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NASA Writer to $1M Founder

Published 4 months ago • 2 min read

NASA Writer to $1M Founder

Matt Gira

May 20th, 2025

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​Brandi Bernoskie didn’t set out to build a million-dollar business. In 2011, she was writing content for NASA and running a small blog on the side, mostly for herself.

As she taught herself to code websites and friends started asking for help, a small side project grew into something more.

A couple of key mindset shifts turned that side hustle into what is now a $1M website agency, Alchemy & Aim.

In this deep dive, we’ll explore the mindset shifts Brandi made to go from side hustler to $1 million business owner, how her focus on service helped her stand out, and why her approach directly challenges one of the other founders I’ve featured here on The Quarter.

And after studying dozens of bootstrapped businesses in The Bootstrapped Report, Brandi’s story stands out as one of the clearest examples of how to grow a healthy, sustainable company.

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Recommendations

​AI Search has officially become a thing​

One of the first deep dives I ever did was one on Tally. Their growth strategies have clearly changed as Marie, one of the co-founders, posted that AI search is now their largest acquisition channel. Wild.

​Notion is making the leap​

I've been hesitant to go all-in on Notion, admittedly. It's such a competitive space and not necessarily the most beginner-friendly tool. What they just announced with Notion AI is insane. It has some ways to go before it's super usable, but where it's headed feels super exciting.

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Matt Gira

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113 Cherry St #92768, Seattle, WA 98104-2205
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The Quarter

Matthew Gira

How bootstrapped businsses go from $0 to $250k in annual revenue.

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