A RedBubble Story by RedBubble

great story!

interesting…

gotta long way to go yet, red bubble!

Wooooooop Congrats on the success of RB- Nice to know about its beginnings and hope you are here for many years to come- WE ARE ALL ADDICTED BTW x

Cool! Well done you lot! thanks too for all the goodness =D

I agree with the above comments

Thanks guys

I love snooping into the business side of RB. Very smarty trousers Martin :)

najeroux

Thank for this great idea!

Top Shelf!!!

great story, thanks for sharing

What did you find in your pocket, Martin? :)

great to read the beginning of RB! And good to put a human face on an electronic addiction :o)

super guys!and you gave me 2 ideas for t-shirts right now!!

All things considered; I say you’re doing very well.

very glad you guys took the step from “idea” to “reality”
nice work team ! onwards and upwards!

Thanks for telling us about the very beginnings of RB, it’s great. I’m glad you’re all still as obsessed now as you were then. You’ve all done a great job so far, and I hope RB is around for a long time to come. Congratulations.

Nice to know the story…it puts it all into perspective…thanks for sharing it.

Reading the stories of entrepreneurial beginnings is always fascinating. This has been another interesting story that all small-businesses can use for inspiration. Particularly me!

It seems so long ago when Redbubble first hit the internet and one heck of a journey; good times, bad times and constant growth. I could see it would be easy to go astray from your original vision as the site swells in popularity (and commercialism for that matter) but I’m glad to see you have stuck to your guns and have continued your primal focus for art and artists.

I’d like to see this post again in another three years time.

Great to be part of such an exciting journey… to infinity and beyond!!

Wow, I can’t imagine the Birth Pains that you all had gone through, however you have truly brought something to life that has grown far and wide beyond your initial Idea and Workspace.
Thank you for pushing forward Through your collective work you have Journeyed a Voyage such as an Icebreaker, though Generally Charted yet Specifically Engaged, you have Settled a wonderful place for Artists to Share with the World; to share with one another and have thus created a community that will continue to grow, and certain become a Destination for those who seek enriched ideas, personal growth, a potential world wide market, and friendships of endearing inspirations wealthy with generous smile and cordial greetings.
Thanks Redbubble Crew, May this website become the Nemesis of Online Galleries and THE Frontier to open thoughts and perceptions of life on Earth in the name of Art.

Fantastic – and I’m glad it’s all gone so well :)

hahaha………you’re very funny!!

It’s great to see the beginnings of this wonderful reality Martin.

When I joined in April 07 I wasn’t sure what to expect but the Red Bubble team and the community constantly surprise me with their encouragement, support and friendship.

Congratulations to you all for your vision and for making Red Bubble THE place for artists.

Its about time we get to see you guys..

let’s hope redbubble continues to go from strength to strength – so far so very good.
I hope redbubble can continue to develop new initiatives for artists e.g bulk purchases for clients at attractive prices.

Congratulation for making our dream comes true

excellent concept, great executing of plan. best of luck on future success!

Thank you for your vision, guys!

Sweet, thanks for being here.

Great Story.. nice to see you, Great to have faces behind that big RED BUBBLE :))

I just have to say that I am very glad that your ideas have come to fruition. Nowhere else have I found the sense of community that is expressed here on the bubble. And I have personal experience that the quality of Tees, cards, prints and calendars is fantastic. So I must say I’m pleased with the fulfillment aspect… Thank you for what you’ve brought to the world… Best regards and happy holidays!

Thanks for the history, and for making it personal.

I’m with Ronnie on the ability you guys have to “listen” to your members and yet still maintain the visions and standards you gave us in the beginning!

Thanks again from me.

ya’ll are geniouses !!!!!!!!!!!!!! bravo and take a bow……………………

Awesome stuff guys! Thanks to your idea, I found my dried up creative juices and got them flowing a little again. lol

It’s always good to hear how simple ideas can become successful so quickly… and I believe it all comes down to the community involvement – and offering something brilliant to get them (us) involved.

