Young Couple Turns Photo App Side Hustle Into Successful Business That Makes R51.7 Million a Month
- A young married couple, Tessa Barton and Cole Herrmann, are the founders of Tezza, an impressive photo-editing app
- They attempted various businesses while struggling to pay rent in New York before deciding to make and sell photo filters
- Life, career and business coach Penny Holburn spoke to Briefly News about couple venturing into business together
- The couple shared that the app was initially a passion project but has since become a business that brings in R51.7 million a month
Source: Instagram
An American couple shared their inspiring story of how they went from struggling to make ends meet to raking in millions.
Couple's shared love for photography gives birth to Tezza
Through their photo editing app, Tezza, Tessa Barton and Cole Herrmann have made a lucrative income from their love of photography.
Shortly after they married in 2017, the couple struggled to pay their R51 800-per-month New York rent. They tried several side hustles, but none brought enough money to stay afloat.
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According to CNBC, Herrmann was a full-time software developer at the time. Barton was a freelance photographer and burgeoning influencer. They turned to an idea that used both their skills: making and selling photo filters on Adobe Lightroom.
“We started this without the intention of it becoming a business,” says Herrmann. “It really started as a passion project, a way for us to hopefully get some extra income to pay rent and survive in New York City.”
Passion photo project makes serious profits
Tezza offers a variety of features like presets, filters, effects, and templates to help users achieve a specific aesthetic for their content. It has transformed from a couple's side hustle into a full-fledged lifestyle brand.
They now offer a variety of creative products, including collage kits and apparel, alongside their recently launched magazine. However, their core offering remains the popular photo and video editing app.
Based in Los Angeles, Tezza raked in an impressive R622.7 million in sales last year, averaging R51.7 million per month, according to CNBC Make It.
Life coach shares advice on couples starting businesses
According to life, career and business coach Penny Holburn, for couples looking to go into business together, it can be hard, but it can also work well.
"It works well if your relationship is good, you have clear roles and responsibilities in the business, you both have good communication skills and can express your opinions well," Penny said speaking to Briefly News.
The expert added that couples in business need to have a process for handling disagreements and conflicts, and their decision-making process must be clear.
"You both need to have the same vision for the business and share aligned values."
Couple's budget-friendly small apartment renovation wows Mzansi
In another story, Briefly News reported that a Mzansi woman shared a TikTok video showing how she and her husband renovated a small-town apartment into a lovely modern living space.
The footage shared by @molly_matshego shows images of the old apartment that lacked style and was in ruins in some rooms, especially the old-fashioned bathroom, before revealing their impressive renovation work.
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Source: Briefly News
Nothando Mthembu (Senior editor) Nothando Mthembu is a senior multimedia journalist and editor. Nothando has over 5 years of work experience and has served several media houses including Caxton Local Newspapers. She has experience writing on human interest, environment, crime and social issues for community newspapers. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree and an Honours Degree in Media Studies from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, obtained in 2016 and 2017. Nothando has also passed a set of trainings by Google News Initiative. Email: nothando.mthembu@briefly.co.za
Penny Holburn (Founder of Penny Holburn Coaching) Penny Holburn is a life, career and business coach running her own coaching business since 2010. She has spent 20 years as a consultant in psychological assessment, organisational development, personal and business change, leadership development, coaching and counselling. Penny has majors in psychology and industrial psychology and an MSc Cum Laude in psychology and has completed a Senior Management Development Programme through Wits Business School.
