How many employees would you need to serve all of Houston and Dallas using the same software?

37 Signals, a project management software company, answers this question everyday. With over 3 million users and a monthly price tag between $12/mo – $149/mo, they generate serious cash each month.

“Every day the world’s most respected brands, small businesses, non-profits, and entrepreneurs depend on our products to make their businesses run smoothly. Safe, secure, and reliable. Since 2004.” – 37signals.com

They are also generating positive and rave reviews:

“In a recent random customer satisfaction survey, 98% of Basecamp customers surveyed said they’d recommend Basecamp to their colleagues, friends, and family. Since the majority of our business comes from word-of-mouth referrals, this means the world to us.” – 37signals.com

Starting off 10 years ago as a small design agency, they developed a small project management software product they used with their own customers. The popularity of the product, because of the simplicity and elegant user interface, could not be ignored and they focused solely on development of the product.

John Henry could carry the most water buckets to the village. He was respected and celebrated for his ability to get the job done and deliver the most buckets.

One day, Romana, a local company, offered an Auqeduct machine that could deliver large amounts of water over long distances at a fraction of the cost. Henry and the villagers were outraged at being replaced at by such a device! Henry offered Romana a challenge: Who could deliver the most water in a specified location and time frame?

So began the challenge. It was a close race… sometimes the aqueduct was ahead, other times Henry. Finally after a full day, Henry, at the last moment, pulled ahead for the win!!

Alas, while the villagers roared in joy that the Henry had overcome, Henry had passed away from exhaustion.

If you have 20 minutes, watch this video. It’s outstanding and it outlines, from the horse’s mouth, how to create a successful software company.

We want you to leave this class empowered.

The internet gives us a real power: we can change the world. You can affect real change in the world, financially and socially.

PS: A safe, secure, reliable and highly recommended product (37 Signals) with 3 million customers is maintained by 14 people.