Thanks for creating a site where artists can be encouraged,appreciated inspired and learn to develop from each other.

Wow cool and I am honored to be a part of the redbubble community, but if there was just one suggestion that I could make and that is to offer perhaps some other goodies like perhaps laminated placemats or perhaps coffee table books that each individual artist could create with their best pieces through the year and offer them for sale during the holiday period. The calendars are nice but the books would last forever. Just my two cents.

Thank God for every single one of you…!

‘Vegans’… indeed….

I’m with Cheryl.. coffee table books… somehow more reasonable than Snapfish does them… because frankly, they are rather outlandishly priced on that site. A 30 page book with tax and shipping goes for nearly $50 US… not exactly the kind of thing a person could give too many of as gifts…

You all are great for coming up with this. Cafe Press serves a purpose but this is a much better outlet for artists. Now, if I could just convince my people to freakin’ buy something! I think I have marketed myself everywhere on earth. One day….

nice nice..

It’s great to hear the beginnings of an idea and to see managers of a website not afraid to show themselves. Kudos to all of you!

Thank you guys for doing it! It’s always interesting to watch an idea grow and blossom. Kudos!

Well congratulations from Canada, for a brilliant idea! Best wishes for 2009!

Congratulations on executing your brilliant plan. You all deserve very high recognition and praise for bringing bubble to the world!!

You guys are all brilliant – with exceptional artistic skills and incredible insight and the ability to follow through on your ambitions.

A very inspirational set of people .. developed into an extraodinarily inspirational community here ..

Thank you for everything you do xx

Hey, now I’m inspired to do some of my own whiteboard scribbling-thanks for Redbubble, it makes my day every day

It’s so good to hear the back-story. Thanks for that. :-)

How did you guys come up with the name, RedBubble?

Great story – it’s really nice to be ‘let in’ to how everything’s come about. that’s what makes RB so different and refreshing of course. Roll on 2009

veery interestingk, thank you

i love autobiography…well done…and keep moving it forward

I’m glad you did create this most interesting community of artists. This is more exciting than any gallery or opening, and helps prod artists to create much more than they might alone…

Thanks for sharing – and for having the courage to act on your vision!

It;s very nice to see the nice gentleman and Lady who made RedBubble.

gentlemen*

Thanks heaps for sharing this. Makes RedBubble feel a bit more personalised and less like just a company :)

With your work you have created a community that has given me (and countless others like me) WINGS TO FLY!! Thank you for creating the safe and constructive environment to make us SOAR!!!

who do you think we are ? Not very likely, I would of expected a more creative story. Try telling it again guys!

And a big thank you from me too.

Once upon a time there were three guys
bored with making mugs
disheartened with how the world was devised
against happiness & arty hugs
they tossed some ideas upon a board
and came up with a power triangle
so that art & artists would strongly score
a home with honour and spangles
addicted we are to the mighty RB
we bubble with vigour and vim
inspiration abounds for all to see
to assist with creation on a whim
you’ve begun a movement that we live by
our time here is treasured most
and we’ll keep it shining reaching to the sky
long after you all become ghosts
So here’s to you three and our mighty RB
Long may we bubble with pride
may we prosper with happiness and with glee
for it’s the best of the lifelong rides!

☼ HAPPY BUBBLING! ☼
X♥X CHOOKAS !!! X♥X

thanks for telling us the story!

Excellent concept resulting in attracting some astounding artists who share their work in some great products from you with the world. Wishing you continued success in the future.

It only takes one idea… and I’m glad you chose this one to go forward with!! The virtual world wouldn’t be the same without our beautiful red bubbles to float around in. Great to see the launch date and the original RB Elves!!!

