Launching Manyreach Gazdecki asks about post-sale celebrations and Pekibar's new product, Manyreach. Pekibar explains why their pay-as-you-go credit model addresses the high churn rate typical in cold outreach tools.0:59–4:05 · Andrew pushing back 0/10 The Origins and Launch of Before and After on Wix Andrew Gazdecki opens with an open-ended question inviting Luka Pekibar to tell the origin story of Before and After. Pekibar provides an extensive explanation of how observing trending widgets on Code Canyon and requests on Wix led to the product's launch.4:05–7:39 · Andrew pushing back 0/10 Revenue Metrics, Customer Base, and Practical Use Cases Gazdecki asks for revenue numbers and maintenance overhead, expressing admiration for the passive nature of the app. Pekibar expands on various use cases and gently adds nuance regarding marketplace differences between Wix and Shopify.7:39–10:11 · Andrew pushing back 0/10 Deciding to Exit to Self-Fund New Ventures Gazdecki asks about the motivation behind the exit and the Acquire.com marketplace experience. Pekibar shares how selling allowed them to bootstrap their next startup and details the swift ten-day closing process.10:11–12:31 · Andrew pushing back 0/10 Frictionless Due Diligence and Essential Advice for Founders Gazdecki inquires into due diligence hurdles and asks for advice for selling founders. Pekibar highlights the importance of clean accounting and founder detachment, which Gazdecki endorses.12:31–15:11 · Andrew pushing back 0/10 Post-Sale Celebration and Launching Manyreach Gazdecki asks about post-sale celebrations and Pekibar's new product, Manyreach. Pekibar explains why their pay-as-you-go credit model addresses the high churn rate typical in cold outreach tools.

speaking balance: gold is Andrew, purple is the guest (3 minute bins)

0:00 · Andrew 14.6% · guest 85.4%0:00 · Andrew 14.6% · guest 85.4%3:00 · Andrew 16.6% · guest 83.4%3:00 · Andrew 16.6% · guest 83.4%6:00 · Andrew 25.8% · guest 74.2%6:00 · Andrew 25.8% · guest 74.2%9:00 · Andrew 18% · guest 82%9:00 · Andrew 18% · guest 82%12:00 · Andrew 9.9% · guest 90.1%12:00 · Andrew 9.9% · guest 90.1%15:00 · Andrew 33.8% · guest 66.2%15:00 · Andrew 33.8% · guest 66.2%
Sharpest disagreement ▶ 6:57 Clarifying the utility beyond a trivial app

When Gazdecki describes the tool in simple terms, Pekibar acknowledges it might seem trivial but emphasizes its critical transformation value for specific service businesses.

 Hardest push from Andrew ▶ 4:05 Inquiring about sensitive revenue figures

Gazdecki gently presses Pekibar to disclose actual revenue metrics, while giving him an out if uncomfortable.

 Biggest teaching moment ▶ 11:40 Founder detachment and clean records advice

Pekibar provides practical, actionable insights on preparing clean invoices and removing founder dependency to ensure smooth M&A transactions.

 Andrew holds their own ▶ 6:40 Gazdecki on the micro-SaaS marketplace opportunity

Gazdecki draws on his domain expertise in acquisitions to summarize the immense value and leverage inherent in passive marketplace-based SaaS applications.
the scores for every segment, with the reasoning behind each
ChapterTopicAndrew as informed peerGuest teachingGuest disagreementAndrew pushing backWhy
The Origins and Launch of Before and After on Wix 1200 Andrew Gazdecki opens with an open-ended question inviting Luka Pekibar to tell the origin story of Before and After. Pekibar provides an extensive explanation of how observing trending widgets on Code Canyon and requests on Wix led to the product's launch.
Revenue Metrics, Customer Base, and Practical Use Cases 2210 Gazdecki asks for revenue numbers and maintenance overhead, expressing admiration for the passive nature of the app. Pekibar expands on various use cases and gently adds nuance regarding marketplace differences between Wix and Shopify.
Deciding to Exit to Self-Fund New Ventures 2100 Gazdecki asks about the motivation behind the exit and the Acquire.com marketplace experience. Pekibar shares how selling allowed them to bootstrap their next startup and details the swift ten-day closing process.
Frictionless Due Diligence and Essential Advice for Founders 2200 Gazdecki inquires into due diligence hurdles and asks for advice for selling founders. Pekibar highlights the importance of clean accounting and founder detachment, which Gazdecki endorses.
Post-Sale Celebration and Launching Manyreach 1200 Gazdecki asks about post-sale celebrations and Pekibar's new product, Manyreach. Pekibar explains why their pay-as-you-go credit model addresses the high churn rate typical in cold outreach tools.

Statements from this episode (9)

Disclosure
Pekibar: Before and After launched on Wix with a sub-$3 freemium model
“It was a freemium model, You could create two free sliders, but you had a, like our brand name on it. And then it was like a premium version of that very affordable for like less than three bucks.”
Luka Pekibar Apr 22, 2025 ▶ 3:32
Disclosure
Pekibar: Before and After generated over $100,000 ARR before sale
“At the end it was more than a 100,000 a year.”
Luka Pekibar Apr 22, 2025 ▶ 4:11
Disclosure
Pekibar: Before and After reached 50,000 websites and 3,500 paying customers
“I think we had around 30, no, Around 50,000 websites had this widget on, and I think around 3500 customers, so paying customers.”
Luka Pekibar Apr 22, 2025 ▶ 5:47
Disclosure
Pekibar: Before and After required only a few support emails monthly
“To be honest, it was very low maintenance. Well, We kind of rebuilt it from scratch somewhere in the middle of our time having this app. But other than that, it was quite simple from time to time. We had to change something because we did some upgrades. But ot…”
Luka Pekibar Apr 22, 2025 ▶ 6:14
Insight
Pekibar: Web store app marketplaces have higher upside than general website ecosystems
“When you have a website, sometimes, you know, website is not as an important asset as in a web store, because online store is your main revenue generator. Website is in many cases for like local businesses is, you know, not the main thing.”
Luka Pekibar Apr 22, 2025 ▶ 7:09
Disclosure
Pekibar: Sold Before and After to self-fund next startup without VC
“So we, with the co-founder we kind of started another project a bit, you know, let's, let's call it a bit more serious project that we wanted to scale, and we really didn't want to raise money, even though we had some inquiries if we would be interested in acc…”
Luka Pekibar Apr 22, 2025 ▶ 7:42
Assertion Not checkable as stated
Pekibar: Before and After closed sale on Acquire.com in about 10 days
“I probably talked to a dozen people, a dozen interested individuals like three, four were very serious. And yeah, we closed the deal in like 10 days, I guess.”
Luka Pekibar Apr 22, 2025 ▶ 9:10
Assertion Not checkable as stated
Luka Pekibar: Before and After generated all revenue directly via Wix
“Our setup was very, very simple in a way, you know, we generated all the revenue directly from Wix, not a lot of different, you know payments providers. So they were in a way our own only client because they collected the payments for clients and then and also…”
Luka Pekibar Apr 22, 2025 ▶ 10:28
Insight
Pekibar: Cold outreach software tools suffer from high churn rates
“Cause we figured that a lot of businesses, you know, start with cold outreach and do it for maybe one month to month. And as they're learning, you know these businesses, these tools for outreach tend to have high churn rates.”
Luka Pekibar Apr 22, 2025 ▶ 14:19
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