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opensaas-sh/blog/src/content/docs/blog/2024-12-10-turboreel-os-ai-video-generator-built-with-open-saas.mdx

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Peter is the creator of [**TurboReel**](https://turboreelgpt.tech/), an open-source platform with a paid SaaS layer, that transforms how creators generate short-form video content. With just a prompt, users can produce polished TikToks and YouTube Shorts in moments.
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<div style="background-color: #FFD700; padding: 1rem; text-align: center; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: bold; border-radius: 8px;">
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⭐️ Star <a href="https://github.com/opensaas" style="color: #0000FF; text-decoration: underline;">Open SaaS Repo</a> and support tools that help you build fast!
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</div>
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But like any SaaS founder, Peter faced the challenge of turning his vision into reality without getting bogged down in repetitive technical setup. That's where [**Wasp's Open SaaS boilerplate**](https://opensaas.sh/) came in.
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In this post, we'll cover three main things: what inspired Peter to kickstart the project, how he chose the tech stack to build on, and finally, how he made his first $100. Let's dive in!
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---
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title: My GPT Wrapper Makes $550 MRR One Year After Launch
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date: 2024-12-16
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tags:
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- gpt
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- saas
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- sideproject
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- indiehacker
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authors: vince
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---
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import { Image } from 'astro:assets';
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import landingPage from '../../../assets/cover-letter-gpt/landing-page.png';
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Hey builders,
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I wanted to share my journey building a micro-SaaS, [CoverLetterGPT](https://coverlettergpt.xyz/), which now earns **$550/month in recurring revenue (MRR)**—all while requiring **minimal effort and maintenance**. Here's how I did it and why I believe small, simple SaaS apps are an underrated way to start as an indie maker.
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### Quick Stats:
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- **Built in 1 week** using Wasp
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- **Runs on autopilot**
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- **$550 MRR** after one year
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- Minimal customer support—only **3 Stripe disputes** to date
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- Costs **~$15/month** to operate (hosting + OpenAI API fees)
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- Framework: [Wasp](https://wasp-lang.dev/)
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- Deployed on [Railway](https://railway.app/) & [Netlify](https://netlify.com/)
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- UI: [Chakra UI](https://chakra-ui.com/)
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<div style="background-color: #FFD700; padding: 1rem; text-align: center; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: bold; border-radius: 8px; color: black;">
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⭐️ Star <a href="https://github.com/wasp-lang/open-saas" style="color: #0000FF; text-decoration: underline;">Open SaaS repo</a> and support tools that help you build fast!
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</div>
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### Small Wins Are Worth It
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Many developers think a SaaS has to be big, flashy, or wildly profitable to be worth building. I disagree. For me:
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- $550/month is fantastic as side income.
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- It runs itself, requiring virtually no maintenance.
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- I can balance it easily alongside my full-time job.
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- It's fun and doesn't consume my free time.
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Here's why I think you should aim for small, achievable SaaS projects instead of trying to “hit it big” from the start.
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### Build & Launch Fast
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The most important lesson I've learned: **speed is everything.** The faster you launch, the faster you'll know if your idea works. Here's what worked for me:
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1. **Avoid long, drawn-out failures:** Build small, execute early.
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2. **Use the fastest tools available:** I used [Wasp](https://wasp-lang.dev/) to cut down dev time.
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3. **Forget perfection:** I didn't worry about making it pretty or perfect—it just had to work.
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### Keep It Simple
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The beauty of micro-SaaS is in its simplicity. Here's why:
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- My app does **one thing well**: generating cover letters based on résumés and job descriptions.
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- There's no need for a fancy landing page or marketing gimmicks. This is my 🌶 hot take.
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- Users get **3 trial credits**—enough to try the app and see value before paying.
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<Image src={landingPage} alt="CoverLetterGPT landing page" />
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### Minimal Effort = Maximum Reward
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One of the biggest perks of micro-SaaS is how low-maintenance it can be. With CoverLetterGPT:
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- I rarely handle customer service (thanks to filtering out problematic users).
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- It requires little to no ongoing development.
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- The app practically runs on **autopilot.**
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This means I spend my time on **new ideas** rather than maintaining old ones.
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### It's All About Tradeoffs
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While I could optimize and grow CoverLetterGPT further, I've chosen to keep it small and simple. For me:
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- **Small wins** are still wins.
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- I value having a side project that's easy to manage alongside my full-time job.
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- I'd rather have **less stress** than chase higher profits.
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### Links & Resources
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If you're thinking about launching your own SaaS, here are some helpful resources:
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- 👨‍💻 [CoverLetterGPT (Live App)](https://coverlettergpt.xyz/)
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- 💸 [Open-Source SaaS Template](https://github.com/wasp-lang/open-saas)
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- 🛠️ [Framework: Wasp](https://wasp-lang.dev/)
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-[UI Components: Chakra UI](https://chakra-ui.com/)
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- 🛠️ [Hosting: Railway](https://railway.app/) & [Netlify](https://netlify.com/)
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- ✍️ [My Original Reddit Post](https://www.reddit.com/r/SideProject/comments/1h4t8vk/my_saas_only_makes_550_a_month_and_i_think_thats/)
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### Final Thoughts
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If you're considering building a SaaS, **don't overthink it.** Start small, move fast, and treat it as an experiment. Forget the “rules” and focus on launching. Here's what matters most:
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- Keep it simple: Build an app that solves one problem well.
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- Launch fast: Test your idea and iterate based on real feedback.
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- Minimize effort: Aim for maximum reward with minimal maintenance.
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For me, **$550 MRR** isn't just “enough”—it's amazing. It's proof that small, focused apps can succeed, and they're a great way to build confidence and skills as a maker.
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## Let's stay in touch!
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Thanks for reading! If you found this helpful, let me know on [Twitter](https://x.com/hot_town/status/1863553258586820976) or share your own side-project experiences.
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<div style="background-color: #FFD700; padding: 1rem; text-align: center; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: bold; border-radius: 8px; color: black;">
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⭐️ Star <a href="https://github.com/wasp-lang/open-saas" style="color: #0000FF; text-decoration: underline;">Open SaaS repo</a> and support tools that help you build fast!
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</div>

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