From 0 to 100000 in less than 3 years.
What a wonderfully vibrant and creative milieu you have created.
Many Congrats

To dream an impossible dream, then bring it into reality, is an awe inspiring experience, as I know from a similar (though much more modest!) set of experiences myself.
I used to talk about catching a wave, then realizing it was a tsunami, and hanging on for grim death, at times terrified, and at other times filled with elation.
Congratulations, guys, on what you have (and are) achieved with RedBubble!
Merry Christmas to the whole team.
Keith

awe inspiring, indeed!

glad you three got bored often……..
a boredom of the highest level!!
thanks guys………….

Astounded! I thought the Bubble was older! Well done people in such a short time and such a wonderful idea.

Great idea! Congratulations!

Ahhh, the wallet in the front left pocket trick. Yes, I think I’ve heard that one before today.

Our family were so poor when I was a child that my mother used to cut holes in my pockets so I’d have toys to play with. Of course I didn’t realise until I was 20 that those toys would guide me to places I’d never dream of having the pleasure of encountering.

Just goes to show that RedBubble isn’t the only place where I’ve been able to express my individuality.

Thanks for the inspiration folks. RB is the best fun I have with my pants on. :)

BTW, you can use that last sentence of mine in your marketing strategy if you like.

Wow, thanks for sharing the birth of RB with us….really great to read!! :)

Hey how lucky are we bubblers that you all stuck with your ideas and principals, thanks.
RB is amazing and lots a fun.

You guys did an amazing job to create such a site that we are proud to be part of … Thank you
regards
Al Neaimi

Wow, you guys seem so… professional! XD

Terrific to know the history of the beginnings of Redbubble…thanks for showing :)

Thanks so much for putting your vision into action. It is an amazing site!

Just so glad you put all your great ideas into practise and created this awesome site. many thanks :-))

The Only thing you didn’t mention was what youwere drinking at the time of conception!!! LOL!!! Thanks team for a wonderful dream which we all can share, I had a dream for many years to become an artist, you know, the things I must do before I die list- the only thing left on my list was to become an artist, now thanks to red bubble I can say I am partway toward reaching that Goal, I’ve said it before and I say again- “you rock”!!! thanks a million for making it all happen, cheers and bubblehugs- Valerie xxx

NowI think I know what a whiteboard is, and from those three words – 100,000. Great oaks from little acorns.

Nice to know how RB came about. This is a fantastic place and I’m honored to be a member. Keep up all the good work.

where do writers enter into the grand scheme of things?

Great story! It is great to see how it has grown in such a short time. Congratulations!

that would be great… thank you for remembering us……… b

Get bored often!!!
RB has certainly changed my life, in the best possible ways … I have unlocked a side of my creative self which was alway there but had no accessible outlet … I have metaphorically/electronically met people from across and around the world, who inspire and encourage me …. I have literally met people who are now among my very good friends, who also inspire and encourage me (and have a drink with me occasionally too.!..).
Get bored MORE often!!
Happy Christmas to all the RB crew, and congratulations on an extraordinary story of success.

Great story and a wonderful site (even for us over here in the US). Through discussiions with fellow members and looking at their works I have improved my skills in photography and more importantly found many new friends from all over the world. I’ve even managed to sell a couple of items. Stay bored, have a Merry Christmas and a wonderful new year at RB.

Great story..thank you for allowing so many diverse people to be part of your dream. RB is FAMILY ! ! and you are the greatest for giving us a place to belong, grow and find friends..all over the world ! ! Here is too many more years of success

I have posted at 5 or 6 places previously, including Cafe Press and ImageKind, but continually tell people RedBubble is the best by far; the community is a bright spot starting each day, and just by posting the details like above, prove again you Honour The Art! Good show, I shall stick around! May the Holidays bless you all!

Very interesting..thankyou for the info.Love this place!!!

And what a great place you have created. Great work. Great people. Great site. This old saying comes to mind " From small acorns, big oak trees grow." Really pleased you picked up that little acorn. Your oak tree is well and truly rooted and growing. God Bless you and I hope all the team have a great Christmas and a great New Year. x

Honest Desire… So very happy you share such things…
Chuck..

