In the saturated world of digital products and deal platforms, few manage to stand out without significant funding or a team behind them. Deal Quokka, founded by 22-year-old Australian entrepreneur Jasper Cyan, is one of those rare exceptions. Bootstrapped and independently operated, the platform has grown to around $8,500 in monthly revenue by offering access to discounted software, creative resources, and entrepreneurial tools. The story behind its creation is one of frustration with existing systems, relentless solo effort, and an evolving approach to digital commerce.
Prior to Deal Quokka, Cyan had already launched a successful design SaaS tool, Plasfy, building a customer base of over 60,000. That experience gave him first-hand insight into the inner workings of deal platforms. Many of them demanded high commissions while offering little in the way of promotion or support and some failed to deliver on basic contractual obligations.
A turning point came when one such site unilaterally slashed the price of Cyan’s product, angering existing customers and damaging his brand. This kind of lopsided relationship prompted him to build an alternative—one where creators weren’t sidelined by platform priorities.
I signed a contract with a major deal site, only for them to drop the price of my product without my approval. That upset a lot of my previous customers who felt shortchanged, and they blamed me for something I had no control over. I think that was my breaking point in terms of why I built Deal Quokka.
Jasper Cyan
The Build: From Dormant Domain to Working Platform
Cyan had registered the Deal Quokka domain in 2020, but it remained unused while he focused on Plasfy. When development on Plasfy hit a temporary wall, he returned to the idea. Using a lean stack of WordPress, WooCommerce, and Elementor, he developed the platform solo over a few intense weeks.
The first version of Deal Quokka featured a collection of digital resources Cyan had built over the years, design assets, templates, and guides. It was functional, if not flashy, but gave him a base to build from.
To expand beyond his own content, Cyan began licensing materials from other creators through one-off deals. These provided full usage rights without the recurring costs that might have come from a revenue-sharing model. It also helped build a broader catalogue that included training, webinars, and downloadable resources.
Launching with Intention
Cyan launched Deal Quokka without a big marketing campaign. Instead, he teased the platform through his existing email list and Facebook group using a minimalist landing page and countdown timer. The hook was a limited-time “Platinum VIP” membership, $300 for lifetime access to everything on the platform. The offer was capped at 50 users due to licensing and the manual nature of onboarding.
The limited release sold out quickly, generating $15,000 in the first two days. However, each customer needed manual setup across more than 200 products, a labor-intensive process that underscored the limits of launching solo. Still, the early adopters remained engaged, and none requested a refund.
Branding and User Experience
From the beginning, Cyan leaned into branding. Quincy the Quokka became the site mascot, while a former collaborator, Angelina, was brought in as the face of the platform. She appeared in onboarding videos and marketing materials, adding a human element that helped differentiate the site.
Cyan also maintained visibility throughout the user experience, from thank-you messages to community engagement. This helped maintain trust, especially among users accustomed to faceless SaaS brands.
Rather than run ads, Cyan leveraged his existing Plasfy user base. In-app banners and soft calls-to-action guided users toward Deal Quokka, resulting in steady, low-cost user acquisition.
A video testimonial contest added further credibility. Users submitted short reviews in exchange for the chance to win cash prizes, and those videos now feature on the Deal Quokka sales page.
Revenue and Monetization
Following the initial launch, Deal Quokka settled at a revenue pace of around $8,500/month. Most of that comes from VIP memberships, though a portion is generated through one-off purchases of licensed software tools. Cyan is currently working on a credit-based system to replace those standalone purchases.
The business remains lean, no full-time staff, minimal overhead, and most profits reinvested into platform development and licensing.
The size and position of elements in a composition will determine its balance. An unbalanced design generates tension, which may be the goal in many design projects, but for web apps that demand repeated comfortable use, tension is not a desirable trait.
What’s Next
Cyan plans to open an affiliate program and eventually run performance marketing campaigns, once the platform’s user interface and performance are more fully optimized. He continues to license content and is focused on improving the onboarding process and navigation to help reduce overwhelm for new users.
There’s a long-term ambition to scale the platform to seven or eight figures in revenue. But the emphasis remains on maintaining usability and direct engagement with users.
Deal Quokka is not the kind of startup often glorified in venture-funded circles. It’s a solo founder project, built on necessity, sustained by grit, and grown through patience and iteration. Its early traction suggests there’s room in the market for platforms that prioritize transparency, fair pricing, and direct relationships.
As it matures, the biggest test for Deal Quokka may be how it handles scale. But for now, it stands as a practical example of what can be built without a team, budget, or buzz, just a clear problem, the right tools, and persistence.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned through all of this, especially since launching Deal Quokka, is the importance of building real connections with your customers. It’s about the relationships you build with the people behind those numbers.
Jasper Cyan
