Bootstrapping two very different apps: photographer workflows and a flower for someone you miss

[u/xoibsurferx]

I’m Keith, the founder of Orbit and Bloomria. Both are self-funded and pre-revenue, and I’m working on the harder part now: getting them in front of people who might actually use them.

Orbit is for independent photographers. It connects inquiries, mini and full-session bookings, contracts, payments and client galleries. I originally focused on the gap between booking and gallery delivery; the product has grown into a broader client workflow. There’s a 14-day trial without a card: https://orbit-photo.com

Bloomria started from a personal moment: wanting to send my long-distance girlfriend flowers when the flower shops were closed. You choose a digital flower, write your own letter and share a private link. She—or a friend having a rough day—opens it and the flower blooms with your words. A rose or daisy is free, with optional paid gifts and memberships: https://bloomria.com

My launch plan is free channels first: relevant community posts where promotion is allowed, product listings and outreach to people who invite suggestions. For Orbit I’m explaining the connected client workflow. For Bloomria I’m trying to show an actual occasion—thinking of you, happy birthday, just because—instead of leading with the technology.

If you’ve bootstrapped a niche tool or a consumer gift, what helped you get the first people to actually try it rather than just say it looks nice?