Thanks Our Team! such a nice story, Martin.
Thanks for sharing with us ;)

and the rest is history………..well done and have a fantastic xmas and a outstanding new years…and you are all are a great team keep up the fantastic work

Thank you very much for sharing with us. Congratulations to you all !!!!

That story was very interesting! I always did love history! And i know what you mean about boredom resulting in invention.

Thank you very much for making it possible for me to display my photography. I recently joined and it is part of my everyday life. Thank for sharing your beginning and of course it has brought a lot of pleasure to me and I am wishing you all a very merry Christmas and God bless you all.

Very interesting and moving story .R/B has become an everyday event in my life. I wish you continued success
Have a wonderful Christmas everyone

I love this site. I have not sold anything yet, but I really love this site. Thank you for sharing your story.

Here’s to all of us growing together!

Thanks guys. The bubble has played a very important part in my life over the last year and a half. Firstly, I’ve at last got the confidence to show my wacky scribbles (now I’m doing commissioned work!), and secondly, and more importantly, I met my soul mate!

if you build it…

Great story behind an awesome site. Thanks one and all for the opportunities to be creative and challenge my abilities and flourishing knowledge since becoming part of the photography world a few months ago.
Karen

Thank you for sharing the birth of TB in words and images. I especially like the diagram about community, fulfillment and market place. :)

keep on rocking the art world !!

thank you!

Very interesting & its great to be a part of it all :)

what a meteoric rise…and what an epic following you have created, bringing so much to so many… a real platform for the artists out there…thank you and long may it continue.

How wonderful, so glad you all got together………….

thanks for putting human faces on the whole project. also amazing how far you have come & how much you have accomplished in a short time. keep up the good work !

How do I invest in redbubble? (seriously!)

Oooooh.. I like the way Dennis Derrick thinks! How DO we ??

Oooooh.. I like the way Dennis Derrick thinks! How DO we ??And I am also very pleased to hear that you have the coffee table books on the ‘front burner’… : )

Thank you for having the ideas and bringing them to fruition so we can all come together in a community we may have never known otherwise.

Thank you for sharing your story, may we all enjoy success together with you guys at the helm. Merry Christmas.

Important for us artists to know the history of our much loved Red Bubble, what an amazingly simple and beautiful formula, I’m sure it has succeeded beyond your wildest dreams! Thanks again for the creative thinking.

Great story a great venue I’m just getting my head around how to make the opportunity work and go forward ,thanks again Red Bubble, have a fantastic 2009

Thanks you are to create such lovely red bubble to fly to the world and best wish to you all !

i remember hearing about u guys whilst u were doing a radio interview just after u launched, and i thought ,“beauty, an aussie art site, i’ll join” and in typical aussie fashion, i joined (quite a few weeks later) but i joined and haven’t looked back, after all this time i still can’t do the link stuf and the multiple picis etc, i’ll have to be physically shown one day (other bubblers have helped me though,which is way kool!

Congratulation from Montreal Quebec Canada , thank you very much for your great vision, ideas and good continuation for 2009 and wish this beloved web site and community of artist to last a long long time …….

Its good to ride the wave

I find RedBubble GENIUS! Well done ,Nice one giv ya’llselves another pat on th back ;)

I am very thankful that you guys provided somewhere else to go….people are very upbuilding here….out there in the cold cruel world, art people can be very underhanded and just plain nasty…none of that is here….very encouraging…thanks guys….
Robin L Stevens

Excellent profile guys… hey I have name dropped the site "here"http://www.dogonaut.com/walkies.asp?topic=wtd_o... if you want to take a look.. it’s down the page with an image link and a few words..

Just spreading the word ;)

Cheers!
Leith

OOPS, I’ll try again.. the link is HERE

Quite impressive, congratulations! Any place where can be seen the number of members? just out of curiosity…maybe there is such place, maybe one of the links bellow? but I am somehow new to the site and still learning my way around, came across this page by accident…Again, congratulations!

