Look around. AI is everywhere, the robots are coming, and work as we know it is flipping upside down. People are going to try to find meaning and I bet that they'll end up chasing real connections when bored of scrolling down the algorithm. I bet that humans will crave real, shared experiences. Think concerts, festivals, workshops, and community gatherings. Live events are the future of connection, and every great event starts with a ticket.
I bet there is a massive opportunity to play in the world of tickets. Today most platforms are clunky, expensive, and built for large corporate giants, not independent organizers. I am going to try to change that. I’m going to build a ticketing platform that’s delightful, affordable, and sustainable. The mission is to make running a box office as effortless as attending an event.
“Live events are the future of connection. Every great event starts with a ticket.”
What I'm Building
- A Tool Organizers Love: Software that’s intuitive, focused, and joyful to use. No feature bloat, no complex workflows—just a clean experience that makes your event planning feel effortless.
- Affordable for All: Low fees that let small venues, local festivals, and independent creators keep more of their revenue. We’re here to empower the underdogs, not gouge them.
- Built to Last: A profitable, bootstrapped business that grows slowly and steadily. No venture capital, no hype.
The Plan
The demand for live events is about to explode. TicketSmith will ride this wave by delivering a platform that puts organizers first. Here’s how:
Step 1: Launch a Minimum Lovable Product
Build a ticketing system that’s dead simple to set up and a joy to use. Organizers can create events, issue tickets, and manage sales in minutes. Attendees get a seamless purchase experience with clear, mobile-friendly tickets.
Step 2: Strengthen the Community
Events thrive on relationships. We’ll add tools to help organizers connect with attendees—think customizable email updates, post-event surveys, and loyalty features that make every attendee feel valued. These tools will be simple, purposeful, and designed to foster community, not overwhelm.
Step 3: Scale Thoughtfully
As demand for live events grows, we’ll evolve TicketSmith to meet organizers’ needs without losing our focus. New features will solve real problems, like analytics for better event planning or integrations with tools organizers already use. We’ll grow as our customers grow, always prioritizing simplicity and value.
Step 4: Stay Independent
Profitability is our north star. By keeping costs low and focusing on a lean, efficient operation, we’ll build a business that’s sustainable without external funding. Inspired by The Company Of One, we’ll prove that you don’t need VC rocket fuel to create something great—just a relentless focus on doing right by customers.
In summary
If you got this far, thank you for reading my ramblings. I hope you join me on this journey, and if you need to sell tickets for your events please get in touch.
— Will Townsend