GoodLayers is definitely a group of two and is Personalwp’s first designer/developer duo to change into Energy Elite authors*. They've been members of the Personalwp group for a mere 2 years. In that point they've been arduous at work making a portfolio of 24 gadgets that has offered over $1,000,000 value. We expect that’s fairly spectacular. 
Glad GoodLayers Day!
We requested John from GoodLayers a couple of questions on their journey to the $1,000,000 milestone. Learn on to search out out the key behind their success, what makes GoodLayers particular and the way it feels to be the very first two particular person group to achieve a $1,000,000 value of gross sales!
Hello John, thanks a lot for chatting with us. Are you able to inform us a bit about GoodLayers and the way you bought right here?
In April 2010, after I was doing my design internship, I unintentionally discovered aThemeForest banner on an internet gallery. This was the start of every little thing. I performed round on ThemeForest and was actually stunned, I didn’t even know that this type of enterprise existed. I noticed that folks had been creating templates, promoting them and that it was making them actually good cash. I noticed this as a very good alternative to earn some cash whereas I used to be learning but it surely was not that simple.
As a result of the WordPress class was the preferred, I made a decision to create one. At the moment, I didn’t even know what WordPress was. I solely knew HTML/CSS/PHP. I needed to examine WordPress and create every little thing from scratch.
It took a very long time to get my first approval which was on Feb 2011. After that, I saved releasing WordPress themes. I beloved doing this and realised it was my dream job. All the things began altering and I made a decision to type a group on November 2011.
I heard that my very shut buddy from college (Matt) was going to give up his job. He’s a really intelligent coder, so I requested him to affix me and we had a GoodLayers group! We divided our duties into design and growth. When he first got here on board, he didn’t even know what WordPress was both however he’s a really fast learner. We determined to vary the entire framework and it took solely 2 months to complete our first theme collectively.
The theme we created was ‘Modernize‘. We had been actually stunned at what successful it has been, ever because it was accredited it has been promoting like loopy. We had no thought it could go so nicely and would promote a lot.
How does it really feel to have offered over 1 million value of things?
It’s actually wonderful. Actually, the Energy Elite Degree didn’t even cross our minds earlier than. It’s like a dream. It’s just one and a half years since we graduated from College, we by no means anticipated that we might be capable to attain this milestone at this age.
It will change the perspective about ‘Working at residence’ for many individuals round me, particularly our dad and mom
What does this milestone imply in your group?
It’s very tough to decide on the job you wish to do for all times, particularly when it's a self-employed one, which naturally is extra dangerous than a 9-5 jobs. My dad and mom used to push me to discover a common job after I graduated however I requested them to let me show that I might do that. Reaching this milestone confirms our perception that we selected the proper path and it's completely the very best factor we’ve ever completed. This milestone additionally encourages us to enhance our merchandise sooner or later and we may even attempt more durable to serve our clients after they have issues.
What number of hours do you each spend on designs for the Personalwp market?
We work about 14 hours a day. We each spend the primary 2-Three hours on buyer assist and we get big quantity of assist tickets every day. After that, we are going to deal with the most recent mission after which spend the final Three hours on buyer assist.
Often, it takes about 1 week to complete a PSD template (typically as much as 2 weeks! relying on our temper and the way impressed we're at the moment). After that the coding course of which takes about 1-2 weeks and after we end coding it takes one other week to complete and guarantee that the theme is ideal. Often it takes Three weeks to create 1 theme.
Have you ever had any designs rejected and what did you do about it?
After all! After the primary rejection I felt so discouraged as a result of I put a lot effort in and thought that it could be accredited on the market. I used to be actually depressed and stopped doing any extra work for a few months. Then at some point after I was about to graduate and I believed ‘I must do one thing for the long run.’
I appeared again and thought that there was nonetheless a risk of making themes for ThemeForest, so I made a decision to proceed the mission. I received one other rejection, however I made a decision no, I’m not giving up once more. I attempted so arduous, I attempted to grasp why the theme was rejected and why my design was not ok. I put far more effort into the design to enhance it. After 7-Eight rejections I received the primary approval, I felt so relieved and that first approval pushed me to enhance my expertise for the long run.
