My ChatGPT extension went from a startup idea to +14K users and +$20K profit!

From Startup Idea to Thriving Product: The Journey of a ChatGPT Extension Achieving Over 14,000 Users and $20K in Profit

Embarking on an entrepreneurial venture often begins with a single bold decision. Approximately one year ago, I made what I consider one of the most pivotal choices of my career: I left a stable full-stack developer position to pursue my own project. Today, I am excited to share the insights and lessons I’ve gained along this inspiring journey, highlighting how a simple idea evolved into a thriving tool embraced by thousands.

The Origin Story: Identifying a Community Need

The catalyst for my project was an observation within AI communities: users frequently requested features that weren’t yet available in ChatGPT. Frustrated by the wait, I decided to create a solution myself. The goal? Develop a Chrome extension that empowers advanced users with productivity-enhancing features tailored to their workflows.

Key Features That Resonate with Users

The extension, now known as ChatGPT Toolbox, includes several standout features that have driven its popularity:

• Prompt Chaining: Allows users to queue up to ten prompts that execute sequentially, with each step adapting based on previous responses. Ideal for complex multi-step tasks.

• Dynamic Prompts: Save prompts with placeholders such as {name} or {topic}, then fill them instantly. Users can access these templates effortlessly by typing “//” within ChatGPT.

• Message Bookmarking: Mark and organize important messages across different chat sessions for quick retrieval—streamlining research and information management.

• Smart Notifications: Receive audio alerts when responses are ready, enabling multitasking without constant manual checking.

In addition to these, core features like folder organization, bulk operations, prompt libraries with expert suggestions, image galleries, and full RTL support have contributed to the extension’s broad appeal.

Entrepreneurial Lessons Learned

Throughout this process, several key insights have emerged:

• User Feedback Is Invaluable: Nearly every major feature originated from direct user requests, underscoring the importance of listening actively.

• Consistency Outweighs Perfection: Regularly shipping small updates—approximately one to two features per month—kept the momentum steady and users engaged.

• Community Is Crucial: Building an active Reddit community (r/chatgpttoolbox) became the backbone of