Ah! So then you admit it?! You intended for this to happen! (And here I was thinking maybe Hobbits, or those thingies lurking at the bottom of my glass created this site.)

I love this story!

That’s nice and all, but wheres my order that seems to be missing? #149075 Placed on 11/27/09. Shipped on 12/2/09. And missing, post office said I should of gotten it by now!!! Getting tired of the run a round.

still no order!!

I really appreciate the story. There should always be a nexus that enables the strength of an organization. Thank you and it is a pleasure to be here.
WRR

it can’t hurt to try a new idea…i’ll support the group

I love that Redbubble isn’t like Cafepress, and that it’s so easy to find something nice as opposed to wading through a sea of…. ;-)

Thank you for sharing this. I always appreciate the story behind things and the picture helps as well !!!

great story … thanks

Here’s tae yea Bonny lassies an’ laddies there’s nane like yea.
The Auld YIn.

Where is Mr. Baxter, the Elusive One?! We hear from him occasionally in one of his many guises and occasionally see a bright pair of shorts, but are we merely “hearing and seeing things” instead of the “real thing”? Does he not have the bravado to face his fans? Or is he merely a compilation? At any rate, we’d love to see him if he’s willing to show himself – his fans are awaiting!

Have I missed the “how the red bubble got its name” story?

Great Story.

this is sam tanguileg iam a new member to this redbubble i considerate a honor.

It’s tough out there and you guys are making it happen, and not just for yourselves. Congrats & good luck for the future.

Can’t than you enough for such an exciting and functional site with a great ‘community feeling’ amongst the participating artists. Good luck in all you do.

You people are super amazing, I remember when a poster was put up in RMIT 07’, I can’t believe how far you have launched & grown. Kudos and thanks for sharing/facilitating the creative spark x

Keep it real cheel…and thanks for all the fish.

Thank for telling us, you are wonderful, big hug to all the team

I have only very recently joined and, having been a member of various sites such is this over the years, I can say without pretension, RedBubble has to be the most welcoming, supportive group I have ever experienced. It has restored my faith & interest in my writing & has given me inspiration to develop my photography. Thank-you to all the team for making this possible.

Well done! I had a hand in kick-starting and growing the online logo design biz in the early 90’s, primarily in the sports apparel segment of things. I like the feel here so far—after a few short days—from the community standpoint especially, and the multi-function artists services portal as well. Man, there sure are legions of talented folks in this world of ours, and so many of them showcased right here! Thanks!

Great story. Thanks for sharing.
RedBubble’s user interface is a pleasure to use.
Creative/design or form/function it works on all levels, congratulations.

This is just how we begin as artist/creators! An idea, a work area, experimenting and Wah-Lah! ART at its best – I am so grateful that you all stuck with each other and your idea…This website/group has changed my creative life and world in so many positive ways!!! Thank you from this grateful heart in Rainbow City, AL

You could be the fulfillment service to help my dreams come true. If any one would like a business opportunity, framing my cards and distributing them in their own home town. If you don’t like the frames here: Go get some at Hobby Lobby/One of America’s Craft – Framing stores, that also have decor from all over the world. Gourley Garden gifts here at Redbubble.com JeffeeArt4u.

Reading your story is something I guess I felt, for there had to be someone with the desire to please others behind it all, it is an inspiration to me and I wish I had taken up photography many years ago, but I love getting good pictures, editing and presenting and then hope they are OK..Congratulations on all you have done to keep millions occupied and happy. Shirley … EdsMum

Do tell, do tell.

so that’s why we’re all here ~ well thank you to the few for fulfilling everyone’s dream and aspirations

enjoyable read and pleased to be here….. its inspired a new me since joining and i’ve made lots of wonderful friends xxx :-)))

Thank so much for sharing A RedBubble Story to us. And I do glad to be come a member of RedBubble.

Lily

Interesting! Either way, you guys done a great job! And thank god for that whiteboard! Otherwise, no RedBubble!

Cheers, Graeme.

EUREKA! That’s it! That’s what I need to be a success: a big honkin’ whiteboard!

