About the Company

Workspaces is a newsletter that showcases remote work setups, giving readers a behind-the-scenes look at the desks and work environments of various professionals. The newsletter started in May 2020, during the pandemic, when the shift to remote work was rapidly increasing. Initially, it was a simple side project that grew organically as more people became interested in sharing their workspaces.

Ryan Gilbert, the founder, had a background in supply chain management but always wanted to break into the tech industry. His interest in tech and the rise of remote work led him to create Workspaces, leveraging platforms like Substack to get started. The company’s success in attracting subscribers and sponsors eventually led to its acquisition by Loops, a startup focused on email and audience engagement.

Workspaces generates revenue primarily through sponsorships, earning around $2,000 per month. The newsletter has grown significantly, now boasting over 9,000 subscribers. Its business model is simple yet effective, relying on the appeal of high-quality content and the strong engagement of its audience.

Idea Behind Company

The idea for Workspaces came to Ryan when he noticed professionals on Twitter sharing photos of their remote work setups. He realized these posts could be collected and curated in a newsletter, offering a more permanent showcase of these spaces. This concept tapped into the growing interest in remote work culture and the aesthetic appeal of well-designed workspaces.

Ryan’s goal was to create a platform that not only shared these setups but also connected him with people in the tech industry. He chose Substack as the platform for its ease of use and because it was a popular choice among other newsletter creators at the time. His initial focus was on learning how to manage a newsletter and making connections rather than immediate profitability.

As the newsletter grew, so did its community. The backlog of workspaces waiting to be featured continued to expand, and Ryan found that new guests were reaching out to him instead of the other way around. This organic growth helped establish Workspaces as a credible and sought-after platform for showcasing remote work environments.

Creating the Company

The creation of Workspaces was a straightforward process, exemplifying the concept of a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). Ryan quickly set up a Substack page and started reaching out to potential contributors via text messages and Twitter DMs. His first featured workspace was from someone he knew from a previous project, which made it easier to convince others to participate.

As the newsletter gained traction, Ryan realized the potential of his project and decided to purchase a dedicated domain, workspaces.xyz. This move coincided with reaching around 500 subscribers, a milestone that gave him the confidence to continue building the brand. The low-cost, high-impact nature of the newsletter allowed him to operate efficiently, spending only a few hours each week on production.

The simplicity of the operation—using basic tools like Twitter DMs, Gmail, and Notion—kept overhead low and allowed Ryan to focus on content creation and audience engagement. The success of Workspaces also enabled Ryan to transition from his supply chain job into a tech role at Product Hunt, marking a significant career shift.

Launching the Business

Launching Workspaces was a rapid process, driven by Ryan’s desire to quickly test and validate his idea. After setting up the Substack page, he reached out to potential contributors and published the first edition within a week. The quick turnaround from idea to execution was crucial in maintaining momentum and ensuring that he followed through on his vision.

The first edition featured a workspace from a friend, which served as a proof of concept and helped convince other professionals to share their setups. Ryan kept the requirements for contributions minimal to make participation easy and avoid overwhelming his guests. This approach helped him maintain a steady flow of content and ensured that the newsletter could grow consistently.

Over time, the newsletter’s audience grew, and so did its influence. The simple, repeatable process of curating and publishing workspace features allowed Ryan to build a strong brand with a loyal following. The acquisition by Loops was a natural next step, allowing him to scale the business further while staying involved in its future development.

Earnings

Workspaces generates about $2,000 per month in revenue, primarily from sponsorships. The newsletter operates with minimal costs, making it a highly profitable side hustle. Ryan spends about four hours a week on the newsletter, which includes communication, formatting, and publishing.

The growth of the newsletter was gradual, with the first 1,000 subscribers taking over a year to accumulate. However, consistency in publishing and leveraging the social networks of featured guests helped drive growth and engagement. The acquisition by Loops provided additional resources and support, enabling further expansion and new initiatives.

The financial success of Workspaces is a testament to the value of consistency, community engagement, and leveraging social proof. Ryan’s decision to focus on these aspects allowed him to build a sustainable and profitable business that continues to grow even after its acquisition.