You write a weekly email about libraries, clinics, buses — how public things work. Free issues find readers; paid subscribers buy deeper reporting, templates, or a community.
This is a newsletter. You research and send one email a week on libraries, clinics, buses — how public things work. You get paid when readers subscribe for extra depth, a template library, or a private thread. The free posts are the shop window. A normal week is reporting (talk to people, keep sources), drafting one issue, and answering subscriber mail. Budget a year of writing before rent depends on it. The sending tool matters less than the beat.
Substack, Ghost, and Beehiiv: $0 to publish. First paid subscriber from a cold start is typically 3–12 months; faster if you already have a list (On Substack: going paid).
Each required material has a matching shop listing — photo, price, and a way to add it to the cart.
Laptop
Used laptop
A reliable used laptop for writing, editing, and running a one-person shop. Ships checked and wiped, with a charger — not a gaming tower and not a Chromebook that cannot run your tools.
Notes app
Notes app seat
A notes-app workspace with a capture inbox and a weekly review template. Instant setup. This is software, not a paper notebook.
Audio recorder for interviews
Handheld audio recorder
A stereo handheld recorder for interviews and a decent recording of the work. SD card included. Not a phone app and not a studio booth.
Email platform
Email platform seat
A first-month email-platform seat and a welcome-sequence outline. Digital access; this is not a domain name.
Simple website
Simple website template
Simple website template. A one-page site template: who you help, how to book, how to pay. Files you publish; hosting is separate.
Public examples matched to this path by what they actually publish — not endorsements, and not a claim they run this exact shop. Handles change. Verify before you write to anyone.
Justin Welsh
Left a CRO role, then built a one-person content and course business from LinkedIn.
Platforms on this card: Instagram, LinkedIn, X.
Mira Chen left salaried work and now coaches this craft. Book a slot for a tailored plan, a starter kit list, and follow-up support.
Clay Table
Hand-build pottery without a studio membership
Clay Table
Hand-build pottery without a studio membership
You film how-to videos teaching beginners how to hand-build pottery without a studio membership.
Minimum initial capital Minimum initial capital None
Climbing Beta Diary
Break down boulder problems
Climbing Beta Diary
Break down boulder problems
You film how-to videos teaching indoor climbers how to break down boulder problems.
Minimum initial capital Minimum initial capital None
Code in Public
Ship tiny tools live
Code in Public
Ship tiny tools live
You film how-to videos teaching self-taught devs how to ship tiny tools live.
Minimum initial capital Minimum initial capital None