Well, no, on second thought, what I really need is affirmation and positive feedback, advertising, and an international supply and distribution system, and you guys have provided me with a great community that gives me all that and more. Thank you; GREAT JOB! Keep up the good work.

I can’t thank you all enough for providing a most user friendly venue to sell and share artworks with fellow artists and others who appreciate the visual arts and the art of writing. Being able to support the merits of the art of others and they being supporting my work has done wonders for my self esteem! I also very much appreciate the many ways you all support artists to get involved in groups and your other very helpful resources.

Well done to you all !! I love Red Bubble :)

What a wonderful story. A book about RedBubble from conception to now might end up required reading in the business schools (just as the FedEx model was/is studied). Plus you would have a built-in eager audience for it in your members. This is a wonderful, inspiring beginning, but it just scratches the surface.

I’m really happy for you guys, and glad that I came to RedBubble to comment a friend, starting my own story within your continuing saga.

I’m glad you guys do all this hard work, that whiteboard gives me a headache.

nice to see you all a nd than ks so much !LIZ

Fabulous..and thankyou!

This business model has proved to be terrific. In addition to my photo interests I have been involved with the corporate finance and business development practices. That’s the reason from which I believe we will be experiencing RB for so many years. My best congratulations.

Great story … and company!

Congratulations to you and all your team – I am proud to be a member of such a vibrant and ever-changing community where I can share my work and be paid for doing so (I plan for that to happen soon)! Being a amateur photographer specialising in photographing vintage and antique trucks and tractors, I have not been able to find a place to display my work – that was until recently when I found you guys through a friend of mine!

I enjoy posting my photos here – even though I’m new, I feel like a professional! Keep up the work and I’ll continue posting here!

Joe Hupp

Thank you, guys . . . .an honour and a privilege to be a member of such a GREAT COMMUNITY!

Well done, I am glad you have done this. I learn more each day, Brian

How glad am I that printing cats on mugs was boring ….where would we all be???

Yeah!

Great vision, great job,,Thanks.

Congratulations RB Team! You did the most wonderful ART site on Earth!
Thank you for being part of it:)

very very cool guys! you rock!!! :]

So impressive!!! RB really has changed my world in so many ways! Very grateful to be a part of it all! :-)) val

Great story

It’s quite a good story! Good luck and much success!

good luck and warm regards from Saint-Petersburg)))

Very nice story, thanks.

This is all fabulous
However, I wonder if you ever thought of how many lost souls
you would HEAL
the bubble is oxygenated by
creation
I give blessings and thanks
to all and sundry
Put your hands up bubblers
and ( applord) you know clap
and cheer
and give them praise

So glad you didn’t settle for cats on a mug t-shirts! This is a great sight! Good job! ")
(a vegan too)

What you guys have accomplished and achieved in just 5 years is nothing short of phenomenal. The ONLY product I would ask you to take a look at in a simple version of what Blurb and My Publisher put out. Something like an 11’ Square and a 12′ × 15′ hard cover. Keep it to say 100 pages. THAT would be hot. :D And even if the Bubble was a few bucks more, I’d go with you guys, just to stay “in-house.” CHEERS to ya!! :D -JULIAN WILDE

It’s why I chose you to print my stuff – it’s all about stories and I love yours x

you know what i like about all this…..no one is showing us to the door because we are old….you guys dont care of our age…you only care that we are artist who create and will do so till our last breath….yeah….im beginning to fall in love with you guys….hoooray for bubble….maybe i can make a name for myself before that last breath……hmmmm….sounds good….grandma moses of poetry….yeah….i like it

Oh wow, I’m just a new bubble on board, but this was a very inspiring read. It’s always amazing to read about something that starts as a fluffy/fuzzy idea and then grows into something as grand as this. Got to love retrospect, right? Thanks for being here for us artists, all of us. Life is so much fun!

Thanks guys for sharing the interesting story…. you did a wonderful job. You’re the best!