We nonetheless get rejections on our themes, we’ve had about 6-7 gadgets which have been rejected earlier than being accredited. We now have to offer because of reviewers for these rejections, they made our themes a lot significantly better, significantly!
What phrases of encouragement do it's a must to any budding authors who wish to attain Energy Elite stage?
Firstly, for individuals who wish to be a ThemeForest creator, please don't surrender. Whenever you get rejections attempt to not let it get you down. You need to settle for it and take it as suggestion to assist enhance your work.
As for brand spanking new authors on the Personalwp Marketplaces and different Elite authors who wish to attain this milestone, proper now, we are able to say that you're heading in the right direction. Attempt to discover the strongest level of your work. Give every of your initiatives your care and a focus. An important factor is to not copy the others. In case you observe this recommendation we imagine that at some point you'll attain this milestone too!
What's your workplace area like?
It’s only a small room, it’s truly a renovated storeroom. We largely do business from home, so our room is full of our private and cozy stuff. We normally take a nap or play a musical devices to alleviate our stress. It actually helps when you've been repeatedly working for a very long time.
Just lately, now we have simply embellished our room with a small christmas tree and a few christmas stuff
How do you each get inspiration in your designs?
There are various sources for the inspiration, largely from ThemeForest. Many authors right here encourage us A LOT. You guys are so wonderful
It motivated us rather a lot to see that many authors right here have been profitable. Since earlier than we began, we noticed many profitable authors, particularly Christian (Kriesi) and Peerapong. They’re actually intelligent coders and designers. I used to be actually amazed… “How might they try this!?” It’s very inspiring.
Many authors right here can do business from home, select their very own time to work, don't have any boss and nonetheless have the funds for to care for their household. Most significantly they will have extra time with the individuals they love. It’s such an awesome job. It feels actually good to be part of this nice group. We additionally like to dig into dribbble, Forrst, some internet galleries and Twitter too.
What's the smartest thing about your job?
I believe the very best half is that we are able to truly put our concepts into merchandise and present it to individuals around the globe. We’re actually appreciative when somebody praises or likes our work. It’s actually value our effort. It’s incredible to have the ability to do what you want, anytime, wherever, while with the ability to earn a dwelling too.
There are various good issues working as a group. You'll be able to share your concepts collectively and work on the realm you're specialised in. Whenever you discover some issues or are caught with one thing, you've somebody that will help you get by it.
We do have a couple of conflicts, however we normally clear up it by speaking it out fairly. We additionally respect one another’s opinion and work, which is why every little thing goes easily.
In case you might select any area on the planet and create a design, the place would it not be and what would you make?
We want to create a really good GoodLayers sticker and sneakily stick it on each Personalwp employees laptop computer! ?
What's the hardest half about your job?
I believe it’s the accountability. You need to continually put your self to work and encourage your self as a result of there’s nobody to order you round.
Work life stability is difficult to handle if you end up self-employed. We typically discover ourselves working insanely till the early hours of the morning and waking up within the night. Generally it's fully the other and we barely get something completed in a day.
Thanks for uplifting us together with your expertise, is there something you’d prefer to say to the Personalwp group?
We’re glad to be part of this heat group. Once I first began on ThemeForest I typically had issues and questions and each time I couldn’t discover the reply I'd ask individuals right here. They all the time gave me plenty of assist, for that I’ve received to say because of the various cool individuals on this group.
We'd additionally like to offer many because of our clients for selecting our themes. We actually admire your assist and hope our themes shall be helpful for you. You’re an enormous a part of our success.
Due to the reviewer for all rejections and approvals. It pushes us to enhance our works. With out you, we wouldn’t have been capable of make it this far.
Due to all Personalwp employees for arduous working and maintain bettering this place. You make this place the best residence for all internet creators.
Final however not least because of Collis, Jun and Cyan for deciding to begin this Market, 6 years in the past and making it potential for every little thing at present.
On behalf of everybody at Personalwp and locally we wish to congratulate Goodlayers on their wonderful success! Glad GoodLayers day everybody!
*As Energy Elite authors, GoodLayers obtain a day of their honor and a particular Energy Elite care pack together with a Energy Elite ring.
